Parent Handbook
2013-2014
Believers Church
4500 Peek Trail
Chesapeake VA 23321
(757) 488-0494
www.believersdayschool.org
Introduction
Welcome to Believers Day School! We consider it a privilege to have you as a part
of our school family. Believers Day School is a religiously exempt program serving
children ages 2-5 years and is operated as a ministry of Believers Church. The
school was founded with the purpose of providing outstanding education and care
for young children in our community. We provide an environment where each child
is loved and valued as a unique individual and treasured child of God.
Governance
Believers Day School is led by the School Director and governed by the Day School
Board which reports directly to the Board of Elders of Believers Church. The Day
School is designed to accommodate 50 children on any given day and meets or
exceeds all State requirements.
Staff and Programs
Staff
All staff members are loving individuals who have experience with young children.
They have undergone background checks and are certified in first aid and CPR. In
addition, the school Director and Assistant Director have received certification
for medication and EpiPen administration.
Programs
Believers Day School offers pre-school programs for ages 2-4 and a Transitional
Kindergarten program. The pre-school programs use the WEE Learn Curriculum.
The Transitional Kindergarten program uses the Principle Approach to cover all
Kindergarten subjects. Staff-to-student ratios are as follows: 1:5 for 2’s, 1:6 for
3’s, 1:10 for 4’s, and 1:10 for Kindergarten.
All ages have a choice of a half day (9:00-12:00) or a full school day (7:00-6:00).
Preschool parents have a choice of two days (Tuesday and Thursday), three days
(Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), or five days a week (Monday-Friday) for their
children. The Transitional Kindergarten program meets five day a week (MondayFriday).
Eligibility & Enrollment Requirements
Eligibility
Pre-school classes are structured according to age and have a cut-off date of
September 30 for the school year and June 30 for the summer program. A child
remains with his/her peers throughout the school year.
Enrollment Requirements
In order for a child to attend Believers Day School, the following enrollment
documents must be on file in the school office:
*Family Information Form
*Student Registration Form
*Acknowledgment of School Policies Form
*School Entrance Health Form (including the minimum immunizations required for
school entrance by the Virginia Department of Health).
*A copy of the child’s birth certificate (We must see your child’s original birth
certificate in order to fulfill the state mandate of birth certificate verification)
*The $75 registration fee for fall and the $35 registration fee for summer.
(Registration fees are waived for active duty military families)
Children are not permitted to attend school until all components of the enrollment
package are on file.
Toilet Training
We understand that many two and three year olds are still in the process of toilet
training, and gladly work alongside families to help guide children through this
important stage. Two’s and three’s may wear pull-ups to school. Children four
and older should be able to care for their own bathroom needs. We do, however,
understand that young children have occasional accidents.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition
Tuition rates are based on the annual calendar and are divided into equal monthly
payments for convenience. Therefore, there is no tuition reduction for vacations,
inclement weather days, holidays, or days absent. Tuition payments are due on the
15th of the previous month of care (Example: September tuition is due August 15).
A tuition reminder notice is placed at our entrance during the week tuition
payments are due.
Tuition is collected via an auto-draft plan set up through the Believers Day School
treasurer and your bank. If other arrangements are needed, checks must be
written to Believers Day School and turned in to school administration. Teachers
do not handle tuition payments. Parents are asked not to mail payments.
Late Fees
A late fee of 10% is assessed to tuition payments received after 6:00pm on the
21st of the month. A late pick-up fee of $10 is assessed per child for the first five
minutes after 6:00pm and then $1 for each minute following. There is a $20 fee
for any returned check. Cash payments may be required if the school received a
returned check.
Policies & Procedures
Absences
Parents are asked to notify the school office if their child or any member of their
immediate family has a contagious illness or disease. Then parents and school staff
can be alert to symptoms in other children. Parents are encouraged to let the
school know if their child is going to be absent.
