Your child must be immunized and if not please submit an immunization exemption form.
Absences
It is appreciated if parents notify the teachers ahead of time of planned absences. If we have not heard from a parent that their child will not be attending on a particular day we will be in touch, if we haven’t heard from you first. This is out of concern for the child and their safety. We especially contact parents of children 2 yrs and under if they have not arrived by a certain time. Please message through Brightwheel to your child’s teacher as they will get it quicker than leaving a voicemail message. There will be no refunds or make-up days for absences.
Program Withdrawal
Parent must give 2 weeks written notice when withdrawing from the program. There will be no tuition refunds.
Drop-in Policy
Children currently enrolled in the program are welcome to “drop-in” if space is available. Drop-in fees are $50.00 per day and are due at the time of service.
Building security
For the safety of your children and our staff, all doors will be locked each day at 9:45am and unlocked again at 2:15pm. If you arrive at a time in the middle of the day, please ring the doorbell and someone will let you in.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Please do not plan to arrive before 9:30 a.m., as the teachers need this time to prepare for the school day. Pick up time is no later than 2:30pm, unless you are using our extended care program. School is over at 2:30pm. We ask that you respect the teachers’ time and be punctual. Please have your child here at the regular time as the student misses out on activities if they are late. We will not be doing any car line drop off, this school year. All students will need to be walked into the building and dropped off at their classroom.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD IN THE CAR OR HAVE YOUR UNATTENDED CAR RUNNING. This is for the protection of your child/ren. The school is not responsible for anything happening to your vehicle.
Through our Brightwheel app we will check the child in or out of school. Children will only be released to persons listed on the authorization/registration form. It is important that the person picking up your child shows proper identification; otherwise, we will not allow your child to leave the premises without contacting you. In case of emergency or if a change in the normal pick-up procedure occurs, please contact the Director as soon as possible.
If a child custody agreement exists that would restrict a biological parent from picking up their child, a copy of that agreement or court order must be kept on file in the Director’s office. Should the custodial parent agree to an exception, a note to that effect, listing the days or dates of the exception must be present before we release them to a non-custodial parent.
Late Fees
School closes at 2:30pm. If you arrive more than five minutes late, your child will be in the Director’s office. If you are late for any reason, please message on Brightwheel first and then call the office (340-0192). Children become anxious when their friends have left, and they think you may have forgotten them. Knowing that “you are on the way” will ease their fears. The staff leaves at 2:45pm after they have cleaned their room. Please be at your child’s classroom by 2:30 or earlier. A late fee of $4.00 per minute will be assessed for all children picked up after closing (2:30 pm). The late fee will be billed through Brightwheel. This will be strictly enforced, and habitual tardiness may result in termination of services. Reminder – paying the late fee doesn’t make it ok to be late. We need all the children picked up on time.
Parking Lot Safety/Playing Afterschool
Please be aware as you pull in and out of the school parking lot. Follow all traffic rules and remember to stay in your lane, drive slowly and do not be on your cell phone. For those who play outside after school please be aware of what your child is doing during that time. Many have run into the parking lot and with cars arriving and departing they run the risk of being injured. Please do not allow your child to climb on the fences or to play in the flowerbeds or around the air conditioner units. St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool is not responsible for any injuries that may occur on the school grounds before or after school. Please watch your children when walking to and from the building. Please discuss and remind your child to stay on the grass when they are not holding your hand.
Lunch
Each child will need to bring his/her lunch, including drink and eating utensils each day. Please label his/her name clearly visible. Teachers will eat lunch with the children and model healthy eating habits and good manners. Children will be encouraged to eat in a positive and relaxed atmosphere. Please do not send food that has to be refrigerated, prepared or heated. Exceptions allowed for baby bottles. Lunches containing perishable foods must be in insulated containers with an ice pack or frozen juice box. Please pack healthy choices and enough food to satisfy them. Please, no red juice or go-gurts in the 2’s and under classroom. Think about packing things that your child can manage independently as this will further develop his/her self-help skills as well as self-esteem.
Pizza/Spirit Day
Twice a month, we will participate in “Pizza/Spirit Day”. Everyone is invited to wear their school t-shirt and have “all you can eat” pizza for only $3.00 per child. Children who attend on both Tuesday and Wednesday will have pizza 4 times a month. This is a mini fundraiser for our program and gives parents a well-deserved break from packing lunches. Please pay through Brightwheel if you would like your child to participate.
Snacks
Children will be on a rotation to bring snacks to share with their classmates. A list of appropriate snacks is available upon request. Parents and children may bring in a special birthday snack on a date near their child’s birth date. Please keep in mind that cake and cupcakes are often difficult for the children to eat. We would prefer a snack such as cookies, brownies, bars, etc… Remember, no nuts, please.
