DIVINE STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL
Parent-Teacher Handbook
2017 – 2018
 
Registration and Supply Fees         

• A registration fee of $40.00 and a supply fee of $20.00 is due upon application and is non-refundable.  First month’s tuition is due upon application and is non-refundable after August 1. 

 
Tuition

• The following tuition schedule is set for the 2017-2018 school year:
  • Mother’s Morning Out – 1-day      $60.00 per month
  • Mother’s Morning Out – 2-day      $95.00 per month
  • 2-day class                                 $105.00 per month
  • 3-day class                                 $135.00 per month
  • 4-day class                                 $150.00 per month

 

• Tuition may be raised with a thirty-day notice.
• Tuition is due and payable the first day of the month beginning September 2016 and continuing through May 2017. 
• Checks should be made out to DSUMC.
• If payment is not received by the end of the month and arrangements have not been made with the preschool director, the child will be withdrawn from the program.
• Tuition will be charged only for the first half of the month if the child is to be withdrawn before the 15th of the month, and if a two-week notice is given.
• To reserve a space for a child during a lengthy absence, tuition payments must be continued.
• Tuition for Mother’s Morning Out follows the same policies.
• If a child is not present, but signed up, payment is still due. 
• A charge of $20.00 is due for each returned check.

 
New Policies implemented January 2018

• Payments may be made in the following ways:
  • Envelopes will be provided to parents in the child’s book bag at the beginning of each semester.  Each envelope will have a place to list the child’s name, child’s class, amount being paid, tuition month, date, and signature.
  • Money orders or checks will be accepted in the envelopes. These may be made payable to DSUMC Preschool and must include the child's name and class in the memo line.
  • No cash payments will be accepted.
  • ​Bank draft through parents' personal bank. This must include the child's name and class in the memo line.
  • Payments may be made online at www.divinestreet.org/giving. If needed, instructions are available through the church office or from the preschool director. Debit cards, credit cards and banking information are accepted through the online payment system. ​

                               (Click the button to the right to make a payment online.-->)

• Issues with past due collections will be reported to and managed by the Preschool Director.  Ongoing non-payment will be reported by the Preschool Director to the Finance Committee after 60 days.
• Payments are due on the 1st of each month and will be considered late if not received by the 10th of each month.  If payment is not received by the 10th, a statement will be generated by DSUMC (which may include late fees) and will be sent home in the child’s book bag.

Enrollment

• Children entering the Mother’s Morning Out classes must be 18 months old by September 1.  Those turning 18 months after September 1 will be placed on a waiting list for available spots as they are made available. 
• Children entering the three-year-old class must be three by September 1.  Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the preschool director.
• Children entering the four-year-old class must be four by September 1.  Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the preschool director.
• All children entering the 2, 3 or 4-day classes must be completely potty trained.
• With the interest of each child as the utmost concern, the preschool reserves the right to request withdrawal of a child whom the school feels is not ready for the preschool program. This is done with the best interest of the child in mind. The child may be accepted back into the program at a later time. If such a move is necessary, monetary adjustments will be made.
• Occasionally, underage children are accepted into the program after September 1, as space permits. This is done on an individual basis and at the discretion of the preschool director.
• Classes are filled giving priority in the following way:
  • Members of Divine Street United Methodist Church
  • Children currently enrolled
  • Siblings of children currently enrolled
• Waiting lists are compiled as requests demand.

 
Hours of Operation

• All classes meet from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Since the teachers need time to prepare their classrooms for the day, doors will not be opened before 9:00 a.m.
• Children must not run around outside before or after school. As the church is located on a busy street and has many activities on the premises, this could be unsafe or disruptive.
• A child brought to school must be left in the presence of a staff member. Children must never be dropped off!
• Each child will be released only to the parent/guardian or a person designated by the parent/guardian. Names of carpool drivers and relatives must be listed in the child’s records in the office.