Accidents and Incidents
Parents are immediately called in the event of a significant accident or health
concern. Parents are also called if a child appears to be feeling or behaving
differently from usual.
An incident report is sent home in the book bag if the child has experienced a fall
on the playground, a bump with a friend, a bumped tooth, etc. The incident report
outlines the nature of the incident, the time and location of the incident, and the
action taken by staff.
Allergies
Parents are to notify the school if their child has an allergy. A list of children and
their allergies is provided to all school staff.
Attendance Policy
The staff and administration of Believers Day School believe that parents have
selected our school because of the quality of curriculum, distinctively Christian
environment, and loving staff. We strive to provide the best possible preschool and
kindergarten experiences for your child and are committed to using every minute
of the day wisely.
Therefore, classes start promptly at 9:00am with morning Circle time/Teaching
time. Tardiness is discouraged. It does not model positive training and it causes
the child to miss teaching time and special helper jobs at the beginning of class.
We ask that parents honor the beginning of the day by bringing their child
between 7:00 and 8:45 for full day programs and between 8:45 and 9:00 for half
day programs so the child can be ready to start the day with their classmates.
Book Bags
Each child should bring a book bag and lunch box with his/her first and last name
clearly visible to and from school each day. The book bag holds a seasonal change
of clothes (pants or shorts, shirt, underwear, socks, and shoes) with first and last
name clearly printed on each article, extra pull-ups, artwork, parent newsletters
and notes, special projects, etc. Please check your child’s book bag every day.
Believers Day School is not responsible for lost items.
Child Abuse Reporting Procedures
Our goal is to PROTECT children, not to judge families.
In accordance with State Law as outlined in the Code of Virginia, section 63.1248.3, all school staff members are obligated under penalty of fine and jail term to
report the reasonable suspicion of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or child neglect.
The school will not contact parents in advance of making a report to authorities.
The clear intent of the law, based on the seriousness of the crimes listed above, is
to mandate that a report of reasonable suspicion of abuse be made.
School staff will make such reports in the best interest of the affected child and
do not, once reasonable suspicion is established, have any legal alternative except
to make the report to the proper authorities for their investigation and review.
Class Lists
Each year parents ask for class information in order to set up play groups, send
birthday invitations*, etc. For your convenience, class lists with children’s names,
birthdays, addresses, and phone numbers are sent home the second week of school.
Parents may request that their child’s information be omitted from the list by
filling out the “Class List Opt-Out” form available in the office.
*We will gladly distribute invitations via book bags if all children in the class are to
receive one. If you are only inviting certain children, please make your own personal
arrangements for distribution.
Communication
Communication between home and school is very important and strongly
encouraged. Parent newsletters are sent home the first week of each month.
Special notes for parents are sent home often in the book bags. Parents should
check their child’s bag daily. If you wish to speak with our child’s teacher, please
make an appointment to meet with the teacher or leave a message with the school
office and the teacher will call you as soon as possible.
Dress Code
All clothing depicting offensive, objectionable, or improper graphics is prohibited.
Children should come to school in comfortable play clothes and shoes that can
withstand a little paint, sand, dirt, etc. All clothing should be easy for the child to
remove for bathroom trips. Children need to wear tennis shoes or shoes in which
they can run and play easily. Flip flops and backless shoes will not be allowed as
they pose a hazard to children on playground equipment. Extra changes of
clothing for occasional accidents (or energetic days at the water table!!) should be
kept in your child’s book bag. All extra clothing as well as clothing that a child
can remove from his/her body must be clearly labeled with the child’s first
and last name! (Example: sweatshirt, flannel shirt, sweater, coat, hat, gloves, etc.)
Believers Day School is not responsible for lost or damaged articles of clothing. If
an extra set of clothing is used, parents should send a fresh set the next day.