Celebrations
Traditions hold special memories for each of us. We invite you to share your family’s traditions with us during the year. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun as St. Mark when special events (like chapel on your child’s birthday) and activities are scheduled such as:
Fall Costume Parade
Christmas Program
Teddy Bear Parade
Graduation and End of the Year Program
Parents or other family members will not be allowed at our classroom parties unless they are serving as a Room Parent. These parties include:
Fall Party
Christmas Party
Valentine’s Party
Easter Party and Egg Hunt
A sign-up sheet is available at Meet the Teacher for parents who would like to sign up to be a home room parent. Each room has a set number of room parents.
Clothing
The teaching staff at St. Mark Lutheran Church values playtime during school. If your child’s clothes are dirty at the end of the day, this is a good indicator that he/she was busy exploring and learning about his/her world. Please dress your child in comfortable clothing that can get dirty and doesn’t restrict him/her from moving about freely in the environment. We ask that children dress in a modest manner, reflecting our Christian environment. Therefore, please avoid spaghetti strap, halter, midriff-bearing, or muscle shirts and wear tights or shorts under skirts. Bring an extra set of clothing, including socks and underwear (in a large, labeled zip lock bag) for any accident that might occur.
Please send your child in tennis shoes or other rubber-soled shoes. Sandals, jellies, crocs, and flip-flops are fun, but hard to keep on when the children run, and the wood chips bother their bare feet. Please dress your child for the weather (in layers if in doubt). We go outside unless it is raining, under 40 degrees or there is a severe wind chill or over 95 degrees.
Diapers (Infants, 1- & 2-year-olds only)
Every family is required to supply diapers for their child/children. If your child runs out, the teacher will notify you to bring a new supply.
Potty Training (2-year-olds only)
When a child is able to communicate that he or she needs to go potty, we consider them potty trained. When a child is not able to communicate that they need to go potty and they must be taken to the restroom frequently so there are no accidents, we do not consider them potty trained. We are more than happy to help you in the potty-training process, but we do ask that you respect our point of view. Please use pull ups with Velcro until they are past the “accident” stage.
Labeling
Please label all personal items that your child wears or brings to school. St. Mark is a small program, but that doesn’t mean things cannot be lost. We will do our best to ensure your child’s belongings make it home. If items are clearly labeled, they are easily returned to the rightful owner.
Toys
Please do not send toys to school with your child. The preschool will not be responsible for the loss or damage of any items brought from home. Also, they can
cause conflict when other children want to play with the new toy. A comfort toy is acceptable to help with separation and for nap time. Parents will be notified if there are “show and tell” days. Toy guns, knives, or any other item which could be considered disruptive and/or dangerous are not allowed at school.
Sunscreen
Please bring your child to school with sunscreen applied. Teachers can not apply sunscreen to your child. We will go out every day (if the weather permits) and want the children to be safe from the danger the sun can cause.
Illnesses and Injury
If a child becomes ill while at school, parents will be contacted immediately. If parents cannot be reached we will call emergency contacts. The child will be given a comfortable place to rest until parents or emergency contacts can arrive.
If your child has any of the following symptoms within 24 hours of the school day, please keep him/her home for his/her own protection as well as that of the other children:
*Fever, over 100, for any reason. Your child must be fever free without medication for 24 hours.
*Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea for any reason. Your child must be free from vomiting and/or diarrhea and free of fever for 24 hours.
*Excessive cough
*Any symptoms of diseases such as flu, measles, scarlet fever, strep throat, etc.
* Chicken pox: From the initial onset of chicken pox the child is to be kept from school for seven days and until all sores are dry and scabbed over.
*Inflammation or discharge from eyes (redness, matting, etc.). Your child must be on medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
*Head lice
*Any unexplained rash or skin infection (thrush, hand-foot-mouth disease, fifth disease, etc)
If your child is too ill to play outside, please keep him or her at home.
If your child has been exposed to a communicable disease (hepatitis, meningitis, Shigellosis, Giardiasis, measles, rubella, whooping cough, tuberculosis or any Hemophilus influenza invasive disease), please notify the school immediately.
Parents will be notified as soon as possible of any known cuts, bruises, bites, or injuries that may need evaluation by a physician.
Health and Safety
Any staff member, parent, or visitor must be aware of personal bags or purses that might contain medication or other items that would be hazardous to young children. All purses, bags, diapers bags, backpacks, etc. must not be accessible to any child.
