Welcome to Parent Orientation!

1. Welcome to Parent Orientation! Westlake Little Explorers Preschool

2. Agenda • School Background Information/Philosophy • Teacher Background Information/Philosophy • Drop off/Pick Up Procedures • Assessment/Curriculum Information • Volunteer Information • PreschoolPolicies • Parental Involvement • Calendar • Tuitionpolicies • Communication

3. About Westlake Little Explorers… • Philosophy Statement: Westlake Little Explorers Preschool is a developmentally appropriate, high quality, safe, and nurturing preschool program that supports the mission of WCS by better preparing students in our community for future school success. • Been in operation since 2010, beginning with a half day only program. • 2011, began full day program • Academic Curriculum • Social/Emotional Curriculum

4. Enrollment into the preschool does not guarantee enrollment into Westlake Charter School (WCS). • Applications for WCS are available in January. • Please go to www.westlakecharter.com to find out about application process.

5. About Our Teachers…Ms. Ann-Director and Afternoon Teacher • I have worked in early childhood education for eight years now, and absolutely love it. I have three wonderful daughters of my own and also have a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from California State University, Sacramento. • I have 3 daughters of my own, Alexandra, Heather and Jordan, and a wonderful husband, Mike. • I believe that it is essential that we create a warm and nurturing environment in which children feel safe and able to take risks. It is important that a child’s first school experience be a positive one.

6. Ms. CherAssistant Director/2 and 3 day Teacher • A little about myself, I am married and have three incredible children. My oldest son is 15 years old, my daughter is 6, and my baby boy is 4 years old. My education and experience include a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching for over 13 years now. I look forward to having a full year of fun and exciting opportunities to keep your Little Explorers engaged and learning!

7. Ms. Sabrina-Teacher- 5 day class • My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with cognates in Education, Psychology, and Sociology.  I have worked with children for many years in many different settings such as: substitute teaching, tutoring, Sunday school teaching, and various other programs.  I am married to my wonderful husband and together we have three children. 

8. Ms. Christina-5 Day Teacher • Hello!I am married with two children of my own. My son is 12, and my daughter is 9 . I have over 16 years of experience working with young children, including owning my own home daycare. This job is my passion and I hope to share my love for learning with your children. I believe open communication is key to teaching and look forward to creating great relationships with all of my families. Let's all have a fantastic year exploring!

9. Ms. Reem • I have my Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education, and have a certification as a Montessori School Teacher, and have worked as a Montessori preschool teacher for 5 years. Over the last 8 years my life has centered around children in a variety of ways. I have 3 kids which include a set of 11 year old twins and a 13 year old girl. My goal as a preschool teacher is to provide a safe, healthy, fun, and an inviting environment in which every child in my care is able to make new accomplishments. I want each child to be able to experience new things and to feel proud of who they are.

10. Ms. Katie-Afternoon Teacher • My name is Katie Negrulya and it is my joy and pleasure to be able to part of the Little Explorers family. I am currently attending college and working on my degrees. I am very eager and excited to get to know your children more and watch them learn and grow through the year.

11. Miss Jennifer • Jennifer has her B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from CSU Hayward • Jennifer has had experience as a credentialed teacher for 4 years, a Speech Aide for one year, and a preschool teacher for 2 years. • Ms. Jennifer is the mother of 2 girls, 8 years old and 6 years old.

12. Arriving at School • For the first 2 weeks, we request that parents walk their child into class. • Please sign in on the sign in/out sheets using your full legal signature. • Each child has a page for the month. • Check your communication file. • Have your child sign in on their own sign in sheet. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look like their name, we want to celebrate their effort as we work with them!

13. Arriving at School… • Please be sure to arrive between 8:30-9:00 am if you are in the half day class. Avoid coming between the hours of 8:00 am-8:25 am. • Say Goodbye to child, give them hugs, show them what they will be doing that day using the visual schedule. • Don’t worry, the first few drop offs may be hard, but your child will have fun! • Text Messages option.

14. Parking • For two weeks, you will need to find a parking spot to use. • Visitor Spots • Walking from tennis courts option • We will revisit the idea of curbside drop off after Labor Day.

15. Curbside Drop off • Teacher will be available to help walk children to class, and open doors for students from your car. • Volunteer Opportunity! • Teacher will have the clipboard for sign in/out. • Pull all the way to the end of the loading zone, and cars behind need to pull all the way forward. • Thank you for being patient with us!

16. What to Bring.. • Change of clothes • If napping, please bring a fitted crib sheet, pillow, blanket and small stuffed animal if your child prefers. • If staying for lunch, please bring a labeled lunch. Refrigeration is available.

17. What Your Child Will be Learning at School… • Assessments that we use: • Pre-Kindergarten Assessment tool • Fluharty Speech and Language Assessment tool to Screen students’ receptive and expressive language • Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) • Use of assessments to determine Enrichment groups, and to guide curriculum.

