St. John Neumann Catholic Preschool
 

Our program serves children 3 months (born January 10th, start date April 10th) through 4 years of age. Each age group participates in indoor and outdoor activities designed to foster each child’s potential at each stage of development. The teachers are committed to enriching the lives of each and every child entrusted to our care. Our program is designed to recognize and respect that each child is unique and special, with individual needs, and a distinct cultural background and personality. We stress the process, not the product, and are most interested that children acquire a love of learning.

What a child does at school should be a satisfying experience involving all the senses, developing cognitive and creative abilities for future learning experiences. Children learn through play, and a flexible program within a structured, secure environment allows children to progress in the following areas at their own pace:

*Self and teacher-directed activities                       *Social skills                              *Art                       *Pre-writing activities                   *Self-help skills              *Language         *Pre-math activities                      *Dramatic play                        *Self-esteem      *Small and Large group experiences      
*Block play          *Music                                               *Fine motor skills                     *Gross Motor skills                                                        *Science

Communication

Our interest is to provide the best care possible for your child. It will be helpful if you let the teacher and/or Director know when any event or circumstance occurs that might affect your child’s behavior. We will make every effort to give special attention at stressful times as well as sharing in times of celebrations. Parents must be willing to cooperate with the school in maintaining all policies. Any concerns or questions should be first discussed with the teacher. Further concerns may be discussed with the Director.

 
Parent-Teacher Conferences
 

Parent-Teacher conferences (Pre-K 4 only)are provided once in the spring. This is an opportunity for parents and teachers to share information about each child. Additional conferences may be conducted by telephone at the discretion of the teacher or director. A variety of informal assessment methods are used in the assessment of social, emotional, and cognitive growth and development. Classes are conducted as usual during these conferences. A substitute teacher will be provided in the classroom.

 
Parent Involvement
 

Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and to participate in all activities and fund-raisers. Please look for parent education, coffees and other activities as the school year proceeds.

 
 
Parent Visitation

SJN Catholic Preschool is committed to building a bridge between home and the preschool and involving families in authentic ways in the program.

Parents may visit the preschool at any time during preschool hours of operation to observe their child, preschool operation, and program activities, with having to secure prior approval. Your child’s teacher will be responsible for communicating ways in which you can participate in your child’s learning experience in the classroom. Please check with your child’s teacher for appropriate times for you to be in the classroom. Please sign in and out of the Preschool office and receive a name tag.

 
Room Parents

Being a room parent is a great way to be involved in your child’s class (depending on classroom). The room parent acts as the liaison between teachers and families as well as between the director and families. The primary responsibility of the room parent is to organize a phone tree to relay information and to coordinate parent involvement in program events and classroom activities.
 

Student Files

Please make sure all students files are updated with the preschool office when there is a change in immunizations, address, phone numbers or any other necessary information. Files are restricted to the staff of SJN Catholic Preschool.

Lunches/Snacks

All children will bring their own lunches from home. Lunches should include a healthy balance of fruit, vegetables, grains, and protein. Lunches must be simple and easy for children to serve and eat by themselves. Pack lunches with items that do not requires refrigeration or which can be kept cool with a thermos or ice pack brought from home. Please do not send soda, candy, etc…..
 
Children will bring their own snack for the day(s) they attend SJN Catholic Preschool.

The snack must consist of 2 items from different food groups. We request that the snack be low in sugar and preservatives. Suggestions of appropriate snack-size servings are:

Milk Products                                                                        Fruits and Vegetables
4 ounces milk                                                                           ½ cup of fresh or ¼ cup canned
¼ cup of yogurt                                                                      4 ounces of 100% whole fruit juice  
1 ounce of cheese
 
Carbohydrates                                                                      Protein           

3-inch square graham cracker                                              ½ tablespoon peanut butter
3 whole-wheat crackers                                                           1-ounce lunchmeat
½ slice bread