Pike Christian
Academy
2010-11
Preschool/Sacc
Parent and Student
Handbook
The Mission of Pike Christian Academy is to provide a quality education without compromise to all seeking a Christ-centered environment; to challenge all students to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; and to motivate them to develop spiritually, intellectually, socially, culturally, and physically.
Statement of Faith
The following is a list of doctrines and beliefs held to and taught at Pike Christian Academy:
_ The Bible is the only infallible, authoritative Word of God, and contains all that is necessary for our salvation.
_ There is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
_ Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He was truly human (but without sin) and truly God. He performed miracles and made an atonement for our sins through his substitutionary death on the cross. He rose from the dead and ascended to the Father and He will return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead.
_ Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ.
_ Faith without works is dead.
_ All human beings are sinners and must be born again through the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
_ The Holy Spirit indwells Christians to equip them to live a godly life and build up the body of Christ.
_ All believers are spiritually one in Christ.
_ The redeemed of the Lord will experience a bodily resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Table of Contents
Philosophy Of PCA Preschool………………………………………………………………..Page 4
Nondiscrimination Policy……………………………………………………………………..Page 4
Support…………………………………………………………………………………………...Page 4
School Charter Statement…………………………………………………………………….Page 4
Teacher Qualifications…………………………………………………………………………Page 4
Staff Inservice Training Policy……………………………………………………………….Page 5
School Board…………………………………………………………………………………….Page 5
School Age Entry Policy……………………………………………………………………….Page 5
Payment Policy………………………………………………………………………………….Page 5
Hours of Operation/Latchkey Program Hours……………………………………………Page 5
Snow Days/Emergency Closings……………………………………………………………Page 5
Meals………………………………………………………………………………………………Page 6
Fire, Tornado and Safety Drills………………………………………………………………Page 6
Basic School Rules…………………………………………………………………………….Page 6
Holiday Policy…………………………………………………………………………………..Page 6
PCA Playground and Latchkey Rules……………………………………………………..Page 7
Nut/Peanut Policy………………………………………………………………………………Page 8
Parent/Teacher Conferences………………………………………………………………..Page 8
Preschool Health and Safety Policy………………………………………………………...Page 8
Preschool and Sacc Illness Policy…………………………………………………………..Page 9
Preschool Child Abuse Policy……………………………………………………………….Page 10
Preschool and Sacc Discipline Policy……………………………………………………..Page 11
Preschool and Sacc Nutritious Snack Policy…………………………………………….Page 12
Sacc Health and Safety Policy………………………………………………………………Page 13
Board Adopted Policies………………………………………………………………………Page 13
Inspection Reports…………………………………………………………………………….Page 13
Philosophy of Pike Christian Academy Preschool
It is the philosophy of the Pike Christian Academy preschool that under the loving, nurturing guidance of Christian teachers, any child - regardless of race, religion or gender - can learn. We prepare our students to enter kindergarten by teaching them the proper academic and social skills. We lead them to Jesus by instilling in them spiritual and moral values.
Nondiscrimination Policy
“The governing board of the Pike Christian Academy school located at 400 Clough St. in Waverly, Ohio, 45690 has adopted the following racial nondiscriminatory policies.”
Pike Christian Academy recruits and admits students of any race, color, or ethnic origin to all its rights, privileges, programs, and activities. In addition, the school will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in administration of educational programs, scholarships, loans, fee waivers, and athletic and extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the school is not intended to be an alternative to court or administrative agency ordered, or pubic school district initiated desegregation.”
“The Pike Christian Academy school will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in the hiring of its certified or non-certified personnel.”
A copy of the policies in this handbook will be offered to each parent enrolling a preschooler/Sacc student at Pike Christian Academy.
