Parent Handbook

Although attendance is not required in a preschool program, we believe that if a preschool placement was determined to be the best placement for the child, the child will benefit most when attendance is regular.

If/When your child is absent, please call both the transportation and classroom numbers prior to the start of class and indicate the reason for the absence.

If the school is not notified of your child’s absence, we are required to call you each time she / he is absent. This is in compliance with The Missing Child Act and is used to assure your child’s safety. Please help us by calling in when your child is going to be absent.

School hours are important! It is highly recommended that all children with IEPs regularly ride their assigned bus. However, if you are transporting your child to and from preschool, please be on time and follow the Five-Minute Guideline; in other words, bring your child within five minutes of the class start time and pick up within five minutes of the class ending time. This is crucial for the effective classroom management and courtesy to the other students in the program. Please discuss with your child’s teacher any concerns you may have regarding times. Please call if your child will be absent or late.

It is the practice of Pickerington Preschool to help maximize the growth and development of children through a variety of methods that emphasize positive behavior management approaches. Children are encouraged, but never forced, to join all activities, including eating snacks and trying new foods.

Correcting behavior is guidance involving the whole learning environment. Every child is respected. Each class encourages good behavior through praise and various incentive programs. We also realize that children need limits set to develop self-discipline and socially acceptable behaviors. There are set limits which the child will learn in the preschool room. The limits will also protect the child and the group.

Children are limited when they:

• Infringe on the rights of others
• Are endangering themselves or others
• Are misusing materials or equipment.

Our behavior correction methods include:

• Supporting their feelings & helping them verbalize the issue
• Redirection
• Natural consequences
• Physically stopping them when necessary
• Separation or “time-out” for repeated infringement

When these methods have been consistently used and the child is still in need of behavior management, a team that includes the teacher, parent, school psychologist and other persons deemed appropriate may meet to develop a behavior plan.

All staff are trained in CPI, a Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Program, which focuses on ways to avoid the necessity to restrain students. It teaches the use of safe physical intervention as an emergency intervention to respond to an individual posing an imminent danger to self or others, and that physical interventions are a last resort. If your child needs to be restrained at any time, you will be contacted.

Preschool staff members in charge of a child or group of children shall be responsible for their discipline. According to Preschool Rule 3301-37-10, discipline shall be restricted. There shall be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishments such as, but not limited to, punching, pinching, shaking, spanking, or biting.

A Communicable Disease Chart is posted at each site. Necessary staff members have completed the six-hour training with a three-hour refresher course every three years in Communicable Disease Recognition given by a licensed physician or registered nurse. All staff members have been provided hand washing and disinfecting procedures as well as recognition of communicable disease or illness. All staff members will have a physical every five years.

The following precautions shall be taken for children suspected of having a communicable disease:

1. The teacher / school nurse shall immediately notify the parent or guardian of the child’s condition when a child has been observed with signs or symptoms of illness.
2. A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness will be considered as carrying a communicable disease and shall be immediately isolated to the office or private area of the classroom, within sight or hearing of an adult, made comfortable, and observed for worsening symptoms until discharged to his/her parents or guardian:

• • diarrhea (more than one abnormally loose stool in a twenty-four hour period)
  • severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to 
make a whooping sound
  • greenish discharge from nose
  • difficult or rapid breathing
  • yellowish eyes or skin
  • conjunctivitis
  • stiff neck
  • a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit taken by the axillary method when in combination with any other sign of illness
  • untreated infected skin patch or patches
  • unusually dark urine and/or gray or white stool
  • physical problems that can be regarded as contagious to others in a group situation
  • evidence of lice/nits, scabies, or other parasitic Infestations, including ring
worm, bed bugs, etc.

If any of the previously mentioned signs or symptoms are observed at home, please do not send your child to preschool. If your child has had a fever, she/he should be fever-free without medication for at least twenty-four hours before returning to school. If your child has shown symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea in the past twenty-four hours, please keep your child home. If your child has been given antibiotics for an infection, they need to be on medication for twenty-four hours prior to returning to school. Notification will be sent home for communicable diseases that have been identified in your child’s classroom. All children deserve a safe and healthy environment to learn.

