The preschool curriculum lays a foundation for later success in school.  Children work on many listening skills, following directions, and social skills.  This is accomplished through games and many fun activities so that the children will make friends and learn to enjoy a school environment.

Class sessions cover 100 half-days and are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.   Morning sessions are held from 7:55 a.m. until 10:35 a.m.  Afternoon sessions start at 12:00 p.m. and last until 2:40 p.m.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL - Preschool is held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week.  The morning class is from 7:55-10:35, and the afternoon class is from 12:00-2:40.  The preschool is asked to use the church tunnel entrance on Pemberton so that we do not disturb anything that might be going on in the church at any given time.  If you are driving, we ask that you form a line and move forward as children are dropped off or picked up.  Upon arrival, there will be someone at the tunnel door to greet your child 10 minutes prior to the start of class.  If you arrive before or after the greeters, please walk your child into the classroom.  Please make certain that your child is not ever allowed to enter the building on their own.  If you prefer to walk your child into the classroom please do not park in the carpool line.  Please let us know if your child is going to be late, absent or needs to leave early.  We will call if we have not heard from you.  A.M. students will be dismissed from the tunnel door and escorted to their cars by the teachers.  We may need to ask who you are picking up until we are able to recognize you and your vehicle.  P.M. students are dismissed from the church doors at the circle drive on Randallia and escorted to their cars by a teacher.  The circle drive is used for picking up preschool students only.  Older students may not wait with preschool students in this line.  If your child will be walking or riding home with older students, he or she may be picked up by a responsible child with written or verbal consent from a parent.  He or she may then walk home or wait in the “big school” carpool line.   Please be prompt when picking your child up.  If the parent or person given consent to pick your child up is more than 10 minutes late, the child may be picked up in the classroom.  If you foresee that you are going to be unavoidably detained, please call to let us know.  If your child is going home with a friend, relative or someone other than the parent, we will need written or verbal consent from the parent. 

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS - St. Jude School and Preschool follow the closings, delays and early dismissals of the Ft. Wayne Community Schools due to weather.  Morning preschool will be canceled with a delay of two hours or more.

EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS - There will be no afternoon preschool or kindergarten when the entire school is dismissed early due to parent/teacher conferences or faculty in-services.  These dates are noted on the calendar and reminders will be sent home.

ILLNESS - Please keep your child at home if you suspect that he or she may be getting ill.  If your child contracts a communicable disease please notify us.  If your child is injured or becomes ill at school, you will be notified immediately.  The child may then be taken to the “sick room” where he or she will be cared for by a staff member or volunteer until someone is able to pick him or her up.

DRESS CODE - Preschool and kindergarten students are not required to wear a uniform, but we do ask that you send them in clothes and shoes that are safe and comfortable for running, jumping, crawling, climbing, painting, coloring etc.  Please send your child with appropriate outerwear for trips to the “big school”, walks and playing outdoors. 

FIELD TRIPS - Field trips are limited to places within walking distance throughout the community.  Permission slips will be sent home and parents are encouraged to join us on these adventures. 

SPECIAL GUESTS - We hope to arrange for many “special guests” to visit our classroom throughout the year.  If you, or someone you know, would like to share a talent, hobby, or profession with our class, we would be very glad to have you.  Please call so we can put you on our schedule.  

PARENT PARTICIPATION - Parents are needed to help with class parties and field trips.  We encourage parents to come to the classroom to share with us any special knowledge, interests or talents (see special guests).  In the event that a teacher may require to schedule a day off, parents may volunteer to assist in the classroom.  This is an excellent opportunity to observe your child, learn more about the program and put a face with the names that you hear about each day.  Apply within, no experience necessary.  Parents, students and teachers are delighted with this opportunity.  

VISITING THE CLASS - Parents are always welcome to come and observe.  However, because of limited space, and our busy schedule, we would prefer that you schedule your visit ahead of time. You are welcome to peek over the walls whenever you like. 

CONFERENCES - Parent/teacher conferences will be offered Nov. 7th and again in the Spring.  Please contact us at any time throughout the year with your questions, concerns, comments and/or suggestions.  Your child’s best interest is our utmost concern.

