Welcome to St. Theresa's Preschool "SUMMER" notes!


Contact information is provided below:

ST. THERESA PRESCHOOL
300 LEONARD STREET
HELLERTOWN, PA 18055
Phone: (610)838-8161

E-mail: STSPREK@PTD.NET


Dear Parent(s),

A warm welcome to our St. Theresa Preschool program. For many of you, this will be your first experience having your child in school. The goal of the preschool program is to provide a caring and safe learning environment for your child. The program will offer your child an opportunity for learning, sharing, and playing through an atmosphere of security and independence.


The following information is provided to help you understand our procedures and policies. If at any time you have a concern or question, please contact the school office at (610)838-8161. Again, welcome to St. Theresa's Preschool. May God bless your summer!

Sincerely,
St. Theresa Preschool



PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION

****Wednesday, September 3,2008
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. for our enrolled 3-year
olds and their parents.

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. for our enrolled 4-year
olds and their parents.



PRESCHOOL'S 2008-2009 CALENDAR

Mon., Sept.8 - STS Pre-K Starts

Fri., Oct. 10 - Fall Field Trip

Fri., Oct. 31 - Halloween Party

Wed., Nov.26-Mon., Dec.1 - Thanksgiving Vacation

Fri., Dec. 19 - Christmas Field Trip

Mon., Dec. 22 - Christmas Party

Tues., Dec.23-Fri., Jan.2 - Christmas Vacation

Tues., Jan. 6 & Thurs., Jan. 8 - Conferences

Fri., Feb. 13 - Valentine's Party

To Be Announced - Spring Field Trip

Mon., Apr. 6 - Easter Party with Egg Hunt

Wed., Apr. 8-Mon., Apr. 13 - Easter Vacation

Mon., May 4 - Parent/Child Brunch and Workshop

Fri., May 22-Mon., May 25 - Memorial Day Vacation

Wed., May 27 - "End of Year" Celebration


***Please note that all preschoolers must attend all
field trips with their parents or appointed
guardians.


***St. Theresa Preschool operates on the St. Theresa
School schedule. (Please refer to your yearly
school calendars provided at orientation for early
dismissal days.)



FEES

1. Registration Fee of $40.00 to be paid with your
child's application.


2. Four Year Old Program: $1750.00
Three Year Old Program: $1050.00


3. Book Bill for 4 Year Olds
Religion Materials - $15.00
Scholastic News - $5.00
Literacy Program - $6.75
Journal - $1.50
_______________________________
Total = $28.25


4. Book Bill for 3 Year Olds
Religion Materials - $15.00
Scholastic News - $5.00
Journal - $1.50
_______________________________
Total = $21.50


ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Preschool doors will open 5 minutes before the start of class. A teacher will be there for arrival and dismissal. For your child's protection, we will release your child to the people whose names are listed on our release form only. A "Parent Pick-Up
List" is placed on our cloakroom desk and is to be signed by you if another adult is expected to take your child home. Preschoolers will be released to their parents by the teacher at dismissal.

3 Year Old Class Meets- 9:00a.m.-11:30a.m.
4 Year Old Class Meets- 12:30p.m.-3:00p.m.

***Please pick your preschooler up at the appointed dismissal time. A fee of $3.00 per day will be charged for anyone who is more than 5 minutes late for dismissal. (Our morning program is immediately followed by a lunch program and our afternoon program is not included in our extended care for K-8).


SNACK TIME

The preschoolers are to bring their own daily snack and drink. An insulated lunch bag is ideal for keeping drinks cold and snacks fresh. Please send no glass or cans in your child's snack.


LUNCH BUNCH PROGRAM - STARTS Wed., Oct. 1, 2008

Lunch bunch is available for our 4 year old program only. Pre-k 4 parents are given the option of having their child come early for lunch. LUNCH BUNCH is from 11:30a.m.-12:30p.m. It is one hour of free play and lunch room readiness for an additional fee of $3.00 per day. Parents sign up for the days needed and are billed monthly. Parents will pack their children's lunches for this program. Drinks can be purchased in the cafeteria for $.25. Please place your child's snack items in a freezer quart bag on Lunch Bunch days. Lunch Bunch is preschool's fundraiser and any participation by you is much appreciated.