If your child receives services in the home, please contact your therapist/teacher to cancel his/her visit if your child is not well or others in the home are sick.

While at preschool, your child will have many
 opportunities for play and new experiences. Please dress 
your child comfortably in clothes that suit the weather. 
Select shoes that are sturdy for the outdoors. Shoes must be 
enclosed, with a back heel and not a strap for the heel. Sandals, flip-flops, crocs, and slippers are not permitted, except for designated theme days. Students may be asked to “sit out” some activities, as a result. Please send a complete change of clothing for your child (including socks) in a plastic bag for accidents. If your child uses diapers, please send in a sufficient amount of diapers. Be sure to label everything with your child’s name, including coats, hats, gloves, boots, etc. Every effort is made to have outdoor play, whenever possible. Make sure that your child has appropriate clothing for the weather. Donations of spare clothing sizes 3 to 6, particularly pants and underwear, would be greatly appreciated.

Children with Disabilities

Children are identified based on the Operating Standards for Ohio Educational Agencies serving Children with Disabilities. To qualify as a child with special needs, each child must have a multi-factored evaluation. This evaluation includes four parts:

1. An interview with a person who knows about the child, including developmental, family, medical, and educational history
2. Observations of the child on two different occasions
3. Standardized norm-referenced testing that compares children of similar age
4. Criterion-referenced testing that assesses skills mastered by the child

A child is eligible for special services if he/she is 3 to 5 years of age and has a documented delay in one or more areas of development, according to Rule 3301-51-01, OAC:

1. Autism (ASD or AUT)
2. Intellectual Disability (ID)
3. Deaf-Blindness
4. Deafness
5. Emotional Disturbance (ED)
6. Hearing Impairment (HI)
7. Multiple Disabilities (MD)
8. Orthopedic Impairment (OI)
9. Other Health Impairment(OHI)
10. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
11. Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)
12. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
13. Visual Impairment (VI)
14. Developmental Delay (DD)

All children who have been identified with a disability will have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP will address specific goals for each child in his/her areas of delay, along with placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and services for which the child is eligible. The IEP will be updated on an annual basis or more often as requested by parents/guardians or staff members.

Typically Developing Peers or PEER MODELS

Peer models:

• Must be 3 years of age
• Potty trained
• Have their own transportation

Preference for peer models is given to children who:

• Demonstrate good language skills, positive behavior, and other age-appropriate skills
• Interact with other children and with adults in a sharing and cooperative manner.
• Are not considered at-risk

1. Each student must have on file an Emergency Medical Authorization Form and a Medical Statement signed by a physician. This information must be updated as soon as any change occurs. Should an emergency arise, current phone numbers, etc. are critical.
2. Parents/guardians are responsible for informing the school of the child’s medical problems, such as allergies to bee stings, foods, etc. Please inform your child’s teacher of any medical problems.
3. All emergencies or major accidents shall be called to the attention of the person in charge. As needed, said person will call 911 and notify the parents.

The Early Learning Development Standards, developed by the Ohio Department of Education, serve as our guide to meeting our goals. Developmentally appropriate activities and hands-on experiences are implemented throughout each session. Daily activities are flexible within a routine. Activities to go along with weekly themes are presented through: art, music, stories, language, outside play, large and small groups, active and quiet activities, gross and fine motor activities. 

• To help each child recognize that he or she is a unique individual
• To provide opportunities for interaction with peers to develop social skills and relationships
• To provide a variety of materials and activities, with time to explore; inviting play
• To provide developmentally appropriate activities based on the special interest of the child
• To provide music, art, and drama experiences that will allow the child to express creativity
• To help children develop responsibility and self-help skills.
• To assist children in learning to share, to cooperate, and to socialize.

• To enter preschool, all children must have an adequate immunization certificate on file, including the following:
  
  • four doses of DPT vaccine (Diphtheria, Whooping Cough or Pertussis, and Tetanus)
    
  • three doses of polio vaccine
    
  • one dose of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Rubella-German Measles)
    
  • one dose of Hib vaccine
    
  • three doses of Hep B vaccine
• A physical examination within thirty days of admission and yearly thereafter is mandatory to attend the preschool program.
• The Health Department will help with physicals and immunizations on a sliding fee scale if you do not have a family physician.

