Park West Cooperative Nursery School

Management Separation Arrival/Dismissal Assisting Health Policies Giving to PW Forms

Policies & Procedures

Birthdays & Holidays
Birthdays and Holidays can sometimes be overwhelming and anxiety provoking for young children. For that reason, we do not celebrate birthdays or holidays in our classrooms. We hope that by leaving the celebrating to you, we can provide a quiet oasis amid the hoopla and excitement going on in the rest of your child’s day.

Depending on each group's interests, we usually focus on what is meaningful to a child about a particular holiday. We might hold informal discussions at snack or group time: Will your family be visiting? Are there special foods your family eats at this time of year? Teachers may also explore issues associated with holidays on an ongoing basis.

Our snack guidelines are in effect for birthdays and holidays.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
There are two formal parent/teacher conferences during the school year; one in fall and one in spring. This is a time for a dialogue about your child and/or the school program. It is also a time for parents to share with teachers information about experiences or changes at home that might influence the child’s behavior at school. You will want to make child care arrangements for your child during these conferences, as children do not attend.

Teachers are not able to talk with parents about substantial issues before or during class time or at dismissal, but you can make arrangements with your teachers for a mini-conference or phone conference as needed.

Consultants
Park West has a number of outside consultants that come in to observe classes and offer insights to the teaching staff on a regular basis. All information is used for continuing education for the staff and to help provide the best possible environment for the children.

Release of Information

All information in children’s files is CONFIDENTIAL. Access to the information in children’s files is restricted to that child’s parents or guardians, Park West staff, and the Secretary of the Board of Directors. Files are kept for five years at the school as required by licensing standards. Children’s files will only be released with written permission from a child’s parents or guardian.

No Smoking Policy
Park West is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is also not permitted immediately outside the school entrance.

Security
Please be aware that Park West Cooperative Nursery School takes the security of children and staff very seriously. The front door of the school is to remain firmly closed and locked at all times, except arrival and dismissal when staff are present. Those requiring entrance to the building must ring the bell and wait for a staff member to assist them. Please do not let anyone into the building without approval by staff members. Be sure that when you leave the building the door is firmly closed and locked behind you.

Fire Drills
Fire drills teach our staff and children what to do in case of fire and also test the fire equipment to insure it is in working order. Licensing mandates monthly fire drills. Since the alarm is loud and can frighten some children, our teachers make a point of preparing children for their first experience with school fire drills.

Field Trips
Children enjoy their time at school, and trips away from school are infrequent. When field trips are planned, families will be notified in advance. Park West uses only licensed school buses and seat belts are used at all times when transporting children. Teachers carry cell phones, first aid supplies, and all emergency medications and information with them. Alternate transportation arrangements are available if there is a problem with the transportation vehicles during the trip.

St. Pauls Property
We rent our space from St Pauls Church and have had a long, fruitful relationship with the church. All members of our cooperative are expected to respect church property before, during and after school. It is especially important that children not climb the trees, run on the access ramp, ring the bell at the ramp door, or trample the grass and flowers.

The South end of the loading zone – behind white line – is designated for St. Pauls Church. Park West parents may NEVER use the south end of the loading zone at any time including arrival and dismissal . There will be a sign or sandwich board to indicate that the south end of the loading zone is to be reserved only for St. Pauls use at all time. St Pauls will be towing cars from their end of the loading zone.

Absentee Policy
Please call the school or leave a message on the voice mail if your child will be absent from school on a particular day whether it is for illness or another reason.

If you are planning a vacation while school is in session, please notify your child’s teacher in advance of your departure.

Late Policy/Early Release
The first thirty minutes of class are an important transition time so we ask that children not be more than a half-hour late. We also want to discourage you from taking children out of school a half-hour before the end of class so as not to disrupt your child’s routine and the routine of the entire class. Therefore, if your child will be a half- hour late for school or need to leave school a half-hour before dismissal, please keep your child at home that day.

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