Jerome First Day Letter
August 06, 2008
WELCOME TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR AT JEROME EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER!!!
2008-2009 Parent Information
Summer vacation is almost over. We hope you had an enjoyable summer with your child(ren). It is now time to get ready for another great school year. Please note the following important information:
School Hours
Ø First day of school starts Tuesday, August 12, 2008. Students will be in attendance for 2.5 hours.
Ø Pre-K school hours that day will be 9:00-11:30 a.m. Kindergarten and Early Childhood school hours will be 9:15-11:45 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served on the first day, no lunch will be served. All half-day students will NOT attend school until Wednesday, August 13th.
Ø First Full Day of School ~ Wednesday, August 13th, 2008.
Ø Regular school hours are: (Pre-K) 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Ø Mrs. Underwood’s AM)Class 9:15 a.m.-11:35 a.m.
Ø (PM)Class 12:40 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Ø Ms. Green & Kindergarten Readiness 9:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Ø Ms. Winkler & Weider’s(AM)Class 9:15 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
Ø (PM)Class 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
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Bus Riders
Ø A bus schedule is enclosed.
Ø Please review the bus schedule to locate your child’s bus stop and pick up time. Please put a nametag with address, phone number and bus number on your child during the first three weeks of school.
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Ø Stress to your child the importance of following the bus rules such as staying in their assigned bus seat and keeping their hands and feet to themselves.
Ø If a child misbehaves on the bus, the driver will give me a “Bus Conduct” form. A copy of the form will be sent home for your consideration. Failure to adhere to the bus guidelines will result in consequences including parent conferences, and/or bus suspension. Remember, school transportation is a privilege.
Ø Contact the transportation office at 332-3704, if you have questions or concerns.
Parent Drop Off and Pickup
Ø In order to ensure your child’s safety, you MUST bring your child into the building and check in at the office. NEVER DROP YOUR CHILD OFF WITHOUT ACCOMPANYING THEM INTO THE BUILDING.
Ø Pre-K parents may sign their child in at his/her classroom at 9:00 a.m. Prior to that time, the teachers are not available to care for your child because this is their planning period. You are welcome to wait in the front hallway until the bell rings. If you are late (9:10 a.m.), please stop at the office BEFORE going to the classroom in order to get a tardy pass from the secretary. If you do not have a pass, the classroom teacher will ask you to go to the office to secure a pass.
Ø If you need to sign your child out early you will still need still a pass from the office.
Breakfast Program
Ø The cost of breakfast is $.65 cents. The reduced cost is .30 cents. Pre-K parents wanting their child to eat breakfast will have to come to school with their child and sit in the gym/cafeteria with them while they eat. Parents must then escort them to their classroom. There is no supervision for Pre-K children during this time.
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Lunch Program
Ø The cost of a hot lunch with milk is $1.25. Students may bring a lunch and purchase a carton of milk at the cost of $.65 cents. If a child brings their lunch, they should also bring a drink. There is no free milk. Lunch money can be sent each day or prepaid weekly. It is strongly recommended that you pre-pay for your child’s breakfast/lunch, if at all possible. The reduced lunch cost is $.40 cents.
Ø All students must have a current lunch application file to qualify for free or reduced meals.
Ø Beginning September 15th, all students without an approved lunch application on file will be served peanut butter sandwiches and milk for lunch.
Ø Glass bottles, carbonated drinks and candy are not allowed in the cafeteria during lunch hours.
School Insurance
Ø Insurance applications will be sent home shortly after the beginning of the school year. Please make all checks payable to the insurance company and return to school by September 8th.
Personal Belongings
Ø Write your child’s name on his/her belongings such as coats, lunch boxes, and back packs. This helps to avoid loss or mix-ups.
Required Immunizations
Ø State law requires all students entering Pre-K, Kindergarten Readiness and all students new to the district, to have a physical examination (including a TB test using an under the skin injection) PRIOR to their enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year.
Ø Proof of a lead screening is required on all students entering kindergarten. The immunization portion of the school health form should be completed by your doctor at the time of the examination.
Ø All students will need to show proof of having a second measles shot.
Ø You may call your physician for an appointment, the school-based clinic at 337-3112, or St. Clair County Health District at 337-4178 or 874-4713. Your child will be excluded from school until proof of a physical and immunizations are provided to the school nurse.
Medications at School
Ø Parents are encouraged to administer prescription drugs to children at home immediately before and/or after school. If your child must receive medication during the school day, please obtain a school medication authorization form from the school secretary and have it completed and signed by your physician.
Ø No medication can be given at school until this form is received.
Ø Medication must be brought to school in the appropriate container, correctly labeled by the pharmacy or physician, including instructions for giving the medications.
Enrollment
Ø Students must have an original birth certificate, a physical examination (less than one year old), signed and dated by a physician, at least two computer generated proofs of residency, permit and be at least three years old on or before September 1st. The physical, vision and dental exam is not required for registration, but must be presented to the school before the first day of school.
Consumable Supply Fees
Ø Pre-K and Kindergarten students pay $16.00 for consumable fees. All checks should be made payable to Cahokia School District.
Tardy Policy
Ø It is very important that all students arrive to school on time. When a student is tardy, the person who brings the student to school MUST report to the office with the student. Children arriving 30 minutes late or leaving 30 minutes early will be given credit for one half day of school.
ILLNESS
Ø At times we encounter students who have childhood illnesses such as chicken pox, measles, ringworm, mumps, pink eye, impetigo and head lice. If your child has an illness like one of the above, he/she will not be allowed to return to school until a note to return to school is provided by a physician. Students who run a temperature or have experienced vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours, must not return to school until they are symptom free during the 24 hour period.
Ø PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Ø At Jerome Early Childhood Center, we strongly encourage parent involvement. Some ways in which you can help are by reading to children, assisting children on the computers, or by cutting things out for the teacher. If you have some time available, please contact your child’s teacher.
Ø We also have a Parent Work Day every 2nd Thursday of each month. More information will be forthcoming.
Uniform Policy
Ø School uniforms are mandatory for all students. Please refer to the enclosed school uniform policy for details.
Ø Male students are not allowed to wear earrings.
Ø Students failing to adhere to the dress code are subject to discipline.
Picture Day
Ø Friday, August 29th is Picture Day. Pictures must be purchased on a prepaid basis only. Uniforms are not required on this day. Picture re-take day is October 20th.
Early Dismissal Days
School will be dismissed early on the following dates: September 26th, October 30th and May 20th. Dismissal times will be forthcoming.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. I am looking forward to a great school year. By working together, we can make this school year a pleasant and exciting one for everyone.
Sincerely,
Karen M. Thompson
Principal
MissionStatement
The mission of Jerome Early Childhood Center, together with families and the community, has a commitment to provide a safe, friendly environment for engaged learning that encourages each child to develop academically, socially and physically.