Play is your child’s way of learning. Through play, your child takes the lead. She/He chooses a material or activity, explores it based on what she/he already knows, experiments with new possibilities, and experiences the feeling of success over new learning. Play is powerful.

Play allows a child to explore, be free, discover things and people in his/her environment, make decisions/be in control/use judgement.

Play allows a child to try things/take risks, repeat, concentrate, plan, and practice.

Play helps a child build relationships with others (children and adults).

Play helps a child to learn concepts/academics, learn about the world, learn about life/imitate adult roles, learn new interests.

Play helps a child to use up energy, grow in size, control, dexterity, maturity, and strength, and develop in all areas.

Play allows the child to imagine, create, and fantasize.

Play helps a child to work through feelings, learn empathy for others, and experience emotions.

Play helps a child to understand language, communicate through actions, and communicate verbally.

Play helps a child to develop a positive self-concept and have a diversion from the routine.

Important Forms

You will be asked to complete these forms and return them.  You will either receive these from your child’s teacher at the school they will be attending or, if you are viewing our handbook online, there are separate downloads – one for the handbook only and one for the forms.

What Your Child Needs to Begin Preschool

⊗ Preschool Cumulative Record:  Please use this form to update any numbers, addresses or emergency contacts that have changed. It is critical that we have working numbers to reach you or a contact in case of an emergency or illness. If you have changes to the form you filled out at the beginning of the year, you just need to fill out any area that has changed and check the box and date the bottom of the form.

• Emergency Medical Authorization/Permission to Transport
• Preschool Health Record/Immunization Form:  This form needs to be filled out upon enrollment (within thirty days) and renewed annually. If your child is going to the doctor for a physical examination, take this form with you.
• Receipt for Parent/Guardian Handbook
• Permission for Field Trips, Film and tape, and Roster Form
• Free/Reduced Lunch Form (if applicable – available from elementary office)
• Authorization for the Administration of Medication Form (if needed)
• Over-the-Counter Ointment Permission:  This form needs to be filled out in order to apply any ointment/cream to the diaper area. This form needs to be updated every 3 months.
• Dental Form
• Volunteer Form (if applicable)

You will also be receiving the following information:

• Important Information (List of Preschool Staff)
• Calendar/Hours
• Pick Up and Drop Off
• Tuition Schedule (if applicable – Peer Models)

If you have any questions or concerns, please ask.

About Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Pickerington Schools use the Infinite Campus parent portal to communicate information.

The Parent Portal also gives parents the ability to update phone numbers and email addresses, which are used by our notification service to contact parents in case of an emergency.

Once your enrollment appointment is complete, you will receive an email with important information necessary to properly establish your parent portal account.

Activating your parent portal account and keeping your contact information up-to-date will ensure that you receive important communications in case of an emergency.

When your account has been activated, log into the parent portal.

If you have problems setting up your account, please submit an online help request.

Payment Portal

Parents may pay the tuition online by activating a Parent Portal Account.

In order to give children in a preschool program broad experiences and the opportunity to make choices about their activities, several centers should be a part of their preschool experiences. Within each of the areas, many materials can be changed but the basic structure is retained. In this way, the child’s need for security and confidence can be balanced against the possibility of boredom through too little that is new and stimulating.

Literacy & Writing Area

The literacy and writing area is not only the source of good books, but can also be a quiet place for a child who wants to be alone for a while or for a small group. Materials are available here to allow children the chance to read, write and create their own stories. Technology can be used to enjoy a story.

Math & Science Area

The math and science area encourages thinking skill development, problem solving skills and following directions, including opportunities to interact with puzzles and games to introduce the concepts of sequencing, seriation, observation, and classification. Materials from various ecosystems are available for children to explore and discuss.

Dramatic Play Area

The dramatic play area provides many opportunities for imaginative play and “trying-on” the lives of the people who are most important in the child’s life. This also provides the opportunity to become a community helper or to use their imagination to transform into an important person they have observed. Children work on developing the concept of time and travel as well as developing organizational skills.

