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The following information is taken from the Parent Packet provided to parents and guardians of children enrolled in Mushroom. Much of this information changes yearly, and although this Web site is maintained fairly well, please contact us to receive the most recent information. Use the drop down menu to jump to a specific section, or scroll down the page to review all of the information.
Forms Forms are available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and Microsoft Word when indicated. 2006-2007 Calendar MS Word | PDF NOTE: Two copies of each of the following forms must be submitted to Mushroom! Registration
Form 1: PDF | Word If you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader, download it FREE from the Adobe Web site.
FAMILY EVENTS Family Picnic - Monday, September 25, 5:30 - 7:00 P.M. for the whole family to celebrate the beginning of school. Evening Parent Meetings - are set by the class groupings. Parents and teachers gather as the year begins and talk about specifics for that age group. Check the School Calendar for your child’s class time. Ice Cream Social - May 7, 6:30-8:00 PM (Rain date Tuesday, 5/9) Family Workshops - parents gather to discuss topics related to pre school issues in a comfortable non- threatening environment. Discussions will be led by childhood community specialists. Conferences - in the Fall (early November) a day is set aside in which parents can meet with the teacher on an individual basis to discuss their child. Check your yearly calendar for your child’s conference day. There are no classes on these days. Open House - An evening is set aside where children invite their parents, grand parents, and families to share with them in some of their day to day activities. Fund Raiser – Newsletter - a monthly letter to inform parents on their child's program and general school information.
STAFF MEETINGS One lunch hour four times during the school year, the MFLC staff will meet to think and talk to each other about their work with your children. This will require your cooperation. The morning class drivers will need to pick morning children up at 11:00 a half hour early AND the afternoon class drivers will need to drop off afternoon children at 1:00 a half hour later. The dates are on the school calendar; October 24, November 28, February 7. All meeting times are 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
OPENING WEEKS Before school begins your child's teacher will telephone or write a note to introduce herself and establish the schedule for the opening weeks. You may call her to discuss concerns you may have regarding your child, learn of any special needs your child may have. During the first few weeks, the children will meet in small groups to assure a comfortable, confident beginning. Less time is spent at the Center at first, as more individual attention and guidance is given to each child during this crucial adjustment period. A new child is introduced to the school environment mid-year at his/her individual rate. A child's time may be increased or decreased depending on the child's adjustment.
SEPARATION We are aware
of the separation anxiety felt by many children and their parents.
Our policy is to be flexible enough to help meet both the needs
of the child and the parent.
CLOTHING We have extra clothes at hand in the event of an accident with water, juice, paint, etc. Whatever clothing is soiled and sent home, please replace the following day. The children play outside year round, so your child needs to be equipped with the proper attire, which includes hat and mittens snow pants and boots.
OUTSIDE PLAY Outside play is an important part of your child's school experience. We will go outdoors to play if it is 25 degrees F. or above and if it is not raining. Bring appropriate attire for your child. If, for any reason, you do not want your child to play outdoors on a specific day, you may pick up your child one half hour before the end of class.
DAILY STARTING AND PICK-UP TIMES It is important that the children arrive on time and form their groups together, and no child is left waiting after group time is over unless necessary arrangements are made. If you have made different arrangements for his/her pickup on a given day, send a note with your child. We will not be able to let your child leave unless we have prior knowledge of these arrangements. Remember the teacher your child has this year may not know family members or friends who have picked up your child in the past. Please be prompt. Children become understandably anxious when you are not there to pick them up at the designated time. Fears and concerns about this feeling are difficult for your child to express to you. It is also important to end the day positively for all concerned. On time pick-up goes a long way towards this goal. In addition, your child's teachers have their own family commitments that often necessitates they are able to leave directly when the class is over. We must charge a fee if late pick up occurs repeatedly. The driveway is one way. You will enter from Washington Rd. and exit on to Sunnyhill. It is important that you park in a designated parking place. Do not park in the handicap spaces or at the front door. Leaving younger children in the car unattended is not safe or acceptable. Please hold your children’s hands until they are safely in the car. Our parking lot is a very busy place and we must be particularly careful to ensure the safety of the children during this busy and confusing time.
TELEPHONE
COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS You will receive a monthly
newsletter with information on your child's program and curriculum,
and general information about the school as a whole, and community
happenings. The newsletters will tell you of upcoming events, policy
or regulatory changes, nutritious snack ideas and recipes, "Mushroom"
words, and other helpful preschool information. We have a bulletin
board upstairs and downstairs, and an easel in the foyer for special
announcements.
SETTING LIMITS At Mushroom Family we want the child to maintain a positive self image. We try to get the children to verbalize their needs and emotions and we try to intervene before physical aggression is used. We focus on the behavior.
Sometimes we may remove a child from a situation. We then stay with the child until s/he can reenter the group.
