St.

Paul Lutheran School

ECE Handbook
The St. Paul Parent and Student Handbook thoroughly explains the policy, regulations, and procedures for all departments of the school. The following are guidelines for matters of importance in the ECE Department, and are meant to supplement the Parent and Student Handbook.

Mission Statement
The mission of St. Paul Lutheran School is to nurture students' growth as Christians in mind, heart, and character.

Curriculum
We create an environment where children have the opportunity to explore with age appropriate activities and experience success that will enhance their future learning. Developmentally appropriate activities, surrounded by weekly themes, exciting to the children, are filled with hands-on activities (centers, one-on-one, small groups, and large groups) including but not excluded to: Religion We learn that Jesus is our helper, friend, and Savior. We learn about the Bible and Gods love for us. Language and Literacy Math Science Social Studies Dramatic Play Block/Building Play Active Play Small and Large Motor Activities Sensory Exploration Music, Voice, and Movement Exploration Computer Exploration Art Activities

Discipline
St. Paul ECE teachers implement the following classroom management plan in cooperation with administration: 1. Reinforcement of positive behavior 2. Reminder of appropriate behavior 3. Redirection to another activity 4. Restriction from activity or group 5. Removal from group Unacceptable behavior that shows disrespect or hurts others will result in immediate removal from the group. The child will not return to the group until a mutually agreeable

plan has been formulated. The support and cooperation of parents in dealing with these situations is most beneficial for the childs well-being and development. All discipline is guided by the principle of Christian love and forgiveness. We strive to create a climate of loving, caring, and sharing. We appreciate your support in this effort.

Communication
The ECE teachers desire open communication with St. Paul families. Parents and teachers are a team working for the total development of the children. Teachers will keep you informed of class activities through many venues. These include monthly calendars, weekly newsletters or blogs, notices on classroom bulletin boards, emails, and daily or weekly folders. Teachers may also send personal notes or emails as needed. Parents are encouraged to inform their childs teacher whenever special joys or concerns arise regarding the child at home and at school. The teacher needs to know if there are recent or impending changes at home, which may affect the childs behavior or demeanor. For daily communication, email is most efficient. Your childs teacher will respond to an email correspondence within one business day. You may also call the school office (512.472.3313) and leave a voicemail for your childs teacher. This will also be returned within one business day. Please review the yearly school calendar for the dates Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled. We also encourage you to read and review any and all correspondence from the school office, including the Friday Features.

Routines
Promptness

Classrooms open at 7:45 a.m. Morning Child Care is available starting at 7:00 a.m. in the cafeteria. Please see the Child Care Director to enroll in Child Care and for Child Care procedures. School begins at 8:00 a.m. It is very important for your child to be in the classroom and ready to begin morning activities at this time. A late arrival can be awkward for the child and may affect his/her entire day, as well as disrupt other students in the class. When walking your child in to the school, please make sure you escort him/her to the classroom. If/when you feel your child is ready to walk down the ECE hallway to the classroom alone, please let your childs teacher know, so she can watch for him/her while you watch your child walk down the hallway.
Supplies

Classroom supplies are purchased by the teachers and shared in the classroom. Please refer to St. Pauls Supply List for the appropriate fee. The supply fee should be made payable to the classroom teacher at registration.

Personal Belongings

Please have your child leave toys and other playthings at home. There are three exceptions: one small soft toy for rest time, one item for Show and Tell when it is announced, or a book which supplements the curriculum/activities, also to be announced. Toys can interfere with planned activities and may easily be lost or broken. Please leave these special items in the car or at home. Please mark all personal items that your child brings to school with the childs name. This includes lunch boxes, totes, backpacks, rest time bags, rest time items, books, change of clothes, etc.
Lunch/Snacks

PK3 students begin lunch at 11:20 a.m. PK4 and Kindergarten students begin at 11:25 a.m. Tray lunches may be purchased through the school office. Children may also bring a lunch from home, though heating food is not an option. Children may choose to bring a snack to school to have in case they do not prefer the classroom snack provided. We encourage healthy choices for lunches and snacks.
Rest Time