Immunizations
Each child is required by the State Department of Health to have current immunizations. Some immunizations are given in combinations. An official copy of the record is needed before your child will be admitted. The Oklahoma State Board of Health’s recommended immunization schedule for infants and children is as follows:
2 4 6 12-15 4-6
months months months months years
DTaP 1 2 3 4 5
Polio 1 2 3 4
Hib 1 2 3 4
MMR 1 2
Hep B 1 2 3
PCV 1 2 3 4
Hep A 1
Varicella 1
It is the parent’s responsibility to keep all immunizations up to date with written documentation provided to the preschool. If the parent does not provide current immunizations, the child will be dismissed.
Medication
St. Mark Preschool does not recommend that our teachers give any type of medication during school hours. If a doctor insists that medication be given during school hours, the medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the name of the child, doctor, and dosage to be given. The parent needs to complete a Medication Care and Administration permission form for each type of medication. All medicine, whether prescription or over the counter, must be prescribed by a physician. Medication will be stored according to the label. The epi-pen will stay in the room where the child attends for severe allergic reactions. The parents will give written permission to use the pen and instruct the teacher and Director on how to use it if needed. All medicine administered will be immediately documented. If a child has a severe allergy to something, we will ask for an Epi-Pen that will remain in their classroom for the school year. We will also ask for an extra inhaler to be kept at the school if needed. We will not administer nebulizer treatments or any diabetic control without proper training from a parent.
Allergies
All known allergies must be listed on the enrollment form. Teachers should be made aware of any kind of new allergies. Any severe allergic reaction that would require medical intervention should be noted with a plan on what should be done should the need arise.
Head Lice
If your child is found to have head lice, you will be called to pick up your child. You must shampoo your child’s hair with a shampoo formula for head lice and ensure that all nits have been removed before returning to the preschool. It is recommended that children are not allowed to return until all the nits are gone. You will be required to bring in the label or top from the “lice” shampoo as evidence that the treatment has occurred. A repeat shampooing is required one week later. The preschool will notify parents of children in the infected child’s class and the staff members who have worked closely with the child. Our “No Nit” policy is encouraged by the Oklahoma City Health Department.
Chapel
Pastor Mark Erler or Ms. Christine Williams will lead us in Chapel once a week from 9:45 until 10:00. We welcome you to join us anytime. They lead this time of praise and worship, along with a Bible story and short application message. It truly is a “child-centered” time, lasting approximately fifteen minutes.
Programs
The Christmas program is for the 3’s and 4’s rooms and will be held on Dec. 10th at 10:15am. There will also be an end of the year graduation for the 4’s/5’s class on May 12th at 6:30pm.
Inclement Weather Plan/School Closings
St. Mark Lutheran Preschool pretty much follows Edmond Public School Policy in regard to inclement weather and holidays. On occasion we may need to cancel on a particular day that EPS does not. Cancellations for Edmond Schools are announced on all three local television stations and on several radio stations. Snow days will not be refunded.
Fire & Severe Weather
St. Mark is equipped with an electronic fire alarm system. Evacuation plans are posted in each classroom. Fire and severe weather drills as well as intruder and active shooter drills and procedures will be discussed and carried out routinely as required by DHS.
St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool
Emergency Lockdown, Shelter in Place, Disaster or Relocation Plan
In the event of a lockdown emergency, teachers and staff should do the following:
- Teachers will always keep their cell phones in an easily accessible place.
- The church doors will all be secured if they are not already.
- Once the door is secure, move the children into the safest corner of the room, away from the door and out of view as best as possible. Each room’s safe place will be decided by the Director and should be posted in the classroom.
- Once the children are secure, teachers will use their cell phones to call 911 to report an intruder. It is every teacher’s responsibility to make this call. Do not depend on someone else to get a call through. If the lockdown is a result of an external emergency as notified by the police, teachers do not need to call 911.
- Teachers and students will remain in the locked classroom in their safest place until the Director or emergency personnel gives all clear. Do not open the door to anyone other than the Director or emergency personnel.
If the preschool needs to be evacuated for any reason, the children will be walked to the Gold’s Gym. The children will remain there until an all-clear has been established. Reasons for evacuation might include electrical outages in the building, gas leaks, plumbing leaks, etc. Children will remain in the supervision of their teacher until all parents are notified and have arrived to pick up their children.
Fire, tornado, lockdown, shelter in place and intruder drills
Fire and tornado drills may be practiced without notice. Fire drills are held monthly. Tornado drills are held quarterly. Always be aware of evacuation procedures. Responsibilities of Teacher include:
*Instructing your class about fire/tornado drills, exit information, assigned location inside/outside, and appropriate behavior. Evacuation routes are posted in each room.
*Instructing children to leave the classroom single file, quickly and quietly.
*Making sure all your students are accounted for using your class roster.
*Returning to the building or their classroom when the Director calls the “all clear” sign.
