Preschool
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Highest
Rating: Preschool is an Award-Winner |
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The State of Ohio
awarded the preschool program at Hyde Park Community
United Methodist Church a three-star rating in 2006,
the highest honor bestowed upon early care and education
programs. Learn more about the Step Up to Quality rating. |
Dear
Prospective Parent:
We’re glad
you’re interested in our preschool. We
think you’ll find it a place where your
child can learn, grow and have a lot of fun
during their preschool years.
At HPCUMC Preschool, we focus on learning through
play. Our activities are developmentally appropriate
for children ages 2 1/2 to 5. Your child will be encouraged
to try new tasks, use their imaginations, make
friends, follow directions, focus their energy
and come to love learning. Our goal is to prepare
children for school, while instilling in them
a sense of dignity and self-worth as individuals.
We are proud of our school – and so are
our parents and children. We hope to give you
a feel for our school while answering your questions.
Please direct specific questions to me at [email protected], or by calling the preschool office
at (513) 979-8191.
Sherry Cristancho
Director
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All Are Welcome
Our
preschool continues to be a mission of the church. The church
extends services, supplies, classroom and play space to
the school. Preschool staff members are employed by the
church. While being church-supported, our preschool does
not advocate any one religious tradition. We welcome and
affirm children of any religion, national origin, gender;
children with disabilities are also welcomed.
Since
our school’s beginning, tuition scholarships have
been offered to ensure that socio-economic background is
not a barrier to attendance. The preschool is guided by the Preschool Committee, which consists of the school’s director, church members,
and parents of preschool children.
Licensure and Staff Training
HPCUMC Preschool is licensed annually by the State of Ohio and the City of Cincinnati. We have received Step Up to Quality designation--awarded by the State of Ohio, and we achieved Three-Star program status. Our staff attends at least 15 hours of educational training classes per year.
Health & Safety Standards
All staff are certified in first aid/CPR, communicable disease prevention, and child-abuse recognition and prevention.
HPCUMC Preschool Philosophy
Our program is designed to meet the developmental needs
of young children 3-5 years of age. It provides experiences
that enrich and enhance each child's cognitive, language,
social, emotional, physical, and creative development.
Daily, each child has opportunities to create, explore the environment, learn
problem-solving and personal interaction skills, and learn
concepts through first-hand experiences. Children develop
a positive self-concept through a balance of self- and teacher-directed
activities. Opportunities for solitary play as well
as group activities are provided.
The staff is a continual witness of God's love
and care through example as they strive to make each day
a positive experience. We respect parents as the primary
and most important providers of care and nurturing, and
we believe parents and teachers are partners in their children's
care and education.
HPCUMC Preschool History
HPCUMC Preschool was founded in 1967 as a mission of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. The women who began the school felt that area children needed a loving, supportive environment in which to play while gaining a good foundation for life. This is still the focus of our school’s program.
About the HPCUMC School Day
Hours of Operation (eff. 9/13/2010):
8:45-11:45 AM & 12:15-3:15 PM
Free
Choice |
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Time reserved for personal choice
activities such as water table play, joining friends
in the dramatic play area, practicing letters at the
writing center or building a castle with blocks. Teachers
guide children so they gain many experiences. |
Group
Time |
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Each class comes together
quietly for books, singing or sharing news. |
Cleanup
and Class Jobs |
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Everyone in the class
has a job, from putting away supplies to serving snack.
Jobs help develop a sense of community and responsibility. |
Snack |
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Snacks are furnished
for each classroom by parents. In addition, parents
are asked to provide five-ounce paper cups and napkins
since dishes cannot be washed at school. Each teacher
will arrange the snack schedule. Information with suggestions
for nutritional snacks is given to each family at the
beginning of the school year. Please do not bring snacks
that contain peanuts or tree nuts. |
Playground/Gym
Time |
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HPCUMC
Preschool has an enclosed outdoor playground and above-ground
sandbox.
