Family Handbook

• Students raise questions, solve problems, and find answers.
• Students get first-hand experience in and around the school building. 
• The curriculum is age-appropriate and relevant
• Learning is extended over a period of time (4 weeks) depending on interest levels of students. 
• Families and community volunteers are involved. 
• Classroom centers are connected to how students learn, inquire and explore. 
• The curriculum is designed to challenge all students at their level. 

• Approaches to Learning—Self-Regulation
• Social and Emotional Development
• Language and Literacy Development
• Cognition, including Math and Science
• Physical Development—Health

• Develop a positive, lifelong love of learning and school
• Build a strong foundation of academic and social-emotional skills for success in kindergarten
• Learn to understand and express their emotions in healthy ways
• Build positive relationships with peers and other adults
• Practice school routines and transitions between activities

• Engage in activities with your child - get on their level, talk with them about what you are experiencing, and follow their lead
• Include other parents and children in your interactions and activities
• If an activity is full, encourage your child to try something else and come back. Waiting is a good skill to practice!
• Cell phone use is not allowed during class 

• Your child shows that they want your attention or moves onto another another activity without you
• You become aware you have not noticed your child for the last few minutes

• This is your group and much of what you get out of it depends on what you put into it
• There are many good ways to be a parent, so listen with an open mind
• Please silence your cell phones during class time and refrain from using cell phones for non-emergency calls and texts
• It is all right to share ideas from your discussions outside of the group, but please do not share names
• Please be respectful when someone is speaking and limit side conversations
• For in-person sessions, it is important that all parents return to the preschool classroom at the same time. Students may become upset if they don’t see their parent when other parents arrive

• All siblings should arrive toileted and with dry diapers. Parents will be asked to change their own child’s diaper if necessary.
• Please feed your child before coming to sibling care. You may provide a bottle or snack, but be sure to label everything with your child’s name.
• Bring along a blanket, pacifier, or any other comfort item your child uses at home. Be sure to label all items with your child’s name.
• If your child is having a difficult time separating, you may be asked to return to sibling care to comfort your child.
• Pick up your child immediately after class. Children may become frightened if they don’t see their parent when other parents arrive.
• The sibling care room will not be staffed until five minutes before the start of class. Please give the sibling care workers time to prepare the room for your child.
• Children will not be allowed to stay if they are showing any signs of illness noted in the Safety, Health and Wellness section..

1. I will speak respectfully and calmly with all Centennial Preschool site staff and office staff.
2. I am aware that Centennial Preschool staff are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and/or neglect under Minnestoa State Law and are required to report suspected cases of abuse.
3. I will refrain from using harsh or threatening verbal or physical forms of discipline with my child while in the program space. I will not attempt to discipline children other than my own. I understand that staff will address these issues.
4. I will communicate my concerns through the proper channels in a respectful manner. I will have discussions about concerns or situations with staff in a private area, away from children. When staff are in ratio with children, I know they are available for a scheduled conference.
5. I am aware that staff will request that another individual pick up the child/ren if they observe that I am impaired due to the use of drugs and/or alcohol. In the event that the choice is made to drive from the site with the child after staff makes this request, the police will be contacted.
6. I understand that staff are instructed to disengage from interaction when they feel threatened and verbal or physical harassment is being experienced. Verbal harassment may include: disrespect of staff, any harsh or threatening language being used such as swearing or yelling.
7. I understand if I engage in sexual advances towards staff, such as comments about their personal appearance, lewd comments or any kind, or inappropriate physical contact with staff, it could lead up to and/or may include immediate contract termination.
8. I know that staff are unable to disclose information about other children or their families due to the data privacy policy.

Arux is the online system Early Childhood uses to manage registration and billing for ECFE and Centennial Preschool. The system is also used by Community Education, Kids Club, and Early Childhood Screening. Each Early Childhood family should establish an Arux account, even if class fees are covered by a scholarship or an IEP.

Please note that Arux is not the same as Infinite Campus. Changes you make to your Arux account will not carryover to Infinite Campus unless you notify the office to make the change.

ECFE Class Fees

ECFE charges per class on a sliding scale based on household income. Families can choose a single annual payment or monthly payments at the time of registration. For monthly payments, the first month's fee is charged at registration and additional payments occur on the first of each month from September-April for a total of 9 payments for a school-year-long class.

Preschool Tuition

Each month’s tuition is invoiced in advance. Invoices are sent on the 1st working day of the month and are due on the 15th of the month for the following month’s tuition. (For example, September tuition will be invoiced on the first working day of August, and due on August 15th.) Auto-payments via Arux are recommended to avoid late fees; online payments may be made by credit card or electronic bank transfer. Payments by cash, check, or credit card may be made in the Early Childhood office. Change is not available for cash payments; overpayments will be applied to future invoices.

An automatic late fee is applied to all overdue accounts on the 17th of the month. If payment is not made by the end of the month, your child’s contract will be suspended. After your account balance has been paid, a coordinator will confirm your child’s return date.

If your financial circumstances change and paying your preschool tuition becomes difficult, please contact our office. Limited tuition assistance and scholarships may be available to help make this program affordable for your family.

Failure to make your tuition payments may result in contract termination. Please contact the office with concerns; we are happy to work with families as needed when difficulties making payments arise. 

