Handbook

I Introduction

Goal -- The goal of Rosary Academy Learning Center is to provide a stimulating environment in which children experience a sense of security and belonging while they are away from their homes.

Mission -- The mission of Rosary Academy Learning Center is to provide a comprehensive preschool/early care program in a safe, nurturing and warm environment. We accomplish this through the expertise of a capable, caring, well-qualified teaching staff. The staff views each child as a unique person in God’s family, possessing his or her own personal worth and dignity. The programs at the Center endeavor to nurture all areas of each child’s development. The Center strives to enhance an awareness of God and the loving concern of God for each child. The personal talents and gifts of each child will be encouraged and developed through supervision of the planned and spontaneous interaction among peers and adults. This develops a sense of identity and personal worth in each child.

Statement of Inclusion -- Rosary Academy Learning Center does not discriminate in providing services to children and their families on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs or marital status.

All information on children and their families is held in the strictest of confidence. Each child’s file contains an application form, medical history and developmental history forms, and progress and conference reports. Files are available to the professional staff of the Center.

Parents/Guardians have the right to review the child’s file by scheduling an appointment with the Director. Although files may not be removed from the building, a request in writing may be made to receive a duplicate copy.

Rosary Academy does not provide transportation; however, we do provide a school directory so that you can contact other parents who may live nearby to arrange a carpool. Please notify the teachers and Director of all transportation arrangements and be sure to notify us of any changes. This will alleviate unnecessary anxiety and stress for the child.

The condo association provides three visitor parking spaces near the playground, two spaces along the sidewalk and three at the back of the building in front of the last condos. Parents are asked to park in these spaces (if available) when dropping off and picking up children. This is especially important after 4:30 PM when residents of Siena Village are returning home from work and expect to find their numbered parking space vacant.

Parking is also available on Locust Lane along the playground side of the street.

Please do not park in any of the numbered spaces within the parking lot or along Locust Lane.

At Rosary Academy, our purpose is to provide the important pathways for children to know about themselves and their world. Rosary Academy stresses the total child, the integration of the individual child’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and social growth within the recognized developmental parameters. Rosary Academy offers an environment in which a child’s natural creativity, imagination and desire for mastery are encouraged. At Rosary Academy, we respect each child’s unique and special ways of growing.

Given that developmental change is a basic fact of human existence, that each person is developmentally unique, and that there are optimal times for particular kinds of learning, the educational experience at Rosary Academy involves:

Of equal importance in early childhood education is environment. Both indoors and outdoors at Rosary Academy, the spaces and materials are geared to the children’s physical size and interests. In planning a rich and varied environment, we select equipment and materials that allow for learning conditions conducive to the acquisition and practice of skills, opportunities for interaction with peers, objects to manipulate, explore and master, opportunities to utilize emerging skills, and support for the child’s development of his/her own abilities.

Rosary Academy is divided into four different classroom areas and children are grouped according to age and development. The groups are as follows:

Each teacher at Rosary Academy has a solid framework in child development and experience gained through training and working in the field of early childhood education with a particular age group; each is genuinely concerned about the development and well-being of young children. The teachers fully share the philosophy, goals, and values of the program at Rosary.

Patience, warmth, understanding of the needs and feelings of individual children as well as the group, along with the acceptance and appreciation of each child’s customs and uniqueness, are qualities that are central among the staff.

Throughout all of the groups, the individual needs and interests of each child will be integrated into the curriculum, thus allowing the child to develop to his/her fullest potential. The staff at Rosary Academy also feels very strongly that the customs and holidays of all of the children in the Center should be equally represented. We welcome parents’ suggestions on these subjects. Please feel free to talk to the teachers and Director.

In addition to daily communication, parents will receive a written report along with a conference in January. End-of-the-year progress reports are sent home in June. Every effort will be made to accommodate parents’ requests for conferences beyond those scheduled.

When a parent/guardian has a classroom grievance, the following procedure should be followed:

Situations may occur that would result in dismissal from Rosary Academy Learning Center. They may include lack of payment, behavioral difficulties or the need for services available outside of Rosary Academy. Before dismissal is discussed, all avenues of referrals will be investigated. Parents are advised to consult their copy of the referral policy of Rosary Academy Learning Center received at Orientation (c.f. Child Guidance Plan). This lists the local agencies available to help a child. In situations regarding lack of payment, all cases are discussed individually with the Director before dismissal.

