HELPING HANDS

PARENT HANDBOOK

2014 - 2015

Helping Hands School

4 Fairchild Square

Clifton Park, NY 12065

664-5066

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Table of Contents

Welcome……………………………………………………………………………………. 3

Parent/Teacher Communication…………………………………………… 3

Transportation………………………………………………………………………… 4

Arrival/Dismissal/Release……………………………………………………. 5

Parking Lot Safety…………………………………………………………………. 5

A Typical Day at Helping Hands………………………………………….. 5-6

What My Child Needs For School………………………………………. 7

Your Child’s Team…………………………………………………………………… 7

Parent Participation……………………………………………………………….. 7

Field Trips……………………………………………………………………………….. 8

Birthdays…………………………………………………………………………………. 8

Holidays……………………………………………………………………………………. 8

Health/Illness/Attendance Information………………………….. 9-10

Snow Days………………………………………………………………………………… 11

Summer Program…………………………………………………………………….. 11

Parent/Family Resources & Events…………………………………….. 12-13

Fundraising………………………………………………………………………………. 13

ATTACHMENTS: 2014-2015 School Calendar

Health Policy

Nut free policy letter

Absentee notes

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WELCOME TO HELPING HANDS SCHOOL!

The Helping Hands School is pleased to welcome you and your child to our program.

We thank you for sharing your children with us and we look forward to watching them

learn and grow. We offer a language rich learning environment and highly skilled staff.

Our curriculum is designed to facilitate development in children of all abilities.

We believe that parent and teacher communication is a major factor affecting the

success of the children in our program. This handbook contains policies and other

important information for the families of our students. While it may contain the answers

to some of your questions, we do not expect it to hold every answer. Please use this

handbook as a resource, but never hesitate to call or ask your child's teacher if you have

any questions.

It is our desire to work with you as a team for the benefit of your child. We

appreciate your confidence in us and welcome the opportunity to share this year with your

family. If anyone on our school staff can be of assistance please do not hesitate to ask!

Parent/Teacher Communications

1. Daily Notes: Your child will come home with a daily note explaining the events of the

day. Having this information will not only keep you informed about what your child does at

school, but also acts as a tool for you to ask him questions about his adventures in class!

2. Bulletin Boards: There are parent bulletin boards located in or near each of the

classrooms and building entrances. On these boards you will find notes posted about

upcoming events and activities.

3. Phone Calls: Teachers are available for questions by phone. Teachers are generally

available between class sessions-8:30-9:00 AM, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, and 3:00-3:30 PM for

phone calls. Parents of children who are in our 5 hour program may call before 9 AM or

after 2:30 PM.

4. Newsletter/Calendar: A newsletter/calendar written by the school staff will come

home monthly covering classroom activities, campus wide events, information and

community resources.

5. Conferences: Conference days are built into the school calendar. There are parent-

teacher conference dates in October and February. Parents or teachers may request

personal conferences, should either feel the need for one at anytime during the year.

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6. Facebook: Join Helping Hands School’s facebook page to get up to date news and

reminders about school events and happenings. We occasionally post pictures of classroom

activites! To find us just enter Helping Hands School in the facebook search bar or go to

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Helping-Hands-School/121210911267078

Transportation

Transportation to and from Helping Hands School may be provided or you may

choose to transport your child yourself. Typically transportation arrangements are

discussed at your child’s CPSE meeting upon the approval of your child’s program. Funding

for transportation is provided through county taxes and state funds.

A. Parent Transport

If you choose to transport yourself, the county where you reside will reimburse you

for mileage at a predetermined rate. If you would like more information on this, call

Helping Hands and we will direct you to the appropriate contact person.

B. County Arranged Transportation

This type of transportation is usually by mini-bus or van. The parent or guardian is

responsible for bringing the child to the bus when leaving for school and for getting the

child from the bus when being brought home after school. Appropriate equipment such as

car seats or booster seats is provided. Parents are required to provide an emergency

drop-off location with the name, address and phone number of the responsible person at

that location.

