Welcome to Parent Orientation · 2018-07-30 · The handbook will be posted on our website. This...
Transcript of Welcome to Parent Orientation · 2018-07-30 · The handbook will be posted on our website. This...
Welcome to Parent Orientation
SCPS VPK Program 2018-2019
VPK Parent Orientation
July, 2018
Welcome
Special Guests:
Dr. Walt Griffin
Introductions
…Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow
Welcome to SCPS
Your child is about to begin an exciting time of
learning in the Seminole County Public Schools.
School starts August 10th.
SEMINOLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Our SCPS VPK Program
Our VPK Program is designed to prepare
children for success in Kindergarten.
Delayed Enrollment
As of July, 2016, a change has been made that
states that families of young children (born
February 1 –August 31) may choose to enroll
their VPK child either this year or next year –
postponing VPK and Kindergarten entry.
The child can only attend VPK once.
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Our Full Day Program
Our Full Day VPK Program is designed for parents
who need child care for the whole school day. Once
the free 3 hour VPK block is over, $310 per month
tuition is charged for the remainder of the school day.
Students in a full day site may not drop down to half
day. Parents will have to transfer their child to a
location that offers half day. (We often have wait lists
for full-day programs.)
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Payment Reminder
The tuition is divided equally for 180 school days so
it is the same each month.
In order to hold your child’s spot, please make sure that you have paid tuition for August in the Pre-K Office.
August’s payment of $310 must be in the form of
Visa, Mastercard, or a money order. Each month thereafter can be paid online.
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Payment Reminder
The online payment window will be open 10 days each month. Please refer to your Online Payment Calendar for exact dates.
Late payments must be made in the Pre-K Office. A $20 late
fee will apply.
After the payment window closes, your child may only attend the VPK portion of the day for three (3) days. If payment still hasn’t been made by the end of the 3rd day, your child may be dismissed from the program
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Using MySchoolbucks
You can access MySchoolBucks to make your online
payment by visiting www.scps.k12.fl.us. Click on the
following tabs: Schools, Early Learning, Voluntary
Pre-K. You will see the Payment Schedule,
instructions on how to access the site, and the link
to make payment for the school in which your child
attends VPK.
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Class Statistics and Support
Class Size
State requirement of 11 students to one teacher or
20 students with 2 adults.
Resource Teachers
Each classroom is supported by a certified, early
childhood resource teacher.
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Staff Credentials
All lead teachers must have CDA credentials
(Child Development Associate) or higher.
All assistants must have a high school diploma or
higher.
All employees meet VPK state requirements and
have background clearances.
Areas of Focus
Our program focuses on early literacy, which
includes beginning reading & writing skills, and
also math and social-emotional development.
What do our classrooms look like?
Activities are age-appropriate
and hands-on.
Routines are consistent.
Lessons are organized by ‘theme.’
For example: “Community Helpers”
There are daily opportunities for
building oral language.
Children are busy and involved with rich
conversation that occurs throughout the day.
Indoor and outdoor activities
occur daily.
There are open areas for large group
activities like ‘circle time.’
Materials are easily accessible for
children in work areas.
Children plan their own activities
during Center Time.
Small group instruction is a result
of student needs.
STEM
Our students are given daily experiences in the
field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics.
Technology
Students in each classroom are given the
opportunity to work on a computer daily.
Many classrooms are equipped with interactive
white board technology.
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Curriculum Guidelines
VPK uses a framework that emphasizes active
learning. Teachers facilitate children’s learning.
Our curriculum goals include building
independence, curiosity, decision-making, creativity,
problem-solving, critical thinking and cooperation.
Curriculum
Our VPK classes use the Frog Street Press Pre-K
Curriculum. It is approved by the state for VPK.
Lesson plans are written by one of our Resource
Teachers, Dr. Carol Crownover, who incorporates
the FL. Birth – Five Standards.
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Florida Birth to Kindergarten Standards
Adopted by the State Board of Education in 2017
& cover the following domains of learning:
Physical Development
Approaches to Learning
Social and Emotional Development
Language and Literacy
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Florida Birth to Kindergarten Standards
Adopted by the State Board of Education in 2017
& cover the following domains of learning:
Scientific Inquiry
Mathematical Thinking
Social Studies
Creative Expression Through the Arts
Meeting the Standards
These Standards are reflected in every lesson,
in every activity, every day!