Support
Pike Christian Academy is a private, nonprofit, parent-run school. We are interdenominational and are not under the auspices of any one church. We receive support from several local churches as well as private donors. We have been designated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization by the federal government and all donations to PCA are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
School Charter Statement
Pike Christian Academy is chartered by the State of Ohio Department of Education. The designation Astate chartered@ means that PCA meets or exceeds the requirements of the State of Ohio concerning facilities, safety, health, curriculum, procedures, and length and number of school days. In return for meeting these state guidelines and earning the designation Astate chartered,@ we receive some limited state funds. The use of these funds is closely monitored and restricted to ensure that no state money is used for religious instruction. The state chartering procedure does not compromise our ability to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but it enhances the quality of our academics and helps us to provide a safe and enriching atmosphere for our students.
Teacher Qualifications
The teachers at Pike Christian Academy are qualified educators who have heard and responded to God=s call to teach in a Christian school. They are all born-again Christians and active participants in their churches, enabling them to guide students in practical application of God=s Word and to serve as Christian role models for their
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students, as well as teaching academics. A copy of our preschool handbook is given to each new hire that will be working with preschool/Sacc children. This is given during
their new hire orientation.
Staff Inservice Training Policy
All staff members shall be trained in the following by a certified trainer.
1) First Aid and CPR
2) Communicable Disease
3) Child Abuse
These trainings also need to be renewed according to state regulations.
School Board
The school board is the governing body of Pike Christian Academy, overseeing the activities of the administration. It is composed of nine members and meets at least once each month to receive the administrator=s monthly report and provide guidance for the school. Members of the school board are usually parents of PCA students. School board elections are held once each year. Additional information on the school board is available in the office.
School Age Entry Policy
In accordance with Ohio state laws, it is our policy that a child must be at least 5 years of age by August 1st in order to enroll in Kindergarten.
PCA Preschool accepts children who are 3 yrs old and up. Each student must be fully potty trained.
Payment Policy
All payments are due on the 1st of each month. Payments not received by the due date will be subject to a 1.5% service charge on any unpaid balance. Accounts not current to within 30 days will be brought to the attention of the School Board. If any account becomes 60 days past due, the student will be withdrawn until the account is cleared unless parents make special arrangements with the Board. Students with outstanding accounts will not be readmitted until the account is clear.
Hours of Operation/Latchkey Program Hours
The school opens at 6:30 am each morning. Before and after school care is available through our Latchkey program. We are open from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Preschool students have access to any of those hours, included in the Preschool monthly fee. In the event that an emergency arises that keeps you from picking up your child on time (by 5:30 PM), you will be charged a fee per child for up to 15 minutes late. For 16-30 minutes late, you will be charged another fee per child. See current tuition and fees chart for charge amounts. *Repeated late pick-ups may result in withdrawal from the latchkey program.*
Snow Days/Emergency Closings
Should school need to be canceled or delayed because of bad weather or other emergency, notification will be made in the following ways: A one-call will go out immediately to all parents and staff alerting you to delays or cancellations. It will also be posted on our website - www.pikechristian.org . When possible, it will also be
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posted on the Channel 6 morning news. Please note: We do always follow the Waverly City School=s decision concerning snow days. Latchkey care is available for all age
students when possible. This is a case-by-case decision, and depends upon the safe arrival of adequate staff. There is a charge for each day that your child is in the latchkey program. On these days, your child will need to pack a nutritious lunch.
Meals
Lunch is available to all Preschool students without extra charge. Students are also welcome to pack their lunch.
Fire, Tornado and Safety Drills
The first fire and tornado drills each year will be announced in advance to teachers and students. Subsequent drills will not be announced. Procedures will be practiced. Written procedures and evacuation routes will be posted at all times. Students are expected to follow the instructions of their teachers quickly and quietly with no talking during the drill. The school is also required to perform one safety drill each school year. Students will be instructed of procedures to follow for these drills in advance. The school also has a safety plan in place for relocation, evacuation and lock-down purposes should it become necessary.
Basic School Rules
The following school rules are those essential policies of which we require all students to be aware and to which they are expected to adhere:
Students are expected to cooperate with basic Christian standards
of behavior and etiquette.
