Great Start Readiness Program

Gull Lake
Community Schools
The
Parent
Handbook
for
GSRP Preschool
0
GREAT START READINESS PROGRAM
GULL LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GSRP Contact Information!
"elcome# $ission# and Philoso%hy Statements!
Program Goals and &b'ecti(es)
Staff *ualifications)
Calendar of &%eration)
+aily Schedule,
Information on Ho- Children Learn,
"hat to ./%ect in &ur .arly Childhood Program,
"hat 0ot to ./%ect in &ur .arly Childhood Program1
Classroom +isci%line Policy1
.nrollment +ocuments2
3ttendance Policy2
3dmissions4"ithdra-al2
5ees6
Parent Partici%ation6
Parent $eetings7
5ield Tri%s7
8ook &rders7
0utrition7
Rest Time7
.mergency School Closing7
.mergencies9
3%%ro%riate Clothing9
Trans%ortation:0
Gull Lake Community .ducation Health Plan::
0otes:!
:
GREAT START READINESS PROGRAM
GULL LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
9500 North 40
th
Street, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
;atherine Gauthier# Teacher <!29= ,77>1000 e/t :0!1
Lindsey Cook# Teacher <!29= ,77>1000 e/t :0!,
$ary ?ane @a(ra# Princi%al <!29= ,77>1000 e/t )00!
WELCOME
"elcome to Gull LakeAs Great Start Readiness PreschoolB The Great Start
Readiness Program <GRSP= is a state>funded %reschool -hich %ro(ides
Cuality %reschool to families that meet t-o or more of the eligibility factors
MISSION
The Great Start teachers u%hold the mission of Gull Lake Community
SchoolsD To educate e(ery child to achie(e his or her full %otential
PHILOSOPHY
Eoung children learn best -hen allo-ed to PLAY Planned Learning -hich
is Age>a%%ro%riate for Young children hel%s young children to construct
kno-ledge and make sense of their -orld "e belie(e a de(elo%mentally
a%%ro%riate curriculum allo-s for ongoing interactions -ith %eo%le#
materials# and ideas to %romote childrenAs mental# social# emotional#
intellectual# and %hysical learning
3n o%en and coo%erati(e relationshi% bet-een home and school is essential
Together# %arents and teachers can %ro(ide learning e/%eriences and
!
modeling -hich -ill build %ositi(e attitudes# %romote childrenAs %otential#
and enhance their school success
PROGRAM GOALS
Children -ill
.n'oy school and ha(e fun learning
+e(elo% a sense of confidence and self>esteem
Increase %hysical de(elo%ment through gross motor and fine motor acti(ities
.stablish a sense of social res%onsibility by encouraging coo%eration and
sensiti(ity to others
8ecome confident learners -ho form their o-n ideas sol(e %roblems
Partici%ate in hands>on acti(ities to make sense of the -orld around them
8e e/%osed to a (ariety of literacy acti(ities throughout the day
OB1ECTIVES
The Creati(e Curriculum &b'ecti(es -ill be %ro(ided at the initial
Home @isit
STAFF
3ll Gull Lake Community Schools em%loyees# including our teachers# are
screened and finger%rinted before being hired into the district The Great Start
Readiness %rogram reCuires the Lead Teacher to be a $ichigan Certified Teacher
-ith an .arly Childhood endorsement and the 3ssistant Teacher to ha(e an
3ssociates +egree or higher in the field of child de(elo%ment# .arly Childhood
.ducation# or 5amily Studies 3s a licensed childcare %rogram# our teachers ha(e
background checks# medical clearance# and are reCuired to ha(e :! clock hours of
annual training in child care related areas The Lead Teacher is certified in CPR
and 5irst 3id
CALENDAR OF OPERATION
)
GSRP o%erates $onday through Thursday from 9D00 am to :!D00 %m and :!D,0 %m to
)D,0 %m GSRP will be closed on district half days, district no school days, snow
days, and holidays 3 co%y of the district schedule is a(ailable at www.gulllakecs.org
If you ha(e any Cuestions you can reach us at ,77>1000 e/t :0!1
DAILY SCHEDULE
This -ill be %ro(ided during the Initial Home @isit
HOW CHILDREN LEARN
Children learn
at a rate that is uniCue to them
by building on %ast e/%eriences
through their %lay
through their senses
as they mani%ulate and e/%eriment -ith a (ariety of materials and situations
by e/%loring# obser(ing# imitating# and %racticing
through re%etition