You can find these Standards at:
flbt5.floridaearlylearning.com
It is our goal for children to meet with success each
day.
Behavior is managed through positive reinforcement,
redirection, conflict resolution, and modeling. These
are used to help students make appropriate
decisions and choices.
Discipline Philosophy
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Assessment
Report cards and grades are not used in VPK.
The VPK Assessment is given 3 times a year.
Student growth is monitored which helps to inform
instruction.
After each assessment, a parent letter will be sent
home with student scores.
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The Florida Kindergarten
Readiness Screener
State law requires screening for all public school
kindergarteners within the first 30 days of school.
This screener assesses how prepared each
student is for kindergarten based on the Florida
Birth to Kindergarten Standards.
A new instrument called Star Early Literacy is now
used. It is online and assesses early language and
number skills.
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Readiness Rates
Since children are required to use a keyboard and
mouse, it is very important to give your child plenty
of opportunities to use a computer.
Scores from the assessment are used to calculate
the VPK Readiness Rates for providers. This
measures how well a provider prepares a child for
readiness for kindergarten.
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Parent Handbook
More details about the VPK Program can be found
in the Parent Handbook which you should have
received when you registered your child at the
Pre-K office.
The handbook will be posted on our website.
This powerpoint and other resources can be found
there as well.
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Parent Participation
Parent involvement is strongly encouraged
since you are your child’s first teacher.
The best way to contact your child’s teacher is through a note in daily folder, an email, ora voicemail message on classroom phone.
You must be a “Dividend” in order to visit the
classroom except for “Bring Your Parent Day.”
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Can VPK students ride the bus?
No, parents must provide transportation for their child.
Who can pick my child up from school?
Children must be picked up by an adult 18 years or older.
Can a VPK student attend KidZone & Beyond
(formerly Extended day)?
Yes, it is available at several sites at an additional cost.
You can apply on the SCPS website.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Once school starts, can I switch my child to another
school?
Only one transfer is allowed. A form from the coalition is
needed.
Is there financial assistance available for the tuition?
No. SCPS no longer participates in the School
Readiness Program.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Do we have to send in supplies?
You do not need to send in any supplies. Please just
send in a backpack, a folder, and a change of clothing.
Do the children have a snack?
Yes. Some teachers ask parents to send in a healthy
snack for their child and other teachers ask parents to
donate snacks for the classroom. Check with your child’s
teacher at “Meet the Teacher”.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Do the children take a nap in the afternoon?
The students rest for an hour in the afternoon. They
aren’t required to sleep. They can do something quietly
such as read or listen to a story on tape.
Do the children have to wear a uniform?
No. Children in VPK are not required to wear a uniform.
However, if the school uses them, you may purchase
one if you would like.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Who do I tell about my child’s allergies?
Tell the teacher and write it down on the Student
Information Card.
Can my child attend any school for kindergarten?
No, once a child goes to kindergarten, he/she must
attend the home zone school or the assigned region
school.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Can I bring in homemade cookies, etc. for the class?
All food must be store-bought.
What about lunch?
Students may purchase lunch or bring lunch from home.
Parents may apply for free/reduced lunch online. From
the SCPS home page, click on District at the top and
scroll to Dining Services under Departments.
Dining Services Card
These are on
the back table
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Attendance
Please make sure your child is in school every day
and on time so they don’t miss instructional time.
Students that have more than 4 unexcused absences
per month may be replaced with another student.
Please make sure your child is picked up on time to
avoid a late fee or dismissal from the program.
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You can enroll your child in KidZone & Beyond,
formerly known as Extended Day, if you need
childcare after the school day is over.
Representatives are in the lobby tonight if you would
like to register your child or ask questions.
KidZone & Beyond
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Meet the Teacher
We encourage you to bring your child to meet
his/her teacher and to see the classroom
during the scheduled ‘Meet the Teacher.’
A list of ‘Meet the Teacher’ schedules can
be found on the back table.45
Contact Us
Pre-K Office – (407) 320-0463
AnaLynn Jones - (407) 320-9416
Director of Early Learning
Carla Betts – (407) 320-0228
Pre-K Coordinator
Jessica Reinhardt (407) 320-0463
Secretary
Amy Goff (407) 320-0232
Accountant
Thanks from the Pre-K Team!
Thank you for sharing your little ones with us!
We look forward to working with you and
watching your child learn and grow.
Questions?
We will be glad to answer any questions you
have if you would like to stay afterwards.