Good Tidings
Preschool
Parent Handbook
In Session:
August – May
Monday – Friday
9:00 – 11:30
12:30-3:00
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Table of Contents
Good Tidings Preschool
Contents
Parent Handbook
Page
Philosophy………………………………………………………….…….4
Goals……………………………………………………………………....4
Admission Policy…………………………………………….……….…4
Affiliation…………………………………………………..….….…….5
Accreditation………………………………………………….…….….5
Staff………………………………………………………………..……..5
Director/Teacher: Kelly Storjohann
Teacher Assistant: Liz Soderberg
Student/Teacher Ratio………………………………………………5
Parent Expectations………………………………………………….6
Classroom Volunteers………………………………………………..6
Snack……………………………………………………………….…….7
Daily Preschool Schedule…………………………………………...7
Arrival and Departure Procedures ………………………………7
Calendar/Cancellations……………………………………….……..8
Illnesses……………………………………………………….……….…8
Transportation/Field Trips………………………………………….8
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Conferences………………………………………………………….9
Birthdays………………………………………………………………9
Tuition…………………………………………………………………9
Suspension/Termination…………………………………….….…9
Students with Special Needs………………………..…………10
Suspected Abuse/Neglect…………………………..………….10
Disaster Preparedness………………………………..………….11
Maintenance and Supplies………………………..…………….12
Contact Information……………………………………………..12
Parent Signature Page ……………………………………………13
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Good Tidings Preschool
2014-2015 Handbook
Philosophy:
Good Tidings Preschool believes in sharing the “Good News” of Jesus Christ as we
explore the wonder of God’s world. Our students are given the opportunity to grow
cognitively and socially in a safe, nurturing, and enriched environment.
Preschoolers will secure their foundation of education and lifelong learning through
daily instruction, exploration, and discovery.
At Good Tiding Preschool, every child is special, every child is loved, and EVERY
child is a child of God.
“God has given us the wonderful job of telling the Good News.”
2Corinthians 4:1
Goals
1. To develop a foundation of lifelong learning.
2. To help students develop independence and responsibility while fostering selfworth.
3. To educate each child at their own individual pace in preparation for
kindergarten.
4. To work as a team with parents, guardians, and families, fostering their child’s
overall education in school and life.
5. To allow opportunities for individual creativity and expression through music,
art, dance, dramatic play, and small and large motor skills.
6. To share with them the good news of Jesus Christ and his love for all people.
7. To develop the foundations of conflict management skills including
sympathy/empathy, cooperation, and sharing.
8. To instill healthy lifestyles through exercise and healthy eating.
Admission Policy
Children who are potty trained and at least 3 years of age by August 1st, regardless of
race, color, national and ethnic origin are eligible to attend Good Tidings Preschool. First
consideration will be given to First Lutheran members and children who attend Shepherds
Flock Daycare.
Parents of students registering for Good Tidings Preschool are required to provide proper
documents to have on file. These must include a complete registration form, a copy of upto-date immunizations from the doctor’s office, and signed and dated acknowledgement
and acceptance of the Parent Handbook.
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Affiliation
Good Tidings Preschool is an outreach ministry of First Lutheran Church in Blair,
Nebraska. The Christian Education Committee of the Congregation Council
oversees its operations. Its program is administered through the Good Tidings
Preschool Board.
Accreditation
Good Tidings Preschool is licensed by the Nebraska Department of Social Services.
Staff:
Director/Teacher: Kelly Storjohann
Kelly Storjohann has a degree in Elementary Education and was a substitute
teacher in the Blair Schools for approximately 13 years. Kelly also ran activities
and taught night classes for the non-profit organization for intellectually disabled
adults PPA, Parent, Professional, Associates, INC. She is married to husband
Michael Storjohann and has three children Evelyn, Mackenzie, and Tucker.
Teacher’s Assistant: Liz Soderberg
Liz was once a preschool teacher herself working at Saints Peter and Paul in
Omaha. She has also worked as a youth worker for Camp Fire USA and as a
Kindergarten Readiness teacher for Kids 4 Jesus. Liz has a Bachelor of Science
Degree from Wayne State College where she majored in Early Childhood. Liz is
married to husband, Troy Soderberg and has two children Max and Finnley.
Student/Teacher Ratio
Good Tidings Preschool provides one full-time teaching assistant in the classroom
at all times. This allows our preschool to obtain a low teacher to student ratio.
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Parent Expectations
At Good Tidings Preschool our relationship with parents and guardians is one of
great importance. We want parents to feel comfortable approaching staff with
any questions, comments, or concerns.