Dropping off/Picking up
All students must be walked to their appropriate classroom by a parent or
responsible adult. Please arrive no later than 9:00, as the majority of educational
activities will take place between 9:00 and 12:00. Children should be picked up
promptly at 12:00 for half day programs or between 3:00-6:00pm for full day
programs. If someone other than a parent will be picking up a student, the parents
must notify the office and the individual must show picture identification to the
office staff and know the child’s pick-up password at the time of pick-up. All
individuals picking up a child must be listed on the Authorized to Pick Up list. If
not listed, the parent/guardian must submit a signed form granting permission for
the child to be released. For the safety of our children, there will be no
exceptions.
Grievance Procedures
It is our goal to offer quality Christian education and daycare in a loving
environment. We do, however, acknowledge there may be times when concerns or
questions may arise regarding policies and procedures. If your child’s teacher is
unable to answer your questions or address your concerns to your satisfaction,
please take these matters to the Director who will then consider the stated
concerns and handle them to the best of her ability or take them to the School
Board for consideration.
Grounds Safety
The speed limit in the church parking lot is 5 MPH. Drivers need to be alert for
children getting in and out of cars. Babies and children must be with an adult at all
times. They may not be left alone in cars in the parking lot or be left unattended
on any part of the church grounds. Cars may not be left running with no one in
them.
Hand Washing Policy
All staff and students must wash hands after returning from outside play, before
and after eating, and after bathroom breaks. Hand washing significantly reduces
risk of illness and Believers Day School follows strict hand washing guidelines.
Illness
In order to protect all the children at Believers Day School, we have very stringent
rules about sick children. Children are not permitted to attend school if they have
run a fever (100.4 or above) or experienced vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious rash
in the past 24 hours. If your child becomes ill at school, we will call you and you
must pick up your child immediately or make arrangements for someone else to
pick up your child within 30 minutes. If a child goes home with a fever one day,
he/she will not be permitted to return the next day as the Illness Policy states
that a child should be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Inclement Weather
Believers Day School closes all programs for inclement weather when the
Chesapeake Public Schools close. In the event that Chesapeake Schools open one
hour late, we open on time. If Chesapeake Public Schools open two hours late, half
day programs are cancelled but full day programs will open at 11:00. In the event of
an inclement weather situation, natural or man-made disaster during school hours,
parents will be notified immediately via phone to pick up their child. No refunds or
make-up days are given for days missed due to inclement weather.
Lost and Found
Labeled articles that are found are given to the teacher to return to the child.
Unlabeled items are placed in the lost and found bin. Every 30 days, the unclaimed
belongings are donated to charity. Parents are responsible for labeling every item
the child wears or brings to school and for checking the lost and found bin for
missing articles.
Medications
Believers Day School administration is certified to administer over the counter and
prescription medications as requested by parents. Parents must fill out a
medication administration permission form before any medications will be
distributed to a child.
Outdoor play
Believers Day School believes outside play time is vital to a child’s development.
Please make sure your child has a jacket or sweater in his/her book bag as we will
still go outside if it is chilly. Please do not request that your child stay indoors for
the day due to health issues. Children who are too ill to go outside should remain at
home.
Participation in School Activities
Throughout Summer Camp and the school year, there will be special activities
offered to the students. These may include water play days, visits from the
Virginia Aquarium, the Virginia Living Museum, and special story tellers. Parents will
be notified in advance of these activities and will have the opportunity to opt out
of the event if they wish for their child not to participate.
Separation/Divorce Policy
If a custody or court order exists, a copy of the order must be placed in the
child’s file. The parent/guardian is responsible for providing accurate and up-todate information concerning access to or legal guardianship of the child. Without a
custody or court order on file, we cannot deny access to the non-enrolling parent.
Withdrawal
A student can be withdrawn from the school by the parents or the school.
Believers Day School has the legal option to withdraw a child for any of the
following reasons:
1) Non-payment of tuition or fees
2) Repeated failure to pick up a child on-time
3) Inappropriate conduct by the parent/guardian
4) Repeated inappropriate behavior by the child
If parents decide to withdraw their child, Believers Day School requires written
notice two weeks prior to withdrawal.
