Welcome! We are very happy to have you as new and returning families. Our Head Start, GA. Pre-K, and Special Needs programs will help your child learn important skills needed for a successful kindergarten transition. Mrs. Donna Adams Principal

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF A PRINCIPAL A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PRINCIPAL IS ABLE TO….. 1Make decisions based on the students’ needs first 2Highly visible to parents and students as the school’s representative 3Approachable by staff and parents 4Communicate in a timely manner with all stakeholders 5Be an active listener to staff, parents and students 6Problem solve in all situations 7Rally staff and parents to convey school pride 8Foster good relationships with staff and community 9Be a role model through character and integrity 10Be accountable and dependable ….

GA. PRE-K/PARTNERSHIP/ HEAD START/SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT CALENDAR August 4, 2014First Day of School for Ga. PreK/Sped. Students September 1, 2014Labor Day Holiday - Center closed September 15– 19, 2014Fall Break - Center closed November 4, 2014 November No Preschool Class Thanksgiving Holidays - Center closed December 22- January 2Christmas Holidays - Center closed January 5, 2015First Student Day after Christmas Break January 19, 2015Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Center closed February 16– 20, 2015Winter Break-Center Closed March 30-April 3, 2015Spring Break-Center Closed May 20, 2015 May 25, 2015 May 28, 2015 Last Day of School for Head Start Students Memorial Day-Center Closed Last Day of School for Ga. PreK/Sped Students

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PLANS See Center Handout

Center Drop-off Times Head Start/Ga. PreK & AM Half Day Special Needs Students : 7:30-7:45 PM Half Day Special Needs Students : 10:30-10:45 Center Pick-up Times Full Day/PM Half Day Special Needs Students : 1:30-1:45 Head Start/Ga. PreK Students : 1:45-2:00 *Last check out time is 1:30.

School is a good experience to help your child become more self confident and independent.

Daily Absences Please call or us when your child is going to be absent. We are required to contact you when your child is absent for 3 or more consecutive days. Excessive absences could result in removal of your child from the program.

TARDIES On time arrival is a school readiness skill. If you have extenuating circumstances, please see administration to discuss

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION S All medications must be brought to the center by a parent or guardian in their original container with prescription label. Parents are required to sign a medication approval form before the nurse can administer medication.

ILLNESS To insure the health of all children, if your child has a fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea, you MUST keep him/her home for 24 hours. Your child should be symptom free before returning to school.

Helpful Information 1.Please mark your child’s name on all personal items. 2.Children MUST have two current emergency phone numbers on file. 3.Information provided on Inclement Weather Emergency Form will be used when school is dismissed early. On these occasions, see CCSD website for latest updates 4.Parents should follow the Cherokee County Preschool Calendar. 5.Children should wear comfortable, washable clothes that are suitable for outside play.

7. Breakfast and lunch are provided 8. Parents may provide an alternate food for a child who is diagnosed with a food allergy. 9. All allergies MUST be documented by a physician’s note. 10. A child who gets sick or runs a fever will need to be picked up immediately by the parent or guardian. 11.Children are NOT allowed to bring toys to school unless the teacher requests the items in a note, newsletter, etc. 12.All children must participate in outdoor activities. HELPFUL INFORMATION CONT.

15. Parents should keep staff informed of any changes of phone numbers, address, place of work, or baby sitters. 13.Students should have a change of clothes in their bag each day in case of accidents. Change of clothing should be seasonally appropriate. 14. Students will not be released to anyone other than those listed by the parents on file.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Teachers recognize each child’s birthday We prefer that you celebrate the birthday outside of the school day Please contact your child’s teacher if you want to provide a birthday “snack” or “treat”

Parent Handbook will provide valuable information regarding center procedures. Teacher Newsletters- newsletters will be ed or provided in paper format, if requested, to parents every other Thurs. and will focus on information regarding your child’s upcoming activities. Center Newsletter-newsletters will be ed, or provided in paper format if requested, to parents every 2 months and will focus on information regarding upcoming center activities. Web Site ( Preschool website will have information regarding the Preschool Centers and will be updated on a consistent basis. Parent Communication

7:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. 7:30-7:45 …………..Student Arrival 10:30-10: Mid Day Special Needs Student Arrival 7:30– 11:30 …Breakfast/ Classroom Activities 11:30– 2:00 ….Lunch/ Classroom Activities 1:30 – 1:45 ……Special Needs Student Dismissal 1:45-2:00 …….Head Start/Ga. Pre-K Dismissal Children are considered “TARDY” after 7:45 A.M.