18. Curriculum • Handwriting Without Tears for Emergent Math and Literacy • Differentiate using Houghton Mifflin Math and Open Court Reading • Explore developmentally appropriate themes relevant to season, and student interest (Project Approach) • Incorporate Geography, Social Studies and Science when we explore the theme.

19. Social Development Curriculum • We use the resources offered by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) • CSEFEL is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5.

20. Teacher Collaboration/CSEFEL • Teachers collaborate twice weekly • Teachers team teach when planning curriculum • All teachers attend a weekly staff meeting to enhance collaboration • All teachers receive a once monthly training from the CSEFEL approach to supporting children’s social and emotional development.

21. Family Involvement • December is cultural celebrations month. At this time, we ask families to come in and share some special celebrations or traditions that they celebrate at home. • Open-ended cultural exploration day

22. Family Involvement: Parent Hours • Research shows that students who have parents that are involved in their student’s school experience results in students who are more successful in school. • The earlier in a child’s educational process parent involvement begins, the more powerful the effects.* • Cotton, K., Wikelund, K., Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, School Improvement Research Series. In Parent Involvement in Education.

23. Volunteer Hours • 2 day per week program = 5 volunteer hours per year • 3 day per week program = 7 volunteer hours per year • 5 day per week program = 10 volunteer hours per year • 5 Day Modified Program (7am-3pm)=15 volunteer hours per year • 5 Day Full Day Program (7am-6pm)= 20 volunteer hours per year

24. Meeting Your Volunteer Hours • Volunteer Binder in class for recording hours • Parents required to track their own hours • Meeting hours can consist of: • Helping/Donating for class parties • Donating school supplies listed on the Giving Tree • Helping in class • Taking materials home to prep for teacher • Sharing your career or cultural celebrations for the class. • Only ½ hours may be completed by purchasing items.

25. Class Policies • Class parties-we have approximately 3 per year, sign ups and information will be available in class prior to the event. • Birthdays-We love to celebrate birthdays! We ask that you let us know if you can participate in advance, and if you plan on bringing anything. Check with the teacher to see if there is an allergy concern in class.

26. Policies • Children need to stay home if they are sick. • If they become sick at school, a parent will be called to take them home. • If the child has a diagnosed illness, parent/caregiver will need to notify the director.

27. Classroom Expectations • We work with students to give them strategies as to how to navigate social situations in a positive way. • Teachers help to create a positive learning environment to help to develop relationships with students and families. • If a student exhibits ongoing challenging behavior, parents may be called to meet with the teacher and develop and plan to support the child at home as well as at school.

28. Classroom Expectations • If a child is causing harm to themselves or others, parents may be called to come and pick up their child.

29. Field Trips/Cumulative Events • We will take 2-3 field trips per year. • We will need parent volunteers to drive for field trips. • Children who do not usually attend on the day of the scheduled trip are still welcome to attend if their parent or adult relative accompanies them.

30. Field Trips • Fingerprinting-needs to be done if transporting other students, as well as copy of driver’s license, registration and insurance card. • We will need a signed permission slip to be completed from each student attending • Labeled car seat required

31. Performances • We have one Winter Performance, one performance at the International Festival, and a Growing Up Ceremony. • Our Growing Up Ceremony is a way that we recognize all of the accomplishments that each child has made throughout the year, and to recognize all of their hard work!

32. Picking Up Your Child… • We need parents/caregivers to pick up their students at their scheduled time for pick up. • Late pickups may result in a late pickup fee. • Please be sure to sign your child out, and check your parent communication file!

33. Tuition Policy • Tuition is due by the 5th of each month. • Tuition will be prorated for August, and attached to the monthly rate for September, and will be due by September 5th. An invoice, due by September 5th is available to view in your parent file. • Proration for WLE scheduled vacation breaks is by percentage, except for the month of August, 2013. One week=10%, Two weeks=20%

34. Tuition Policy • Late tuition payments may result in a late fee of $25, chronic late payments may result in termination. • Payments may be made by check, money order or PayPal. Cash is not accepted at Westlake Little Explorers. • To log onto PayPal, please see the handout in your welcome packet.

35. Viewing Your Balance • Each family will receive an emailed password for our preschool portal. • If you have not received one, please see Ms. Ann • To log in, use the link in your email, or access the portal from www.westlakecharter.com on the preschool page. The username is your email address. • If you need a printed invoice, please ask Ms. Ann

36. Vacation • Each family is entitled to one week of vacation credit. If you choose to take your week, please notify the director 30 days in advance, using a vacation form.

37. Calendar • Please note the calendar available online and posted in class. Change in the date for Winter Break.

38. Communication • Communication file • Communication Board (Full Day Class) • Monthly Newsletters • Westlake Little Explorers WCS website: http://www.westlakecharter.com/preschool.php • Class Website: http://westlakepreschool.webs.com/ • Suggestion Box • Open Door Policy • Parent Conferences

39. Any Questions?