St. Clement Catholic Church, Plant City, FL

Mission Statement

It is our mission to provide the families in our community a Faith Based, safe, nurturing, and age appropriate early childhood curriculum taught by a committed, quality staff.

Philosophy/Goals

St. Clement Early Childhood Center:

Is committed to promoting an atmosphere where spiritual values are taught, developed and modeled.
Helps support the church in its educational mission to nourish a profound love and respect for the Catholic Faith, a positive Ecumenical spirit, a respect for all faiths, and appreciation to all cultures.
Is committed to the goal of academic excellence based on age appropriate, Christ-centered, creative curriculum that encourages the total development of the student, including a positive self-concept, and growth in the following areas: spiritual, moral, emotional, social and physical.
Is committed to providing each child with the opportunity to grow, develop, and excel, keeping individual talents, and skills at the center of focus.
Strives to be a model of peace and justice by preparing minds and hearts to live wisely and generously in a complex world by instilling in our children moral values.
Invites parishioners and local community members to share in and support our mission.
Encourages faculty and staff to continue their spiritual growth and professional development in educational and theological areas.

Curriculum

St. Clement Early Childhood Center’s curriculum provides age appropriate activities that enrich social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual growth. The program provides a wide range of activities for the developing child, including block building, dramatic play, creative movement, music, storytelling, games, puzzles and art. Outdoor/indoor recreation provides opportunity for exercise and motor development activities. As part of our social skills development program, our lessons include basic speaking and listening skills, conflict resolution, and taking responsibility for our actions. We use the Creative Curriculum.

ABSENCES

If your child will be absent from school, please call the school office to notify us of the absences. Please refer to the “Stay Home From School” section of this handbook if you have any questions regarding our policy about specific conditions. TUITION IS NOT PRORATED FOR ANT ABSENTS. A note is required for VPK students that are absent. Please refer to your “Attendance Policy” for details. Excessive absents may result in dismissal from the program. Families will be notified of any unusual level or type of communicable disease to which your child has been exposed.

Stay at Home When:

We are not permitted to accept children with any of the following symptoms:

Fever at or above 100 degrees. The child must be fever free, without medication, for 24 hours before returning to school.
Diarrhea and/or vomiting. The child must be symptom free 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
Unidentified rash, untreated infection, skin patches including ringworm and impetigo.
Runny nose with mucous and/or excessive coughing or sneezing or sore throat.
Head and/or body lice including nits.
Chicken pox, measles, mumps and strep throat.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Difficult or rapid breathing
Stiff neck
Sever coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound.
Unusually dark urine and/or gray or while stool and yellowish skin or eyes.
Any other unusual sign or symptom.

If child should become ill while at school, s/he will be isolated from the other children and the parent or designated contact person will be notified and required to pick up the child immediately.

If the child should become injured while at school, only minor first aid treatment will be given. Parents will be notified of all accidents and injuries.

Lice - A child with lice cannot be brought to school. If the school staff finds lice or nits on a child we will:

Call the parent
Isolate the child
The child may not return to school until the head is completely clear of lice or nits and checked by a school staff member.

Accident Reports

In the event of an accident or unusual incident, parents will receive, in written form, an accounting of the event.

ADMISSION POLICIES

Registration

No child shall be denied entrance on the grounds of race, color, and religious creed, national or ethnic origin. Children enrolling at St. Clement Early Childhood Center must be full potty trained.

Fall 3 year olds should be 3 by September 1st. Winter 3 year olds must turn 3 prior to enrolling in a class.
4 year olds (VPK) must be 4 by September 1st.
Registration will be accepted in the following order

Currently registered students/siblings
St. Clement parishioners
Catholics (registered in local parishes)
General public

Records

Children must have the following forms on file before them may attend the center. Forms are to be updated each year.

Registration Forms, all information must be filled out completely.
Complete up-to-date Immunization Records/HRS Form 680 (blue).
School physical/HRS-H form 3040 (yellow). Physicals must be current – good for 2 years.
Signed acknowledgment of Handbook Form
Release for Emergency Care – Notarized
Notarized copy of the Shared Parental Responsibility of the Final Judgment of the Disillusion of Marriage (If Applicable)

*Parents are asked to inform the office of any changes in phone numbers, addresses, emergency information, health conditions, etc.