 
Car Line

• Morning car line is from 9:00 a.m. to 9:10 a.m.  Those using car line are to enter through the funeral home parking lot, turning right onto S. Layton in front of the church.  Cars will pull forward and stay in car line with children remaining inside the car until a teacher/volunteer helps each child out of the car. Children may not exit vehicles without adult assistance.
• Afternoon car line is from 12:00 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. and follows the same procedure.
• Those who do not wish to use the car line MUST pick up children prior to 11:50 a.m. 
• Drivers may not PARK in the car line. 
• Mother’s Morning Out children must be picked up inside the building and will not be brought to the car line.
• In case of rain, the parent/guardian must walk children to and from the building.  There will be no car line.

 
Late Pick Up

• Each child must be picked up promptly at the end of class time. Chronic late arrivals for pickup will result in late charges. The charge for the first ten minutes is $5.00. For each additional minute, the charge is $1.00 per minute.

 
 
Classroom Visits & Conferences

• Parent/guardian conferences are offered twice a year, but may be scheduled throughout the year as needed.
• Special problems or occurrences affecting the child will be brought to the attention of the parent/guardian.
• Any changes in the family, such as the birth of a baby, a parent/guardian out of town, marriage termination, or a death, should be communicated to the teacher and shall be dealt with professionally and confidentially.
• Teachers are very busy as school is beginning and dismissing and cannot speak with adults at these times.  Once all the children have been dismissed, teachers may speak with parents/guardians or make an appointment. 
• So that teachers may keep their primary focus on children, teachers may only use their personal cell phones for urgent or emergency matters.

School Calendar

• Classes will meet each Monday through Friday beginning September 5, 2017 and ending May 25, 2018.

 

• The following holidays will be observed:
  • Veterans Day                    November 10, 2017
  • Thanksgiving Break           November 22-24, 2017
  • Winter Break                     December 18, 2017 - January 1, 2018
  • MLKJ Day                         January 15, 2018
  • Spring Break                     March 30 – April 6, 2018

 

• Two teacher workdays will be observed following the Harnett County Public School calendar, and no children will be present in the classrooms.
  • Wednesday, January 22-23, 2018 (This is dependent on the inclement weather policy and may be used as make-up days.)

 
School Closing, Early Dismissal, Delays Due to Weather

• Preschool follows the weather closing decisions of Harnett County Public Schools.  If Harnett County is closed, DSUMC Preschool will be closed. This includes closing for epidemic illness.
• If Harnett County is opening on a two-hour delay, DSUMC Preschool will open at the regularly scheduled 9:00 a.m.  Parents/guardians should use personal judgment on safe driving conditions.  For liability reasons, the preschool/church staff may not advise anyone on travel decisions. 
• Early dismissals are judged on a case-by-case basis.  Parents/guardians will be notified by teachers should an early dismissal be necessary.  Contact information must remain current. 

 
Weather Safety

• In the event of imminent danger due to severe weather conditions, the safety of children will be the first priority.  When necessary, children will be relocated to a safe location inside the church buildings. 

 
Lock-down

• Lockdown is implemented when the threat of violence, gunfire, or imminent danger in the church or the surrounding community is identified.  During lockdown, children and staff will remain in designated lockdown locations at all times.  NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED IN OR OUT OF THE BUILDING until an “all clear” signal is given by law enforcement or the pastor or the preschool director.  In the unlikely event the preschool/church experiences an emergency, the safety of children will be the first priority.  Once children are secure, every effort will be made to provide information to parents/guardians.

 
Snacks

• Should a child have a known allergy to specific foods, every precaution will be taken by the staff to ensure the health and safety of that child.  Appropriate and alternative snack options will be made available to that child.

 
Birthdays

• When a child’s birthday comes, the child will be able to bring a birthday treat. If a child wishes to pass out invitations for a home party, all children in the class should be invited. Otherwise, invitations should be delivered outside of school.

 
Personal Belongings

• Please mark clothing and personal belongings with pen or labels. A Lost and Found is kept in the office until the last day of school. After that date, unclaimed items are donated to a local cause.
• All children should bring a change of clothing, including underwear, to be left at school. Remember to switch clothing when the seasons change.
• With the exception of prearranged activities, toys are not permitted at preschool.
• Children in MMO may bring personal items at the discretion of the teacher.

