PEEP Family Handbook

A printable version of the handbook is attached. Click to open the preschool program handbook, or continue reading below.

The KPS Prekindergarten Early Education Program provides quality early childhood education for four-year-old children before they attend kindergarten.

PHILOSOPHY
The goal of the prekindergarten early education program is to provide children the experiences, skills and knowledge which result in a strong foundation for school success. Students are actively engaged in learning through a variety of classroom activities. Instructional staff support each child’s growth and development as individuals and as members of a group.

CURRICULUM
Learning experiences in our prekindergarten classrooms are both intentional and child-initiated. Our research-based instructional strategies build on children’s strengths, interests and growth areas. We respect the uniqueness of every child. Our Opening the World of Learning (OWL) curriculum emphasizes early literacy skills and language development. We focus on oral language, alphabet knowledge, concepts of print and phonological awareness. We also cover math, science, social studies, creative arts, physical and social emotional development. We adapt activities for each student.

ADMISSION CRITERIA AND FEES
Enrolled children must :
-Be four years of age on or before December 1.
-Live in the Kalamazoo Public Schools attendance area.
-Meet criteria establish by the Michigan Department of Education
-Have an application on file.
There is no fee for program participation.

WITHDRAWAL
Please call your child’s school or the Early Childhood Office if you can no longer participate.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE
All prekindergarten children must show proof of birth. We prefer a legal birth certificate (you will need it for kindergarten) but can accept a hospital record or other document.

CONTACT INFORMATION
We must have your correct address, phone number and emergency information. We need the names and phone numbers of two local people in case we can’t reach you during an emergency. Please call your teacher or the PEEP office with any changes.

SCHEDULE
The preschool program meets either mornings or afternoons, five days a week. The program runs from the middle of September until the end of May. School hours vary depending on the magnet or regular school schedule. Your teacher will give you a copy of the classroom daily schedule. Classroom newsletters list holidays and no school dates. Preschool students generally follow the Kalamazoo Public Schools’ academic calendar with some exceptions. There is no PEEP when elementary school students attend half days.

ATTENDANCE
We expect children to attend school each day. Please call or send a written note when a student is absent. Students may be excluded due to short-term or contagious illness that endangers others.

MEALS
Children receive a daily breakfast or lunch. Be sure to submit a Free and Reduced School Meals Application. Families who do not qualify for meal assistance pay the cost of their child’s meals. You must complete Kalamazoo Public Schools’ forms if your child has special dietary needs or allergies. Ask the teacher for a copy or follow this link to the Food Services page and print the form from there.

TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is provided as a service for prekindergarten families living more than a mile from school. We use a keychain/button system to keep children safe and meet regulations. Your child’s teacher gives you these keychains/buttons.
• The child has a RED button/keychain on their coat or backpack.
• The parent or person meeting the child has a YELLOW key chain or button. KPS personnel are not permitted to release a prekindergarten student to anyone who does not have a YELLOW keychain or button. Other safety guidelines include:
• Parents/guardians help their child board/depart the bus safely.
• Families arrange for another responsible person with a yellow keychain or button to meet the bus if they are not available.
• Adults meet the bus promptly. Bus drivers have strict schedules. They cannot wait at a stop for a child at pick-up or adult at drop-off.
If your child is the only student at his/her bus stop, you must call Transportation at 337-0500 when the child is absent. Transportation for PEEP is a privilege and not required for preschool students. Ongoing concerns or an unavailable adult at drop-off will result in suspension of bus services. Families would then be responsible for student transportation to and from school. Please see the following procedures.

MEETING CHILDREN AT THE BUS STOP
The law requires that each student is met by the parent or other responsible person designated by the parent. When no one is present, drivers return children to school as other staff members phone you or your other contacts. Someone must pick up returned children at school.
Miss #1: You receive a First Warning Notice by mail
Miss #2: You receive a Second Warning Notice and a phone call. We jointly brainstorm strategies to resolve issues and challenges.
Miss #3: You receive a Third Warning Notice and a phone call. The student loses bus privileges for 10 days.
Bus privileges will be suspended indefinitely or stopped if additional misses occur. When students are met late on a regular basis, we may contact Protective Services. Bus stop changes: During the first two weeks of PEEP, there are no bus stop changes as routes are being established. Thereafter, talk with your PEEP teacher if you are requesting a bus stop change and share why you are requesting the change. Your teacher will contact you once a change has been processed. Please allow at least three business days.

HEALTH CARE PLAN
The PEEP Health Care Plan assures that staff practices and the physical environment support children’s safety and well-being. The primary focus is the prevention of disease/injury and management of potential health issues. Each classroom has a complete Health Care Plan. The Plan outlines the purpose, rationale, guidelines and procedures for each area below:
1. Child and staff hand washing
2. Handling children’s bodily fluids
3. Cleaning and sanitizing of all equipment, toys and other surfaces
4. Controlling Infection
Health resources related to this plan include but are not limited to
the following individuals and/or organizations:
• Kalamazoo Public Schools School Nurse serving grades PK-5
• Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services
• The American Academy of Pediatrics
• The American Red Cross

PEST MANAGEMENT
Normal pest management happens on Friday evening after students are gone. Your school gives you written advance notice if it becomes necessary to spray
during the week. Schools also provide written information about target pests, pesticides, application dates and a toll free number for a national pesticide
information center.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Licensing regulations require a record of each child’s physical
examination within 30 days of attendance. A licensed physician or their designee must sign the evaluation. Participation in the program may be suspended if the teacher does not receive the physical form.