Prior to the first day of school for your child, the bus company usually contacts

parents by phone or takes a trial run of the bus route. Often the bus driver will come to

your home to meet you and your child prior to the first day of school. Because there is

usually more than one bus company servicing Helping Hands School in any given school year,

you are encouraged to get the following information:

Bus Company:______________________ Phone Number___________________

Driver’s Name:_____________________

The county or the bus company will assist you with any transportation questions.

Since the counties contract and regulate transportation, Helping Hands cannot be

responsible for transportation. If you have a question or transportation problem, please

contact the bus company directly or contact Helping Hands for the telephone number of

the person in charge of transportation for your county of residence.

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Arrival, Dismissal and Release Policy

Our classroom doors open promptly at 9:00 and 12:30 for our 2.5 hr. days and at

9:00 for our 5 hr days. Playgroup start times vary from this. Teachers need time prior to

class to prepare for the activities of the day.

For children transported to school by bus, teachers and teacher assistants bring

children to and from the buses. Children’s hands are held in the parking lot at all times.

For safety reasons, children transported by their parents will be dismissed individually.

Your child can only be released to people authorized by you in writing. In the event that

someone will pick up your child other than you or the regular driver, please send in a note

or call us on the phone. The person will be required to show identification such as a

driver’s license.

For timeliness and confidentiality reasons, we discourage conversations at drop off

and pick up times related to your child's specific progress. Quick general questions are

always welcome, but questions about your child's progress in class can best be answered

through a telephone call or scheduling a conference with the teacher.

In situations where there are custody issues, it is necessary that a copy of any

legal and binding documents be provided to the school to be kept in your child’s

confidential file.

Parking Lot Safety

Please use extreme caution and drive slowly in the parking lot at all times. For your

convenience, there will be designated drop off and pick up parking spaces on campus.

While the Helping Hands buses are loading and unloading, traffic will be stopped and

directed in the parking lot for the safety of all children. It is best to arrive in the parking

lot a few minutes ahead of arrival and dismissal times. PLEASE HOLD YOUR CHILD’S

HAND IN THE PARKING LOT AT ALL TIMES!

A Typical Day At Helping Hands School

As parents of preschoolers, you know not all days are the same, but we do strive to

provide a classroom routine that is educational, fun and challenging for the students. Each

teacher runs their classroom differently depending on the needs of the children, but a

routine day generally consists of the following.

Play Stations or Free Play: This time provides children with an opportunity to develop and

maintain appropriate play and social skills with peers. Teachers encourage sharing, turn-

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taking, cooperative play and language usage between children. Children are encouraged to

engage in various activities and in different areas of the classroom (example: technology

activities, table top activities, dramatic play, book area, building blocks).

Movement: The children exercise by dancing, jumping, stretching, hopping, walking and

obstacle courses. This is usually done to music. Concepts are also incorporated such as in

and out, under and over, colors and many others. Listening skills are encouraged, as well as

turn taking and peer interaction.

Circle Time: The children and the teachers sing a "Hello Song". The song is designed to

reacquaint the children with their friends and get used to using each other's names.

Following the song the children talk about the weather and go over the calendar to

practice the days of the week, month and year. Jobs are chosen and rotated on a daily

basis. Jobs can include; "weather person", "calendar person", "counting friends" etc.

Story Time: Listening to stories in a group helps encourage attentive listening and

comprehension skills as well as an appreciation for books. The books chosen typically

relate to the thematic unit of the week. Children also get time each day to look at books

independently.

Snack Time: Having a snack as a group is a great way to develop self-help, social and

communication skills! We work on manners and turn taking. Sometimes we even do some

baking and make our own snacks together. It is important to let us know immediately if

your child has any dietary restrictions. Snack is provided as part of our program; however,

arrangements can be made with the staff if your child has dietary restrictions.

Small Groups or Centers: The children break into smaller groups and participate in planned

activities with an adult. Each group will rotate so that they can participate in each

activity. Arts and crafts, fine motor, sensory and preacademic skills are addressed during

this time. Small group work allows for children to have a greater opportunity for adult

attention and reinforcement.