PARKING

You may park in the streets around the school except in the bus zone in front of the main school. Our playground entrance on the Leonard Street side is marked with orange cones for preschool's drop-off and pick-up zone. Please be courteous to others who are waiting to make use of this safety zone and adhere to the "minutes" needed for a quick departure.


SHOW AND TELL - STARTS Fri., Sept. 19

Show and Tell will be every Friday. This is a time when your child will learn to express him/herself in front of others. Take some time Thursday night helping your child explain his show-n-tell to you. The theme for your child's show-n-tell will be posted weekly on schoolnotes and displayed in preschool's cloakroom. Our 3 Year Olds theme will be the colors red and blue. Our 4 Year Olds theme will be the letter 'Aa' sounds. Have your child prepared to say at least one sentence about their show-n-tell. Please do not send any weapons or toys of an aggressive nature to preschool.


BIRTHDAYS

There will be only one birthday celebrated per day. If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday in school with a special snack, please sign up for the day with your child's teacher. Simple snacks like graham crackers, sugar cookies, munchkin donuts, rice krispy treats and pretzel snacks are appreciated.


DISCIPLINE CODE

The following steps will be taken if a discipline problem should arise:

1st reminder - Your child is given a spoken warning about inappropriate behavior.

2nd reminder - Your child will be given a 1-3 minute time out.

3rd reminder - Your child will be given a 1-3 minute time out seated by the teacher.

4th reminder - Your child will be redirected to another center activity with a different group.

5th reminder - Parent and child will talk to the teacher together and come to an agreeable resolution.

6th reminder - Continuous serious behavior problems may result in the child's dismissal from St. Theresa's preschool.


SNOW DAYS / EARLY CLOSINGS

In the event of inclement weather, a school closing or delayed opening could occur. Look for these school time changes displayed on WFMZ-TV Channel 69.
One Hour Delay - 10:00a.m.-11:15 a.m. for class
Two Hour Delay - No Morning Preschool
EARLY SCHOOL CLOSING - No Afternoon Preschool


CLOTHING

Comfortable clothes are required so your child can feel free to move. Sneakers are preferred, because your child will be less likely to fall. Label all outer clothing. Your child is required to take care of his/her own bathroom needs so make sure your child can handle the clothing they wear to school. EACH PRESCHOOLER IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A BACKPACK WITH A CHANGE OF CLOTHING (UNDERPANTS, PANTS AND SOCKS).


BOOK ORDERS - CHECKS ONLY (PAYABLE TO SCHOLASTIC)

Scholastic offers us a monthly opportunity to purchase preschool books at reduced rates. You are under no obligation to purchase any of these items, but when you do our preschool benefits with free books and classroom materials.


PARENT INVOLVEMENT

You are invited to volunteer in our preschool room whenever you have time. One adult per day is allowed so as to limit classroom confusion. Remember that this volunteer time is for adults only and is not extended to children who are younger than preschool. Please be sure to get your 'PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN'
clearance for the classroom volunteering.

CHILD ASSESSMENT

An EPSF profile will be conducted during the first semester of school. These results will be discussed with you at the January Parent Conferences. Contact us any time if you have questions about your child's progress.


VISITATIONS

In order to provide a secure and safe environment for our preschoolers, doors to our school will be locked at all times. An adult will monitor the door during arrivals and dismissals. If you are visiting, you MUST sign in at the main office so preschool can be notified.


TYPICAL PRESCHOOL SCHEDULE

9:00-9:15 Arrival and table centers

9:15-9:45 Circle Time with prayers, pledge, calendar,
fingerplays, basic Spanish, intro to the
day's activities, or show-n-tell.

9:45-10:00 Gross Motor and Listening Skills

10:00-10:15 Snack and Bathroom Break

10:15-11:00 Skills - art, readiness and fine motor,
religion, and directed center play.

11:00-11:10 Clean Up

11:10-11:15 Story Time and Dismissal

11:30-12:30 LUNCH BUNCH WITH OUR PRE-K 4'S

12:30-2:45 PRE-K 4'S CLASSTIME (see above schedule)

***Computer classes are given to our Pre-K 4's.


***SEVERE PEANUT ALLERGY ALERT FOR OUR PRESCHOOL***

This is a reminder to our St. Theresa Preschool community that one of our preschoolers has a very serious peanut allergy. Please try not to send in any snacks or treats containing peanuts. Your child's classmate could have a serious reaction if he comes in contact with foods made from peanuts. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to ensure a safe learning environment for all of our children.