*In the event of a tornado or severe weather, all teachers and students will proceed to Classroom 117 (Specials room).
Emergency Numbers
Fire, Police, Ambulance 911
Edmond Police (non-emergency) 359-4420
Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222
Department of Human Services 848-2273
These numbers are posted in the Director’s office and the kitchen.
The drills will be logged on to a DHS fire chart and posted in the Director’s office.
Student Behavior Policy
It is the goal of our program to ensure a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young children. We know that all children are different and strive to meet the individual needs of each child enrolled in our school. We feel strongly that it is a team effort between our staff, and you, as parents, and will keep you informed about your child’s behavior during school hours. If we feel that your child is having difficulty in any area (behavior, keeping up with the daily routine, etc.), we will let you know immediately and make efforts to assist each child. We reserve the right to send children home when we feel they are not acting in a safe or healthy manner and are not trying to change their behavior.
At times it may become necessary to remove a child from our program. Making sure that our school is safe for all children is crucial. Please understand that not all children are ready for group care and each child learns/behaves within their own limitations and experiences. If there is a recurring problem, such as biting or hitting, your child’s teacher will first ask for a conference with you to discuss and find solutions to the problem. If it continues, another conference will be held with you, your child’s teacher and the preschool Director. After a third time, you will be asked to keep your child at home, until such time as the problem is resolved. No credit will be given when this occurs. We reserve the right to expel children from the program any time we feel it is necessary. All parents will be required to sign a “Student Behavior Agreement” before they begin classes.
Child Abuse Notification
Any staff member who has reason to believe that a child has been abused is required to promptly contact the county office of the Department of Human Services or the state-wide toll-free Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-522-3511. Staff members are required to cooperate fully in the investigation of any allegation.
Environment
St. Mark Lutheran Preschool is a tobacco-free environment. The school and church is a tobacco-free environment as required by DHS both in the building and outside. The use of tobacco products including, but not limited to cigarettes, pipes, electronic smoking devices, and smokeless tobacco is prohibited throughout this OKDHS regulated, indoor and outdoor property areas. We always strive to create a loving, nurturing and safe environment. Should any adult act verbally or physically in such a way as to disturb that environment, it shall cause us to refuse service to that family immediately and without notice.
Children With Special Needs
As educators, we recognize that there are developmental concerns that arise during the early childhood years. We believe in educating the whole child; however, our facility and staff may not be equipped to assist all children’s needs. We want the best environment for the children currently attending our school, as well as the least restrictive environment for the child with special needs.
Therefore, it is the policy of St. Mark to make reasonable accommodations for the children with special needs. It is our intent to integrate children with special needs into the program to the extent feasible, given each child’s limitations. Our program may not provide the least restrictive environment if accommodations result in significant difficulty or expense to the program; or if the child’s condition will pose or does pose a significant threat to the learning, health, or safety of other children or staff in the program, and there are no reasonable means of removing the threat.
The Director may request documentation that the child is receiving proper outside services. After consultation with the parents, the child, the teachers involved, and, if necessary, the child’s doctors and/or therapists, the Director will make a case-by-case decision whether St. Mark can meet the needs of the child with special needs. If we are unable to assist your child, we will attempt to direct you to the proper resources.
Solicitation
Solicitation in general has a propensity to lead to or can create an uncomfortable atmosphere for the ministry at St. Mark MDO/Preschool. Additionally, left unchecked, solicitation can result in an awkward and unprofessional relationship. Subsequently, the following guidelines will be strictly enforced.
Parents seeking to engage in solicitation of employees of St. Mark MDO/Preschool will be immediately directed to the MDO/Preschool Director so that this policy may be explained promptly and in a timely manner.
Solicitation of parents of children attending St. Mark Preschool, other teachers employed by St. Mark, St. Mark congregational members, or any other person affiliated either directly or indirectly with St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool for fundraisers is not authorized without prior written consent of the Preschool Board and the Church Council of St. Mark Lutheran Church.
Babysitting
On occasion, parents will ask an employee to baby-sit. If baby-sitting does occur, St. Mark Lutheran Preschool will not become a party to it and therefore will not take responsibility or liability for incidents arising from this situation. As stated above, no employee of St. Mark Lutheran MDO/Preschool will utilize a personal source of income to solicit parents of children attending St. Mark Preschool.
Compliance File
As a parent, you have the right to review the childcare licensing monitoring reports and licensing correspondence from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. A compliance file is in the Director’s office and is available to you at any time.
We thank you for choosing St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool for your family. We look forward to sharing many special moments with you throughout the year. We have an open-door policy and invite you to call or visit any time. Please call your child’s teacher or the Director if there is anything we can do to make this a positive and joyful year for your child and his/her family.