We at Good Tidings also feel that communication and participation are important
keys in a student’s overall success. Good Tidings will begin the year by holding a
parent meeting/open house. During the school year we will provide parents with
monthly calendars and newsletters. In February we will hold parent-teacher
conferences. Throughout the year we will have opportunities for parents to
volunteer and witness their child’s progress in the classroom.
Parents are also encouraged to be a part of their child’s education. Students will
get the chance to earn rewards for books read throughout the year. The more
books parents read to their child, the closer we are to enjoying a pj and popcorn
party! We also encourage parents to discuss and practice lessons learned within
the classroom.
Parents of students registering for Good Tidings Preschool are required to provide
proper documents to have on file. These must include a complete registration
form, a copy of up-to-date immunizations from the doctor’s office, and signed and
dated acknowledgement and acceptance of the Parent Handbook.
Parent volunteers are always welcome! If you are interested in volunteering, please
locate the “Classroom Volunteers” section of the handbook for information on
proper state required paperwork.
Snack
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that snacks must include at least one
serving from one of the five basic food groups and meet nutritional standards. A
list of suggested snacks will be given to parents at the beginning of the school
year. Snacks are not a requirement for parents however every child will receive a
snack. Water will be provided. Parents will also receive a list of student food
allergies to avoid any health concerns. As a general rule, we ask that no snacks
contain peanuts regardless of our current allergy list.
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Classroom Helpers/Volunteers
Parents are encouraged, but not required, to volunteer within the classroom. All
parents must provide the preschool with state required paperwork before
volunteering.
Uncompensated Parent Helper/Volunteer
 Form stating name, address, phone number
 Date of assistance
 Completed Report of Law Enforcement contact
 Documentation of Nebraska Registry Check
Daily Preschool Schedule
9:00
Arrival/Centers
9:15/9:30 Calendar Time
-Story time/Bible Stories, Introduction of Letters, Numbers, Shapes,
Days/Weeks/Months, Weather/Seasons, Patterns, etc.
9:45
Bathroom Break and Healthy Snack
10:00
Wiggle and Giggle Time
-Exercising, singing, and dancing to music
10:15
Centers
-Centers include reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art,
large motor and pretend play
11:15
Clean up and prepare for dismissal
Arrival and Departure Procedures
Class is in session from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. for morning classes and 12:30 p.m. to
3:00 p.m. for afternoon classes. Doors to the preschool will be unlocked 5 minutes
prior to each class. Children must be dropped off in the classroom.
At the completion of class, teachers and assistants will line up students on the
sidewalk near the Good Tidings Preschool entrance. We ask that drivers come out
of their car to meet their child to ensure the safety of all preschoolers. Drivers
who are more than 10 minutes late picking up their children, except in emergency,
will be charged $10.00 fee upon each infraction.
All persons picking up a Good Tidings Preschool student must be listed on the
registration form.
Students will NOT be dismissed to any persons that are not listed on the
approved forms
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Calendar/Cancellations
Good Tidings Preschool year will begin the first full week Blair Community Schools
is in session. Our preschool year will end the day indicated on the annual calendar.
All vacations and snow days will reflect that of the Blair schools. Each month a
calendar and newsletter will be sent home with each child.
If Blair Community Schools has a 2 hour late start, morning preschool classes will
be cancelled. If inclement weather begins in the middle of the day, please listen
to TV or radio for updates. If Blair closes early, so too will Good Tidings.
Snow days will not be made up.
Illness
In order to minimize the spread of infectious diseases, you are asked to keep your
child home if he/she shows any contagious symptoms (fever, diarrhea, vomiting,
ringworm, impetigo, head lice, pink eye, and scabies) or infectious diseases (chicken
pox, measles, mumps, etc.)
We do ask that children be fever free and symptom free for 24 hours before
returning to class. According to Preschool Standards #61, “If a parent refuses to
exclude his/her child, s/he must provide a written statement from a physician indicating
that the child’s illness/condition is not highly communicable.”
Please call, text, or email to report an illness.
Call Good Tidings: 402-426-8455
Call or Text Kelly Storjohann: 402-909-3340
Email Kelly Storjohann: kellyj@abbnebraska.com
Transportation/Field Trips
As of 2013, the State of Nebraska requires all individuals who transport children
receive and maintain a valid certificate of completion of the “Safe Kids Nebraska
Child Care Transportation Training” program. Information regarding field trips will
be handed to parents as soon as activities are finalized.
All Good Tidings staff have received “Safe Kids” training. If a vehicle is available
to our staff, we will ensure all restraints are used properly, no child is left alone in
a vehicle, and a complete first aid kit is available. If the preschool vehicle is
involved in an emergency, parents will be immediately contacted.