All unacceptable or unusual behavior will be documented and placed in the child’s file. Lead teachers will discuss the problem with the Director and all methods of intervention will be attempted where necessary.

Parents will be called for a meeting with the teacher and the Director and a behavioral plan will be designed for implementation at home and at school.

As a last resort, taking the safety of other children into consideration, the Director and the parents will make a mutual decision to remove the child from the Center and place him or her in the proper center for appropriate care to be given.

The Director has the power to dismiss a child from the Center when the parents do not agree. The Director will be looking out for the benefit of the child and will follow the discrimination guidelines. This extreme action will not be taken unless all other interventions have failed.

Information and referral for other services will always be available to parents. When any child is dismissed from the Center, initiated by the Center or the parents, the staff will prepare the child for dismissal from Rosary Academy Learning Center, in a manner that is consistent with the child’s ability to understand.

As a rule, Rosary Academy does not plan field trips that require transportation. Rather we concentrate on bringing to the Center a variety of professionals, (musicians, Drumlin Farm etc.) who both instruct and entertain. In this regard, we attempt to enhance and enrich our regular program.

From time to time, the children will walk with proper supervision around the grounds of Siena Village. Parental permission slips for this will be signed annually.

A few times each year the children go to another part of the building, Saint Joseph Hall, to prepare for the entertainment that they will provide for parents/grandparents, to participate in a baking activity or to participate in the optional afternoon gymnastics program. Parental permission slips for this will be signed annually.

The administration of Rosary Academy is under the operation of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The program is operated by the Director who works with a Board of Trustees.

The Director is primarily responsible for the daily running of the Center: staff applications and recruitment, supervision of staff, support and resources for staff, recruitment of student teachers, enrollment, equipment purchase and maintenance. The Director is the liaison with the community and other agencies and schools working with and educating young children and their families.　

Rosary Academy Learning Center is licensed by the state of Massachusetts.

Rosary Academy is a fully accredited program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, (NAEYC).

The first tuition payment is due on or before July 15^th. This payment is placed in escrow, is credited to the last month of the academic year and secures your child’s place for September.

Tuition is tabulated on a monthly basis and is due on the child’s first day of school each month. Prior to the beginning of the month, parents will receive an invoice identifying the tuition amount. Parents are asked to attach the payment to the invoice and place both in the designated tuition mailbox outside the Director’s office.

When a tuition payment is delinquent by two weeks, a late fee of $25.00 will be assessed to the account. If the account remains overdue by 30 days your child will have to forfeit his/her space. Requests for alternative tuition payment schedules should be addressed to the Director. You are expected to pay for all days agreed upon at admission. Make up days are not available.

There is a 10% discount for a second child.

Rosary Academy is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Arrival time is between 7:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.

All at Rosary Academy believe that daily communication between parent and teacher is vital to providing the best program for a child. We encourage one parent to make contact with the teacher either at drop-off or pick-up time. This will be a time to talk briefly and informally with the teacher and communicate any information that may be relevant to the child’s day, (i.e. child’s night, spouse away, relatives visiting, etc.). Parents should assist their child in hanging up the child’s coat, putting his/her things in the cubby, and settling into the classroom.

Separation and good-byes can be difficult for both child and parents; however, they are extremely important. At Rosary Academy we encourage and welcome parents to spend as much time as needed during a child’s first week/s at the Center to aid in this transition period. We will encourage parents to say, “Good-bye” and teachers will care for the child as he/she experiences the separation after you have made the decision to leave. You should feel free to call later in the day to inquire about your child.

Departure times are as follows:

We appreciate being notified if you will be late in picking up your child. We also request that you notify us if your child will be absent. Please call the office by 9:30 to report your child’s absence. Parents are requested to inform us regarding the particular illness that is causing your child’s absence.

