General Information - Launching Pad Preschool 2010-2011
The Launching Pad offers a 3 day/5 day option. Children in the 3 day program will come on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Introduction and teaching of major lessons will be presented on those days with supplemental instruction and projects being offered on Tuesday and Thursday. For convenience the 3 day program will be referred to as PKa and the 5 day program will be PKe.
The first day of school for the 3 day program will be on Friday,August 20th and Thursday August 22nd for the 5 day program.
Brenda Ruocco is the Preschool teacher and Ms. "Star" Tomer is her full time assistant. Ms Star has been with Sacred Heart many years as a parent, after school care provider, and teacher's assistant.
Class hours are 8:00-12:00. Due to meetings, before school duty, and set-up time, the classroom will not be opened until 8:00. Children cannot be left unattended in the classroom. If your child needs to arrive earlier due to car pools or parent's work schedule please notify the teacher to see what arrangements can be made. Parents should wait in the hall or on the benches outside the office until classroom doors are opened at 12:00 for pick up. The children will be sitting at the table with their things to go home. Please feel free to come in at that point to help make sure your child leaves with all their papers, backpacks, lunchboxes, etc.
Children will need a snack and drink daily. (No candy or soda please.) Milk, chocolate milk, lemonade, orangeade, and orange juice are available at school if you wish. These can be purchased daily at $0.50 each or $11.00 for a drink ticket with 20 punches. (If you buy drinks at school and have a preference of what your child should drink, please specify.)
Ms. Star will once again offer an extended day care option called "Play Date". Play Date operates from 12:00-3:00 where Ms. Star helps the children with their lunch and provides supervised play, table work and games reinforcing class studies, and crafts. The cost is $7.00 per day, paid in the office. Play Date children will need to bring or purchase their lunch (see "Lunch Program" menu), bring an afternoon snack and drink, and provide a kindermat. If you are interested in this program please see Ms. Star.
If your child needs to be picked up early or by a different person please notify the teacher. Each child is requested to donate 1 box of tissues and 1 anti-bacterial pump soap to be shared throughout the school year (no need to label). The children will also need a personal pocket folder for their daily work, class and school notices to come home in.
The Launching Pad Preschool will follow the same calendar as the rest of Sacred Heart School. If there is questionable weather please listen to the radio; WBTM-1330 AM, 106.7 FM, or 103.3 FM, TV channels 13-WSET and 7-WDBJ, or check our website sheartschool.com.
A supply fee of $18.00 will cover the purchase of "Let's Find Out" a weekly educational magazine which will be used in class lessons then sent home, a glue stick, a box of 16 large crayons, a box of 12 washable markers, chalk, and liquid glue. The remainder of the supplies will be sent home at the end of the school year. Each child is requested to donate 2 boxes of tissues and 1 anti-bacterial pump hand sanitizer to be shared throughout the school year (no need to label). The children will need a plastic 2 pocket folder in which to bring home any daily work and class or school notices.
Children will need the following items to be labeled with the child's name and kept in their cubbies at school: seasonally appropriate change of clothing including socks, a wash cloth, and a paint smock (parent's old short sleeved shirt works fine!).
Because of parties and occasional classroom "cooking", please send a special note of any food allergies or restrictions your child may have.
Children should dress comfortably. Keep in mind there will be painting and marker work. Even though precautions such as smocks are taken, sometimes clothing may get soiled. Also note that we will go outside daily if at all possible. The mulch on the playground is very uncomfortable to children with open toed shoes. Sneakers are preferred daily but they are required on their gym day (Friday).
Any time you send money or notes to school please put them in an envelope with your child's name and Preschool printed on the outside. We will check their folders at the beginning of each class for notes or homework returned. Please empty their folders after each class to find their daily work and important notices from the class and school office.
Please call the office to report any long term absences or any illnesses that may infect the other children. Please do not send your child to school if they have had a fever during the night or morning even if it is controlled with medication. They should be fever free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Celebrations: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and the End of the Year are all special celebrations recognized by parties at the Launching Pad. Parents are asked to sign up to "host" one party. (See sign up chart.) Hosts will need to supply refreshments, party favors, etc. and serve if possible. This is usually a fun opportunity for parents to join the class in celebration but if unable to attend you may bring supplies in with your child on party day. Birthday celebrations at snack time are welcomed if you wish. Please notify the teacher before hand if you choose to bring in birthday refreshments.
Report Cards will be issued on a 9 week system. Children will be given a "checklist" of information covered and readiness information in a one on one setting before the report.
Ms. Ruocco will be glad to discuss any questions or concerns you may have during the year at the beginning or end of class or you may reach her via email ace7033@comcast.net.
Welcome to the Launching Pad, I look forward to working with you're child and you!
Brenda Ruocco
Starlene Tomer