-hen they feel a sense of achie(ement and self>-orth
-hen they feel %hysically and emotionally safe and secure
-hen all areas of de(elo%ment are (ie-ed eCually im%ortant and interrelated
those things that are im%ortant to them
-hen class siFe is ke%t small
-hen they ha(e o%%ortunities to engage in all as%ects of the learning %rocessD
e/%loration# acCuisition# and %ractice
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR
EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOM
E&G SH&GL+ S..D
: Toys used as learning materials
! Children freely mo(ing from area to area -ith freCuent shifts of
acti(ity
) Children %artici%ating in indi(idual# small grou%# and -hole grou%
learning e/%eriences
, Some children acti(ely engaged or others as onlookers
,
1 Children in(ol(ed in numerous hands>on acti(ities in(ol(ing the
fi(e senses
2 Some messy acti(ities
6 The same materials or conce%ts %resented more than once
7 Children talking together# sometimes all at once# sometimes
interru%ting
9 Some children e/%ressing their emotions
:0 3 %redictable en(ironment in -hich routines and e/%ectations are
clearly defined
:: That children are gi(en clear and consistent messages from adults
:! That adults -ill use encouragement to %romote desired beha(iors
of children
:) Children being encouraged to do as much for themsel(es# as
%ossible# -ith assistance gi(en as needed
:, Teachers mo(ing about that grou%# among grou%s# and
indi(iduals
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
: Silent classrooms
! 3ll children doing the same things at the same time all of the time
) 3dults directing all of the choices all of the time
, The teachers utiliFing only one instructional a%%roach
1 3ll children demonstrating the same abilities# kno-ledge# and skills
2 Children staying acti(e -ith one acti(ity for long %eriods of time
6 Children automatically kno-ing ho- to share# take turns# and -ait
7 Immediate com%liance by children
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The Positi(e 8eha(ior Su%%ort System is used throughout the school year "hen
disci%line is necessary# teachers -ill use redirection and other %ositi(e beha(ioral
a%%roaches that are age>a%%ro%riate for the child
Children are taught ho- to be Res%ectful# Res%onsible# and Safe They -ill be
reminded of the rules and encouraged to use their -ords and %roblem sol(ing
skills in order to -ork out issues -ith others
If necessary# children -ill be gi(en the o%%ortunity to Hcool do-nI a-ay from
other children -hile still under the su%er(ision of staff Staff -ill talk to students
in order to hel% them find -ays to ha(e successful beha(ior
1
Parents -ill be informed of any unusual circumstances reCuiring disci%linary
action
ENROLLMENT
.(ery GSRP student must ha(e the follo-ing documentationD
3 Certified birth certificate <not hos%ital= by the first day of school
or your spot may be given to a child on the waiting list.
8 Proof of u%>to>date immuniFations <He%atitis 8# $$R# etc=
C Physical e/amination gi(en by your childAs doctor The green
health form must be signed by the doctor This is due by the end
of September.
+ Proof of at least ! state regulated Program .ligibility Criteria from the a%%lication
form for the %rogram
. 3 com%leted child information card by the first day of class
If all of this information is not recei(ed by the dates stated your child may lose their s%ot
in the %rogram "e may gi(e a leniency %eriod for s%ecial circumstances# and at this time
your child -ill need to remain at home until all of the documentation is %ro(ided
ATTENDANCE
3ttendance is im%ortantB Children -ho miss more than eight <7= days of school -ill need
to meet -ith the Teacher and +irector and a decision -ill be made as to -hether or not
they should continue in the %rogramBecause we may have to put children on a waiting
list, it is important that those children who are accepted be here to benefit from the
program. If your child -ill not be in school for any reason# please call the teacher and
explain the reason for the absence.