Teachers and staff are to be treated with respect. There should be no talking back or arguing. Prompt and cheerful obedience is expected. Requests from the teacher should not have to be repeated.
No chewing gum, video games, CD/tape players/radios, giga pets,
guns, knives or anything that is determined to be a distraction from
learning is allowed on school grounds.
Students are expected to treat all of the school=s materials and
Facilities, as well as the belongings of others, with respect and
Care. This includes all materials distributed to students.
Holiday Policy
Since we are a Christian school, we focus on the Christian reasons and meanings of the holidays we observe at school. Our Christmas celebrations focus on the birth of Jesus. Our Easter celebrations focus on His Resurrection. We do not observe Halloween, although teachers may elect to hold a harvest party in the fall in celebration of God=s abundant gifts. We ask that any contributions to parties (i.e., napkins, plates, treats, etc.) reinforce the Christian reasons for our celebration and remain clear of secular overtures such as witches, bats, and jack-o-lanterns at harvest, Santa at Christmas, or the Easter Bunny at Easter.
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PCA PLAYGROUND AND LATCHKEY RULES
These rules are to be enforced by every teacher. These rules are in place for the safety of the children.
Swing sets - sit on swings facing New Hope. Face the playground on the swings near middle school. Do not jump out of swings. Do not attempt to push others on the swings. While waiting your turn, waiting area is the sidewalk at the side of New Hope or off to the side on Middle School swings. Mulch area in front of and behind swings is off limits while others are swinging. The clear mulch area to the side of the swings is open play area. ABSOLUTELY no climbing of the swing set poles AT ANY TIME. You may not lay on your belly, stand in or twist the swings or swing from side to side. Do not kick the mulch into the air.
Slides - one person at a time on the ladders. Once you are at the top, slide down immediately. No sitting idly. Once you slide down, get immediately off of the slide, and move to either side. Do not linger at the bottom. When you slide down, you may ONLY slide down sitting up straight, feet out in front of you, legs flat. DO NOT LAY DOWN, GO BELLY DOWN OR BACKWARDS. DO NOT EVER JUMP from the sides of the slides. From the top, do not slide down until the person in front of you has exited the slide completely. ABSOLUTELY no climbing up the slide. Do not let toys or balls go down the slide. Never ever double up when sliding. Do not hang from the poles or stairs of the slide
Jungle Gym - is for 6th grade and lower only.
Toys/Balls - no toys on any equipment. Balls are not to be kicked against the New Hope Building. Play ball games away from playground equipment. The 3rd time the ball goes over a fence, all balls are put away for that recess/latchkey. Be careful. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is a child to retrieve a ball that has gone into the street. Only ADULTS may do this. A student needs adult permission to get a ball that has gone over a fence. Adult will watch until child returns.
Other objects - do not pick up, handle, throw, play with or kick the WALNUTS, ROCKS OR STICKS. If other toys, such as jump ropes are brought outside, they are to be played with properly. No swinging jump ropes or any other object. Do not intentionally kick dirt, gravel or mulch. Do not pull on or lean on the fences. Do not dig holes in the ground. Any adult on duty is in authority, obey ALL instructions at all times.
Personal - Absolutely no grabbing or pulling of another student=s clothes. NO PLAY FIGHTING.
Common sense/courtesy - If it isn=t yours, don=t bother it. Pick up all of your trash and dispose of it properly. If you bring equipment out, YOU take it in. Do not beg other student=s for their snack. Do not give your snack away to others. Do not trade snacks.
