What you need to know about the Cumberland Street Preschool:
YES - we are a Christ-centered school.
YES - parents are welcome to observe and share your talents.
Please contact the teacher when you plan to observe or need an appointment to talk with a staff member. Parent/teacher communication is so important!
YES - your child must have a complete health form on file.
YES - we do have a specific curriculum that stimulates, interests, and challenges each child.
YES - if a child is ready to read, we will help him or her do so ENJOYABLY. We believe in the DEVELOPMENT of cognitive skills just as we believe in the DEVELOPMENT of height and weight, new teeth, and the ability to creep and later walk. In other words,
“you cannot hurry up and learn any more than you can hurry up and grow.”
YES - we do believe in play because that is a major way in which a child learns.
YES - we believe each child is in some way gifted in very individual unique abilities and characteristics, so we will be looking each one’s strengths, talents and needs. Please remember, though, we do not PUSH. We NURTURE.
NO - your child will never be spanked, screamed at or humiliated — just loved.
YES - we do get dirty when we play and learn. We are “making a wonderful mess” at times . . . Creating fairy gardens"
Creating a fairy gardenand also engage in cleaning up. Your child will need a change of clothes to remain at the school (shirt, shorts or pants, underwear, and socks). Please label all garments. Because of limited space, we will keep their clothes in marked Zip-loc bags in their cubby.
YES - feelings are always welcome. So is the need to snuggle and be reassured. Hugs are always available! (For moms and dads, too!)
YES - we do go on short field trips, and we do have really special things happen because of local opportunities and talent. Life and learning can be very exciting here!
YES - we believe in a nutritional lunch. Please do not send gum or lots of candy.
YES - your child can share special toys with the class. They can be safely stored in his/her cubby through the rest of the day.
And YES - we want you to BELONG to our preschool community:
- To feel welcome,
- To feel free to ask questions,
- To make a complaint,
- To express a wish,
- To offer a helping hand,
- To submit a cool idea,
- To offer a suggestion,
- To be as much a part of the early school program as that wonderful little person you have to share with us.
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Cumberland Street Preschool provides a positive and friendly learning environment. Each student is recognized and viewed as a unique and responsible person who contributes to the everyday life of the community of the school. A management program that encourages developmentally appropriate behavior is implemented by the staff in the following ways:
Teacher/staff model desired behavior.
School rules are stated positively and clearly. They are reasonable, fair, and consistent with the objectives of Cumberland Street Preschool
Verbal and written positive reinforcements are used to enhance self-concept and to recognize appropriate behavior.
Limits are set. Expectations are reasonable. (We look for improvements, not perfection.)
Behavior expectations: Students will work toward:
Listening and following directions,
Developing a respect for peers, teachers, other adults, and oneself,
Exhibiting self-discipline,
Understanding “time and place”,
Developing a respect for school and personal property
Obeying school rules:
Walking quietly inside the building,
Using quiet voices inside the building,
Completing a task without disturbing others unnecessarily,
Keeping hands and feet to oneself,
Maintaining care for the school environment.
Behavior Plan:
When a behavior expectation has not been met, the rule will be stated again (on child’s eye level).
If unacceptable behavior is repeated again, the student will go to the cozy area for a few minutes during which they may read a book or work with legos. After a few minutes the teacher and student will discuss the unacceptable behavior and what the expectation is and if the student is now prepared to meet the expectation.
If the pattern continues, a conference will be held with the parent/guardian, teacher, and student to share information, identify the problem, and develop a personalized program. The school director will be informed by the teacher.
If the inappropriate behavior continues, a conference with the teacher, parent/guardian, child, and director will be held to share information, reinforce, and/or adjust the program.