Block Area

The block area provides for activities in all areas of the curriculum. Children learn to work together, to experiment with size and shape, to plan to solve problems, to use large and small muscles, to develop patterns and to utilize imagination and language. Variety can be provided in this area with the addition of animal and people figures as well as models of different forms of transportation.

Sensory Table Area

The sensory table area allows the child the opportunity to involve math reasoning, small group interaction, small and large muscle manipulation along with their own creativity to produce a successful process to reach their desired outcome. At the sensory table, children experiment with sinking and floating objects and their properties. They compare measurements of volume, and the process of pouring develops eye to hand coordination.

Art Center

The art center includes a variety of art materials. Children have access to various art materials to create their own artistic treasure. Crayons, markers, and collage are available daily. Children have play dough and clay, which they use to create unique objects. Children experiment with colors and discover their own creative potential.

Computer Center

The computer center includes a computer, educational games and related software. A wide variety of developmentally appropriate software is available, and the center will be set up each day. Children are allowed to explore the programs on their own or with a staff member at this center.

It is very important for the parent and the educational team to work together to ensure that the needs of every child are being met. Your participation in activities and meetings is encouraged, and your comments are always welcome. Please feel free to stop by and observe your child’s classroom.

There may occasionally be evening programs to provide information or to meet other parents in the program. We invite you to join us during these sessions.

We encourage all parents to volunteer in our programs. Occasionally, it is difficult for a child to understand how to behave if his/her parent and teacher are in the same room.  If you wish to volunteer and your child has difficulty with this, we will make arrangements for you to spend time in another classroom or with special projects. If you have a special talent that you would like to share, please inform your child’s teacher. Volunteer forms are available in the school office.

Parents are advised to direct questions concerning the program or child to the teacher or director. Parents are to report to the office before going to the classroom.

• Please check your child’s book bag daily. Your child’s teacher will use notes or a notebook to communicate with you often.
• In case of an emergency, make sure you or an alternate person is always available while your child is attending school. We always need to know your current phone number and address. If you are unavailable while your child is at school, make sure someone else is available and let them know they could be contacted. You may provide a note in your child’s book bag.
• When helping your child dress for school, please choose sturdy shoes for active play and clothes that are comfortable and that can be washed frequently.
• Please communicate any information or concerns you have.
Events and changes in the environment may affect young children. They may not be able to express their feelings or relay significant information, but it may show in other ways (for example, behavioral problems, health issues, etc.). To help your child deal with changes, staff members will keep you informed of the happenings at school. Likewise, please keep your child’s teacher informed of any events, such as:
  
  • Illness or hospitalization of family members
  • Pregnancies or births
  • Deaths of family members or close friends
  • Changes in family structure within the home
  • Plans for moving
  • Extra stimulation, such as visitors or celebrations
  • Any changes in medication
  • Any other changes that may affect your child

Please keep us informed of any concerns or questions that you may have. We strive to work together to serve your child in the best way possible. Communication between parents and staff members is integral to helping your child achieve the best preschool experience possible.

Program Philosophy

The first five years of a child’s life set the foundation for and influence future success in school and in life. Parents are the child’s first and most significant teachers. It is vital that parents and educators work in partnership.

Pickerington Preschool, staffed by qualified personnel, strives to provide a comprehensive and holistic preschool experience designed to enhance the child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive and linguistic growth, which is crucial to enhancing school success and overall development. This is achieved through a team approach including parents, teachers, therapists and others.

We believe that all children, with special needs or typically developing, should be educated based on individual needs. A child with a disability is always a child first. Children are more alike than they are different. Therefore, the same good learning principles apply to all preschoolers.

A basic ingredient to educational success is a positive self-image, which is developed to a great degree during this preschool period. Multi-cultural, non-biased experiences, age appropriate consideration of individuality, appropriate equipment, activities, and materials are provided for children to develop their self-esteem and to encourage a celebration of diversity. Individual needs are met so that children are safe and secure.