All parents have permission to drive their own child. State law requires that
students may not drive with any other parent other than their own UNLESS they
have taken the safe driving course.
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Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held in February; however, we would be happy
to set up a conference whenever the need arises.
Birthdays
Help celebrate your child’s birthday by sending a small treat to school! Due to
allergies, treats must be store bought and in an enclosed container.
We will also celebrate “half birthdays” for those children born in the summer.
Tuition
Preschool Tuition is voted on by the Good Tidings Preschool Board of Directors.
Tuition for the 2015/2016 school year is as follows:
Tues/Thurs Morning Class
Mon/Wed/Fri Morning Class
Monday – Friday Afternoon Class
$80/month
$100/month
$160/month
Payment is due on the 1st of every month. Tuition received after the 10th of the
month is considered late. A late fee of $10 will be charged for payment not
received. There are no refunds due to illness, vacation, or weather cancellations.
If your child would like to withdrawal from preschool please contact the Good
Tidings Preschool Board Treasurer. A maximum of two weeks tuition will be
refunded if notification of withdrawal is made during the first week of the month.
Suspension/Termination
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Good Tidings Preschool shall use the following procedures for
suspending/terminating a child from the preschool.
The child is no longer age appropriate.
The parent has not paid tuition when scheduled and/or has been habitually
late.
Failure to comply with regulations
The health and safety of the child, other children and staff at the center
cannot be assured.
The child’s emotional and developmental needs are not being met at the
preschool
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Students with Special Needs
Good Tidings Preschool will ensure all students with special needs are safe at
all times and are provided with a proper education. If we feel at any time
our staff is not qualified for the student’s needs we will contact
parents/guardians to assist and finding him/her the proper care.
Suspected Abuse/Neglect
Any person who suspects a child has been physically or sexually abused or
neglected, is required to report promptly to the Nebraska Department of Health
and Human Services.
Abuse is defined in three ways:
1. Physical – when a child has a non-accidental injury
2. Emotional – when a parent puts blame on a child or rejects the child
3. Sexual – when an adult uses a child as a part of any type of sexual act.
Neglect is defined in two ways:
1. Emotional – when the child suffers from feeling loved, wanted, secure and
worthy
2. Physical – when a parent does not provide basic needs or a safe place to live
--not having enough food or clothing
-not following doctor’s orders
-not providing the supervision needed to keep a child safe
-not having heat in the winter
Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline:
1-800-652-1999
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Disaster Preparedness
Depending on the nature of the emergency, there are four types of evacuation procedures.
“Lock Down”
In a “lock down” children and staff remain in a locked room. Situations requiring a “lock
down” include any persons in the building that may cause danger and harm to the students
and staff.
Evacuation of Facility:
In case of fire, teachers must lead students first through exit 1. Exit 1 is located on the
west side of the classroom. Before opening the door, the teacher must feel the door for
the presence of fire. When decided safe, the teacher must take the list of student
contacts hanging to the left of the door. Students will then be led up the stairs and
across the street to Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Students with special needs will be
ensured a safe escape by preschool staff. At this time, parents will be contacted.
If Exit 1 is not able to be used, teachers will lead students through Exit 2. Exit 2 is
located on the south east corner of the classroom. Teachers will take the list of student
contacts and lead students past the restrooms, up the stairs, and out of the building. The
students will then be taken across the parking lot to Memorial Community Hospital.
Students with special needs will be ensured a safe escape by preschool staff. At this
time, parents will be contacted.
Evacuation Away From the Facility:
In the event of a threat (natural or WMD) to
children and facility Good Tidings will do the following:
 Arrange for transportation
 Obtain student phone numbers and emergency contacts
 Obtain any other pertinent information regarding the nature of the threat
 Take all students to the designated safe place indicated by the government agency
Tornado/Severe Weather – In the case of severe weather, students will be taken to
the women’s restroom. The women’s restroom is located out the southeast door of the
classroom. Teachers will take the list of student contacts before leading students to the
restroom. Students with special needs will be ensured a safe escape by preschool staff.
If needed, parents will be contacted.
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Maintenance and Supplies
The Good Tidings classroom, educational manipulatives, toys, and equipment
will be kept clean, safe, and in good repair. Tables and chairs will be
sanitized on a regular basis. Floors will be vacuumed and mopped at least
once weekly and hard floors swept daily.
Contact Information
Good Tidings Preschool
2146 Wright St.
Blair, NE 68008
402-426-8455
Director/Teacher
Kelly Storjohann
402-909-3340 (Call or Text)
kellyj@abbnebraska.com
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I have received and read a copy of the Good Tidings Preschool Parent Handbook
and understand its contents.
Student Name: ________________________________________
Parent Name: __________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________________________
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