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