For cold
or rainy weather days, children play indoors on equipment
designed to encourage large motor skills. |
End
of Day |
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Each class comes together for group
time and quiet transition into leaving. |
Arrival
and Departure |
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Parents are required to bring their
children to the classroom. Any special messages, pick-up
notes, etc., are to be given to the teacher. Children
may not be dropped off at the entrance of the building
or be sent inside alone. Teachers must be made aware
of each child's presence before the parent departs.
At session's end, parents are asked to pick children
up at the classroom door. Parents are responsible for
the supervision of their child before and after school.
Arrival and departure will be documented for each chid.
For safe arrival and departure, all families should
arrive and exit through the main church entrance off
the parking lot. Parents are asked not to use the playground
entrance. This is secured for children's safety. |
Routine
Trips |
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No
child will be taken on a field trip away from church
grounds, either walking in the neighborhood or riding
in cars, without written parental permission. Each
excursion requires a separate permission slip. Parents will transport their own children to the designated field trip site and stay with the child during the duration of the field trip period. State
safety regulations will be enforced if children ride
in cars on field trips. Teachers may not take children
in their cars. Teachers will take class list, first
aid materials and emergency information on each field
trip. Name tags and the name of the school will be
worn at all times by each child. The required pupil/teacher
ratio will remain in effect during field trips.
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Registration and Enrollment
Children are enrolled
in HPCUMC Preschool in the order of their application regardless
of sex, color, religion or national origin. During
the spring enrollment period, returning children, children
of church members and siblings of previously-enrolled children
are given preference and may enroll prior to the general
public. After the spring enrollment period, all applications
are processed in order of date of application regardless
of previous status. Current registration information is
annually updated on the registration form.
HPCUMC Preschool accepts children from 30 months - 5 years
of age. (Must be 30 months by September 13, 2010.)
Key
Registration Dates—2010-2011 |
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First Priority Registration:
Children
who are currently enrolled in HPCUMC Preschool and children of HPCUMC members. **Class space is limited, and all children will be enrolled on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
Registration begins on Monday, January 11th. Please hand completed registration forms to your child's teacher or the Preschool Office. You will be notified of your child's class placement by a note in your child's cubby by February 19th. Church members will be notified by U.S. mail.
Second Priority Registration: Children whose siblings currently attend or have previously attended HPCUMC Preschool.
**Class space is limited, and all children will be enrolled on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. Registration begins on Tuesday, January 19th. Please mail, or deliver registrations in person, to the Preschool office. Your child's placement will be verified by February 19th via U.S. mail.
Open Registration: Children of families who are new to this Preschool
Registration begins Monday, January 25th. Please mail, or deliver registrations in person, to the Preschool office. Children will be assigned to classes in order of your preference based upon availability. If your first choice is filled, your child will be assigned to your second or third choice and put on a waiting list for your first choice. Your child's placement will be verified by February 19th via U.S. mail. |
Conferences
Part
of the preschool curriculum includes observation of children,
developmental assessment and conference with parents. You
will have the opportunity to review the completed written
evaluation before you meet with the teachers.
Tuition for 2010-2011
(September 13, 2010 - May 20, 2011) |
3-5 Year-Olds Program
Two-Day (Thurs., Fri.)
$1,400.00 per year
($700.00 per semester)
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Toddler Program*
Two-Day (Thurs., Fri.)
$1500.00 per year
($750.00 per semester) |
Three-Day (Mon., Tues., Wed.)
$1,600.00 per year
($800.00 per semester) |
Three-Day (Mon., Tues., Wed.)
$1,700.00 per year
($850.00 per semester) |
Four-Day (Mon. - Thurs.)
$1,900.00 per year
($950.00 per semester)
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Five-Day (Mon. - Fri.)
$2,200.00 per year
($1,100.00 per semester) |
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*child must be 30 months of age by
September 13th 2010 |
Tuition Due Dates
Tuition is due July 1st and January 15th. The first tuition
statement will be mailed on June 1st. The other statement
will be distributed in December. All accounts 30 days past
due will be subject to a $50.00 late fee. Payments can be
made by mail or dropped off at school. Checks should be
made payable to HPCUMC Preschool.
All parents pay a non-refundable registration fee when they
enroll. Church members and committee members may take a
10% discount from their bill.
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Preschool Scholarships
HPCUMC
Preschool and the church’s Commission on Missions
award scholarships to children of families in economic need.
Please contact the preschool director if you need tuition
assistance.
Potty Training
Children
who are still in diapers or pull-ups are welcome at our
school. Parents of these children may wish to be contacted
to come in to change their child for the comfort of the
child and to maintain class order. Please discuss the school’s
potty training policy with the preschool director if this
may be an issue for your child.
Management
of Communicable Diseases
HPCUMC
Preschool provides children with a clean and healthy environment.
However, we realize that children become ill from time to
time. If this is your child's first group experience, it
is possible that they may encounter more frequent illnesses
at the beginning of the school year before their immune
system becomes more active. We observe all children as they
enter the classroom to quickly assess their general health.
We ask that you do not bring a sick child to school.
No medication will be given by the staff to the children
at school. If, however, an allergy is present, a written
order may be given to the teacher to administer medication.
Copies will be kept in the child's file in the office as
well as the classroom. Medication will be secured in the
child's classroom and a notice on the wall notifying teachers
of the allergy in that room and where medication is kept.
Communicable disease policies and procedures will be reviewed
annually with the entire staff. Training in communicable
diseases and proper sanitary procedures will be provided
to the staff periodically as city and state requirements
dictate. Staff members are trained in first aid, communicable
disease and CPR by a registered nurse, a physician or the
American Red Cross.
Symptoms Warranting Attention:
- Elevated temperature (100 degrees or more, auxilliary)
- Skin rash
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Evidence of lice
- Severe coughing
- Unusually sore throat or difficulty swallowing
- Dark urine/gray or whie stool
- Yellowish skin or eyes
- Conjunctivitis
- Stiff neck
- Difficult or rapid breathing
Discipline Policy
Discipline
is the responsibility of the teacher/assistant
teacher or the one responsible for the safety of the children
at that time. Constructive developmentally appropriate child
guidance and management techniques will be used at all times,
and will include such measures as redirection, separation
from problem situations, talking with the child about the
situation and encouragement of appropriate behavior.
Record-keeping
Children's
records are kept in the Preschool office. Parents are required
to file medical information, emergency information and authorization
for medical emergency care prior to the first day of school.
Your child's forms must reflect a physical dated within
one year of the present time. You will be asked
to update the physical form during the year if it is time
for a physical.
The Preschool
Staff
Director:
Sherry Cristancho [email protected]
Assistant Director and Teacher:
Jo Louis [email protected]
Teachers:
Lori
Betts
Carrie Barry
Sandy Brown
Amy Dillon
Amie Eagle
Barb Frey
Allie Goodman
Mischelle Hafner
Sally Hinkle
Dee Hoekzema
Jo Louis
Amy Mumper
Bonnie Phillips
Emily Putman
Susan Ricciardi
Brenda Robben
Ellie Stefani
Laura Teegarden
Beth Wessel
Parent Participation
Parents
are welcome and encouraged to participate in school activities.
Each class needs help with story recording, assistance with
field trips, materials development or even sharing personal
interests or cultural background.
Please
discuss your ideas with the teacher. The preschool committee
is comprised of parent volunteers, both those who are church
members and those who are not. The committee oversees the
operations of the school and many other school-sponsored
activities such as Carve a Pumpkin with Dad.
2009 - 2010 HPCUMC
Preschool Committee
Preschool Director: Shery Cristancho, [email protected]
Acting
Chair/Treasurer Carolyn Bigger
Secretary
Josie Bellissemo
Special Events Coordinators:
Bralynda & Damian Watkins
Gina Siegel
Fundraising Coordinators:
Tricia Renneker
Leslie Roehrig
Gina Siegel
Teacher Appreciation:
Sherry Martin
Volunteer Coordinator:
Josie Bellissemo
Heather Herr
Book Orders
Katie Kleeman
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