For complete descriptions of all Harborlight Policies and Procedures, please consult the Handbook, or call the Director, Eleanor Flowers, at 978-927-9030.
Children should be brought to the classroom and signed in. At dismissal, the parent(s)/caregiver must also sign the child out. Dismissal is from the classrooms. The Lead Teacher, Teacher, or Director will assist in making the sign out sheets available for signature.
Children will be released only to the adults listed on the consent form, signed by the parent/guardian. Authorization for release to any other adult may occur with a written parental permission slip, signed and dated or by direct communication with the Director. Identification may be requested at any time.
Posted curriculum sheets, by each classroom door, let you know the day's activity and focus. Notices are posted on the bulletin board by each classroom door and on the main board by the Director's office. From time to time, notices will be sent home via your child's backpack. Please be sure to check the backpack daily. A monthly newsletter lets you know the unit theme, concepts and skills being emphasized, changes in policy, requests from teachers (paper towel tubes, magazines) and other program highlights.
In case of bad weather or emergency, each family will receive a call by a staff person when school is cancelled. We also make arrangements with local TV stations. Their policies vary from year to year so families will be notified about those specifics each year.
Your child's file must contain accurate and current information. You are asked to make any changes and additions to the original information given to us, in writing. Health Forms must be updated at your child's annual physical, whenever that occurs throughout the year.
We request an extra change of clothing to be carried in your child's backpack every day. A big back pack is most useful. Please dress your child in comfortable, washable clothing. Mark all outer clothing with the child's name. Sturdy rubber soled shoes or sneakers should be worn, for safety in gym and on the playground. Slippers, thongs, crocs or jelly sandals are not appropriate for play. Sandals should be worn with socks, however, we do not consider them to be safe on the climbing equipment if they have open toes. Please provide your child with outer clothing appropriate for changeable weather.
Each child will receive a birthday crown on his/her special day. If you wish to send in a special birthday snack, please make arrangements with your child's teacher. A special celebration is held at the end of the year for all those children with summer birthdays. Food allergies of any of the children in each class will be identified for you by the teacher.
Twice each year the combined classes, upstairs and downstairs, present an informal program for parents and friends, in December and June. Dates are posted on the year's calendar.
For students who stay for lunch (see Extended Care), parents will provide the child with a nutritious lunch. All lunches will be refrigerated. Please make the contents of the lunch attractive, provide small portions, and limit the amount of sweets. Cute napkins, notes to the child, and pictures all contribute to making lunch time special. DO NOT SEND IN TONIC, CANDY, NUTS, FRUIT ROLL-UPS OR JUICY FRUITS. Please peel all fruit, and send in spoons when required. All unfinished perishable food will be disposed of. Do not send in food to share. No food swapping will be permitted.
Lunch suggestions are:
- yogurt
|
- cut up pieces of vegetables or fruit |
| - bagels and cream cheese |
- small muffin |
| - rolled up meat and cheese |
- rice cakes |
| - soup |
- raisins |
| - favorite cereal |
- granola bars |
| - favorite sandwich, cut in small pieces |
- small fruit bar |
Snacks will be provided by the school and are served mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Milk is the beverage served. Water is always available to the children at snack and throughout the day. A snack menu is posted weekly.
Children with an allergy or allergies to certain foods or specific ingredients will be noted on the allergy list found inside the snack cabinet door. The symptoms of an allergic reaction, procedures and emergency numbers will be included. All staff will be informed of these children and the necessary precautions will be identified. When the child's allergy warrants, and for the protection and safety of the child, the parent will provide the child's snack. All snack items will be labeled with the child's name and used only for the child with the allergy.
Typical snacks are:
| - cut up veggies/fruit |
- graham crackers |
| - pretzels |
- animal crackers |
| - popcorn |
- rice cakes |
| - cereal |
- cheese and crackers |
| - English muffins |
- salad |
| - small bagels |
- small cookie |
The staff will use only positive guidance, redirection, and the setting of clear-cut limits that foster the child's own ability to become self-diciplined. The staff will encourage the children to be fair, respect property, respect other people and to be responsible for their actions, encouraging input from children during circle and small-group discussion times about the rights of all in the classroom. Children will participate in the establishment of classroom rules and procedures as much as is appropriate and feasible. Discipline and guidance shall be consistent and based on an understanding of the individual needs and development of a child. Aggressive physical behavior toward staff or children is unacceptable. Staff will intervene immediately when a child becomes physically aggressive to protect all children and encourage more acceptable behavior. Discipline within the school environment will always be affirmative in nature and the staff will guide the children in finding more positive strategies.
Those strategies are:
| - The teacher re-directs the child to another activity. |
| - The teacher will use humor and model an alternative behavior. |
| - The teacher will discuss the unacceptable behavior with the child (age appropriately). |
| - The teacher will encourage the child to think of a positive solution. |
| - If there is not a cooperative response, a "time out" will be given, a time to take a breath, collect oneself and positively adapt, within the class and teacher's view. |
| - Child will then make the decision to rejoin the group when he/she feels able to interact positively. |
Please note:
No child will be subjected to cruel or severe punishment, humiliation or verbal abuse; no child shall be denied food as a form of punishment or be forced to eat at any time; and no child shall be punished for soiling, wetting or not using the toilet.
Parents will be contacted in the event of continuous or severe misbehavior.
All children are encouraged to be toilet trained. Toileting is handled in accordance with the specific requests of parents and according to the developmental needs of children. Children are always supervised during toileting. No adults, including staff, may use the bathroom while in use by a child. Children are brought to the bathroom before snack and before lunch for handwashing and toileting. Children may use the bathroom for toileting at anytime to meet their individual needs. Proper use and care of materials and equipment is shown to each child. Children shall wash their hands with soap and running water after toileting. Staff members shall also wash their hands with soap and running water after assisting child with toileting. Individual towels shall be used to dry hands.
No child will be punished for soiling, wetting, or not using the toilet. Verbal abuse or humiliation will not be allowed.
Soiled clothing is placed in a plastic bag to be cleaned by the parent. Clean, dry clothing is kept at the school in case of accidents. Two staff people should always be present when changing the child's clothing.
Health Care Policies and Procedures
If medication must be given, the parent may come in to administer it, or, authorization may be given to the Director/Lead Teacher. Please contact the Director or Lead Teacher to complete the proper forms for authorizing the administration of prescription or non-prescription medicines.
All children must be free of an elevated temperature 24 hours before he/she is to come to school. If your child is on an antibiotic, we ask that the child remain out of school for 24 hours after the medication has been started. Please keep your child at home when he/she displays an unusual rash, eye inflammation, severe cough, or heavy congestion. Children will be excluded from the program if running a temperature or showing other symptoms of illness, vomiting, infectious diarrhea, pain or severe discomfort, or are too sick to participate, or have a contagious disease or infection.
The following are common infections, diseases, and illnesses that require exclusion and immediate notification to the school:
| Chicken Pox |
remain at home 7 days |
| Conjunctivitis |
return only after 24 hours on medication |
| Lice |
return only after 24 hours after treatment |
| Strep Throat |
return only after 24 hours on medication |
| Impetigo |
return 24 hours after treatment |
| Ringworm |
return 24 hours after treatment |
| Measles |
not to return until 5 days after rash appears; note from Health Care Provider |
| Hepatitis A |
return after an immune globulin shot |
| Salmonella (infectious diarrhea) |
return after Doctor's okay |
If your child is home ill, we ask that you call the school and give us the symptoms of illness so that we may watch for similar symptoms in other children. You will receive written notification of any communicable disease or infectious situation which may pose a risk to your child.
  
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