Voluntary Prekindergarten (4 year olds)

These additional forms are necessary for the VPK program:

Certificate of Eligibility
St. Clement ECC VPK Attendance Policy
St. Clement ECC Parent Contract

Registration for the fall term general takes place in late February.

ARRIVAL &DISMISSAL

Arrival time is 8:30 (NO CHILDREN SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO THE BUILDING BEFORE 8:20 AM)
Each child must be walked in by parent/guardian and signed- in.
Dismissal

3 year olds at 12:00 noon in car line
4 year olds at 12:15 PM in car line
Diagram of Car-line attached

Calendar

St. Clement Early Childhood Center operates on a school year calendar similar to Hillsborough County and diocesan schools in our area. Please keep your calendar handy for reference. Our calendar can also be found on line at www.stclementpc.org. If there are any changes to the calendar, you will be notified in writing in advance.

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic School Week is an annual event. During this week, school spirit is promoted by having special planned activities. This is a wonderful week and a time for all of us to be proud in attending or working in a Catholic School.

CHILD CUSTODY

It is the responsibility of the custodial parent/legal guardian to make the school aware of any court order preventing any unauthorized visitation. If a court order does exist, a copy must be placed in the child's permanent office file.

Communication

We use several methods to communicate with our families.

Honeywell Instant Alert

This is an alert system that is to be maintained and updated by each family.
https://instantalert.honeywell.com
This system is used to communicate emergencies to general communications.

Monthly calendar/schedule of events for each classroom will be sent home.
Parent-Teacher conferences are an effective method of understanding and problem solving. If at any time a parent has a concern pertaining to their child in a school situation, we ask that the parent contact the child's teacher first and as soon as possible to schedule a conference. Refer to our school calendar for regular scheduled conference dates during the year.
Parent meetings are held throughout the year. The topics and formats of each meeting will be announced in the newsletters.
Bulletin Boards are located in the main sign-in areas in each classroom and are updated with current school information and activities.
Website Visit our school website at http://www.stclementpc.org/EarlyChildhoodCenter.htm
Community Activities Parents will receive calendars, flyers, and forms to inform parents of various community activities available for families.
Parent/Staff Assessments Each year our parents and staff are asked for their input and to evaluate various aspects of our ECC program. This is done through a survey format which is them evaluated and used to make improvements to our program. We also encourage input throughout the year that can be placed in our suggestion box “Messages to Maureen” bin. Your input is crucial to the betterment of our program as we rely on your honest commendation, recommendations and comments.

No communicated is to be sent home without the prior approval of the administrator.

We understand the importance of good home/center communication. If you would like to communicate with your child’s teacher, we ask that you call the office to set up an appointment. Please do not delay the start of the daily class by detaining teachers without an appointment. It is imperative that we offer a consistent routine for the children. Parents are ALWAYS welcome to visit our ECC program.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

In the event a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado or other catastrophic event strikes our building, the staff will accompany the children to the Parish Hall. In the event the Hall has been hit, the children will be taken to the Church building. Parents coming to the church grounds in the event of an emergency should wait for traffic direction from emergency personnel so as not to interfere with emergency vehicles, which might be needed. This emergency evacuation plan is designed as a preventive and informative statement to all concerned: Church, parents, center staff and the Hillsborough County License Board. Note, Unless otherwise notified, St. Clemet ECC will follow the Hillsborough County School system’s procedures regarding school closings in the event of severe weather. School Crisis Plans are in place and posted in all classrooms and EC offices.

FEES and Programs

Fall EC -3

$100 Registration Fee
Tuition per month is $185. This amount is to be paid on or before the 1st of each month from August through May.
8:30 AM until 12 noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Winter EC-3

$50 Registration Fee
Tuition per month is $100. This amount is to be paid on or before the 1st of each month from January through May.

EC-4 (VPK)

NO Registration Fee
NO monthly tuition
8:30 AM until 12:15 PM Monday through Friday for a total of 540 hours (school calendar applies)
Voluntary Prekindergarten Program provides 540 hours which begin August 28, 2006 and end on April 27, 2007.

LATE TUITION PAYMENT

(EC-3 only)

Tuition is due on or before the 1st of each month. Any family that pays after the 6th will be charged a $30 late fee.

