www.brandywineschools.org

Bush Early Education Center

Parent Handbook2019-2020

Frequently used numbers/contacts:Main Office: (302) 479-2600

Fax: (302) 479-2216Nurse: (302) 479-2207

Transportation: (302) 762-7181

THE FUTURE BEGINS HERE!The “Bear Necessities”

To guide you as you begin your journey at the Bush Early Education Center!

Pre-School Orientation Day: Friday, September 6, 2019*Individual times to be announced

First Student Day: Monday, September 9, 2019

School Hours: A.M. Session 9:15-11:45 P.M. Session 1:15-3:45

Sign-in/out: If arriving after 9:15 or 1:15 or dismissing earlier than regular school hours, please sign your child in or out in the Main Office. A staff member will bring your child to class if someone is available or you will be asked to escort your child to his/her classroom. To ease your child’s transition to school, please make every effort to arrive on time.Early Dismissals: Should occur before 11:00 am or 3:00 pm in order not to conflict with the carpool lane. If visiting: You must sign-in and obtain a visitor’s pass in the Main OfficeShoes: Please no sandals or flip flops. Sturdy and enclosed shoes are best for safe feet.Change of Clothes: Shirts, pants, underwear and socks in a labeled zip-lock bag.

*If your child is potty training, please send in a supply of diapers and wipes.Supply List: See enclosed list. Safety First: Please be mindful of bus rules and carpool procedures. Please park and walk in designated areas. No cars should ever be left unattended in the carpool line.Help: We are here to help you.Absences: If your child is sick, please let us know by calling our office at (302) 479-2600 or by sending your child’s teacher an email.Snack: Snack is a part of our daily schedule. If your child has specific dietary needs or allergies, please see our Nurse.Outside Play: Weather permitting, we will go outside.

*Please make sure your child is dressed properly for the weather.*Please apply sunscreen at home.

Welcome to Bush Early Education CenterIn the Brandywine School District

MISSION-Our mission is to provide all students with the opportunity to grow in all domains: personal-social, emotional, cognitive, motor and language. We believe that family involvement is the key to helping each student develop in each of these areas. Key components of the Bush program include open communication and parent partnerships among staff and families. In the Brandywine School District we strive to inspire and challenge every child every day.

VISION: The instructional team at the Bush Early Education Center is committed to providing our students with the most current and developmentally appropriate methods of instructions. Teachers, therapists, and paraeduators participate in workshops and in-services to continue their knowledge base.

GOALS: To provide free and appropriate educational opportunities for our entire

special needs population. To provide these opportunities in an integrated setting by enrolling

students without special needs from the community. To provide developmentally appropriate activities to all students at the

pre-school level. To facilitate and foster independence of all students; physically, socially

and emotionally by serving as role models for one another. To involve families in the development of their children by providing

opportunities/resources to enhance their working knowledge of growth and individual strengths and needs.

Bush Early Education CenterSupply List2019-2020

Diapers or Pull-ups if neededLarge book bag or back pack-NO wheelsSeasonal change of clothes

(shirt, pants/shorts, socks & underwear)

Parents who would like to contribute items to assist with extra supplies may send in any or all of the following:

Baby Wipes (2)Paper Towels (2)

Tissues (2)Zip-Lock bags:

If your Last name starts with:A-K: Gallon Size L-R: Quart Size

S-Z: Sandwich SizePICK UP AND DROP OFF

If you are picking up or dropping off your child at a time other than arrival or dismissal, you must come to the Main Office to sign your child in or out. Identification will be required for anyone picking up a child. These policies and procedures are important for maintaining all children’s safety.If someone other than you is going to pick up your child that person should be listed on your emergency contact information sheet.Parents who need to pick students up for an early dismissal, please make every effort to pick up by 11:00 am or 3:00 pm to avoid the carpool line and traffic.Carpool for arrival begins at 9:05 for the morning session and 1:05 for the afternoon session. Carpool for dismissal begins at 11:40 for the morning session and 3:40 for the afternoon session.

ATTENDANCEAbsent-When your child is absent due to illness, doctor, dentist or other appointment, a written note should be sent to your child’s teacher on the day your child returns to school. School attendance is recorded daily in the e-School system. If your child will be absent from school and rides the school

bus, please call the Transportation Department at (302) 762-7181 to let them know your child will not be riding.