Outdoor Time: In the nice weather, we often will spend time outdoors working on our gross

motor skills with friends on the playground or on ride on toys. For your child's safety we

ask that sneakers or sturdy shoes be worn to school. In the warm weather months, we ask

that you apply sunscreen and/or bug repellant prior to sending your child to school.

Closing Circle: The children sing a “good-bye song” and review the day’s activities. Daily

notes are handed out and backpacks are filled. We encourage growing independence and

self-help skills, as we get ready to go home. This takes a little more time in the winter

with heavy coats and boots.

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What Does My Child Need For School?

1- A child sized backpack or book bag should come and go to school each day to carry

papers and projects. For safety purposes we discourage backpacks with wheels as they

increase the risk of injury.

2- In the classroom, we need a spare change of clothes in case of a spill or accident.

3- If your child is not yet toilet trained; please send in the equivalent of two diapers per

day to be used at school. You can send these in on a weekly basis or whatever schedule is

mutually convenient for you and your child’s teacher.

Your Child’s Team

Helping Hands uses a “trans-disciplinary” approach to early childhood special

education. This means that all disciplines work together to meet each child’s needs. In

each classroom there is a Master’s level special education teacher supported by one or

more teacher assistants. Each classroom team has a speech pathologist that works with

children individually and in groups. Along with the teacher, the speech pathologist plans

and participates in routine classroom activities such as snack and small groups. Integrated

classes also have a nursery school teacher.

The classroom is also assigned an occupational therapist and a physical therapist.

These therapists provide services based on IEP recommendations. Occupational therapists

specialize in fine motor development and sensory processing. Physical therapists specialize

in gross motor development. Teachers will consult with their classroom OT or PT if they

have concerns regarding a child who is not receiving direct services.

In addition, each classroom has a social worker, school psychologist and

administrator as part of the team. Social workers provide consultation and direct services

to families regarding the child’s behavioral and developmental needs. The school

psychologist is a resource for teachers and parents by providing assistance with

consultation, educational testing and transition to public school. By using a team approach

we aim to provide your child with a high quality early education experience.

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Parent Participation

We welcome parent participation in our classrooms. If you would like to assist with

your child's class, please indicate your desire to your child's teacher. Parent participation

is always needed for chaperoning/driving for field trips, and parties.

Field Trips

During the year the children may go on field trips. These are planned in advance

with an educational purpose in mind and often relate to a theme being taught in the

classroom. Examples include apple picking, the pumpkin patch, the post office,

Shenendehowa Preschool PTA concerts and events. You will be told about them in advance.

Parents are always needed to go with us as drivers and chaperones. Sign up sheets will be

posted in the classroom for these events. Your child's car seat or booster seat will be

needed on field trip days. At the beginning of the year, you will be asked to sign a general

permission slip for fieldtrips.

Birthdays

Birthdays are an important event in the life of a preschooler! The classroom staff

will provide a special snack to celebrate your child’s birthday at school. This is done

because of the high number of students with severe allergies. The parent of the birthday

child is welcome to send in non-food items such as decorative plates or napkins.

Invitations to home birthday parties may be handed out at school only if every child

in the class is invited. Otherwise, please mail them to the child's home to avoid hurt

feelings.

Holiday Parties

All holidays are special at Helping Hands School! Teachers often use motivating

seasonal and holiday themes to practice skills such as counting, coloring and cutting. At

Thanksgiving we focus on why we are thankful and have a feast. Hanukkah and Christmas

activities provide young children with the opportunity to experience aspects of both

holidays and learn about differences and cultural appreciation. Our Valentine's Day

themes focus on friendship, caring and love. Due to severe allergies among our students,

HELPING HANDS SCHOOL IS A NUT FREE ENVIRONMENT. For that reason, specific

requests regarding items that can be sent in will be provided by the classroom staff.