IMMUNIZATIONS
State law* prohibits schools from admitting children unless we’ve received a record of required immunizations. We gave you these requirements in the acceptance letter. Children may not attend unless we have this record. After four months of attendance, parents must submit records of completion for additional immunization requirements.
*Part 92, Act 368 of the Public Act of 1978, as amended.

KEEP/SEND CHILDREN HOME (Health Reasons)

• Fever Nausea/vomiting
• Chills
• Headaches Runny nose with green or yellow mucus
• Skin eruption (not identified)
• Sore throat
• Unusual flushing of theskin
• Beginning of an illness

DISCIPLINE
We believe an important part of the prekindergarten experience is learning school rules and behavior. We use positive methods of discipline at all times.
We encourage children to make good choices. Teachers support children’s use of problem-solving skills when resolving conflicts. Teachers invite families to develop a cooperative plan of assistance if a child has difficulty with school behavior.

GRIEVANCE PROCESS
We do our best to offer a quality early childhood program. Please talk with your child’s teacher first if you have concerns so we can address issues quickly. Your next step is talking with the building principal. You may also call the coordinator at any time. We want to hear from you, so we can improve.

STRATEGIC PLAN EXPECTATIONS

The KPS expectations provide guidance for all involved in children’s growth, including parents, KPS staff, community, and the children themselves. These expectations are a road map to move children through childhood to college success. We are removing the mystery away from whether a student is preparing for college success or not. Stay on the expectations road map, and you are on the right path. Stray, and you are not.
Children’s performance will follow our expectations wherever we place them. Put our expectations on the ceiling, and children will rise to the challenge. Put them on the ground, and children won’t disappoint; their performance will hover at ground level.
More than 250 KPS community members crafted these expectations. It is humbling to think of all the talented and hardworking people who gave of their time and energy to put together these expectations, both social and cognitive/academic.
Use the expectations as a reference document. Few of us have read a dictionary, thesaurus, or encyclopedia cover to cover, but most of us have used one or more of them as a reference. The PEEP Family Handbook only includes the parent and student expectations due to limited space. You may find the others elsewhere on this website.

FAMILY PARTICIPATION

We believe that families are children’s first and most important teachers. Active family participation in learning helps children do well in school. Families have many ways to be involved, including:
• Advisory Council member
• Classroom volunteer
• Parent meetings and family events
• Home literacy activities and calendars
• Home visits and parent-teacher conferences
Please visit your child’s classroom often. You may call the
classroom teacher, principal or coordinator with questions.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS: Physical Well-Being

Birth to 1 year

Ensure that children are not left alone.
Obtain and update immunizations; regular dental, vision and physical exams.
Have your child ride in a car seat when in private vehicles.
Store dangerous items (for example, cleaners, bleach or poisons) out of child’s reach.
Provide healthy snacks (for example, fruit, vegetables, cheese, or yogurt) instead of sugary/salty snacks.
Allow time for physical activity, including outside.
1 - 2 years
Read safety labels and instructions on toys before giving them to your child.
Ensure your child has proper clothing for the weather.
2 - 3 years
Teach your child how to put on shirts and pants.
Show your child how to use tissue when coughing, sneezing, or wiping nose/face.
Provide child care/pre-school with correct parental and emergency contact information. Update as needed.
3 - 4 years
Teach your child how to zip, button, and snap clothing.
Meet your child at the bus stop.
4 - 5 years
Teach your child how to tie his/ her shoes.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS Social Cognitive

Birth to 1 year
Set routines for meals and bedtimes.
Hold infants frequently; smile and talk to them.
Begin reading daily to children.
Have a variety of quality  children’s books in your home.
1 - 2 years
Set consistent boundaries for your child’s behavior.
Use kind and nurturing words when talking with your child. Avoid threats or swearing.
Demonstrate use and enjoyment of reading (model reading).
Give one-, two- and three-step directions.
2 - 3 years
Have clear rules for your child’s behavior. Use age-appropriate consequences such as “Sit in thinking chair for two minutes.”
Begin teaching your child the use of “Please” and “Thank you.”
Talk with child instead of telling him/her what to do.
Label and use the correct names of objects in the home.
3 - 4 years
Begin teaching your child the use of “Excuse me.”
Attend reading events at the library and school.
Give child pencils, crayons, markers and paper so he/she can draw and write stories.
4 - 5 years
Give your child one small household job.
Play games that encourage children to take turns and share.
Show your child how to respect themselves and others.
Count the number of books read with child each week.
Help your child recognize and write the letters in his/her name.
[BOLD] = Continue this expectation forward.}

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: Social Cognitive

Birth to 1 year
Uses sounds and body
movements to communicate (babbles, coos, repeats sounds like “ma-ma, da-da”)
Explores common objects like pots and pans, stuffed toys
Looks for items dropped from a table or tray (toy, food etc.)
Responds to name/ familiar voices
1 - 2 years
Stops action when adults say child's name or “no”
Acts cautiously around unfamiliar adults
Can demonstrate the difference between same and different
Interacts with others while forming formal communication
2 - 3 years
Willing to share and take turns
Begins to use “Please,”“Thank you,” and “Excuse me”
Matches and sorts objects by shape and color
Sits as an adult reads a story
Begins to speak in sentences
3 - 4 years
Respects peers; recognizes authority/family structure
Plays make-believe with dolls, toys, props and people
Follows 2-3 step directions
4 - 5 years
Expresses emotions (happy, sad, angry, etc.) while being respectful of the environment
Can tell someone his/her first and last name, phone
number and address.
Can count to ten and names some numerals
Re-tells a favorite story
Writes first name
Correctly names eight colors
Follows multi-step directions
 

KPS developed these materials and provides services with funding from the Michigan Department of Education.