Tardy– If your child is late to school and/or has a doctor or dentist appointment and will need to be dropped off or picked up at a time other than regular arrival or dismissal, please sign your child in at the main office and your child will be escorted to the classroom by a staff member. This will help to minimize classroom disruptions.

If no staff member is available, you may be asked to walk your child to his/her classroom. To ease your child’s transition to school, please make every effort to arrive on time.

PRESCHOOL DRESSWhile preschool does not have a “uniform” dress-code, children should be dressed to play and move freely. Their outfits should take in account their personal ability to be independent (belts, snaps, zippers, etc.). Outfits also need to be appropriately fitting so that clothes are not overly tight or so loose that they fall as the child walks or runs. Keep in mind learning and play can be messy, so clothes sometimes will get stained.

Shoes should be sturdy, closed toed and well-fitted for everyday wear; sneakers are best. Crocs, sandals and boots can pose a safety risk in the classroom, on the playground and during motor group.

Please send your child to school in weather appropriate clothes. We will go outside most days so appropriate jackets, coats, mittens and hats will be needed in the fall, winter and early spring.

WHO TO CALLMain Office/Tuition/Office Procedures: Karen LoBiondo- (302) 479-2600Principal: Kristina Viar (302) 479-2600 Extension 1301Transportation Questions: Transportation Office (302) 762-7181IEP Meetings: Tamika Collick, Educational Diagnostician (302) 479-2600 Extension 3006

Donna Barrick, Educational Diagnostician (302) 479-2600 Extension 3008 Joan McNamara, Educational Diagnostician (302) 479-2600 Extension 1401OR your child’s classroom teacher-a detailed list will be sent shortly to add to your handbook.

Medical: Martha Sommers, Nurse (302) 479-2207

SNOW DAYS AND WEATHER EMERGENCIESIn the event that school is closed due to inclement weather, announcements will be made in the following ways:On these radio stations:WSTW 93.7 FM WJBR 99.5 FM

WDEL 1150 AM WILM 1450 AM

On the district’s Facebook page

Or on the district’s website: www.brandywineschools.org for the latest updates.

REGROUPBrandywine School District utilizes the “REGROUP” messaging system. Important information is relayed to families via phone about District happenings, school events, school closings and messages from the Superintendent and Principal. In order to provide this valuable material to families, we will need your current cell phone or home phone number. New phone numbers can be added to the system at anytime, so please ensure that the school office has your most up to date contact numbers.

HELPFUL COMMUNITY RESOURCESDid you know that many children here at Bush who have been identified with special needs may qualify for Medical Assistance as a secondary medical insurance? This insurance would help with medical bills, co-pays and even pays for diapers after the age of four. It is not based on family income. You can request an application by calling (302) 577-2174.

Every month we will send home our preschool newsletter, entitled Early Years, as well as the magazine Metro Kids. These resources will provide valuable parenting tips and help families locate programs and local special events that are age appropriate for your child.

OUR SCHOOL NURSEWe are very fortunate to have Martha Sommers as our school nurse. She is available to care for bumps, bruises, or illnesses. Should your child become ill at school, you will receive a phone call from the nurse. Should your child need medication during school hours, you must provide a signed, written request for the nurse to administer the original labeled prescription bottle or container. It is imperative that we have working phone numbers to reach you

during the school day. If you would like to personally speak to the nurse she may be reached at (302) 479-2207. Parents are responsible for picking up a sick child if the nurse determines they need to be sent home.

ALLERGY/ILLNESS If your child is ALLERGIC to any food or other materials, please notify us in writing immediately. A Food Allergy Action Plan form may be obtained from the nurse or faxed by the nurse to your child’s physician for completion.

Martha Sommers, MS,RN,NCSNNurse’s Phone: (302) 479-2207

E-mail: martha.sommers@bsd.k12.de.usHEALTHY EXPECTATIONS

Because our students’ health is extremely important, students are asked to: Dress properly in accordance with weather conditions. After illness, be fever-free 24 hours (without use of fever-reducing medications) prior

to returning to school. Remain home if symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea occur within the last 12 hours. Remain home under proper supervision, when ill. This reduces the risk of infection

within classrooms. Get plenty of rest before you come to school.

