Program Overview

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR 2021-22

Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, there may continue to be significant changes to this document: Licensed Preschool and Day Care Handbook for Families.

Any guidelines in the document entitled Licensed Preschool and Day Care, Returnto School Plan And Covid-19 protocols take precedence over guidelines in this document (licensed preschool and daycare handbook for families).

Licensed Preschool and Daycare

St. Charles Borromeo School operates a preschool and daycare program licensed by the State of California. While this program is directed separately from the K-8 school, the mission and goals of the school serve as guides for the preschool program as well. The current version of this document reflects the extension of the license to include children to the age of 6 years.

Our Mission

The mission of St. Charles Borromeo School is to be a beacon of faith, hope and love. In partnership with parents and guardians, we nurture the heart, mind, and soul of each child with a strong grounding in academics and the traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church. We empower students to honor God, others, and themselves. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a special charism of our school heritage that comes to us from our founders, Monsignor James Poole and the religious sisters of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. By affirming the fundamental dignity of all people, we illuminate the paths of the Lord and bring the light of the Good News to all we encounter.

The Value of Play

Free play is a daily part of our program. Play is a child's work. Children learn social and problem-solving skills, develop fine and gross motor skills, and enrich their creativity and curiosity. Students will participate in many and varied opportunities to play while learning!

Enrollment Eligibility

• The child must be toilet trained and able to communicate basic needs with adults.
• Children must turn 4 by September 1st of the current school year in order to be enrolled in the Pre-Kindergarten program. Children must turn 5 by September 1st of the current school year to enroll in the Kindergarten program.

Immunization Requirements - CDPH 1/19

Tuition Plans

• Registration fees must be paid prior to the first day of school
• There are no discounts toward monthly rates for holidays, vacation time or sick days
• There are no make-up sick days due to California State Licensing Ratios.
• All plans include a snack if the child is present at the time that the snack is served.

Billing and Payment

Families are required to enroll in the school’s automatic payment program through FACTS Tuition Management, an online billing company. Parents set up their preferred payment plans from the options provided and may track their payments at any time.

The school sign-in is https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/4BHS5. Once you access this website, click the black button on the bottom right panel to “create a username and password.” The rest of the steps are easy to follow.

If you would like to apply for tuition assistance, use the same link, set up your account and apply for “grant aid”. Please notify the school once your grant aid application is complete so that we know to review your request.

Returned Checks/Billing Questions

A $30.00 service charge is assessed on all returned checks and transmissions returned for insufficient funds. All billing questions should be directed to the school bookkeeper, Mrs. Elaine Werner at (916) 421-6189 or ewerner@scbsac.net.

Parent Involvement Program

For families enrolled in the 4-year-old preschool program, parents with a single child or who are single parents are required to raise $150.00 through a combination of service hours (each hour =$15), participation in fundraising events/activities, and donations in kind, snacks included.

For families enrolled in the 5- and 6-year old program, parents are required to raise $300.00 for 1 child or $500.00 per family

Parents who contribute donations in kind or gift cards must email parenthours@scbsac.net in order to receive credit for their donation. It is not the responsibility of the preschool staff to track parent involvement.

Calendar

St. Charles Borromeo Pre-Kindergarten Program will follow the K-8 school calendar, holiday schedule including Christmas and Easter vacations and other scheduled days off. School begins Monday, August 16, 2021 and ends Friday, May 27, 2021. Details of holidays are found in the Agreement and in the school calendar

Daily Schedule

• Preschool Program (5- and 6-year olds), M - F, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Pre-Kindergarten Program (4 year-olds), M-F, 8:00 am - 11:30 am
• Little Cougars Program (3 year olds), T/Th, 8:00 am - 11:30 am, or by special arrangement on additional days

Learning Objectives

• To have fun while learning
• To experience faith as a personal relationship with God
• To grow in self-esteem
• To stimulate intellectual curiosity; emotional, social and physical learning
• To nurture creativity
• To learn to share, wait, take turns, and be patient
• To increase the ability to get along with other children and adults outside the family
• To develop and demonstrate respect for others, for toys and for school equipment
• To develop coordination, fine motor and large-muscle skills
• To practice basic and COVID health, hygiene & safety habits
• For the 5- and 6- year old program, to prepare the students for success in the CCSS for the kindergarten level

Daily Structure* - 3 and 4 - year old Program

• Greeting
• Prayer
• Circle Time
• Calendar Activities
• Recess
• Story Time
• Snack
• Choice Play

*DURING TIMES OF GLOBAL PANDEMIC SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES MAY BE ELIMINATED OR MODIFIED.