ADMISSIONS/WITHDRAWAL
Children are eligible for the Great Start Readiness Preschool Program if they are four
<,=# not fi(e <1=# years old by +ecember : of the current year# and can document their
need for this ty%e of %rogram
"ithdra-al from this %rogram -ill be based on incom%lete records <no birth certificate#
immuniFations# %hysical e/am# and documentation material= and continuous
une/%lained absences <7 days or more=

2
FEES
This %rogram is free to those families -ho meet the !0:,>!0:1 eligibility guidelines
8raided funding o%tions are a(ailable to those families -ho do not Cualify 3 de%osit
of J)6100 is due u%on enrollment This de%osit amount -ill go to-ards your last
monthAs tuition The first monthAs tuition of J)6100 is due on Se%tember :0
th

Payments can be made monthly and tuition must be %aid in full by $ay :
st
If you ha(e
any Cuestions regarding braided funding %lease contact "hitney 8rock-ay# +e%artment
of Community .ducation# !29,7710:7
HOME VISITS, PARENT CONFERENCES,
AND PARENT PARTICIPATION
T-o <!= home (isits are reCuired as a %art of our %rogram The first (isit is usually
conducted before school begins This (isit is time for your child and his4her teacher to
get acCuainted The second (isit is usually scheduled to-ard the end of the year This is
time for your family to reflect on the school year -ith the teacher Home (isits also gi(e
the adults a chance to discuss any concerns and interests Please kee% your %ets safely
restrained on your scheduled (isit day
Parent teacher conferences -ill be held t-o <!= times during the school year Eour
%artici%ation in these conferences is essential in %ro(iding the best beginning for your
child and strengthening the %rogram for all families If you are unable to attend a
scheduled conference# %lease call the teacher and arrange another time to meet
Parent %artici%ation is a (ital %art of our %rogram This is time for %arent<s= and child to
go to school together The children take great %ride in ha(ing their %arents come and
-ork -ith them at school These (isits also hel% %ro(ide the best beginning for your
childAs school career
Please noteD "hen %arents %artici%ate4(olunteer in the classroom you -ill 0&T be
asked to su%er(ise children unattended The teacher or assistant teacher -ill always be
in the room -ith you Eou -ill not be e/%ected to deal -ith disci%linary %roblems If
someone other than a %arent# (olunteers to -ork in the classroom -e -ill need
documentation from the 5amily Inde%endence 3gency that he4she has not been %laced
on the central registry for substantial abuse or neglect# as defined in 3ct 0o !)7# Public
3cts of :961# as amended# being H6!!2!: to
6!!2)2# of the $ichigan Com%iled La-s
6
PARENT MEETINGS
Parent -orksho%s and4or family nights may be scheduled throughout the year These are
for you to get to kno- the %rogram# and to recei(e some hel%ful hints# acti(ities to do
-ith your child at home# and find out about ser(ices in the school district and community
Please %artici%ate if you canB
FIELD TRIPS
Included on the emergency card is a generaliFed %ermission form for field tri%s Eou
-ill be notified of all field tri%s in ad(ance If there is a tri% you do not -ish your child
to attend# %lease call us and let us kno- "e try to take a field tri% )>, times a year
Parents need to provide transportation for all field trips
BOOK ORDERS
Throughout the year book orders -ill be sent home -ith your child Eou may -ish to
take ad(antage of the book club to order Cuality books for your children The %rices are
reasonable and usually much lo-er than in book stores Do not send cash. Please %ay
online or send a check4money order
NUTRITION
GSRP -ill %ro(ide snack in accordance -ith licensing $enus -ill be %osted for
reference and sent home in the ne-sletter
A Caution About Allergies: Some food allergies are life>threatening The eight most
common allergens are milk# eggs# %eanut# tree nuts# soy# fish# shellfish# and -heat 3ll
%arents must be a-are of the dangers of food allergies# e(en if their children do not ha(e
any Please be sure to list your child`s allergies clearly on their child information
card.
REST TIME
Students that attend the full day %rogram -ill ha(e a rest time %ro(ided to them based on
the Michigan Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers These guidelines are included
belo-
R 400.8176 Sleeping equipment.
7
Rule 176. (1) All bedding and sleeping equipment shall be appropriate for the child;
be clean,
comfortable, and safe; and be in good repair.
(12) Cots and mats shall be constructed of a fabric or plastic which is easily
cleanable.
(13) All sleeping equipment and bedding shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized
when soiled, between
uses by different children, and at least once a week regardless of use by different
children.
(14) When sleeping equipment and bedding are stored, both of the following apply:
(b) Cots and mats at least 18 inches apart.
R 400.8188 Sleeping, resting, and supervision.
(12) Naptime or quiet time shall be provided when children under school-age are in
attendance 5 or
more continuous hours per day.
