Absence
Please call the school office (278-0200) when your child is unable to be at school. Let us know if your child has a contagious illness. If your child has been sick and you do not want him/her to be outside, please keep your child at home. For a planned extended absence, a letter should be sent at least two weeks in advance to the headmaster.

Arrival and Dismissal

Morning Arrival

Our morning program begins at 8:00 a.m., with early morning care offered beginning at 7:00 a.m. If arriving before 7:30 a.m., children should be taken to the Mudpuppies classroom to stay with Deborah Lowe, our morning care teacher. After 7:30 a.m., children are to be walked to their classrooms by their parents/caretakers, and left with their classroom teachers.

For morning drop-off, parents may park either on Peabody Avenue in front of Miss Lee’s, or in the parking lot to the west of Miss Lee’s. Parents and children may enter either through the west entrance of the preschool, or through the playground entrance.

For afternoon pick-up, parents may either park in the Miss Lee’s parking lot or on Peabody Avenue, and then walk inside to sign out their children from the classroom.

SAFETY REMINDERS

1. DO NOT leave children unattended in cars.
2. DO NOT leave valuables visible in your car.

Afternoon Dismissal
Our morning program ends promptly at 12:00 noon. If your child is not staying for After School Care, he/she needs to be picked up on time. The ASC program begins with lunch and it is an uncomfortable time for your child when he/she is not a part of the regular activities.

Sign-out Sheet
A sign-out sheet is posted near each classroom. Please be sure you sign your child out each day. If someone other than the parent or regular driver is picking up, it needs to be communicated to the lead teacher in writing. A form entitled “Who Can Pick Me Up?” needs to be on file in the school’s office, indicating the adults you have authorized to pick up your child from school.

Late Arrivals
When your child has to arrive later than usual, notice to the teachers is requested. Sometimes special trips are planned, or a visit to the library might be scheduled for that day. Children are considered late after 8:30 am, and absent for the day at 10:00 am. Children may only arrive after 10:00 am if prior notice has been given to the classroom teacher of extenuating circumstances, such as doctor’s or dentist’s appointments. Children who have missed the majority of the morning classroom time are not eligible to attend afterschool care (which begins at 12:00 noon.)

Birthdays
Birthday celebrations are of great importance to 3 - 5 year olds. You are welcome to bring cupcakes, cookies, popcorn balls, etc. and something to drink for birthday celebrations. Please provide paper goods if necessary. Please inform the teacher of your plans a few days in advance. Children will not be allowed to exchange presents at school, or to give out invitations to a birthday party unless everyone in the class is invited. Hard candy is not allowed. Party favors, if provided, should be limited.

Carpools
If you are interested in forming a carpool with other parents in your area of town, please let us know at Miss Lee’s office at the beginning of school. We have the names and addresses of each family and will be happy to help you work out carpools. If you do participate in a carpool, please inform your child’s teacher.

Chapel
Preschool students will participate in a 20-minute chapel service at Miss Lee’s on Thursday mornings. Clergy from GSL Church will lead this service.

Conferences & Narrative Reports
There are two parent/teacher conferences held during the year, one in October and one in January. Narrative reports are written twice a year, in November and May. To provide a portrait of the progress of the whole child, teachers assess children in all developmental areas including physical (both fine motor and gross motor skills), language (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), cognitive, social/emotional, as well as approaches to learning and health and safety. In the spring, JK narrative reports provide more detailed information about the development of skills in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and technology.
In April, a portfolio review day is scheduled for each class, providing parents with the opportunity to view their children’s portfolio of work samples from the entire school year.

Daily Schedule
Each classroom follows a daily schedule, which includes choice time, snack, bathroom, story or circle time, center time and recess. Please consult with your child’s teacher as to the specifics of that classroom’s schedule.

Discipline
We want your child to be happy and feel secure while at school. We will discipline him/her if he/she needs correcting, but it will be done gently and with love. We will refrain from embarrassing him/her before a group. A soft voice and non-accusatory approach will build trust conducive to a child telling the truth versus avoiding trouble. Our goal is to help your child solve problems, predict, plan, share, cooperate, and learn to get along. Most often the child either needs redirecting or guidance.