SIBLING/PEER VISITS We need to have advance notice when siblings or peers visit in MFLC classes. This will ensure that the class has the space for the child and that the proper forms are filled out.
PARENT LIBRARY There is a library available to parents on different aspects of parenting in the office. You may sign a book out for two weeks.
HEALTH It is important that children be present at school to be part of a continuing experience; however, there will be times when your child is ill. Please inform us as soon as possible of any contagious illness. Please do not send your child to school for 24 hours after vomiting or fever. If the discharge from your child’s nose and/or eyes is green, please note that means there is infection and please keep your child home. When the discharge is clear and your child feels up to activity, they may come to school. If your child does not look quite right to you, or if s/he is not acting normally, please use this as a guideline to keep your child home. Let the teacher know if your child will be missing school on days when a field trip is planned. If your child becomes ill while at school, we will try to notify the parent or care giver to pick the child up. While waiting we will make the child as comfortable as possible separating him/her from the other children as needed. The teacher and director need to be informed of any allergies or special needs your child may have before the start of school. While we will attempt to make every reasonable accommodation to any child with special needs, if your child requires medication during school hours please make arrangements to administer the dosage personally.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY POLICY It is the responsibility of each child's caregiver to fill out all pertinent health information on the forms provided by MFLC and keep them current. In case of a major emergency (including, but not limited to, open wound with heavy bleeding, respiratory distress or loss of consciousness), a teacher will stay with the child administering first aid or CPR while another teacher calls EMS. After calling EMS the teacher will attempt to call the parent or guardian. A teacher will accompany the child to the nearest hospital (St. Clair Memorial Hospital) when appropriate and remain with the child until the child's parent or guardian arrives. The teacher remaining at school will continue to try to reach the child's parent or guardian while assuring the other children and keeping them safe. Should your child need emergency medical care while at MFLC we will call the Mt. Lebanon Ambulance Emergency Medical Service while all possible attempts will be made to contact the parents.
The Information/Emergency Form and Health record needs to be completed before you can leave your child at Mushroom Family Learning Center. Please include results of a recent health examination, and an up to date record of immunizations for our school records. Please keep the Information/Emergency Form current, i.e., change of address, work phone numbers, health, etc.
POLICY ON CHILD ABUSE Mushroom Family Learning Center recognizes its responsibility in regard to the Child Protective Services Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Staff members
are provided with a summary of definitions and responsibilities
provided by the Allegheny County Children and Youth Services.
FIRE DRILLS An Emergency Evacuation Plan is posted on the bulletin board of each of the MFLC classes. There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, main floor entrance, and basement entrance. Fire drills are scheduled once a month. The children leave the building and meet in the side yard next to the driveway on Sunnyhill. The school has an automatic alarm and smoke detection system that is connected to the fire department.
FAMILY PARTICIPATION Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate on the MFLC Board, on committees and in the classroom. We encourage our families to visit our classrooms where they can share their culture, traditions, special talents and/or be a part of their child's day.
CONSULTATION Greeting and parting times are child centered and generally not good adult time. You are invited to talk with any of the staff, and we hope you take the opportunity to do so. Check with your child's teacher for the appropriate times to be in touch. Teachers do touch base with parents at the beginning and the end of the day to address special concerns or share information regarding the child. This helps provide a smooth transition from home to school or from regular class to enrichment.
CONFERENCES A day is set aside in the Fall (and other times as needed) in which parents can meet with the teacher on an individual basis to discuss their children's progress, accomplishments and difficulties at home and at school; and to ensure that the program a child moves to from one year to the next will best meet his/her needs. Check your yearly calendar for the Fall Conference day for your child’s class. Note that this is adult time and there will be no class that day.
EVALUATIONS An evaluation form, developed by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, will be distributed to parents annually so that you have an opportunity to evaluate our preschool program. We value your opinions and suggestions.
OBSERVATIONS Each family will receive a written observation of their child in February followed by a conference as needed.
FIELD TRIPS Field trips are planned in advance. Prior to each trip a permission slip will be sent home. No child will be allowed to attend a field trip unless this form is completed and returned. We rely on parents to drive and to attend (if possible) our field trips. Each child must be secured by a seat belt in order to attend the trip. Teachers do not transport children on field trips. Field Trips at MFLC are shared family experiences both for enjoyment and the safety of the children. Please understand that while teachers are present to facilitate the field trip, YOU are responsible for the safety and behavior of your children. Should a caregiver or another pant be accompanying your child on a trip in your absence, that person accepts responsibility for the safety and behavior of the child in his/her care. The teacher will carry a directory on the trip with emergency numbers.
