What is VPK?
A Florida State Constitutional amendment was passed in
2002 which stated that the State would provide free voluntary
pre-kindergarten education for all of the children who reside
in the State and are four years old on or before September 1st
of a given year starting in the Fall of 2005.
It is provided in public and private centers which choose
to meet the guidelines as set up by The Department of
Children and Families, The Department of Health and The
Agency for Workforce Innovation.
It is offered as two separate program choices; a schoolyear program, which runs from August until June or a
summer program which runs from June until August.
It’s intent is to prepare the children for Kindergarten in the
areas of Physical Health, Social and Emotional Development,
Language and Communication, Emergent Literacy, Cognitive
Development and General Knowledge, and Motor
Development.
It is a voluntary program for both parents and providers.
VPK provides:
540 developmentally appropriate instructional hours
during a school year.
The State then pays a set rate per child, based on the
child’s attendance in school.
The State requires 2 VPK assessments throughout the
VPK year to track the student’s progress.
The State also administers tests at the beginning of
Kindergarten to monitor the progress and performance
of the various VPK providers. This is referred to as the
Kindergarten Readiness Rate.
It also sets boundaries to protect the parents
concerning what providers can and can’t do in regards
to fees, class sizes, attendance policies and enrollment
guidelines.
Episcopal Children's Services
VPK Analysis
Parents receive free tuition in regard to the 540
instructional hours portion of their child’s day.
We can continue to offer the current wraparound program, know as the Angel Hours
Program and Extended Day Program.
The school receives a monthly payment from
the State via direct-deposit.
Children receive high quality
Early Childhood Education.
VPK Analysis Continued
The amount paid by the State this school year is $2,399 per
full time student. This is down approximately $180 from two
years ago and future reimbursement rates have not been
decided yet. In the past this amount has been decreased during
the academic school year.
This amount must be reconciled each month with the
attendance records.
There is an 80/20 attendance policy. This means that a child
can not be absent any more than 20% of the VPK school days.
If they are absent any more the State will withhold payment
for the days the child is absent over the 20%. This works out
to approximately 28 total VPK days throughout the year.
They require less instructional hours per academic year.
VPK Analysis Continued
Challenges Related to our Program
Our school year
is 656 hours.
80/20 Attendance
Policy
VPK school year
is 540 hours.
28 SJDR VPK
Days
Difference
of 116
hours
Non VPK Tuition for 2014 - 15
Current State VPK Reimbursement
$3,753
$2,399
Difference of $
1,354
Tuition Rates for a Non VPK Pre-K4 student
in 2015 – 16 will be
$3,847
Program Design
VPK classes will be offered 144 days. The remaining 31 days
will be wrapped around and throughout the school year. These
days are referred to as the Angel Hour Program.
There will be three classes of Pre-K4. All of them will be held in
the morning, from 7:55 – 11:40. This gives us 3.75 hours of
instruction each day.
We will offer morning care from 6:30 – 7:30 and extended
day care from 11:40 carline until 6:00 p.m. daily!
The Angel Hour Program – Wrap-Around Days
Angel Hours – We will offer the remaining 31 days, (116
hours) for $ 1,100 per year. Everyone will be gaining 31 days
of instruction! This would make the Pre-K4 calendar run
exactly like the rest of the school.
$1,100
=
116 hours
=
31 days
VPK + Angel Hours Program = Successful Pre-K4 Program
Free
VPK
$225
Family
Registration
+
$1,100
Angel Hours
tuition
$160
Instructional
Fee
=
Academic
Excellence!
With FACTS - $110 per month for 10 months
For questions about the multi child discount, please see me afterward.
Where do we go from here?
The success of our VPK program depends :
•The future of the VPK funding provided by the State’s
budget.
•Your participation and endorsement of the Angel Hours
program.
How to register:
• You can attend a VPK Round-Up
•You can register online at ecs4kids.org
 You will need documentation of your child’s date
of birth & proof of residency.
 You will also need to complete the Registration application
for San Juan del Rio Catholic School which can be found
on our website, sjdrsaint.org.
 Student Placement Screenings - New families must set up a
screening date for their child with Mrs. Clark
Gold Seal Accredited
Top Kindergarten
Readiness Scores
2013 Gift of Service
Award Recipient
2013 Shinning Stars
Award Recipient
Angel Hours – 116 Additional
Instructional Hours
In Conclusion
Our Mission Statement states that San Juan del
Rio Catholic School, a ministry of the parish
community, walks with children and their
families, providing them sound faith formation
and a challenging academic program, as they
journey in faith, grow in learning, and develop
their relationship with Jesus. Based on this
mission we must do everything possible to provide
God’s littlest angels with a Catholic education.
The Florida VPK program is one way in which we
can make a Catholic education affordable to all of
our parish families.
In looking at our recent rate of growth, we are building
God’s Church starting with His littlest angels and
therefore are truly building a Catholic School. If we
can open our doors to more of our parish family we are
hopeful that Jesus’ Gospel message of love can reach
even further into our community.
Any Questions?
Please e-mail Sheri
Bless at
sbless@sjdrschool.org
New Families may set up
their tour with Mrs.
Clark – please e-mail her
at jclark@sjdrschool.org
or call (904)287-8081
Thank
You!