Parents may request that their child not participate in specific holiday festivities or can

come to school to teach the children about a holiday that is celebrated in their family.

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Health, Illness & Attendance Information

A. Health Policy

The preschool environment is one in which the children play in close contact and

germs quickly spread. We try to prevent the spread of illness by washing surfaces and

toys routinely. We also encourage hygiene and good hand washing in the classroom.

Parents can help prevent the spread of germs by keeping ill children at home. We

distinguish between the "somewhat drippy" nose, which needs an occasional wipe and an

occasional cough versus the "runny nose" and constantly coughing child. No child with a

fever will be admitted to school. If a child becomes ill while in class, the parent or next

person on the emergency information sheet will be called to come for the child. Notices

are sent home as soon as we are notified of a contagious disease. Attached to the back of

this handbook is a helpful chart with the Helping Hands Health Policy. Please adhere to

the recommended period before re-entry to school on this chart.

B. Absences

If your child will be absent from school please call the school and the

transportation company as well. When your child returns to school please send in a written

excuse. You may write your own note or use one of the slips attached to the back of this

packet.

C. Ongoing Medical Concerns, Allergies & Medication

Please notify your child’s teacher and the school nurse of any medical problems,

allergies or ongoing prescription medications. Medication cannot be given at school without

the written permission of the child’s parent and doctor. Please contact the school nurse if

your child requires medication to be dispensed during school hours.

D. Medical Procedures/Surgery:

It is the policy of Helping Hands to resume all services on an IEP, including OT, PT

and speech, when children are cleared to return to school following a surgery, medical

procedure or accident, unless a doctor has notified us of restrictions. If your child has an

accident requiring medical attention or has a procedure done, please ask your practitioner

if any restrictions are necessary for the specific services that your child receives at

school. If a doctor has placed restrictions on an activity or service, we must receive that

information in writing. We must also be notified of the date that services can resume.

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We appreciate your assistance in helping us to continue to provide safe and appropriate

services for your child.

E. Immunization and Lead Screening Requirements

New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, mandates that schools shall not

permit a child to be admitted unless the parent provides the school with a certificate of

immunization or proof from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant that the

child is in the process of receiving the immunizations. The required immunizations for

entrance into PRESCHOOL are:

1. Diphtheria toxoid (usually administered as DPT, DT, DTaP or TD)- 4 doses

2. Polio- 3 doses

3. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)-1 dose

4. Hepatitis B vaccine- 3 doses

5. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)- 4 doses or 1 dose administered at or after

15 months of age

6. Varicella (Chicken Pox)- 1 dose

7. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PVC)- Born on or after 1/1/08- 4 doses by

15 months of age

In addition, as of December 1993, legislation was passed which requires preschools

to have, on file, a copy of a certificate of lead screening for each child enrolled. We do

not need the results, just proof that the test has been given. This should be documented

on your child’s immunization form.

If you have any questions about the lead screening or immunization requirements,

contact your physician or your county health department. They can help you obtain a test

if it has not yet been done. Please bring or send these required documents to Helping

Hands School prior to your child’s first day, or send them with your child on the first day

of enrollment.

F. Important Information about Injuries

By New York State law, schools must report instances of child abuse and neglect.

School personnel are required to report any unexplained bruises, injuries, burns, etc. to

Child Protective Services. We are very aware that preschool children can receive injuries

in many ways other than abusive situations. Therefore, if you are aware that your child

has been injured due to an accident, a fight with a sibling, a fall, etc., it is very helpful if

you explain this in a note to your child’s teacher. If you are in doubt, please call and speak

with the child’s teacher or school nurse.

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Snow Days

At times during the winter months we will have to close school for the morning

session or afternoon session only or for the whole day due to poor driving conditions. Our

school closing information is broadcast on several local radio stations and television

stations and on our own facebook account.

Television Stations: WNYT-TV Channel 13, WTEN-TV Channel 10, WRGB-TV

Channel 6, and YNN (channel 9).

Radio Stations: WGY -AM 810, WFLY - 92 FM, WYJB FM- 95.5,

WRVE-The River-99.5.