• Centennial Early Childhood staff will take whatever emergency measures are deemed necessary for the care and protection of all students while under their supervision. In a life-threatening emergency, 911 will be called first. Any expenses incurred as a result will be the responsibility of the student’s family.
• Centennial Early Childhood does not carry accident or health insurance for the students. Parents are responsible for the insurance and health coverage of their children.

• Pull pants up and down (staff can assist with buttons/zippers)
• Wipe on their own (staff CANNOT assist with wiping)
• Wash their hands after using the bathroom
• Change their clothing and underwear if an accident occurs, and clean themselves if needed (staff will assist with bagging soiled clothing) 

• Medications must be submitted by the parent/guardian with completed paperwork prior to the first day of school. Medications and required forms may be submitted during Open House, or on another day that you have coordinated with the office prior to the first day of school. Medication will not be accepted unless all requirements have been met. Please visit our website or contact your child’s school nurse for a list of required paperwork. 
• Prescription medication must be up to date and come from the pharmacy in a current pharmacy-labeled container. This includes epinephrine auto injectors, inhalers and insulin pens.
• Pharmacy labels must be attached directly to epinephrine auto injectors, inhalers and insulin pens.
• Over-the-counter medication must come in the originally labeled and sealed container with the student’s name written on it.
• Only 30 tablets/capsules may be submitted at one time for prescribed medication.
• If tablets are required to be split, they must be split prior to submitting to the health office.
• All medications must be picked up at the end of the school year by the parent/guardian unless approved by the nurse due to special circumstances.
• Self-Carry/Administration of Emergency Medications such as Epinephrine Auto Injectors and Inhalers require specific paperwork to be completed. Please visit the website to access the required forms. 

• Asthma/Life Threatening Allergies/Diabetes/Seizures
• Action/Emergency or Management plan completed by medical provider dated for the new school year (Example: Asthma Action Plan, Diabetic Management Plan, Allergy/Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, Seizure Action Plan)
• Medication Orders from prescribing professional dated for the new school year (if medication administration is required at school)
• Centennial School District Medication Authorization signed by parent/guardian dated for the new school year (if medication administration is required at school)
• Authorization for Self-Carry/Administration of Emergency Medication signed by medical provider and parent/guardian dated for the new school year (if you would like to request that the student self-carry epinephrine auto injector or inhaler)

• The classroom environment is arranged in a manner so that students may choose from many activities and materials throughout a structured, predictable, developmentally age-appropriate daily schedule. Schedules include both small and large group times with adult-lead activities and planned transitions.  Staff will offer choices if disagreements arise between students while engaged in these activities, such as taking turns, trading toys, or using a timer.
• It is important for students to play both cooperatively and independently.
• It is important that staff help students identify their feelings and manage them appropriately. We want students to know that it is okay to have feelings. We also want students to learn to express their emotions appropriately.
• Staff strive to state rules clearly and positively to students. It is important to focus on a student’s positive behaviors. A positive guidance approach enables a child to develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions. We stress the importance of establishing and fostering positive relationships between staff members and children utilizing an age-appropriate environment and a stimulating curriculum. 
• A child’s cultural and linguistic background are considered carefully when engaging with children in developmental activities aiming to provide a positive self-image in each child. 
• All children’s safety is our main priority. Classroom staff supervise and monitor all children in and outside of the classroom. Children are required to stay in the learning space or classroom. 

1. Staff will tell the student what they should do and why, rather than what not to do. The teacher will teach or re-teach unlearned social-emotional skills when necessary.
2. If necessary, staff will redirect the student to another activity and offer choices.
3. In rare circumstances, staff will remove the student from the situation to a different area of the classroom.
4. Staff will help the student reflect upon his/her actions and decide what appropriate behavior is needed so the student can return to the group.
5. Staff will seek parent involvement if the child is unmanageable. Communication is important between staff and parents.
6. Students may also be referred to our Solutions Team to discuss and implement interventions to help the child be successful in the classroom. Parents are encouraged to participate in this process by offering suggestions and positive motivators for the child. 
   1. Data will be collected to detect patterns of behavior. 
   2. Solution Team staff will meet with parents and teachers to develop a plan
   3. Ongoing data collection and meetings will be established to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention plan. 

• Centennial Preschool is not free. Families are responsible for paying monthly tuition unless receiving 100% financial aid. Failure to pay tuition may result in cancellation of contract.
  • Accounts that have been suspended due to nonpayment will need to notify earlychildhood@isd12.org when payment is made. Contracts will then be reinstated 2 preschool days after payment is received. 
• Transportation is not provided by Centennial Preschool. Families are responsible for dropping off and picking up their preschooler.
• Centennial Preschool provides services for students with IEPs according to the terms of the IEP. Additional service days are not allowed.
• Preschoolers must be able to use the toilet independently unless toileting assistance is specified in an IEP.
• For certain part-day classes, parent/caregiver attendance is required regularly. Habitual parent absence from parent attendance days may result in cancellation of contract.
• Centennial Preschool has implemented the Pyramid Model system for behavior management. If needed, the Solutions Team may work with a student, family, and classroom staff to implement modifications to a student’s day to encourage classroom success.