SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Lookout Lutheran Community School is operated under the auspices of Ascension Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Garland Texas.  LLCS is striving to create the best preschool experience for your child.  We follow the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in planning a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the children.  We keep our class ratios small to achieve this goal.  Because of our unique rotation and use of the entire building for 25 minute classes, as opposed to the 3 hour classrooms, we accomplish our goal allowing teachers and children the opportunity to spend quality time in many different educational situations.

Our curriculum gives instruction in the essential elements of the appropriate age level.  However, we also believe in the developmental stages of childhood and not rushing a child to compete or become fragmented.  LLCS offers the development of the whole child.  For instance, a high school student will have a harder time with math concepts if he/she has never put a puzzle together.  The idea is to build a good, sturdy foundation in preschool.

Technology begins at an early age, thus LLCS has 4 computers available for ages 3 and up.  We select educational games that teach children how to learn, solve problems, conceptualize, and gain learning strategies early.

We will expand the monthly themes by including 5 sections which include Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Art.  Please be aware that all ages may have the SAME theme, but each age will have developmentally appropriate lessons.

We will continue a variety of motor experiences including Music, Rhythm, Large & Small Motor, Manipulative, and Outdoor Activity.  We have found that the children enjoy dramatic play activities which we will encourage by continuing to offer centers and Capers for Kids.

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STAFF

LLCS has a developmentally appropriate curriculum for 2, 3, 4 year olds, and Kindergarten that is presented by experienced teachers.  Our teaching is based on the guidelines of TEAKS and the philosophy of the NAEYC.

The Director, Jean Smith, has been a Preschool Director for 13 years, and has been with LLCS over 8 years.  Prior to that, she taught Elementary Art, Children with Learning Differences, and Preschool.

The Assistant Director, Becky Morrow, has 20 years of business experience from Rockwell Int’l/Alcatel Network Systems.  She has also been with LLCS over 8 years.

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PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent involvement is always welcome and encouraged at LLCS.  There are many opportunities for helping and working around the school.  We are a team of parents, educators, and children all working together to give our children the best educational opportunities possible.  We celebrate young life!  LLCS is a happy place.  We take time to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and community.  Parents are welcome any time to observe their child, our operation, and program activities.  Parents are also invited to review and discuss with the Director any questions or concerns about the policies and procedures of the preschool center, and may review a copy of the minimum standards, and the preschool’s most recent Licensing inspection at any time.

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MISSION STATEMENT

Preschool children are creative and receptive.  Our program offers creative education designed to promote the development of each child’s emotional and social growth as well as his/her cognitive and intellectual abilities.  LLCS admits children of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religion.

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BEHAVIOR

Acceptable behavior is encouraged by giving positive verbal rewards.  This reinforces a child’s good feelings about his/her behavior and serves as an example to the other children to act in such a way as to receive this praise.  Asking a child to stop and think about unpleasant behavior enables the child to work at self-control.  For a child not cooperating in a group listening situation, the child is seated by a teacher and reminded of acceptable behavior.  Removal from the group for a period of time-out is the next tactic used for a child who continually demonstrates unacceptable behavior.

This time-out is not a punishment, but rather a time when the child may calm down, remember what behavior the teacher is asking for, and decide for him or her self when he/she is ready to rejoin the group with appropriate behavior.  Corporal punishment is not considered to be an accepted method of dealing with young children.  If behavioral problems persist, the parent is asked to a conference to discuss what may be helpful in motivating the child to behave in an acceptable way.  It may be suggested that the child be involved in a behavior modification program, with the parents having the option of being involved in the process as well.

One or more of the following steps will be taken before a student is asked to withdraw for disciplinary reasons:

• Written notification of a problem to a parent by the child’s teacher

• Teacher/Child conference

• Teacher/Child/Director conference

• Teacher/Director/Parent conference

 Probationary period – Notice will be given in writing.  If undesired behavior persists, the child will be officially withdrawn from the school.

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SCHOOL HOURS

The Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs start at 9:00 AM and end at 12:00 noon.  The Kindergarten class starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 2:30 PM.  The Lunch Bunch hours are Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon until 2:30 PM.

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REGISTRATION

Children who are 2 years old through Kindergarten age are eligible to enroll in the preschool.  Admission requirements are as follows:

• A child must be 2 years old to be admitted to the 2 year old class.

• They need NOT be toilet trained.

• Classes are filled on a first come basis, according to the date of enrollment.

• If classes are filled when a parent calls, the child’s name will be placed on a waiting list to be filled as vacancies occur.

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LLCS’S PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

The teachers present a variety of learning opportunities which are suited to the age and interest of the child:

• A daily music program which includes singing and body rhythm

• Multi-age morning center time

• Daily art projects which use a variety of media

• Outdoor play daily, and/or use of our large indoor playroom

• Field trips for ages 3, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten

• Housekeeping, puppet, and dress-up centers which stimulate imaginative play and role playing

• Healthy morning snacks, often prepared by the children.

• LLCS’s program is based on thematic units.

• Parent/Teacher conferences.

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TUITION

A non-refundable registration fee is required at the time of enrollment in preschool classes.  Also, the state requires immunization records and a Doctor’s signature stating that your child has been seen in the last year.

