Mission Statement
The developmental philosophy in Breakthrough’s early childhood program emphasizes knowing and accepting that each child develops along several dimensions these include, physical, gross and fine motor, social-emotional, language, cognitive and attention skills. We know that across any group of children entering pre-elementary years, there will be a wide range of skills and abilities. Each child will enter at different places on the developmental continuum in every area of growth. Our goal is to give all students a variety and equity of learning experiences so they will become strong problem solvers and critical thinkers. All children will be treated with dignity and respect.
Breakthrough Magnet School has adopted a dress code for all students.
Appropriate dress that is comfortable enables the student to participate and concentrate on learning. “Special clothes for a special place” supports the behavior and academic expectations at our school.
The following is a list of appropriate colors and styles at Breakthrough Magnet
School:
 Shirts- Breakthrough Logo school shirts only. “No t-shirts with any logo can be worn under the Breakthrough Shirt.”
 Slacks/Sweatpants- Cotton or corduroy. Navy, black, or khaki. Pants must be able to stay up around the waist on their own or belt pants. Belts are difficult to maneuver
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for early childhood children, please take this into consideration when dressing your child. Sweatpants are allowed for early childhood children only in school colors.
 Shorts- Long, Bermuda style (at the knee). Navy, black or khaki.
 Jumpers- Cotton or corduroy navy or khaki.
 Sweatshirts/Sweaters- Breakthrough Logo sweaters/sweatshirts ONLY for extra layers and warmth.
 Shoes- Sneakers or shoes appropriate for physical education or shoes with rubber soles.
 It is mandatory that each child has a labeled change of clothes. It is requested that each child bring a complete set of clothing (shirt, pants, underwear, and socks) to school, which will be left there in case there is the need for a change of clothes. When these items are used, they should be replenished the following day with clean items.
The following may not be worn at Breakthrough Magnet School:
Sleeveless tops, denim or jeans, short shorts, short skirts, baggy slacks, logo or writing on clothing, pictures, crop top shirts, hats, jackets indoors, spandex. No makeup is allowed at school. No rubber soled beach flip-flops or opened toe shoes.
School hours are 8:00 a.m.-12:00p.m. for PreK three and PreK four year olds.
The PreK four years old program will be full day (8:00am-3:00pm) beginning in January.
Kindergarteners school hours are 8:00a.m. -3:00 p.m. Kindergarteners are invited to participate in our enrichment program Monday thru Thursday from 3:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.
The early childhood staff believes in greeting children at the classroom door and making the transition successful. The children have morning and afternoon responsibilities which include unpacking and packing their belongings for the day. In order to develop independence we ask parents to drop-off and pick-up children in a timely fashion.
Busing Buses are available exclusively to children in Kindergarten.
Attendance and PunctualityAttendance is crucial to academic success. All students should strive for perfect attendance. Breakthrough’s commitment to “wellness” includes ways to stay healthy such as proper nutrition, consistent sleep schedules and exercise
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daily. School starts at 8:00am. The expectation is that all students will be on time. If a student is tardy (after 8:25am) they are to be accompanied by a doctor’s note and/or parent note. Students must be in attendance for their morning program in order to attend aftercare program.
The following procedures are required for absence from school:
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Parents should contact the main office the day of their child’s absence and provide the expected return to school date.
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Parents should provide a note on the child’s return to school with the reason for the absence in order for the absence to be considered excused. Teachers will retain notes in the child’s folder throughout the year.
A mandatory Student Assistance Team (SAT) meeting will occur after 10 days of unexcused absences. Breakthrough will adhere to the State of Connecticut policy and procedure concerning absences. 15 days of unexcused absences may be cause for retention. (Note: excessive unexcused absence may be seen as grounds for a charge of neglect by CT State authorities on the part of parents).
Arrival— For your child’s safety, we require that you or another authorized adult walk your child to the arrival door each morning. Pre-K parents please sign your child in upon your arrival. Be sure that the staff is aware of your child’s arrival before you leave.