ECE students who stay the full day will have a rest time in the afternoon. Mats are provided. Children may bring rest time items including: a small pillow, a lightweight cover, and one small, soft toy. These items should be small enough to place in a bag to hang on a hook in the hallway. Rest time items should be taken home and laundered weekly.
Pick Up

Students enrolled in PK3 or PK4 may be picked up in the cafeteria at 12:00 p.m. Kindergarten students may be picked up at the porch at the front of the school building (Luther Lane) at 3:30. Afternoon Child Care is available until 6:00 p.m. for all ECE families. Please see the Child Care Director for information on Afternoon Child Care.
Change of Clothes

Each ECE student should have a complete change of clothes at school. This should include a shirt, pants, underwear, and socks. It should be replaced as the seasons change or as your child grows. All items should be placed in a plastic bag marked with your childs name and placed on the childs hook or cubby in the hallway. If the change of clothes has been used, please send another set the following school day. Providing a lightweight jacket or sweater to remain at school during cooler seasons is encouraged.

Dress Code
Hair Should be neatly groomed and of a natural color. Shoes Tennis shoes, or any sturdy, closed-toe and heel shoes. No sandals, crocs, or slides. Shoes must be worn with socks, hose, or tights.

PreK: Clothing must be appropriate for active play. Clothing may contain logos for Sports Teams or Universities/Colleges. Stripes, flowers, animals, etc. are also allowed. Clothing should NOT contain logos (ex: Tommy Hilfiger, Limited, Too, etc.), sayings (ex: He did it, Daddys Little Princess, etc.), or characters (superheroes, princesses, cartoons, etc.). Tops should have significant coverage of the shoulder area. (Halter tops and spaghetti straps are not acceptable.) Skirts and dresses should be worn with shorts underneath. Kindergarten: Students will follow the dress code for grades 1-8 (see Parent and Student Handbook) with the following exceptions: No belts are required. Plain, solid colored t-shirts are acceptable.

Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways for families to be involved in their childrens education. St. Paul provides many opportunities for families to volunteer, including but not limited to: Classroom Volunteers Room Parents (organize or help with class parties, organize volunteers for special events, attend Parent/Teacher Association meetings, etc.), read to/with the students, help with classroom activities, copying/cutting/help with special projects or special days, drive for field trips, and donate to classroom wish list School-wide Fundraisers/Events Wurstfest, Grand Tour, Various Selling Fundraisers

Special Events
Chapel

Chapel services are held each Wednesday in the church sanctuary. All-School chapels begin at 8:05. Department chapels are scheduled for 8:40. Chapel times will be noted on monthly calendars. At times, chapel services are held in alternate places or times. The location and time for chapels will be posted on a sign outside the classroom door on chapel days.

Field Trips

From time to time, we will take class or department field trips. You will receive information and a permission form to sign and return. We rely on parent/family volunteers for drivers to enable us to take trips. To drive students to and from a field trip destination, a completed vehicle information form and record of insurance and license will need to be on file in the office.

Birthdays

We encourage celebration of birthdays and Baptismal birthdays. You may send a treat for the class such as cookies, cupcakes, muffins, fruit, or other approved snacks. Please do not send regular cakes, favors, or gifts. You may place party invitations for outside parties in cubbies if all students in the class are invited. If you wish to invite only a few, this should be done away from school.
Show and Tell

Show and Tell for specific topics will be noted on the calendar. Please bring one item (unless otherwise indicated) in a bag with the childs name on it. Some ECE classes provide Show and Tell bags (including a plush toy, a book, and a journal) that go home with the child to be returned the following school day. Children may place one show and tell item in the bag to share with the class. Please do not send special or valuable show and tell items to school as these can be lost or broken.

Special Days

Throughout the year, the ECE department will have special days scheduled when your child will be able to bring or do something out of the ordinary. For some of these events, we may need volunteers. These days will be indicated on the monthly calendars so you can plan accordingly. Some of these days may include Teddy Bear Day, the Thanksgiving Feast, Pajama Day, Grandparents Day, Wind Day, Wheel Day, and Water Day.