BOOK BAGS - Please check your child’s book bag each day for important notes, newsletters and schoolwork.  Please understand that they may not bring home schoolwork every day. We will keep some things temporarily on display in the classroom, and others may be saved for special occasions.

SNACK TIME - Non-perishable snacks will be collected from each student 2 or 3 times throughout the school year.  We will need enough of each snack collected to share with the entire class.  Morning and afternoon snacks will be stored separately in the pantry and used as needed.  Some suggestions are:  cereal, crackers, raisins, pretzels, chips, fruit snacks, fruit cups, pudding, cookies...Snack time is a very special event at preschool.  This gives children the opportunity to serve others, clean up after themselves, practice manners, use their senses, math and language skills.  Pitchers of water will be available at each table for the students to serve themselves.  Cups, napkins, plates, bowls and eating utensils are provided.  As a special treat, we will provide students with the opportunity and ingredients to make their own snack as one of our activities each week.

BIRTHDAYS - A list of when we will be celebrating each child’s birthday is attached to this handbook.  Children may bring a special snack to share with the class on their designated day.  The snack may be homemade or store bought.  We do have access to the church freezer and refrigerator if you wish to provide a drink or frozen treat.  Some suggestions are:  cookies, brownies, rice crispy treats, twinkies, ho ho’s, pudding, ice cream, popsicles, push ups, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, yogurt...Please save the cake and cupcakes for home.    

CLASS PARTIES - The following holidays will be celebrated in the classroom:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Cinco De Mayo.  We will meet with the room mothers/fathers to determine how we will celebrate depending on how many volunteers we have for each.  Parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles are welcome to participate.  If you would like to volunteer or volunteer some one you know, sign up sheets will be available in the classroom.

SPECIAL EVENTS - You will also see on our calendar that we have scheduled a Christmas Program, Father’s Night, and Mother’s Day Program.  You will be receiving more information as the time approaches.  Please mark these very special events on your calendar.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM - When the children arrive each day, they will be given time to explore the “centers”, work independently or play with others.  They may also choose from one of the many activities which the teachers will have set up for them.  We will have group time, snack, large motor, creative movement and music, as well as weekly visits to the school library.  Our activities will be focused on our religion program, seasons, and the letter of the week. Please refer to the “preschool calendar”, and “daily schedule” for more detail.  Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home.  

LIBRARY - Each child will choose a library book bag for his or her personal use throughout the year.  Each week we will visit Mrs. Johnson in the “big school” library.  After she reads us a story, each child will select a book from our personal preschool collection.  He or she may take the bag and book home and return it on or before the next library day.  If the book is damaged beyond repair, or lost, you may send another in it’s place with a note so we know that it was not sent in by mistake.  The child must return the book and the bag in order to check out another one.  If the child misplaced the book or bag, he or she may get another book whenever it is returned.  Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about this procedure.  

PRAYER TABLE - At the beginning of the year, parents are given the opportunity to schedule a week for their child to decorate the prayer table and adorn the Blessed Mother.  Some suggestions are:  photo albums, baptism/baby and/or family pictures, books, religious articles and icons as well as seasonal flowers and/or holiday decor.  Your child may bring the items he/she wishes to display on Tuesday of their scheduled week.  You are welcome to come in and help your child arrange these items on the table, or we will gladly help him/her.

DISCIPLINE - We believe in using positive reinforcement, rewarding and encouraging good behavior.  If a child is having difficulty a teacher will attempt to help them with their problem.  If the problem persists, the teacher will redirect their attention.  If a child is a threat to himself/herself, or others, they will be asked to take “time out” in the classroom.  If a child is disruptive, a teacher may have to remove them from the classroom until they have calmed down, so they don’t disturb or upset the other students.  Parents will be notified if a child needs to be removed from the room, or if a problem persists.

OUR PHILOSOPHY - We believe preschool is a place where children learn to cooperate, solve problems, follow directions, recognize letters and numbers, respect others, and become more independent.  They are given the opportunity to create, explore, discover and grow both socially and emotionally.

Thank you for choosing St. Jude Preschool, and for sharing your children with us.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lori Freistroffer
Teacher/Director
St. Jude Preschool
School # 484-4611
Home # 424-7464