(13) Resting or sleeping areas shall have adequate soft lighting to allow the
caregiver to assess
children.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING
Sometimes it becomes necessary to close school for -eather# mechanical# or other
emergency reasons It is im%ortant that students understand -hat to do and -here to go
if this ha%%ens Gnless -e are informed of different instructions# children -ill be %ut on
the bus to go to their normal destinations We follow the Gull Lake School calendar.
If Gull Lake Community Schools is closed or cancelled then the GRSP Preschool
will also be cancelled. Your family can sign up for the Honeywell Alert System at
https://instantalert.honeywell.com
EMERGENCIES
Parents -ill be contacted in the e(ent that their child reCuires emergency care
If the %arents are una(ailable# the %erson listed as the emergency contact on the
information card -ill be notified
In the e(ent that none of the abo(e can be reached# and medical attention is
reCuired# the child -ill be taken to the hos%ital listed on the child information
card
Parents -ill be contacted as soon as %ossible
Please be sure that any change of doctors# insurance or other medical information
is ke%t u%>to>date on your childAs information record
9
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
: Put your childAs name in all of his4her outer-ear
! +ress your child in comfortable -ashable play clothes Eour child -ill be e/%osed#
daily# to things that may dirty their clothing# so %lease do not allo- them to -ear
Hs%ecialI outfits that you donAt -ant to risk ha(ing stained It is difficult for
children to feel comfortable %artici%ating for fear of getting dirty and the reaction
they may get at home
) It is also im%ortant that children be able to attend to their o-n clothing Please gi(e
some thought to the ty%es of fastenings that are frustrating to your child Gnusual
belt buckles# tight sna%s# 'um%suits# sus%enders# and other such fasteners can be
(ery threatening to a child -ho only has HbathroomI on his4her mind
, 8oots and stocking feet are not a%%ro%riate in the classroom Please send a %air of
shoes to school during boot season
1 Sno- %ants4suits are necessary during the -inter Sometimes the -eather or lack of
time %re(ents our outside time but outdoor %lay is scheduled e(ery day Please dress
your child e(ery day in a%%ro%riate outdoor clothing all year# kee%ing in mind that
-e schedule outdoor %lay e(ery day
TRANSPORTATION

8GS 83R0
Leslie 8rooks
To assist your child in getting to and from school safely# PL.3S. insist that your child
has his4her name and address inside of their bag that they use daily throughout the year
This -ill enable all staff members <es%ecially substitutes= to Cuickly assist your child
If a child does not ride to school on the bus# the %erson trans%orting the child must bring
the child into the building and report to a staff member. 5or safety reasons# %lease do
not dro% the child off in the %arking lot or at the door -ithout a staff memberAs
kno-ledge of his4her arri(al If you -ill be trans%orting your child instead of ha(ing
him4her ride the bus# PL.3S. try to arri(e no earlier then five (5)
minutes before the start of the session &ften the teacher<s= are using the time before
class for %lanning# %re%aring %ro'ects# cleaning rooms# etc 3llo- the teacher<s= the time
they need to be -ell %re%ared to insure a smooth school day for your child
:0
If you are %lanning to %ick u% your child from school or ha(ing someone else %ick u%
your child# %lease send a note Eour child -ill be released only to the adult<s= listed on the
emergency information card unless -e ha(e -ritten %ermission from the %arent 3ny
change in ho- your child is getting home needs to be called into the school so that -e are
a-are if your child is riding the bus or being %icked u% 3 child may legally go -ith
either %arent unless -e ha(e a court order on file %rohibiting this In a case such as this#
you may also need to %ersonally (erify that your childAs teacher is a-are of this situation
Gull Lake Community Education Health
Plan
In order to %ro(ide a healthy and safe en(ironment for both children in care as -ell as
staff# the follo-ing %lan has been de(ised Good sanitation %ractices# the use of uni(ersal
%recautions -hen dealing -ith bodily fluids# and o(erall kno-ledge of (arious health
issues and ho- to %ro%erly deal -ith them -ill foster a healthy en(ironment for all in the