Morning Programs are billed on a monthly basis.  The tuition follows a 10 month program, from August through May.

PLEASE NOTE: THE PRESCHOOL TUITION  IS DUE THE 10TH OF THE MONTH AND WILL NOT BE PRORATED.  Extended personal vacations require 1/2 of the usual tuition amount in order to hold the space for your child.  If you wish to withdraw for this period of time, you may enroll your child when you return if space is available. If signing up for early arrival or afternoon, it will be a monthly charge.  If the school is closed, you will not be charged for that day, but if the child misses and the school is open, you will be billed for that day.  Drop in charges for early arrival (8-9) or Afternoon is $7 per hr.

An invoice will be mailed each month, plus a statement if requested.  Any drop-ins or changes made after the 25th of the month will show up on the next month’s invoice.  A return envelope will be included with your invoice for your convenience, and there is a drop box located across from the front desk.  Specific questions regarding tuition and payments should be made to the Director or Assistant Director.

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Returned Check Fee

There is a $25.00 charge for any returned check If you have more than one returned check, we accept cash or money orders only.

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LATE TUITION FEE

A $10.00 late fee will be charged after the 10th of the month if tuition has not been received. Also, any account overdue by one month will cause your child to be dropped from the program unless special arrangements have been made.

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FEES

A $100.00 non-refundable Registration Fee is due at the time your child is enrolled in LLCS.  This fee is charged every year.

A Supply Fee is charged in August and January to help cover the cost of supplies and materials purchased by the school.  The amount of this fee is determined by how many days a week your child attends.  The cost is listed on the bottom of the Registration Form.

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SPEECH, VISION, and HEARING

During the school year, vision and hearing tests are conducted.  Parents will be notified if a problem exists.  The State of Texas requires that any child who is four by September 1 must have a vision and hearing screening once during the school year.

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ILLNESS

To return to school, your child must be fever free for 24 hours without medication, and free of diarrhea for 12 hours before returning to school.  During the day, if a child has a fever the parent will be contacted to pick up the child, and the child will be separated from the other children.  The Director will notify if a child in the school is diagnosed with a reportable contagious disease.

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MEDICATION

According to state law, “over the counter” drugs or aspirin will not be given to any school age child by school personnel.  If your child is required by a physician to take prescription medication during the school day, the following procedures must be followed:

• The medication must be sent to school in the PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE with the Doctor’s instructions written on the front.

• Parents must take the medicine to the Director’s office and fill out a medication form giving permission for their child to be given the medication each day for which the medication is to be taken.

• DO NOT SEND MEDICATION IN LUNCH BOXES OR BACKPACKS!

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DROP OFF

Children should not be brought to school before classes begin.  We use a drive up and drop off procedure in the mornings.  A staff member will meet the car and open the door for the child and escort them into the building.  DO NOT LET CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR ON THEIR OWN!  When in the carpool line, pull your car to the back of the parking lot and around to prevent cars from lining up in the street waiting to turn in.  Remember, we share the parking lot with Beth Torah and we must be careful of all children in the parking area.

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PICK UP

When picking up your child at dismissal time, please park in the designated parking areas and NOT along the grass in front of the building.  When leaving the building, please hold your child’s hand when walking to the car and discourage him/her from running unsupervised in the side yard.  The pick up times are 12:10 AND 2:30. After that time, a $10.00 late fee plus $1.00 a minute will be charged.

Upon picking up your child in the afternoon, please be considerate of the staff and vacate the building as soon as possible.  You are welcome to visit with other parents on the school grounds outside the building and playground.  Also, this is not a time to talk with your child’s teacher.  If you need to talk, arrange a time when she is available to talk with you one on one.

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SIGNING CHILDREN IN

Child care licensing requires that each child be signed in and out daily.  Teachers will sign in children until 9:30 AM.  Teachers will also sign children out at 12:00 noon and at 2:30 PM pickup.  All in between hours should sign in and out in the lobby.

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LUNCHES AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Please label Lunch Boxes on the OUTSIDE, coats, blankets, or any other item your child brings to the school.  We are not responsible for any item lost that does not have the child’s name on it.

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AUTHORIZED PICKUP

Only parents and authorized persons may pick up a child.  Entry into the building is required in order to pick up a child.  Forms are available to list authorized persons.  If anyone other than yourself is picking up your child (even if they are authorized), we need a written note or telephone call notifying the school.  The notes are placed on the bulletin board for staff information.  A picture ID will be required if we have not met the person.

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ENROLLMENT FORMS

Before your child can be enrolled, you must fully complete and return the following forms required by State regulations.  The forms must be completed in full, including the doctor’s name, address, and phone, immunization records, and a physician’s signature stating that the child is healthy and can participate in preschool.  In the event of policy changes, you will be notified in writing.

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FIELD TRIPS

Parents will be notified at lease 48 hours prior to the trip.  The teachers will post times and dates on the bulletin boards in the lobby, as well as being listed in the monthly newsletter.  Only the 3 year old classes, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten have the field trips.  The 2’s classes do not take field trips.

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SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

The holidays that the school takes will be posted in the lobby, and a copy will be given to each parent at the beginning of the school year.  We follow the Plano ISD school schedule.

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