Our intriguing, child-centered environment offers opportunities for both indoor and outdoor exploration and quiet and active play. Self-selected or teacher-selected activities may occur in individuals, small or large groups. Group interactions enhance development through naturally occurring experiences that are concrete, real and relevant to the child’s life. Children learn as they investigate, manipulate and experiment with materials through play. This environment provides for intellectual stimulation, social and language development, and physical development. Above all, experiences are fun, thought-provoking and open-ended.

Acquisition of skills and concepts takes place according to each individual child’s timetable for growth. Teachers guide, expand, encourage and stimulate the growth process of each individual child. Concepts are introduced, extended and reinforced throughout the child’s early childhood experience in ways that enhance individual growth and promote self-esteem. 

Supply List:

• book bag – large enough to hold an 8.5 by 11 inch notebook
• one-inch hardcover three-ring binder
• tissues
• full set of clothes with socks and underwear
• diapers and wipes, if needed
• hand sanitizers
• dry erase markers
• stickers (boy/girl)

Our preschool programs serve children with special needs and typically- developing children. Typically-developing children are considered an integral component of the program to provide role models for instructional and social interactions. Children of all abilities are motivated by their peers to try new things. All children work, play and learn together.

The program offers a range of services for children with disabilities, including itinerant service, a home service for medically fragile students, and center-based services. Related services may include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, transportation, vision, and orientation-mobility may also be provided to identify children based on the students’ needs.

The program operates according to the Ohio Department of Education standards; federal mandates for the education of the disabled; and state licensure rules and regulations. Child-staff ratios are one teacher and one assistant for eight children with disabilities and up to eight typically-developing peer model children. Preschool teachers hold a license for the Early Education of the Disabled issued by the Ohio Department of Education; assistants hold an aide’s permit also issued by the Department of Education. Programs are inspected annually by the Ohio Department of Education. Licenses and inspection reports are posted in each classroom.

The Ohio Department of Education Ombudsman can be contacted with any concerns or complaints at 877-OHIOEDU.

Evaluation and assessment reports will rely upon observation by the teacher. Conferences and/or home visits will be held during scheduled elementary parent/teacher conference days. Conferences can also be scheduled by appointment on a Friday, or by mutual agreement between parent and teacher. A minimum of two conferences will be scheduled for each child throughout the year. Individual progress reports will be sent home at the end of each nine-week grading period.

All personal records and permission forms listed at the end of this handbook need to be turned in before your child can begin preschool. These forms need to be provided by the parent/legal guardian.

If any information provided on these forms changes, please inform your child’s teacher immediately. It is critical that we have working phone numbers in case of an emergency. Please inform your child’s classroom teacher when any contact information changes or is no longer working. We need at least two telephone numbers at all times where either a parent/guardian or an emergency contact can be reached.

It is necessary to maintain personal information on the child and the family. Information in the records is available to appropriate school personnel, and accessible to the child’s parents or legal guardians, in accordance with school district policy and the Ohio Revised Code. All preschool programs will maintain the following records on each child:

1. Personal Data – name, address, sex, date and place of birth (copy of birth certificate)
2. Admission and withdrawal dates
3. General family/child data
4. Emergency/medical information
5. Immunization records
6. Attendance
7. Request for directory (roster) information for circulation to preschool participants
8. Progress reports
9. Yearly physical examination

1. No child will be left unattended/unsupervised at any time.
2. Safety drills are conducted monthly throughout the year, which include fire, tornado, and lockdown school safety. All procedures are posted in each room and reviewed with each child.
3. All preschool staff members are required by Ohio Law to report any real or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, including physical abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, or educational neglect. If a child comes to school with bruises, etc., that were not there the day before, the parent should send a note explaining this. Staff members are not allowed to make a determination if they suspect that any abuse has occurred. They are required to make a report to Children’s Services, who will investigate.
4. Any injured child shall be observed and/or given appropriate treatment. The teachers will file an incident report to be given to the parents and copied to the school file. In the event of a serious accident or injury, the parents or guardians will be contacted as soon as possible.
5. The classroom teacher needs written instructions from a licensed physician or licensed dentist before any medication is dispensed or a procedure performed.
6. All medications sent to the school will be kept in a locked storage cabinet.
7. According to the Missing Child Act, staff members are required to call the home if a child is absent and no call-in has been given by the parent. Please call school before class if your child is absent from school that day.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Pickerington Schools use the Infinite Campus parent portal to communicate information.