LUNCH BUNCH

A $50 registration fee and runs from 12:15 noon until 1:00 P.M. The rate for lunch bunch for EC-3 is $15 per week (M, W, and F) and

EC-4 is $25 per week (M-F). Reservations for Lunch Bunch must be made no later than the Friday preceding the week requested. The reservation board is in the EC-4 hall. See Maureen Ringley for details.

LATE PICK-UP

A rate of $1 per minute will be charged for each minute your child is picked-up late. This fee is to be paid upon your return the next business day. Late pick-up is any time after car-line has ended.

RETURN CHECK FEE

There is a $30 charge for any check that is returned to St. Clement Early Childhood Center.

Fire/Lockdown/Tornado Drills

Emergency fire drills are held at least once a month. This may make quite an impression on your child the first time s/he experiences it. Teachers practice lockdown procedures with their classes. A school lockdown practice will be held within the first month of school. Tornado drills are practiced within each child’s classroom throughout the year.

Food/Nutrition

Parents will provide their child a daily snack. It is a requirement by Hillsborough County Licensing that all lunch and snack provide at least 2/3 food groups. Here are a few suggestions; milk, fruit, crackers, cheese sticks, sandwiches, veggie sticks. St. Clement ECC is not licensed to cook or heat lunch for any of our children. We do allow "special treats" on birthdays and special party days. If you plan to provide "special treats", please let your teachers know at least 1 day in advance.

Guidance and Discipline

Physical punishment is not used under any circumstances.
Positive behavior is reinforced as a means of discouraging inappropriate behavior.
Rest, food, or toilet training is never associated with punishment or reward.
Redirection or remove the children from a situation, to allow the child time to be able to collect him/her self and think over his actions.
To teach the children to vocalize to the other children their feeling and be able to bring about positive solutions to problems.
If a child's behavior is a continuing danger to him/her, classmates, or staff or in our judgment can no longer function effectively in the program and/or the program is being adversely affected by the child's presence, the parent may be asked to remove the child from school.

Harassment/Policy

St. Clement Early Childhood Center strives to establish a Christian, professional and supportive educational community for administrators, faculty and staff, parents, and students. The Diocese of St. Petersburg has adopted and promulgated a harassment policy for its schools and centers that addresses behaviors that interfere with fulfilling the school/center mission. We, at St. Clement Early Childhood Center, condemn any form of harassment and will address all credible allegations in accord with the diocesan policy. Concerns should be reported directly to the Director.

All persons with direct supervision of children 9al employees, including substitute staff) have completed the diocesan mandated Safe Environment training program, which includes initial and ongoing background screenings.
ECC parents will be informed of the Safe Environments program (Overview at Parent Orientation)
Our ECC program weaves the various age/level appropriate Safe Environment Curriculum Standards into our program’s daily classroom life through the use of our religions program; additional stories, games, songs, and learning experiences. These life skills will serve to empower the children to protect themselves and to respect others in their world.
Volunteers are encouraged to complete the Safe Environment Training Course offered at local parishes and at our diocese. Background screenings are required. Volunteers at St. Clement ECC are never in a supervisory role with children.

Medication

If a child is required by a medical doctor to take prescription mediation during the school day we must have the following:

1). Name of medication

2). Condition for which it is being given

3). Dosage and time of administration

4). Duration of the request

5). Doctor's signature and telephone number

6). Medication must be in original pharmacy bottle, with written information clearly visible.

7). Written parent request that the school allow the child to take the medication.

Personal Belongings

All personal items, such as St. Clement ECC book Bag, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts all must be labeled.
A full change of clothes in a labeled Ziploc bag (restocked as needed) * please include underwear and socks
Lunch/Snack box must be labeled with child’s name on the outside in permanent marker.

Persons Permitted to Remove Child

Children will only be released to those adults listed to the Authorization Form. Written notification is required for changing or adding a name to your form. No phone calls please.

UNIFORM POLICY

We do not have a specific outfit, just colors. Our school colors are blue, yellow/gold, and kaki. Closed toe shoes are required. No backpacks as school bags are provided.

No handbook can be all inclusive. Thus, St. Clement Early Childhood Center retains the right to amend this handbook. Information provided in the classroom’s monthly newsletters and Knee High News may supplement this handbook. Parents will be given prompt notification if changes are made.

May God continue to bless the work we do in His Name,

Maureen Ringley