child care setting
CHILDREN AND STAFF HAND WASHING:
R 400.5111b(1)(a)(i)
Pro%er hand -ashing %ractices for children and staff -ithin the childcare and %reschool
setting can ha(e the biggest im%act u%on reducing illness and the s%read of germs The
use of hand sanitiFers# -ater basins or %re>moistened -i%es are not a%%ro(ed substitutes
for soa% and running -ater
In addition, staff should wash hands:
8efore and after treating an in'ury
8efore and after caring for an ill child
8efore %ro(iding food ser(ice
HANDLING CHILDREN'S BODILY FLUIDS:
R 400.5111b(1)(a)(ii)
In accordance -ith Gull Lake Community SchoolKs %olicy# all school %ersonnel are
reCuired blood borne %athogen training u%on being hired and annually after that Staff is
trained in using uni(ersal infection control %rocedures -hen dealing -ith bodily fluids
Staff shallD
: "ear dis%osable late/ or non>allergenic glo(es before making contact -ith bodily
fluids during care# treatment# and all cleaning %rocedures
! +is%ose of glo(es and dis%osable cleaning materials in haFardous -aste container
<bag=
) "ash hands -ith an antibacterial soa% L e(en if glo(es -ere -orn
, +iscard dis%osable items including feminine hygiene %roducts# used bandages
and dressings in a haFardous materials container
1 Close and label haFardous -aste containers <bags= and dis%ose of in accordance
-ith %ublic health guidelines as %ro(ided by the $ichigan Public Health &ffice
2 Gse dis%osable items to handle bodily fluids -hene(er %ossible +iscard item in
accordance -ith item 1 abo(e If handling (omit or feces# use a second barrier
<ie L %lastic bag= in addition to glo(es
::
CLEANING AND SANITIZING OF ALL EQUIPMENT, TOYS, AND OTHER
SURFACES: R 400.5111b1!"!###!
In order to maintain a clean and health en(ironment# routine cleaning and sanitiFing of
%rogram materials is essential
8asic Cleaning and sanitiFing %rocedureD
: "ash article (igorously -ith -arm -ater and detergent
! Rinse -ith clean -ater
) Submerge in sanitiFing solution
, Sun or 3ir dry
Tables L Tables are to be cleaned and sanitiFed u%on staff arri(al in the morning# before
and after eating# and after any acti(ity that dirties the tables
Toys L Toys should be sanitiFed on a rotating basis Toys that come into contact -ith the
mouth or other body fluids must be cleaned and sanitiFed
+ress>G% clothes L $ust be laundered -eekly
Chairs should be -ashed on a regular basis
CONTROLLING INFECTION, INCLUDING UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS : R
400.5111b(1)(a)(iv)
Health of ChildrenD
3ll staff should be obser(ant of the health of the children in their care Changes in the
beha(ior of children may be coughing# sneeFing# runny noseM changes in demeanor may
be an indicator that a child is ill
5or the %rotection of children in the child care setting# the follo-ing guidelines should be
used -ith regards to attendanceD
5e(er of :00 degrees or more and the child feels4acts ill
Runny nose -ith yello- or green discharge
.araches that continue or ha(e not been treated by the doctor
If a highly contagious condition such as stre% or %ink eye# the child may not return
until treated by a doctor and is no longer contagious
Coughs that are constant# kee%s the child from %artici%ating in acti(ities and
causes the child to be uncomfortable
G%set stomach and4or diarrhea the night before or %rior to childcare in the
morning that causes discomfort and unable to do normal acti(ities
3ny o%en# draining -ounds4sores that ha(e not been treated by a doctor
Children should not return untilD
There has been no ele(ation of tem%erature for !, hours
There has been no (omiting or diarrhea for !, hours
The child is not e/hibiting any other sym%toms
Storage and dis%ensing of medicationD
"e do not kee% o(er the counter medication at our sites
3 %ermission sli% must be filled out before any medication can be gi(en
3ll %rescri%tion medication must be in its original container# ha(e a current date#
and the childAs name %rinted on the label
:!
"e follo- State of $ichigan Licensing La-s and school %rocedures for
medication
HEALTH RELATED RESOURCES: R 400.5111b(1)(b)
Child Care Resources > ----orkfamilysolutionscom
+e%artment of Human Ser(ices > ---michigango(4dhs
School 0urse > ?oni ;na%%er > 'kna%%erNgulllakecsorg
Last Re(isedD 14:406
TH.S. $3T.RI3LS ".R. +.@.L&P.+ "ITH
ST3T. 5G0+S 3LL&C3T.+ 8E TH. $ICHIG30
ST3T. 8&3R+ &5 .+GC3TI&0
0&T.S
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:)
:,
:1