The Parent Portal also gives parents the ability to update phone numbers and email addresses, which are used by our notification service to contact parents in case of an emergency.

Once your enrollment appointment is complete, you will receive an email with important information necessary to properly establish your parent portal account.

Activating your parent portal account and keeping your contact information up-to-date will ensure that you receive important communications in case of an emergency.

When your account has been activated, log into the parent portal.

If you have problems setting up your account, please submit an online help request.

School Closing & Delay Information

Check School Websites online.

Listen to WLOH 1320 AM, WHOK 95.5 FM, or WSNY 94.7 FM on the radio or watch WCMH -TV, WBNS-TV or WTVN-TV for announcements concerning weather related closings or other unusual circumstances. 

2 Hour Delay: AM Start Time: 10:00AM ;  PM Start Time: 1:00 PM

Occasionally, school is dismissed early due to weather conditions or other building emergencies. Please have listed on the transportation forms someone who can be reached should this occur. 

A snack will be served each day in all classes. Parents are asked to provide a nutritional snack to be shared with the class on a rotating basis. Please see healthy snack ideas listed below.

Healthy Snack Ideas for Parents

Snack is an important time at preschool! Not only do we learn how to nourish our bodies with healthy foods, we also learn many social skills, such as sharing, serving and cleaning up. In addition, children requesting items to eat and visiting with peers build upon communication skills. Small motor skills are also developed, like pouring, dipping, and using silverware. Since our families at preschool provide snacks, we felt it was important to share with you a list of healthy items that make excellent snacks for preschool students. Please feel free to keep the list handy as you make your selections!

Fruits & Vegetables:

apples, grapes, berries, oranges, peaches, broccoli, pears, applesauce, canned fruit, pineapple, carrots, celery, plums, cherries, raisins, watermelon, bananas, kiwi

Grains:

animal crackers, popcorn, bagels, muffins, pretzels, dry cereal, trail mix, goldfish, graham crackers, granola bars, crackers

Protein Foods:

cottage cheese, pudding, peanut butter, hardboiled eggs, cheese sticks, cheese cubes

Preschool personnel may administer special diets and/or medications to a child only after the parent or guardian and physician have completed the proper forms pertaining to the administration of oral medications.

We encourage parents to give their child any needed medication at home. However, if it is absolutely necessary to give medication during the school day, the following guidelines will be followed:

1. The medication information form will be completed including the student’s name, address, name of medication, storage requirements, dosage, time, duration of medication, reason for medication, possible side effects, physician’s name, physician’s address, physician’s phone number, parent or guardian’s signature, and the physician’s signature.
2. Medications must be in their original container and have an affixed label, including the student’s name, name of medication, dosage, route of administration, and time of administration.
3. All medication is stored in a locked cabinet or in the clinic.
4. Individual medication records will be maintained and monitored by classroom personnel or the school nurse.

Please keep your teacher informed of all the medication that your child is taking. Medication and changes in medication can greatly affect a child and his/her behavior. Please let your child’s teacher know of any side effects of the medication (your pharmacy can provide a print-out of the medication that includes side effects and possible food reactions).

Bus Safety and Information

1. Please help the drivers stay on schedule by having your child ready when the bus arrives. If no one is in sight, or if your child isn’t ready, the bus cannot wait, nor can it come back. You will need to transport your child to school that day.
2. After school, when the child is returned home, an adult should be there at least one half hour before the regular drop-off time. Time schedules may vary on the preschool routes. An adult must get the child off the bus.
3. If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the Transportation Department at 614-837-8525. Please call before 6:30 a.m. for the morning classes and before 10:30 a.m. for the afternoon classes. When your child is able to return to school, you must call the Transportation Department to begin bus service again.
4. If you move or your arrangements change permanently, please provide at least one week’s notice to make route changes. If you undergo temporary changes, you will need to provide your own transportation during that time.
5. Help your child be safe outside the bus when waiting to get on. Do not go near the bus until it comes to a complete stop. When getting off, watch the bus driver for instructions.
6. To prevent choking emergencies, make sure your child is completely finished eating before getting on the bus. Food and drinks are not allowed on the bus.
7. Be sure your child’s book bag contains only items for school and that she/he will not get into it on the bus.
8. Do not give verbal messages to the bus driver to pass on to the teachers. Any message for the teachers should be put in writing and sent in your child’s book bag.
9. Please talk with your child about good bus manners:

• • Stay in your seat.
  • Be nice to others on the bus.
  • Use a quiet voice on the bus.
  • Listen to what the driver tells you.
  • Be completely quiet at railroad crossings to help the driver listen for trains.

NOTE WELL: If your child rides the bus, please call the Transportation Department to stop transportation. Call again when your child is well and returning to school. This second call starts transportation again.

Tuition is free for children with special needs.

All children who are typically developing peer models will be charged tuition to attend preschool.

Fees

Tuition is $10.00 per day for a half-day program based upon the number of school days on the school calendar. Students attend for ten months, August through May, but tuition will be collected over a 9-month period to ensure all accounts are settled before the end of the school year.

How to Pay

Tuition is to be paid on a monthly basis and is due on the fifth of the month. A fee schedule is provided. Any tuition that is sixty days past due may result in termination. Unpaid tuition will remain on your child’s school record until the balance is paid in full, regardless of the time of exit from the program. Tuition questions should be directed to Amy McNeal at (614) 834-2621.

Checks or money orders are to be made payable to “PLSD” and mailed to Treasurer’s Office Pickerington Schools, 90 North East Street, Pickerington, Ohio 43147.

Important: We appreciate your prompt tuition payments.

• If payment is not received by the due date, a reminder notice will be sent to you.
• Unless payment arrangements have been made, your child will be removed from the 
program after two missed tuition payments (sixty days).
• A two-week notice is required before withdrawal.

After submitting two bad checks, only money orders will be accepted. The charge for a returned check is $20.00 and must be paid with the following month's tuition.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Parents may pay the tuition online by activating a Parent Portal Account.

The Pickerington Schools use the Infinite Campus parent portal to communicate information.

The parent portal also gives parents the ability to update phone numbers and email addresses, which are used by our notification service to contact parents in case of an emergency.

Once your enrollment appointment is complete, you will receive an email with important information necessary to properly establish your parent portal account.

Activating your parent portal account and keeping your contact information up-to-date will ensure that you receive important communications in case of an emergency.

When your account has been activated, log into the parent portal. If you have problems setting up your account, please submit an online help request.

Typically Developed Peers or PEER MODELS

Peer models:

• Must be 3 years of age
• Potty trained
• Have their own transportation

Preference for peer models is given to children who:

• Demonstrate good language skills, positive behavior, and other age-appropriate skills
• Interact with other children and with adults in a sharing and cooperative manner.
• Are not considered at-risk

Typical Peer Conduct

Children who are accepted into preschool as a typical peer are integrated with the children who are identified with a disability, which is a delay in their development. The typical peer serves as a good role model for children identified with a disability, and this is also done to serve more children in our community.

Occasionally, a typical peer may display difficulty controlling disruptive or aggressive behavior. When this happens, the following steps will be taken:

1. When the behavior of a typical peer becomes disruptive or aggressive, the teacher will document these behaviors and meet with the child’s parent or parents to discuss what is occurring in school.
2. Together, the teacher, parent or parents, and other appropriate school personnel will develop a positive behavior plan to address the targeted problem. All will work together, in a team approach, to help the student gain control of the identified behavior or behaviors. The team will set a reasonable time-table to meet or conference on the phone to discuss the child’s progress.
3. If the child does not respond to the behavior plan, and the behaviors are deemed to be severe enough, the teacher may suggest the child have an evaluation to determine if the child would qualify as a preschooler with a disability (see eligibility section for more information).
4. If the parent does not participate in these steps to address the problem behaviors, the preschool reserves the right to dismiss the student from the preschool class for the remainder of the school year.