 
Animals

• For safety and hygiene reasons, animals are not permitted inside the buildings of DSUMC. 
• Service animals are the only exception to this policy.

 
Discipline

• Discipline at preschool is a positive way of teaching children how to manage their own behavior. Aggressive or other unacceptable behavior (including but not limited to hitting, biting, pushing and inappropriate language) must be addressed immediately.  We want to help children develop the ability to express their wants and needs appropriately by giving them a variety of tools. We want them to learn to express their emotions in respectful and courteous ways. We want to help them solve problems by making good choices. As needed, we will redirect the children to areas of play where they can be successful. We also establish some rules and teach children the process for following those rules, while keeping rules reasonable.  If necessary, we will give a child time to sit and think quietly away from others.  If unsuitable behavior becomes problematic, the teacher will complete an incident report form and make every effort to work with parents/guardians to reach a resolution that is helpful to the child.  Persistent behavior of an inappropriate nature may result in discontinuing the child’s enrollment in our preschool.  Such decisions will be at the discretion of the preschool director.

 
Endorsement of Products or Services

• It is the preschool’s policy not to endorse or promote any product or service through the preschool. This policy was established to be fair to all individuals, and to serve as a protection for the parents/guardians. The school’s roster is to be used only for personal use and not to solicit any product or service.

 
 
Social Media

• Personal web sites, blogs and other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook have become prevalent methods of self-expression and community interaction in our culture. 
• In our effort to safeguard children, it is essential to maintain the privacy and security of all our families. 
• Parents are advised that they should obtain permission of the parent/guardian of any child before posting or uploading videos and/or photos to any website and/or social media.
• A permission form is to be included in the preschool registration packet seeking authorization for the preschool to use children’s photos in promotional and celebration materials and postings.  This form does not grant permission to anyone other than preschool/church staff.  
• No public discussions are to be held or comments made on social media regarding our preschool, children, staff or preschool business that could be construed to have any impact on the preschool reputation or that would offend any church member, church staff, preschool staff, or preschool family member.  Any comment deemed to be inappropriate and/or detrimental to our preschool program is to be reported to the preschool director.  Action taken may include:
  • requesting the information to be removed
  • discontinuing a child’s enrollment in our preschool 

 
Health

• A copy of each child’s immunization record must be provided at the beginning of each school year.  Each child must be current on vaccinations to be eligible to attend preschool. 
• Precautions will be taken at all times to safeguard the health of the group. The school will notify the parents/guardians if there is a possibility of exposure to a communicable disease. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the school of any known illness.

 
Illness

• Children should not attend school if illness is suspected.
• Children should be kept home during the infectious period of a cold and any time there is a fever present.  A child who has a fever, an upset stomach (within 12 hours), impetigo, hand and foot disease, fifth disease, chicken pox, strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), or any other communicable disease must stay home for the health of the other children.  A child must be fever and symptom free for 24 hours prior to returning to preschool.
• If a child becomes ill at preschool, all efforts will be made to reach the emergency contact listed in the office. If the emergency contact cannot be reached, and the child appears to be very ill, the preschool director will call 911. 
• Teachers may administer medications on an emergency basis only.  A medical form will be included in each registration packet and must be completed prior to attendance. 

 
Staff Training and Safety

• Teachers will receive CPR Training on an annual basis.
• A First Aid Kit will be available in each classroom to include (but not limited to):
  • Adhesive Bandages
  • Adhesive Tape
  • Antiseptic wipes (for hand washing only)
  • Instant Cold Pack
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Vinyl Gloves
  • Sterile Pads
  • Gauze Rolls
• In the event a child is injured while at preschool, an accident report form will be completed by the preschool staff within twenty-four hours. 

 
 
Contact information:
  
Divine Street United Methodist Church
400 W. Divine Street
Dunn, NC  28334
 
910-892-2339
dsumc@nc.rr.com
 
Preschool Director
Patti Queipo
 
Preschool Teachers
Elizabeth Emory
Cindy Haney
Cindy Jernigan
Gayle Newman
Carol Strickland
  
Pastor
Rev. Beth Gaines
dsumcpastor.nc.rr.com
 
 

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