Preschool Curriculum My World and Me Animals / Animals’ Homes Birds Nutrition Transportation Community Helpers Seasons Senses Children’s Literature Taking Care of Our World

LENDING LIBRARY RB/LR: Lending Library- parents may check out books for their child to take home and read/enjoy together. OG: Students check out books from the OGE media center 2 x’s per month after story time.

TEACHER CONFERENCES Teacher Conferences are expected by the program and are very important to your child’s educational success. Parents are expected to work with their child’s teacher to participate in conferences throughout the year.

LENDING LIBRARY RB/LR: Lending Library- parents may check out books for their child to take home and read/enjoy together.. OG: Students check out books from the OGE media center 2 x’s per month after story time.

VOLUNTEERS ARE IMPORTANT Complete Volunteer Coordinator Information Form

VOLUNTEER FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS Bulb Planting Lending Library Needs Community Partnerships Parent Information Sharing (Coffee with the Principal, etc.) Spirit Nights Festivals Special Projects (building/grounds beautification, Male Involvement emphasis Jan.-March, etc.) *Please complete volunteer information form

PARENT INFORMATION CALENDAR

SCHOOL READINESS COUNCIL Meet 4 times throughout the year, or as needed, and discuss needs of the center Develop plan for assisting transitions to Kindergarten

DONATIONS Please see the supply/wish list in your child’s classroom for materials needed throughout the year.

DISLAYS Heath Dept. Dentist Head Start Preschool T-shirt Ferst Foundation

Head Start Program

Parent/Volunteer Handbook

HEAD START CALENDAR See Handout

HEAD START FAMILY PARTNERS What is a Family Partner? Family Partners are here to assist Head Start families with any needs that may arise throughout the year. Please call or them with any needs you might have. RB-Ludi Allen LR-Elizabeth Green OG-Jo Morris

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Parents are expected to work with their Family Partner to develop a Family Partnership Agreement and will assist you with resources needed to successfully meet your goal.

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (CONT’D) Family Partners will check with parents periodically to follow their progress on meeting their goal. These conferences are very important to your child’s educational success. Your cooperation in working with your Family Partner and attending scheduled meetings is expected.

HEALTH & DENTAL CARE  Health and dental exams must be completed by deadlines. Parents cooperation in meeting these deadlines is expected. Family partners will assist parents with these needs. Dental care is available at the Cumming Health Center for students who don’t have a care plan. Transportation is provided.

HEADSTART POLICY COUNCIL Policy Council Representative: Attend Policy Council Meetings at NDO in Gainesville approximately 4-6 times per year Report Policy Council activities to Administrator Council will elect Policy Council representative at orientation

CURRICULUM Head Start’s primary curriculum is the research based High Scope Model a developmentally appropriate, school readiness curriculum with scope and sequence appropriate for 3 and 4 year olds.

CURRICULUM (CONT’D) Other programs and materials supplement this curriculum as needed Parents are encouraged to participate in our curriculum by supplementing activities and learning experiences which would complement our monthly unit topics

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This program teaches children how to handle emotions, daily situations, and how to be considerate to others.

Volunteering Parents and community members are encouraged to volunteer. Part of our Head Start budget requires us to document volunteer time throughout the year. This process is called IN KIND. Please remember we depend on YOU to help us meet this program requirement.

APPROVAL OF HEAD START PARENT MEETING/TRAINING CALENDAR Motion to approve the Calendar Second Show of Hands