WE WILL:

• impart the expectancy of obedience
• help the child to evaluate his/her disobedience
• allow the child to express his/her own viewpoint
• restore the fellowship after the discipline
• remember - the goal of discipline is not outward conformity but inward conviction
• admit our mistakes
• recognize that discipline is a long range process
• communicate limits that are necessary for learning (physical & emotional behavior)

WE WILL NOT:

• compare one child with another
• use scorn, ridicule or humiliation
• threaten withdrawal of affection
• promise with bribes or rewards
• discipline when angry
• expect perfection
• be afraid to say “no”

Dress for School
Appropriate Clothing
Play clothes are the most appropriate dress for the preschool years. Most children enjoy painting and though painting smocks are available to wear, it is impossible to ensure that any child comes home spotless. To help your child, send them to school in clothes meant for fun. They need durable, wash and wear clothes to withstand the challenge of the day.
Tennis shoes are the most comfortable and practical shoes on our playground. The velcro style closures on shoes allow your child the ability to handle their shoes by themselves.
Everything needs to be labeled with your child’s name. This includes blankets, lunch boxes, clothing, and extra clothing. Use a permanent marker or masking tape if necessary.
Outside Play
We play outside most days unless it is raining or below freezing temperature. Please dress your child appropriately. We must have our teachers on the playground to supervise play at all times and cannot leave your child unsupervised in the classroom.
We recommend layering of clothes on transitional days that could turn warmer or cooler. We also recommend mittens instead of gloves. Our outside play area is accessible and safe. It is properly equipped for climbing, riding and other gross motor activities.
Change of Clothes
Sometimes accidents happen. Please send a change of clothes (including socks and underwear) to be kept in your child’s cubbie. Send them in a ziploc bag with your child’s name on them.

Field Trips
We feel that field trips are a vital part of our curriculum and we are fortunate that our location gives us easy access to some of the best places in town for young children to visit. The Memphis Zoo, Children’s Museum, Mississippi River, Overton Park, Brooks Museum and downtown Memphis are all only a few minutes from our campus.
Please check our monthly calendars for field trip days that you might be able to attend. Parents will be asked periodically to assist with transporting the children. If you would be willing to drive on any field trips, you will need to fill out a form from the school office detailing your insurance coverage.
No child may leave campus without written permission of parents. Permission slips will be provided and must be returned for all field trips.

According to the Child Safety Law, every child 8 years of age or younger is required to ride in a car seat/booster seat. Therefore, your child will need to bring a car seat/ booster seat on all field trips.

Health
The state of Tennessee requires that each child have a current health record on file. Your pediatrician can provide the form, which should include an up-to-date record of immunizations and current physical examination. Allergies should also be documented.
If your child becomes ill at school, on the advice of the teacher or director, the number listed on your registration card will be called with the expectation that a parent, relative or friend will come to pick up your child as quickly as possible. Your child must be free of all symptoms of contagious illness at least 24 hours before returning to school. This includes any degree of fever, red throat, unexplained rash, constant cough, diarrhea, vomiting, pink eye, yellow discharge from the nose, and lice.
If your child has a minor accident requiring minimal first aid, you will receive an “OUCH Report” detailing the injury. If your child is seriously hurt and may need outside medical assistance, you will receive an immediate phone call and an “Incident Report” detailing the injury, precipitating events, and care given.
If your child is on medication to be taken at school, please fill out a medicine form available from the school office and give the form and medication to Laura Bolding. If your child attends morning care, please give the form and medication to Deborah Lowe, the morning care teacher.
(SEE HEALTH IN LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SECTION).

Inclement Weather - Emergency
Closings due to inclement weather will be announced by 6:00 A.M. (or the evening before when possible) on your local T.V. and radio stations.
(SEE LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SECTION)

Midmorning Snack
Midmorning snack time is a part of our day. We recommend that your child help you in selecting the items. Please include a fork or spoon if needed. We discourage items high in sugar and preservatives. These foods--when placed in little bodies--often prevent a child from making wise choices at school. The midmorning snack needs to be labeled separately from lunch so that your child can distinguish between them.

Newsletters and Notices
Each teacher will communicate with parents weekly through a classroom newsletter. This will be sent to you electronically. Also be sure to check your teacher’s webpage on the GSL website for photos and information about events in your child’s class.

Open House- “Back to School Night”
After school begins, we will have an Open House for parents only. You are encouraged to come for a visit with your child’s teachers. This is the time when you will hear about plans for the year ahead, have time to ask questions about our program and hear about our educational goals for your child. This is not the time for conferences with teachers about specific problems regarding your child. Private conferences will be held in October and January for each family. Please plan to join us for Open House.

Parent Participation
Parents are an important link in our program. You and your family greatly influence your child’s progress at school. Participation is encouraged through sharing a special talent or interest, reading a story, or eating lunch with your child. We need parents to go on field trips and help to plan and carry out parties.