SNOW INFORMATION Listen to KDKA for school closing and delays. We will be listed as Nursery School 90 or you can call the school phone (412-531-1225) and listen to the message. We will also make a reasonable effort to make up days missed later in the spring. Fees are not refunded for snow emergencies.
SCHOOL CALENDAR A calendar was mailed to you prior to the beginning of the school year. This calendar will contain all days when the school will be closed, what holidays are observed and some planned activities and programs. Changes and updates will be included in each newsletter.
SNACK Each class will have a snack or juice break. This is an opportunity to quietly socialize while exploring different tastes. Part of caring about our children is caring about what they eat or drink. When preparing snacks for the children the teachers and parents should serve fruits, vegetables and foods low in sugar and fat and free of preservatives and artificial coloring and flavoring. Children need to wash their hands before snack and must remain seated while eating. It is ok if a child does not like or want the snack. You will find nutritious snack suggestions on the bulletin board. If you wish to bring in a snack please indicate what you are bringing on the class calendar. Our hope is that we can share our ideas and recipes with one another as we discover more healthful and nutritious snacks. Please be sure that your child's registration form contains all relevant information about any food allergies your child may have. At our Pediatric CPR class we learned that choking and suffocation are the fourth most common cause of death in children under 14 years of age. Foods that are a concern are popcorn, gum, nuts, hard candy. Please do NOT include these items in a snack you choose to provide. Grapes and hot dogs need to be cut up so they can easily be swallowed.
Birthdays are observed by having a snack and singing "Happy Birthday" to the child. We always check with the child to see if he/she wants to have this special attention. If you are planning a home party for your child, please do not hand out invitations at school. This can create hurt feelings and sad children. Please deliver invitations by other means. It is sometimes difficult to not bring cakes or cookies or candy for a special birthday treat, however, we ask that you please choose a nutritious snack EVEN for birthday treats. Blowers, fancy napkins and cups, hats, small party favors are often a great substitute and the children feel very special.
TERMINATION
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE MFLC has an open door policy. Any parent with any concern is encouraged to raise the concern with the particular teacher or the director. Any problem not adequately addressed may be taken to the President of the Board. If still not resolved, it may be put in writing and placed on the agenda and discussed at a meeting of the Executive Board. The members of the Executive Board are designated by the President of the Board and the Director.
SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are made available through private contributions, United Way donations and MFLC fund raisers. Scholarships are awarded yearly. Applications are reviewed as early as possible for the following school year. They are held in the strictest confidence. Please contact the Director or the President of the MFLC Board of Directors for an application.
TUITION Mushroom School is supported totally by your tuition. Your tuition enables the school to match revenue with expenses. Salaries and operating expenses must be paid in order to provide the quality of education we wish to furnish, and you expect to receive. If a difficulty should arise during the year requiring you to change your payment schedule, please call the Director. Your contract is for one year. If early withdrawal becomes necessary, the tuition responsibility will end 30 days after the Director is notified in writing. Tuition is based on an annual fee. The first payment due date is May 1. (September’s payment). The remaining tuition may be paid in full by September 1, or 2 payments by September 1 and January 1, or 8 Monthly payments September 1 to April 1. Monthly payments are a convenient fraction of the annual tuition and will not necessarily reflect the number of sessions per month. If you have more than one child enrolled at MFLC in a given year, we offer a 10 % discount on the second and subsequent children. The 10% is deducted from the class with the smaller tuition. A non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 for one child or $65.00 per family is to accompany the registration form. Checks should be made payable and mailed to: Mushroom Family Learning Center Or placed in the tuition box on the first landing to the downstairs. TUITION
SCHEDULE PROGRAM DAYS & TIMES PARENT/Toddler M 9:00 – 11:00 2’s T/TH, W/F 9:00 - 11:00 2’s M/W 12:15 –2:15 3's T - TH 9:00 - 11:30 4's M W F 9:00 - 11:30 3/4's T W TH 12:30 - 3:00 4/5's M T W TH 12:30 - 3:00 T/K (5) M T W TH 9:00 - 11:30 K Skills F 9:00- 11:30 Lunch T W TH 11:30 - 12:30 K-Too AM T TH 9:00 – 11:30 K-Too PM T TH 12:30 – 3:00
Suggested Guidelines for Class Registration: P/T Cruising or walking 2’s 2Years old by October 1 3’s 3Years old by October 1 Three/Fours 3Years old by October 1 4’s 4Years old by October 1 4/5’s 5 Years old by January 1 T/K 5 Years old by January 1 DD 3 Years old by October 1 K-Too Kindergarten enrichment
TIPS
& IDEAS Dear Parent/Toddler Families: We thought you might find these guidelines, developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), to be helpful. Mushroom completed a rigorous self-study and external review to achieve accreditation from NAEYC. 10 SIGNS OF A GREAT PRESCHOOL
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2002, Mushroom Family Learning Center
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