It is important for reasons of consistency that your child be dropped off and picked up at approximately the same time each day. Children may arrive at opening time 7:30 a.m., but must be here by 8:45 a.m. It is difficult for children to come into the classroom after 9:00 a.m. because they are entering a group that may have been playing together for almost an hour. Children are working on issues of separation and how to function socially with each other These issues become more difficult for the child to handle when they lack the time and space to work them out at their own pace. Before 9:00 a.m. the children enjoy free play choosing activities from the entire classroom area. Free play is also designed so that we have time to greet parents and children, communicate information, and help children settle into the room. It is vital that we talk to parents because often children cannot tell us what is going on in their lives. It is also important that you have the time to be with your child, if needed, before we transition to circle time.

Children will be dismissed only to the parent(s) who signed the application or person designated by this parent(s). Any change in these arrangements must have a written request; a picture ID of the individual must be shown at the time of pick up.

IX Rest Time

Full day children rest after lunch. The Center will provide a mat and sheet for rest time. Families are asked to supply a blanket, which may or may not be used by the child, a small pillow and stuffed toy if so desired by the child. The blanket and pillow are to be sent to the Center in an enclosed bag, (small gym bag, back pack or pillowcase).

The sheets will be sent home weekly for laundering.　　

Birthdays are treated as a very special time at Rosary Academy. If you would like to provide a small treat (cupcakes, cookies) for your child’s birthday, this will be fine. Foods that come from home for sharing among the children must be either, whole fruits or commercially prepared packaged foods in factory sealed containers. The ingredient label needs to be attached and in readable condition.

If you are planning a birthday party away from school and do not plan to invite all of the members of your child’s class, we ask that you mail the invitations rather than place them in the children’s folders. Please remember that children are sensitive and are very aware if they do not receive an invitation when others do.

Children should wear comfortable shoes and clothing which will not inhibit play whether it be running, walking, climbing, painting, or water play. Please be sure that clothes are developmentally correct for the child so that he/she is totally independent especially when preparing to use the toilet.

Each child needs a complete change of clothes, socks and shoes. Please label everything with an indelible marker. We cannot be responsible for articles that are not labeled.

Dressing for winter becomes part of the curriculum (helping children begin to do things for themselves). Please keep this in mind when purchasing clothing.

What to bring for morning and/or full day children:

Treasured toys are just that, treasured. Children are asked not to bring any toy from home other than the item for sleeping. This will prevent loss or breakage of a favorite toy or loosing it among the toys at school.　

Rosary Academy follows the Watertown public schools decision regarding school cancellation. Rosary Academy has arrangements for a school cancellation to be broadcast on local TV stations, (channels 5, 7 and 25). We will attempt to be listed as early as possible beginning at 6:00 a.m. We suggest arranging a backup in the late fall so that you are not left in the lurch on a stormy morning with no arrangements for child care. If there is cause to believe that weather conditions will dramatically deteriorate during the day and become extremely hazardous, parents will be notified to make every effort to have their child/ren picked up early.

Rosary Academy will be closed for vacation during the last two weeks in August. The Center will also be closed on the following days: New Year’s Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Patriots’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Snow Days.

A summer program is offered each year. Registration for the summer program is conducted during January with preference given to current students and recent graduates. Enrollment for children between the ages of 4& 6 1/2 is then offered to the general civic community beginning in February.

As in a home, a Center is a place where illnesses can spread. There has been little long term research on the spread of disease in children’s centers. What we do know is that frequent hand washing by both staff and children and the isolation of a contagious child as soon as possible are the two biggest factors in keeping everyone healthy. We also know that it is very common for a child to become ill within the first months in a center.

We realize how difficult it is to have to miss a day or more of work to stay home with a sick child. However, it is neither in the child’s nor the group’s and teacher’s best interest to have a sick child at school. A sick child who requires prolonged individual staff attention interferes with the safety and normal functioning of the group. If a child is sick (temperature of 99.5 or above), we will call the parents and ask them to take the child home as soon as possible. If the staff cannot make a decision as to whether the child should stay in school or return home, (i.e. no fever but the child does not seem to be feeling well, is crying for no known reason or seems generally uncomfortable,) the staff will call the parents, discuss their concerns and together make the best decision for the child. Before returning to the Center, a child should be fever-free without the aid of a fever reducer, for at least twenty-four hours.

In situations where a child is on an antibiotic, he/she must be on the antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to the Center.

If a child comes down with a contagious disease a note from a doctor or health department is needed for readmittance.