If we find it necessary to close after the students have come in, we will make every

effort to contact you or your babysitter/daycare provider. Please make sure we have

updated and correct phone numbers for babysitter/daycare settings as well as your work

number and an emergency number.

We will also send out a mass email if school is delayed or closed. We have a list of

email addresses. If you have not sent us your email and wish to be on the list, please send

a request to Debbie Ecklund at decklund@helpinghands.org

We currently serve over 150 students coming from 19 school districts from East

Greenbush to South Glens Falls. Weather conditions may vary greatly among these areas.

While we often follow the lead of the Shenendehowa Central School District that is not

always the case. You should also be aware that if Helping Hands is open, but your public

school is not open, the transporters would not pick up your child for local travel safety

reasons. For most counties, if Shenendehowa is delayed 2 hours or closed they will not

transport to Helping Hands, as well. In the case of morning delays, afternoon

transportation will be provided.

As always, you, as the parent, may choose not to send your child to school if you

feel the roads are unsafe.

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Summer Program

Children who are approved for 12 month programming (also known as Extended

School Year Services) may be recommended for our 6-week summer program. This

decision for summer services will be made at your child’s CPSE annual review meeting

typically held in the spring.

Parent/Family Resources & Events

Parent Nights: Educational parent nights are scheduled regularly throughout the school

year. Guest speakers are invited to address parents and staff on a variety of issues

relating to parenting and child development. Flyers about these events will come home

with your child.

Parent Support Group: Parents of children with a diagnosis along the autism spectrum

meet twice a month to find emotional support, as well as insights into their child’s

abilities/disabilities. Parent Support Group is held in the living room of the Early

Education building and is facilitated by a Helping Hands staff member.

STEP Class: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting or STEP is a course typically

offered to parents twice a year at Helping Hands. STEP consists of enjoyable,

enlightening and informative group discussions about parenting facilitated by a teacher or

social worker and held over 6 to 7 sessions. Openings are limited and the class is filled on

a first come first serve basis. Childcare is typically offered during these sessions.

Sibling Workshops: The social workers at Helping Hands offer a spring and follow-up

summer sibling workshop for the older brothers and sisters of our students. This program

provides siblings over the age of 5 with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of

what it is like to be a student at Helping Hands. Children learn what their brothers and

sisters do while they are at school. They try activities that their siblings participate in

such as circle time, speech, occupational and physical therapies. These activities are

planned toward helping the children learn about special needs. The aim of our workshops is

for the siblings to get to know one another, to increase their understanding of their

brothers and sisters and to answer questions or provide information about their siblings.

Food Bank: Helping Hands maintains a food bank for families who find this resource

helpful in meeting the nutrition needs of their children. Annual drives are held to collect

goods and donations are always accepted. Families can access the food pantry by

contacting their child’s teacher or social worker.

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Clothing Bank: Children quickly outgrow their clothing during the preschool years.

Helping Hands has a clothing bank for size 2 T through size 6 for boys and girls.

Donations are accepted by contacting the school nurse. If your child needs a particular

clothing item, contact your child’s teacher, social worker or the school nurse.

Holiday Assistance: Each year Helping Hands coordinates a gift-giving program for our

families in need of assistance during the holidays. We help families access community

resources as well coordinate a school based donation program. If you are in need of

assistance during the holidays, please contact your child’s teacher or social worker. Keep in

mind that any of the community resources begin enrollment as early as October.

Information on how to make a donation will come home with your child in early November.

Fundraising

Helping Hands is a nonprofit organization. Our program is funded through the NYS

Education Department. We rely on fundraising to offset costs not covered by public

funding.

We will be having a Spring fundraiser this year instead of our Fall Family Fun Day.

More information will follow.

Throughout the school year, Helping Hands holds smaller fundraisers such as

cookbook, carwash, and t-shirt sales.

Remember......

We look forward to getting to know your child and family. If there is any way we

can be of assistance or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact a staff

member at 664-5066.