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Nut/Peanut Policy
The school board prefers that NO peanut products be packed in lunches, snacks or brought in for class parties. However, if you, as a parent, feel that there is no other alternative, and you absolutely must pack a peanut product, do so using the following precautions: any lunch containing a peanut product, MUST be checked in at the office. Make sure the lunch sack or bag is labeled with your child’s name. The office/kitchen staff will refrigerate the lunch and bring it to the lunchroom at lunchtime. In the lunchroom, students with peanut products in their lunches will sit together at a designated table. Other areas of the lunchroom are designated as no peanut zones. Following lunch, any student who consumed any kind of peanut product will need to was hands and face. The kitchen staff will disinfect the table where peanut products were consumed. Peanut products are NOT permitted in the classrooms. PCA will continue, to the best of their ability, to NOT use peanut products in lunches or snacks.
Adopted 2/2007
Parent/Teacher Conferences
To help keep parents informed of their child=s progress and to aid in the partnership between parents and teachers, we schedule two parent-teacher conference times each year. Please take advantage of this time to meet with your child=s teacher. If parents have a concern, they are welcome to schedule a conference with the teacher or administrator at any time during the school year. Likewise, if the teacher is seeing a problem, he/she may request a conference time other than the school wide conference.
Preschool Health and Safety Policy
Ensuring the health and safety of the children enrolled at Pike Christian Academy Preschool is our goal. We wish to provide a place of safety for the children by doing the following:
1. Requiring immunization of each child enrolled in our program. (exemption from this policy requires a written letter of explanation from the parent).
2. Providing procedures for emergency situations, including fire drills, rapid dismissals and tornado drills and by keeping record of these drills.
3. We have posted medical and dental emergency procedures in each class room and by each telephone.
4. We have emergency numbers posted in each classroom and also the girl’s restroom for easy access.
5. Supervision of the children when on the playground, on the school grounds and other facilities when scheduled for use by the children is our priority.
6. Provide first aid boxes.
7. When administering medications we will secure the written instructions of a licensed physician or licensed dentist. This also applies to any food supplement, modified diet or fluoride supplement.
8. When medication is administered, a written record or log including dosage, date and time shall be made. This record or log shall be kept on file for one year.
9. All preschool staff members shall wash their hands before handling any food items, or when hands have been in contact with nasal or mucus secretions.
10. All staff shall be trained in general emergencies such as threats to the safety of children due to environmental conditions; threats of violence; natural disasters such as fire, tornado or flood; or loss of power, heat or water.
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11. Pike Christian Academy takes great care in the selection and use of equipment in our preschool/Sacc program. We strive to use developmentally and age appropriate toys, games, etc.
Preschool and Sacc Illness Policy
This policy shall be in effect for all Preschool students at Pike Christian Academy. The purpose for this policy is to keep the transmission of illness among the children to an absolute minimum.
The following precautions shall be taken for children suspected of having a communicable disease:
1. The parent or guardian should be notified immediately of the child’s condition when a child has been observed with signs or symptoms of illness.
2. A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated and discharged to his parent or guardian:
a) Diarrhea (more than abnormally loose stool within a twenty-four hour period)
b) Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a hooping sound.
c) Difficult or rapid breathing;
d) Yellowish skin or eyes;
e) Conjunctivitis;
f) Temperature of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit taken by the auxiliary method when in combination with other signs of illness;
g) Untreated infected skin patch(es)
h) Unusually dark urine and/or grey or white stool;
i) Stiff neck; or
j) Evidence of lice, scabies or other parasitic infestation.
3. A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated from other children. Decisions regarding whether the child should be discharged immediately or at some other time during the day shall be determined by the director and the parent or guardian. The child, while isolated shall be carefully watched for symptoms listed above and the following symptoms as well:
a) Unusual spots or rashes;
b) Sore throat or difficulty in swallowing
c) Elevated temperature;
d) Vomiting;
4. A person trained to recognize signs of communicable disease or other illness shall observe each child as he enters a group. The “child day care communicable disease chart” shall be followed for appropriate management of suspected illnesses.
A child isolated due to suspected communicable disease shall be:
a) Cared for in the office.
b) The child should be in sight and hearing of an adult at all times. No child shall ever be left alone or unsupervised.