Rosary Academy is a nut-free facility.

A light morning snack and lunch is provided by the family. We are able to heat foods in a microwave. The Center provides snack and milk or water for the children who remain for the afternoon. Ordinarily two choices are offered, a fruit or vegetable and some starch. The children are trained to make a choice of one food and to follow a menu card regarding the serving size and proper tools for serving themselves. Parents are encouraged to view the options offered each day which are posted on a “Snack calendar” found in the Parent Information section of each room.

The posted daily schedule will show that snacks and lunchtime are scheduled at least two (2) hours apart but not more than three (3) hours apart.

Any new food allergies should be brought to the teachers attention. Notice of severe food allergies will be posted, with the parents’ permission, in the classroom so that all personnel are aware of the condition.

For children who may have special health care needs, food allergies or special nutrition needs, the parent is to request an individualized care plan from the child’s health care provider that will be submitted to the program.

During the warm months, in the fall and spring/summer, parents are asked to apply sunscreen to their child before coming to school. Each family will sign a sunscreen permission form on an annual basis. The staff will reapply sunscreen, following the directives of the parent, prior to going out in the afternoon.

In particular during the spring/summer, parents are urged to send a hat/visor to school with their child.

Monitoring the children’s hydration is very important to us. During the early fall and again in the spring/summer it is expected that full day children will bring to school a covered water bottle/cup labeled with their name. The school provides a jug of ice water in the playground that the children may use to refill their water bottle/cup.

When public health authorities recommend the use of insect repellants due to a high risk of insect-borne disease, only repellants containing DEET are used. The staff will apply such repellant only once a day. Parents will be required to sign an annual permission form prior to the beginning of a new school year regarding application of insect repellant.

We will dispense prescription medication that the physician and parent have approved in writing. Rosary Academy will accept a blanket permission for Tylenol signed by a doctor. Please bring medication in a child proof container labeled by the pharmacy and hand it to the teacher. The teacher will give you a medication form to fill out. After the medication is finished, we will keep the form in your child’s file.

Before an animal from a private home should “visit” the facility, inquiry is to be made regarding the health of the animal. If immunization of such an animal is required, documentation from a veterinarian of an animal shelter is to be submitted to the classroom teacher prior to the visit. The teaching staff will supervise all interactions between the children and animals and instruct the children on safe behavior when in close proximity to the animals. The teaching staff will ensure that any child who is allergic to the visiting animal is not exposed to that animal.

Reptiles are not allowed as classroom pets.

Rosary Academy encourages a strong working relationship between teachers and parents. We stress open communication and close collaboration. A daily summary of stories/activities/events that occurred during the day is posted in the Parent Information section in each classroom.

Prior to the beginning of the month, families receive a calendar of upcoming events and a newsletter entitled Rosary Roundup.

We encourage parents to let us know about any incident, no matter how small, that may have occurred at home to help us further understand your child. We handle all such communications with complete confidentiality. The teachers work with the children with sensitivity and caring that helps the children sort out unknown and confused feelings.　

Throughout the year we will focus on various civic community involvement projects. In the past we have had drives for local food pantries, Saint Jude Research Hospital, and Tuft’s NICU etc. All participation is strictly on a voluntary basis. We do feel that these projects foster a caring spirit among the young along with supporting the mission of the Dominican Sisters who sponsor this program.

We welcome parents/ grandparents/relatives to come and read to their child’s class. Parents and the child usually choose a favorite book from home to be read and shared with the class.

During the year programs are offered for the families. In the past we have offered a Back to School Picnic, Parent Information Night, Grandparent’s Day, Christmas Program, Mother’s Day Coffee, Father’s Day Coffee, Art Exhibit and June Concert.

The operating budget is supported by fundraisers. Every effort is made to space these events throughout the year. Parent support is welcome both by participation in the fundraiser and/or organizational work related to it.

We hope that you have found this handbook helpful. It is our hope that it will aid in your child’s transition from home to school. Our staff is always available to answer your questions or to assist you in any way. Parents are welcome to visit at any time. We look forward to a pleasant preschool experience for both you and your child/ren.

Included with this handbook is a signature paper indicating that you have received the handbook, understand the contents and will abide by the school policies. Please sign the paper and return it to your child’s teacher.