Daily Structure* - 5- & 6- year old Program includes the following activities

• Greeting
• Prayer
• Circle Time
• Calendar Activities
• Recess
• Story Time
• Phonics, math, Reading instruction
• Handwriting practice
• Free Time/Exploration Time/Computer time

Attendance

• The preschool program is structured such that students are expected to attend according to their enrollment schedule, except in the case of illness. Please notify the school office if your child will not be attending school for any reason. A written excuse must be presented to the teacher upon return to school. The note should include:
• Dates of absence
• Reason for absence
• Parent/guardian signature

Special note:

It becomes a safety disruption when students arrive later than 8:10 am. We ask parents to adhere to our start time as closely as possible. This is especially important during the global pandemic when particular routines are essential to the safe and healthy start to the day.

Sign In and Sign Out

Parent/guardian is required to sign their child in and out each day. During the time of the COVID pandemic there is a daily health survey to be completed at sign-in. This may continue in subsequent years.

Pick up and Drop Off

• Students are to be dropped off at the classroom
• Drop off is between 7:45 am and 8:05 am
• 3- and 4-year old Pick Up is at the Main Entrance to the school at 11:30 am
• 5-and 6-year old Pick Up is at the corner of the drive thru pick up closest to the church building

Late Pick-up

4-year-old students not picked up by 11:40 am, and 5-year old students not picked by 3:20 pm will be billed at the extended care rate.

Snacks and Meals

We are a nut-free campus. No food containing nuts or peanut butter is served.

Dress Code - 4-year old program

Children should be dressed in comfortable clothing that is appropriate for playing freely. Clothes should be easy to pull up and down for bathroom needs. No flip-flops or sandals. Label all jackets and sweaters with your child's name.

• Special request for shoes without laces.

Dress Code - 5- & 6--year old program

Children should be dressed in school uniform. No flip-flops or sandals. Label all jackets and sweaters with your child's name.

Change of Clothes

Please provide a spare change of clothes for your child. Include underwear, socks, pants and a shirt or a dress. Label all items of clothing and place in a Ziploc storage bag.

Discipline

Whenever possible, redirection is used to discourage inappropriate behavior. Hitting, kicking, biting, or leaving the room without permission are not allowed. Any of these behaviors may result in an immediate time away from the group. Parents will be notified of any serious or ongoing concern.

Illness and Injury

Parents / Guardians will be contacted immediately for information and instructions in the event of injury. If the parent / Guardian is not available the emergency form shall be consulted. If no responsible person can be reached, and the illness or injury is believed to be serious enough to require medical attention, staff in charge will arrange for the student to receive immediate treatment from a doctor, hospital or Emergency Care personnel.

Medication

When it is necessary for a student to take medication during school hours, these State directives must be followed:

• There must be a written statement from a physician detailing the method, amount, and schedules by which such medication is to be taken.
• There must be a written statement from the parent / Guardian indicating the desire that the school assist the people in the matters set forth in the physician's statement.
• Student’s medication must be left in the school office.
• Students are not allowed to have any medication, including aspirin or inhalers, on their person.

Health records

Parents are required to provide proof of a physical examination by a physician. Any and all other medical information necessary to the child's health and well-being must be communicated to the school.

Visitors

Any visitor must first check into the front office of the school and obtain a visitor's pass.

Fingerprints

Volunteers / chaperones must be fingerprinted for the Diocese of Sacramento. Forms are available in the school office. Allow at least two weeks for the prints to clear.

Birthdays

Students are welcome to bring a treat to celebrate their birthday. Invitations to private parties may be distributed only if the entire class is to be invited.

Withdrawing From The Program

• A written notice signed by the parent/guardian is required should it become necessary for the student to be withdrawn from the program. All unused portions of tuition paid in advance will be refunded, provided you have given the school proper notice and the account is current. All refunds will be processed within 30 days.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR 2021-22

Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, there may continue to be significant changes to the regular Preschool Handbook.

Any guidelines in the document entitled Licensed Preschool and Day Care, Return to School Plan And Covid-19 protocols take precedence over guidelines in this document (licensed preschool and daycare handbook for families).