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c) A nap pad shall be provided and the child shall be made comfortable. All blankets used by the ill child shall be laundered before being used by another child. The nap pads shall be disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent, or if soiled with blood, feces, vomit, or other body fluids, the nap pads shall be cleaned with soap and water and then disinfected with an appropriate germicidal agent.
d) Child shall be observed carefully for worsening condition and discharged to parent, guardian, or person designated by the parent or guardian as soon as practical.
e) The parent, guardian, or person designated by the parent shall be called and asked to pick up their child in a timely manner.
Returning to school:
If your child has had vomiting, diarrhea, or fever of 100.0 or higher (that would be 99.0 under the arm) after 4:00 pm of the previous day, do not send them to school. If your child has gone to the doctor and has been prescribed an antibiotic, they may not return to school until they have been taking the antibiotic for at least 24 hours. Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.
If your child has head lice, they may not return to school until all nits are removed from the hair, even if the child has been treated.
Mildly ill children who do not feel well enough to participate in activities will be allowed to quietly sit and rest while the other children participate in their activities until that child feels well enough to participate.
5. A written letter shall go home to parents when children have been exposed to a communicable disease such as pink eye, ringworm, chicken pox or lice.
Additionally: All preschool/sacc employees shall be trained in the recognition of communicable disease. This training will be done by an authorized trainer and will be a 6 hour course. All employees will be instructed in proper hand washing procedures and disinfecting procedures.
All parents with an ill child that is suspected of having a communicable disease shall notify the school within the same business day of the suspected communicable disease, so that other parents may be properly notified of their child’s possible exposure to that communicable disease.
Preschool Child Abuse Policy
It is Pike Christian Academy’s responsibility as mandated reporters to report any child under 18 years of age, or any physically or mentally handicapped child under 21, who we have reason to believe has suffered any wound, injury, disability, or condition of such a nature as to indicate abuse or neglect.
It is important to note that we need only to suspect or have reason to believe that Child Abuse or neglect is occurring. Physical proof or other forms of validation are not required. Page 10
When reporting, the following information is required:
1. The name and address of the child you suspect is being abused or neglected.
2. The age of the child and birthdate, if available.
3. The name and address of the parent or caretaker of the child.
4. The name and address of the person you suspect is abusing or neglecting the child.
5. The reason you suspect the child is being abused or neglected.
6. Any other information which may be helpful to the investigation.
All teachers are to report the suspected abuse to the school administrator and she will take the necessary steps along with the teacher to report any suspected abuse to Children Services.
Preschool and Sacc Discipline Policy
It is the desire of Pike Christian Academy to use constructive, developmentally appropriate child guidance and management techniques at all times and shall include such measures as redirection, separation from problem situations, talking with the child about the situation and praise for appropriate behavior.
If redirection is used, the teacher will talk with the child about his behavior and redirect them away from the situation.
If the teacher feels that redirection isn’t needed and just a talk with the child would correct the situation then that method will be used.
If time out is needed then the child would be given an age appropriate time out and the following would be used as a guide line for that:
a. 3 year old would be given 3 minutes time out.
b. 4 year old would be given 4 minutes time out.
c. 5 year old would be given 5 minutes time out.
d. 6 year old would be given 6 minutes time out.
This method of discipline shall apply to all preschool children on the premises and shall be restricted as follows:
a. There shall be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishments such as, but not limited to, punching, pinching, shaking, spanking or biting.
b. No discipline shall be delegated by any other child.
c. No physical restraints shall be used to confine a child by any means other than holding a child for a short period of time, such as in a protective hug, so the child may regain control.
d. No child shall be placed in a locked room or confined in an enclosed area such as a closet, a box or a similar cubicle.
e. No child shall be subjected to profane language, threats, derogatory remarks about himself or his family or other verbal abuse.