EMERGENCY TREATMENT CARDSAn emergency treatment card will be given to all students for parents to complete at the beginning of school and each year, thereafter. For optimal safety and communication, it is important to return this to the nurse as soon as possible. Please alert the nurse to changes in parent cell/home telephone numbers, addresses, or emergency numbers as they occur.

MEDICATIONSState Board of Education policy requires a signed note for the administration of medications; only a school nurse may administer medications during school hours.Medications must be sent in their original container with proper labeling and a signed medication form from the parent (see attached). To ensure student safety we request that an adult deliver medications to the nurse, especially those classified as “controlled”-such as Ritalin or Adderall.

Healthful & Allergy-Sensitive Snack Choices

If your child has special dietary needs or allergies, please contact your child’s classroom teacher and the school nurse. Always check labeling to assure snacks are NOT made in a facility processing peanuts or tree nuts. Please consider the choking hazard that some snacks may pose for certain age groups. Individual allergy needs may involve limitations not included on this list.

Fruits & Vegetables Any fresh fruit, including oranges, apples, bananas, grapes, pears,

plums, tangerines that has been thoroughly washed Applesauce Cups Fruit Cups (diced pears, peaches, mandarin oranges, pineapple, etc.) Any pre-packaged fresh vegetables (i.e. baby carrots) and low fat dips

(please consider the child’s age when choosing raw vegetables which may pose a choking hazard)

Juices100% Fruit or Vegetable juices

Cheese/DairyYogurt in individual cups, can or tubes (Breyers, Dannon Yoplait, Silk, Stoneyfield and Penn Maid—please read labels for other varieties not mentioned)Pudding individual cups, cans or tubes (Handi Snacks Pudding)String Cheese or other individually packaged chesses (1 oz.)Frozen yogurt barsGo-Gurt, Drinkables

Crackers/Cookies/Snack Items Mootown Snacks-Cheeze & Pretzels, Cheeze & Crackers, Cheeze &

Sticks Honey Maid Graham crackers or sticks (honey, cinnamon or chocolate

flavor) Hostess Donettes or chocolate cupcakes Ritz crackers (original flavor or wheat), dinosaurs or sticks (EXCEPT Ritz

Bits) Oreos Nilla Wafers

Nabisco Brand Ginger Snaps Kellogg’s Brand Vienna Fingers Kellogg’s Rice Krispy Treats Ivan’s spiced wafers Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies Pepperidge Farm chocolate or coconut cake Cheese Nips, Cheese-its or Better Cheddars Barnum’s Animal Crackers

Wheatables (wheat or honey flavors) Club Crackers Town House crackers Saltines and Oyster crackers (any) Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers (any EXCEPT Sandwich Snackers) Dunk-a-Roose Sun Chips-Original, Sour Cream, Cheddar, Classic Flavored Frito Lay Fritos

Cheetos-Crunchy, Zigzag, Puffs Rold Gold Pretzels (EXCEPT Pretzel Waves) Stacy Pita chips and bagel chips New York bagel chips Doritos Herr’s, Wow, Utz, Lays, Pringles and Munchos brand potato chips (you

can check store brands as well) Kraft Mac-n-Cheese crackers Pretzels-check labels to be sure Wheat Thins-Original or Ranch Handi-Snacks-Cheez ‘N Crackers, Apple Dippers, Cheez ‘N Pretzels Handi-Snakcs Teddy Grahams-honey or chocolate Newtons-fig, cobblers, raspberry or apple Teddy Grahams-cinnamon, chocolaty chip, chocolate or honey Triscuts

Cereal Bars Pop Tarts

Kellogg’s Nutri-grain bars Special K bars

Other

Small bagels (Lenders and Thomas brand) with cream cheese (no nut types)

Most tortilla chips and salsa. (Tostitos brand, Herr’s, Wise. Check store brand labels to make sure there are not peanut products.)

Frozen treats such as 100% fruit/juice pops Jell-O snacks (individual cups) Handi Snacks with cheese and red sticks