Please call the school in advance if your child will not be attending on that day. Please enter the building through the courtyard door of the school, which opens at 8:00am.
Departure— Preschool children leaving at 12:00 p.m. will be dismissed from their classroom patio door. When picking up your child, be sure that the teacher knows the child is leaving (this is for your child’s protection). Be sure to sign your child out before departing.
If the group is en route to or from the program when you arrive to pick up your child, please wait until we have reached our destination before asking us to release your child.
If there is a change in who is picking up or dropping off your child, please inform the classroom teacher through written notification.
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Please pick-up your preschooler by 12:00p.m. and your Kindergartener by 3:00 p.m. as the staff in the classroom has other school responsibilities throughout building.
The time will change to 3:55pm when enrichment programs begin for Kindergartners.
Aftercamp is provided for a fee for preschoolers after 12:00 p.m. and for Kindergarteners after 3:00 p.m. Parents will be billed for aftercamp if your child is picked up after these times.
Developmentally, Pre-K three students benefit the most from a half-day program.
Therefore, Pre-K three year olds are encouraged to be picked-up at 12:00 p.m. if possible.
Breakthrough Magnet School has specific closing times. We expect that all children will be picked up at the appropriate times. If an emergency arises and you are going to be late picking up your child, please call the school. In the event that your child is still at school after the appropriate times and we have not heard from you, we will take the following steps in the order listed:
 Attempt to reach you at home, work or school.
 Call the people listed on the emergency and authorization card.
 Call the police according to Hartford Public School Policy.
At the time of enrollment, parents must provide us with names of persons authorized to pick up the child. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to inform the school of any changes in the names of authorized persons.
We will release children to authorized persons only . If necessary, photo identification or other official identification may be requested by the school before the child is released. If someone other than an authorized person is to pick up your child, please notify the school in writing. We will release children to authorized persons only.
Copies of legal documents must be provided to the school’s director before any staff person can actively prevent non-custodial parents from picking up their child.
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If you wish your child to ride in a car pool or go home with a friend, please notify the school in the morning. These adults must be listed on the child’s authorization card.
We will dismiss children individually or by car pool as parents arrive. Please be prompt in picking up your child and keep the school informed.
All information on the emergency and authorization cards, and in your child’s file, must be kept current. It is your responsibility to inform the office of changes, including:
 Home phone number and address of parent(s)
 Work place and phone number of parent(s)
 Name, address and phone number of child’s physician
 Names and phone numbers of persons authorized to pick up your child.
An emergency can occur at any time. We request that you keep the school informed of phone numbers to use in the event of an emergency. Please update these numbers in the event they change during the school year. If you are going to be away from your place of work for the day, be sure to leave a phone number where you can be reached in case you are needed for a medical emergency.
The Breakthrough Magnet School preschool has an “open door” policy for parents. Scheduled parent participation is encouraged. All visitors of an enrolled child must check in at the office immediately upon entering the building.
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled two times per year—in the fall and in the spring. Parents are notified in advance with a time and date.
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled on the school calendar and parents are informed of these dates. Parents and/or teachers may request additional conferences at any time during the school year.
A written assessment report of each student’s progress will be given to parents in the fall and spring conferences for the areas of intellectual, physical, social, and
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emotional development. At the end of the school year a final assessment report will be sent home. A copy of the assessment report will remain in the child’s file.
We feel that it is extremely important to have open and continued communication between parents and teachers.
Breakthrough Magnet School will follow a similar schedule as the Hartford
School District calendar, with some exceptions for early dismissals for conferences and teacher in service training. Breakthrough Magnet School conference days will be announced through a flyer sent home with the children. Please note the second
Wednesday of each month the student’s will be dismissed at 12:00pm for teachers’ professional development training. Aftercamp services will still be provided on these early dismissal days.
We will follow all closings, late openings and early release times due to weather as the Hartford Public Schools. Announcements of such can be heard on WTIC AM and
FM radio stations and WNBC Channel 30 on television.