Food
Snacks and lunches
Believers Day School does not serve hot lunch. All children should bring a nutritious
morning snack to school in their lunch box. Children staying for the full school day
should also bring a nutritious lunch in their lunch box with an ice pack. Children who
remain after 3:00pm will be provided with a healthy afternoon snack. Parents are
responsible for providing children with drinks for each meal they will partake in
during school hours (Example: A child staying until 6:00pm will need 3 drinks each
day).
Nut Policy
It is our desire to create the safest possible environment for our children. Peanuts
and peanut products, however, can be quite a health hazard for some children.
Peanut allergy is the most prevalent food allergy in the US, and is the most
common cause of food related death. For some children, even the smallest trace of
a substance, such as peanut butter, can cause a potentially fatal reaction.
We therefore ask that no peanut butter or nut products be brought to school
for snacks, parties, lunches, etc.
Notwithstanding our best efforts, Believers Day School acknowledges that it is
impossible to guarantee an absolutely safe environment for those with lifethreatening allergies.
Behavior
Behavior Management
We believe that when the curriculum is exciting, the environment stimulating, and
the structure organized, there is usually little need for disciplinary action.
However, every now and then some intervention is needed in order for a child to
obtain maximum benefit from the program. Our first choice is to positively
redirect the child to a more appropriate activity. For example, if a child is
throwing toys at friends, we may lead the child to the play-dough center where the
hands will be busy rolling out play foods or forming animal shapes.
If repeated redirection is not successful, the child may sit in a chair for several
minutes to have time away from the activity (in this case, throwing toys). This is
called time-out and the purpose is not punishment; it is to allow a time of rest and
change of direction. Children may sit in time-out one minute for each year of their
age (Example: 3 minutes for a 3 year old). Sometimes it is only necessary for them
to sit for a few seconds before they are ready to try another activity.
After sitting for a short time, the teacher kneels down to talk to the child about
why he/she is sitting and what he/she would like to do now. If a situation involves
offending or hurting someone else, the child has the opportunity to say, “I’m sorry.
Will you forgive me?” The two children can then shake hands or hug each other and
return to play happily.
If a child is not responding to the classroom time-out, the child may be brought to
the school office for the next level of time-out and a chat with the office staff.
Afterward, the child also has the opportunity to speak to a friend if hurtful
behavior has been involved. We strive for very short periods of time-out. However,
upon occasion, we have had an office visitor who chooses to continue sitting
because he/she decides that he/she is not ready to go back to class to a
constructive activity. In such cases, we allow the child to tell us when he/she
thinks that he/she is ready to talk and rejoin the class.
When a child visits the office for behavior assistance, a note of explanation is sent
home.
Believers Day School strongly supports building the child’s respect for self and
others. All behavior management actions are toward that end.
Should it become necessary, Believers Day School reserves the right to terminate
your child’s enrollment if their behavior continues to be detrimental to others or
to the program.
Biting and Aggressive Behavior
Biting generally occurs when children encounter situations where they feel they
have no power. Staff members are trained to be aware of potential situations
where this might occur and diffuse them by assisting the children in problem
solving. Should a child bit, hit, or kick, he/she will come to the office and a warning
is given. Once the child has been warned, he/she will be sent home should the
incident occur a second time. For a third or any additional incidents, not only will
the child be sent home for the day, but the child will be prohibited from returning
to the center for at least an additional day.
In the event that Believers Day School and the parents working together cannot
resolve the problem, Believers Day School reserves the right to remove that child
from the program.
Building Security
Believers Day School staff members are easily identified by their name tags or
Believers logo shirts. Visitors and volunteers check in at the school office
immediately upon arrival, sign the visitor/volunteer log book, and receive a badge to
wear for the duration of the visit. Staff is trained to intercept individuals who are
not wearing badges and ask how to help them. Parents are encouraged to
participate in school safety by reporting anyone or anything out of the ordinary to
the school office.