Welcome GA Prek Parent Orientation 2018 2019 Mission

Welcome GA Prek Parent Orientation 2018 -2019

Mission The mission of the Druid Hills Child Development Center is to develop children socially, emotionally and cognitively, to encourage their curiosity, and to help them realize their full potential. We define quality as an environment that inspires children’s natural curiosity and believe children learn best through doing. We partner with families to support them in their role as their child’s first and most important teachers and believe that through this partnership we create a foundation for a child’s future success.

DHCDC is a non profit organization that is lead by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our board is comprised of both current and past parents and community members.

o President, Kelly Swinks o Events Chair, Allison Anderson o Fundraising Chair, Lauren Westmoreland o Room Reps from each classroom, please sign up today if you would like to be a room rep The mission of the Parent Council is to assist DHCDC with fundraising, teacher appreciation, and to encourage parent participation and engagement at DHCDC • • • New Year Kickoff Playdate, August 11 Donation for Annual Birthday and Staff Fund, September 1 Welcome Breakfast for ALL, September 7 Staff Holiday Luncheon, December 14 Spring Fundraiser, March 8, 2019 Staff Appreciation Week, May 6 -10, 2019

Who can help? With this new structure we hope that parents will have access to support when you need it. • Teachers in your assigned classroom are your first point of contact related to your child’s care • If you need further assistance please escalate your concerns: • • Program Coordinator Program Director Executive Director Board of Directors

Community Agreements • • Be Present Be Accountable Be Informed Be Respectful Community Agreements are expectations for members of our community that we agree to follow and reciprocate, in the effort to maintain a safe and respectful environment/experience.

Health and Safety • • Infectious Illness Safe Shoes Medication Policy Ratios/Group Size @ DHCDC • Supervision • Bottles/Water Cups

Building a bridge to Kindergarten • Lottery Funded program to the center for children 4 years old by 9/1 each year • Documentation requirements: Proof of Age, Residency, completed Roster Information Sheet (Exit Ticket!), Social Security number, 3231 and 3300 • 6. 5 Hour instructional day is subsidized. Extended Care is an option • Meal Fee is the only required fee and it will be billed monthly at the 1 st of each month

Meet the Teaching Team Ms. Jes. Neka Jones, Lead Teacher • 3 rd year teaching GA’s Prek • Bachelors Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences • Lead Teachers are responsible for the lesson planning and assessment along with daily interactions Ms. Janine Stanley, Co. Teacher • 8 years teaching private prek • Masters of Art Education • Co-teachers are responsible for supporting lead teachers and children through observations, implementation of curriculum, and interactions

Attendance and Timeliness • Regular school attendance is a component to a child’s academic success. Children who do not attend on a regular basis, are routinely late, or routinely leave the program early may be disenrolled. In addition, children who are late, leave early, or are absent for ten consecutive days without a medical or other reasonable explanation must be disenrolled from the program—pg. 8, GA’s Prek Parent Handbook

Attendance and Timeliness • Academic day is 8: 00 AM-2: 30 PM • Attendance and timeliness will be tracked with Procare and when you arrive in the classroom on the roster • Please do your best to schedule planned medical visits outside of the academic day and if you can’t please provide documentation • Monthly reminders will be sent via email if your child’s attendance or timeliness is outside of the program policy

Extended Care • • Participating in Extended Care provides access to care 7: 30 AM 6: 00 PM each day (Monthly fee $475. 00). Our Extended Care program for the Maple class will occur in Maple and the School Age children will combine in Maple at 5: 15 PM each day If your child is not enrolled in Extended Care and is dropped off before 7: 45 or not picked up by 2: 45 the full monthly fee will be applied to your account and they will be enrolled in Extended Care that month Extended care will included: • Snack at 3: 00 • Outside Time • Center time and dismissal

School Calendar • • • DHCDC follows the APS School Calendar (see provided calendar and online) We will be closed each day APS is closed and DHCDC will provide camps for most (but not all) of the APS days Please note Spring Break, 10/8 and 3/18 DHCDC does not provide camp so please make plans for care Camp weekly fees are $287. 00 per week effective 9/1 and $60. 00 per day for drop in or daily camps Inclement Weather: GA’s Prek @ DHCDC will follow the APS recommendations for closings. Drop in camp might be provided.

Georgia Early Learning Standards (GELDS) All approved curricula are aligned with the GELDS ensure that children develop skills in language and literacy, math, science, social studies, creative, health, and social and emotional areas. Pg. 7, GA’s Prek Handbook www. gelds. decal. ga. gov

What will we learn in GA’s Prek @ DHCDC? • www. gelds. decal. ga. gov • All of the Standards and Strands of the GELDS will be addressed and will be noted in each weekly lesson plan • To create a successful transition to and year of Kindergarten we know that children will need to work on • • Social and Emotional Development with a focus on self regulation and sense of self Approaches to play and learning with a focus on Attentiveness and Persistence and Play

Assessment • We will track progress and assess against the GELDS using GAPrek’s Work Sampling System GA’s Prek uses a state wide assessment for four year olds. It is an assessment completed in each classroom by the teacher a children engage in their daily routine. Teachers collect data and enter to an online portfolio. –Pg. 10, Family Handbook Parent Teacher Conferences November 5 -16 AND April 8 -19. Look for sign up two weeks prior and plan to attend these important debriefs with your child’s teacher

Supporting Children @ DHCDC • If we have concerns related to your child’s speech, behavior, or any developmental delays we will be in touch and request a time to discuss to provide additional information and to ask for your partnership. • Children may be disenrolled from GA’s Prek Program if they are hurting themselves or others and/or are chronically disruptive to the extent that they are not benefiting from the Prek program. Families will be given assistance in obtaining resources to help the child benefit from the program, including assessment referral and treatment options. Disenrollment of a child for behavior is a last resort and one taken only after multiple attempts to support the child and family—pg. 8 Family Handbook

The Pyramid @ DHCDC Social and emotional development including the ability to self regulate, have empathy for others, follow a three step direction, and the ability to wait for short periods of time are all skills we will work in GA’s Prek @ DHCDC. These are the primary skills need for success in kindergarten. If your child’s behavior meets the criteria for Intensive Intervention we will require your partnership

What can you do to help? Support our Community Agreements • Be Present: Volunteer, Attend events, come ready to engage your child and your child’s teacher at pick up and drop off • Be Informed: READ daily and weekly emails, DHCDC Parent Handbook and GA’s Prek Family Handbook • Be Accountable: Provide needed supplies, maintain timeliness and attendance • Be Respectful: Support health and a safety practices here and model support of classroom rules (hand wash, drop off sweet and short, provide supervision in the classroom). Focus on your child

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING