Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church
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HPCUMC Director of Preschool- Sherry Cristancho
[email protected]


Preschool News

Read our preschool newsletter:

September 2008

December 2008

March 2009

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

Preschool

Highest Rating: Preschool is an Award-Winner
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



 

All Are Welcomevalentines with mom

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
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
Each class comes together quietly for books, singing or sharing news.

Cleanup and Class Jobs
Everyone in the class has a job, from putting away supplies to serving snack. Jobs help develop a sense of community and responsibility.

Snack
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

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
Each class comes together for group time and quiet transition into leaving.

Arrival and Departure
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

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.

 



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

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)

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)
Five-Day (Mon. - Fri.)
$2,200.00 per year
($1,100.00 per semester)
 
  *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.

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 Trainingpumpkin decorating

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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