This will be an opportunity for new PreK three and PreK four year olds as well as their families to meet their classroom teacher and become acquainted with the school environment.
Curriculum Night is designed to share educational and developmental goals for the children in the program. This is a time when the Early Childhood staff will answer parents’ questions and concerns as well as give information on the expectations for the school year.
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All children at Breakthrough Magnet School must be toilet trained and use the bathroom independently beginning the first day of school. Pull-ups should not be used in lieu of underwear.
A current physical examination dated within one year, including a record of immunizations, must be on file before a student can attend class. Your doctor must do a new physical exam each year. Forms are available from the school nurse. A copy of your child’s birth certificate, social security number, and an emerge must also be on file prior to the date of entry.
All medications must have an authorization form signed by the doctor and parent . Medication will be stored in the Health Office and administered by the school nurse. The authorization form must be re-submitted each school year that the child needs to take the medication. Students are not allowed to carry any medications, even
“over the counter” products or keep them in book bags.
Please notify the classroom teacher and the School Nurse if your child has any specific health concerns that the staff at Breakthrough Magnet School should be aware of.
Allergies, asthma, and bee sting reactions are examples of health concerns that may require immediate attention and such information is needed for your child’s safety.
An emergency form on file for every child in our school is a requirement in the event that a parent or guardian is needed immediately. We request that this form be kept current with any telephone number changes, including emergency contact persons, that may occur throughout the year.
Children will often ask to be brought to school even when they are ill. We request that students with elevated temperatures, episodes of vomiting or diarrhea be kept home until they are well. This will protect both the child that is ill from further complications, and classmates from the spread of contagious illness.
A plan for a sick child’s care should be in place for children in the event a parent cannot stay at home with a sick child or if the school calls because your child is sick at school and needs to be picked up.
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Daily outdoor activity is very important for young children and is planned whenever possible. Unless the temperature is below freezing, 25°F or it is raining, the children will spend some time outside every day. It is our policy that children who are well enough to come to school are well enough to go outdoors. However, children will be excused from this portion of the program with a doctor’s written statement. Fresh air and movement is something that each child needs daily for general well being and healthy development. We will not take the children outdoors during inclement weather based on the judgement of the classroom teacher. They should be appropriately dressed for the current weather conditions, i.e., hats, mittens, and warm coats when cold, and boots in wet or snowy weather. Children’s clothing, particularly coats, jackets, snowsuits, hats, boots, and mittens, should be clearly marked with the child’s name. Each child should have a personal backpack to hold their belongings. It is requested that each child bring a complete set of clothing (shirt, pants, underwear, and socks) to school, which will be left there in case there is the need for a change of clothes. When these items are used, they should be replenished the following day with clean items.
Field trips are an important part of our program and are planned on a regular basis. Children who are in our PreK-four year old and five year old program are invited to participate. PreK- three year olds will have special enriching activities in the classroom during these times. We will provide the same responsible adult supervision for these excursions as we do while they are attending the school. The field trips offer educational, language building experiences. Parents are welcome and needed to join us on field trips. We ask parents to make arrangements for their other children so they can attend to the preschool child’s needs. Transportation is provided by school bus rentals.
Siblings are prohibited from riding on school buses.
Parents will receive advance notice of upcoming field trips and the means of transportation. Permission slips must be signed and returned to the school if the child is to
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participate in the trip. Parents are asked to take notice of these special trips and discuss them with their child.
Naps and rests are appropriate for children who are enrolled in aftercamp and for our Kindergarten students. Generally, rest time is for periods of one to two hours, cots are provided. The decision to nap is not up to the child. However, a child who has completed a rest or nap of 30 minutes will not be required to remain on a cot.
All children participate in a time of rest or sleep in the early afternoon. Each child will be expected to rest quietly during the time. Children are welcome to have security objects such as a stuffed animal or a blanket. During all other times of the day the security objects are to be kept in the child’s backpack. If a child shows the need for a security object a place will be provided for them. However, the security objects will not be permitted in the working areas of the classroom. Nap items will be sent home on
Friday of each week.