Orientation
Before school begins each year our classroom teachers have an informal orientation for the children. We ask children to come in small groups for a visit between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. the day before school begins. This gives the children an opportunity to meet with their teachers, see their classroom, and play for an hour in an effort to make the transition from home to school easier for everyone. Parents will receive an invitation from the teacher to come for this orientation.

Seasonal Get-Togethers
To help the preschool families get to know one another, we will plan several activities during the school year. A family atmosphere is desired for our school. Some of the activities include a fall back-to-school picnic, Valentine’s Day Parent Breakfast, Parent’s Day Brunch, Grandparents’ Day, special classroom programs and plays, and an end-of-the-year picnic.

School Pictures
Class pictures and individual pictures will be made in the fall. Parents will be given the opportunity to purchase these pictures. Each child who attends GSL will be pictured in the yearbook and also receive a copy of the yearbook.

Special Subjects
Library
Students visit the school library on the main campus twice a month to listen to stories and visit with the librarian.

Music
Music is a special part of each day in every classroom. Teachers offer children a variety of experiences in which to learn about music in different forms and styles. In addition, JK children have a 30-minute period of music instruction provided by the school’s music teacher.

Physical Education
Once a week each class will have 30-minute experience called Fun and Fitness. This developmentally appropriate program involves large muscle movement and promotes total involvement for each child. Our goal is to lay a foundation for a lifetime of exercise and fitness and to promote good health.

Spanish
An introduction to Spanish is provided to all preschool students two times a week.

Speech and Language Services
Clinicians from Germantown Speech and Language come in the fall to screen all PK and new JK students. If children are identified as having specific speech and language issues, Germantown Speech and Language will contact the parents to discuss remediation and therapy options.

Toys from Home
We discourage bringing toys from home for several reasons. We have bought the best toys available for use in the classrooms. Many young children cannot handle the responsibility of sharing a treasured toy with other children. There is also a risk of toys from home being broken and/or lost. Please leave all toys at home.

After School Care - ASC
Our After School Care program begins at noon and is only available to children who have attended the morning school program. Our morning teachers stay until 3:00 and our afternoon teachers come in at 2:00. This gives the children time to have lunch, rest and have a snack before After School Care activities begin.
Our After School Care program will take over from 3:00 - 6:00. The children will use the classrooms, the conference room, as well as the playground for their activities during this time. There will be on-going activities in all three spots that will allow the children to play freely in any area.
The two hours from 3:00 to 5:00 will be filled with art, drama, water and sand play,cooking and free outside play. As long as the child is playing and getting along with his/her friends it will be possible to explore in any of these areas for extended periods of time. If a child is not getting along with the other children in the area that he/she has chosen, then he/she will be redirected to another area. In each of the areas our After School Care staff will oversee their play.
At 5:00 p.m. the children will go back to their small groups with their teacher for quiet games and stories. You may pick up your child anytime during the afternoon and sign them out by their morning classroom. If you have any questions please address them to Sara Tilson, Director of the After School Program.

Lunch
Each child who stays for ASC should bring a lunch box (labeled with their name) with a nutritious, easy to eat lunch and drink. Milk can be ordered by the semester. It is delivered each morning and kept cool in our refrigerator. Please include a fork and spoon if needed.

Nap/Rest
After a full day of play and activities, all preschoolers need a rest time. Please send a blanket, small comforter or pillow with your child if he/she is staying for the day. We provide mats and covers. Children are allowed to sleep with a soft toy, but cars, planes, etc. are too difficult to control during naptime.

Afternoon Snack
One part of the afternoon activities is snack time. We may prepare items such as crackers and peanut butter, graham crackers, fresh fruit or juice. Many times the activity for the afternoon is letting the children make their own snack.

Holiday Care
Holiday Care usually will be provided during the school year when school is not in session. Holiday Care registration forms will be available online for each holiday and must be returned by the registration deadline.

Enrichment
During the fall and spring, enrichment classes are offered in the afternoons to preschool students. We currently offer gymnastics, ballet, yoga, piano, art and Chinese language for preschool and are always investigating opportunities for additional classes. Registration takes place before the beginning of each session. Sessions begin in September and again in January. Please contact Mrs. Diann Youngblood, the Director of Enrichment.

GSL Website
Our website www.gslschool.org is a valuable source of information at Grace-St. Luke’s. It includes a calendar of activities and other important information. It also has links to faculty websites. We encourage you to access the website regularly to obtain the most current information about our school.