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f. Discipline shall not be imposed on a child for failure to eat, failure to sleep, or for toileting accidents.
g. Techniques of discipline shall not humiliate, shame or frighten a child.
h. Separation, when used as a discipline shall be within sight and hearing of a preschool staff member in a safe, lighted and well-ventilated space.
i. We shall never withhold eating, sleeping or rest room privileges as a form of punishment.
It is Pike Christian Academy’s desire to protect all the children in our care from abuse and neglect while in our preschool program. It is our desire to be an extension of the home and to provide a safe environment.
Discipline is to correct inappropriate behavior at a given moment, but is also used to help strengthen the desire to do what is right and good according to the standards of God’s Word. We want the child to understand why something is appropriate or inappropriate.
Pike Christian Academy will use every corrective measure to help with behavioral problems, but if a child has a consistent behavior problem after using appropriate methods, then the problem will be brought directly to the parents and the Administrator or Daycare Coordinator and a conference will be held to determine what other actions can be taken to hinder inappropriate behavior of the child.
Preschool and Sacc Nutritious Snack Policy
Two nutritious snacks shall be provided daily. The snack shall contain at least one food from any two of the four basic food groups:
1. Meat/meat alternate
2. Bread/grain
3. Fruit/vegetable
4. Milk group
Parents providing snacks shall be provided information on nutritious snack choices.
Preschool and Sacc In Service Training Policy
All staff members shall be trained in the following by a certified trainer.
1. First Aid and CPR
2. Communicable Disease
3. Child Abuse
These trainings also need to be renewed according to state regulations.
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Sacc Health and Safety Policy
All medication shall be administered in accordance with the Health and Safety Policy. Non-prescription and prescription medication shall be administered only with the written permission of a parent.
1) All prescription medicine must be current within the last twelve months, kept in its original container, and have a legible label containing the child’s name and written instructions for use from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or dentist. All medicines must be kept in a place inaccessible to children. An inhaler or nonprescription medication may be available to a school child with a special health condition, with parent permission.
2) Except in cases of emergency, parents shall give the first dose of any newly prescribed medication, so they may personally observe the child’s reaction.
First Aid supplies, along with directions for their use, shall be readily available at all times while the program is in operation.
An emergency plan is in place with all staff members trained in emergencies and an annual review of our emergency plan. The emergency plan shall include medical, dental and general emergencies. General emergencies include any threats to the safety of children due to environmental conditions; threats of violence; natural disasters such as fire, tornado or flood; or loss of power, heat or water.
Children shall have drill practice to demonstrate appropriate procedures and appropriate behavior during an emergency.
Policies
All Preschool and Sacc policies are board adopted policies by the Pike Christian Academy School Board.
Inspection Reports
The most current preschool inspection report is posted on the bulletin board outside of the main office. Parents have a right to ask to see the report or to obtain a copy. Please inquire in the main office.
Complaint Resolution
Policy For Complaint Resolution
The steps for handling a parent complaint about a teacher or a teacher complaint about a parent follow the Biblical principles found in Matthew 18:15-17, settle each complaint with the persons directly involved at the lowest level possible. Our goal is to handle each complaint courteously, politely, and promptly.
1. The parent/guardian meets privately, at a scheduled time, with the teacher to seek a resolution in a spirit of reconciliation.
2. If the matter remains unsettled, the parent meets with the teacher and the administrator to seek a resolution in a spirit of reconciliation. If at this point any of the parties involved feel the matter has still not been resolved, they should request that the administrator present the claim to the school board.
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3. The final resolution is for the administrator to present the complaint to the entire school board, which then calls upon the parties involved as seems warranted, all in a spirit of reconciliation.
Any person having a concern, request, suggestion or grievance of another matter is advised to follow the recommended procedure.
1. Persons with complaints or concerns are strongly encouraged to discuss and attempt to resolve the situation with the School Administrator.
2. Persons with complaints or concerns about the School Administrator are encouraged to attempt to resolve the situation directly with the Administrator.
3. Unsettled matters can then be directed to the School Board.
Adopted 11/07
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