Preschool children really need this rest time to help them relax and unwind from their busy morning schedule. This quiet time enables them to have a more positive afternoon and to be a happier child when at home with you at the end of the day.
Toys and items of value should remain at home. We cannot assume responsibility for materials. A lost and found is available with the room. Lost articles that are not claimed are given away to local shelters or charities.
Breakfast— Breakfast is an option for children who need it. It is based on a sliding pay scale.
Lunch— Lunch is served in the early afternoon. If the meal is brought from home we suggest sending meat or dairy protein item, bread, vegetable, and a fruit. Our school is a
NUT FREE ZONE . The school will provide milk. Our school provides a lunch that meets USDA requirements. Currently there is a sliding pay scale for breakfast and lunch costs. A menu will be provided once a month. Please check the lunch menu daily to ensure that your child will be happy with the lunch choice that day.
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Lunch orders are placed for the entire school at 8:45. If your child will be arriving at school later than 8:45 you will need to call the office to order a lunch for your child. If you do not call there will not be a lunch available for your child.
The goals of guidance techniques at Breakthrough Magnet School are to help children develop safe and appropriate ways of interacting with others and with the environment. Young children are working toward independence, cooperation and selfcontrol. The behavior guidance techniques used by the staff will center on positive reinforcement, positive role modeling by adults, intervention techniques, and redirection.
Another goal of behavior guidance is to help children develop tools to solve problems. Guidance is the external tool to help children develop internal control. Young children learn by experimenting, testing limits, and experiencing the consequences of their behavior.
The staff is knowledgeable about child development. The staff understands the developmental level of the children in their classroom, and recognize that expectations and practices of certain behaviors vary in accordance with developmental levels.
Children need to learn the rules of getting along in a group, and adults need to balance the need for individual rights and self-expression with the needs of the group. It is important for children to know their boundaries; this provides a sense of security for young children. Rules and limits in a preschool setting are likely to differ from those in a child’s home because of the need to protect the rights and safety of other children.
When behavior problems arise, we will look at our routines, the environment, and the individual needs of the child to help the child overcome the behavior. Providing each child with choices, foreseeing problems, and responding to their needs immediately enables us to help the child positively.
Consequences for a child’s unacceptable behavior must be immediate and directly related to the behavior. STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) is
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Breakthrough’s tool in behavior management. This program is available for all
Breakthrough Families at specified times during the year.
Our school is committed to multicultural education. This means we share a commitment to human rights, dignity of the individual and social justice. We strive to create a program that truly reflects the lives of our children, families, staff, and community. By recognizing the impact culture has on families, we will make every effort to provide culturally responsive care by affirming human differences and the right of people to make choices about their own lifestyle. We seek to recognize, appreciate, and respect the uniqueness in each child. We make the commitment to multicultural education by:
 Recognizing the beauty, value, and contribution of each child.
 Fostering high self-esteem and positive self-concept in all children.
 Teaching children about their own culture and facilitating appreciation for that culture.
 Introducing children to other cultures.
 Providing children with a positive experience by exploring similarities and differences.
 Encouraging children to respect other cultures.
 Increasing children’s ability to talk and play with people who are different from them.
 Helping children to be a group member.
 Talking about racism and current events regularly with the children.
 Helping children live happily and cooperatively in a diverse world.
 Helping children recognize unfair behavior and giving them the knowledge to do something about it.
 Staff treating children of all races, religions, family backgrounds, and cultures with equal respect and consideration.
 Providing children of both sexes with equal opportunity to take part in all activities.
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Policies on Child Abuse and Neglect
By law, employees of Breakthrough Magnet School are mandated reporters for all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. The Connecticut Abuse “Hot Line” number is 1-800-228-5437. The support staff including our school nurse and social worker are available to assist in this process.
York, Stacey. Roots and Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Settings. Toys ‘n
Things Press, 1991.
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