The
Parent
Handbook
2009
– 2010
Parisa LoBianco
– owner
(925) 314-1706
e-mail:
info@starlightschool.com
fax:
(925) 838-9231
Dear
Parents,
Welcome
to Starlight School. This is a handbook
for reference, which will answer some of the questions you may have. It will be revised as needed. Starlight School
is a center-based preschool that provides care and instruction using Montessori
methods. The school serves children aged
18 months to first grade entry. The
preschool program serves children 2 years and nine months to 6. The toddler program is for children 18 - 36
months. The school is open Monday
through Friday from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Its
license number is 73403298. Parisa LoBianco, the owner, is a member of the American Montessori
Society.
Starlight
School is committed to providing a nurturing environment and quality care. We offer materials and activities, which
promote academic, emotional, and social growth according to the capacity of
each individual child. The qualities of
grace, courtesy, and respect are modeled and encouraged. Character development is a primary goal at Starlight
School. We believe that the child who
displays virtues such as self-confidence, empathy, independence, and compassion
is able to take on academic and social challenges with relative ease. Starlight School is also committed to
fostering the understanding of world cultures.
PHILOSOPHY
Montessori
schools begin with a deep respect for children as unique individuals. They work from a deep concern for their
social and emotional development. They
consciously teach children to be kind and peaceful. The staff at Starlight School is Montessori
trained and committed to the well being of all the children. Montessori schools are warm and supportive
communities of students, teachers, and parents.
Montessori classes bring children together in multi-age groups. Normally, the classes span three age levels,
allowing the children to stay with their teachers for three years. This allows teachers to develop close and
long-term relationship with their pupils so that they will come to know each
child’s learning style very well and encourage a strong sense of community
among the children. Students are
involved in managing their own community and develop uncanny leadership skills
and independence. Montessori philosophy
assumes that children are born intelligent, they simply learn in different ways
and progress at their own pace. The
Montessori approach to education is consciously designed to recognize and
address different learning styles. Dr.
Montessori’s research led her to conclude that intelligence is not rare among
human beings. It manifests itself in the
natural spontaneous curiosity of the young child from birth. Montessori observed that when children grow
up in an environment that is intellectually and artistically alive, warm, and
encouraging, they would spontaneously ask questions, investigate, create, and
explore new ideas.
SCHEDULE
Preschool Program
Children
arrive at 9 am (or 12:30 for the afternoon class). Circle time begins as we sing a greeting
song, which includes each child’s name.
A time for sharing is also included here. Teachers use this first circle time to
present new materials, reinforce appropriate behavior, and discuss topics at
that time. At approximately 9:40 am (or
1:30 pm) the work period begins.
Children are free to explore all areas of the environment and make their
own choices for activities (works). The
areas available are Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Culture, Music,
Science and Art. The work period
ends at 11:10 (or 2:55) at which time the children play outside in the enclosed
playground from 11:15 am to 11:30 am (or 3:00 pm to 3:15 pm) with
supervision. Closing circle begins at
11:30 am (or 3:10 pm). This is a time
for stories, songs, or dramatic play until children are dismissed at 11:45 am
(or 3:30 pm)
Toddler Program
Daily
Schedule:
9:00 -
9:15 12:30 - 12:45 Greeting Circle
9:15 - 10:30 12:45 - 1:45 Work Period
10:30
- 10:45 1:45 -
2:00 Snack
10:45
- 11:15 2:00 -
2:15 Outside
Play
11:15
- 11:30 2:15 -
2:30 Closing
Circle
SNACKS
Preschool Snacks
We
are a nut free and low sugar school.
Families are assigned days to provide fresh fruit and vegetables, enough
for 25 children.
Toddler Snacks
A
calendar is provided for parents to sign up for snack days.
Please
bring enough fruits/vegetables for 11 children.
ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENTS
There
will be an interview process between Starlight School and parents before a
child can be admitted.
Enrollment
in the preschool program is open to children aged 2.9 to 6 who are fully
toilet-trained and physically and emotionally able to function in the school
environment. Enrollment in the toddler
program is open to children aged 18 to 36 months. Parents are required to sign their child in
and out of school using their full name.
The Montessori preschool program can be a 2 or 3-year commitment. Consideration will be given to age and gender
in balancing the class. Admissions are
based on availability of space and determination of staff that a child will
benefit from the environment. Starlight School
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national and
ethnic origin in its admissions or other program policies. Prior to applying for admission to Starlight School,
the parents are asked to observe the classroom while it is in session. In order to reduce disruption to the class
during observations and make a visit more productive, we ask that you come by
yourself.
RE-ENROLLMENTS
In
order to reserve a place for the following year, current parents are asked to
submit a completed application and a $100 non-refundable registration fee by
February 1. Returning children will be
given priority for enrollment, followed by siblings of currently enrolled
children. On February 1, enrollment will
be open to the public to fill any remaining openings.
ORIENTATION
The
first few days of school operate as a phase-in period for the children to help
them in the transition to school. For
many, it will be a very new feeling having had no previous preschool
experience.
The
first day, parents accompany their child and visit for only 15 to 20 minutes,
meeting the teachers, seeing the classroom, and trying out the materials. The following days the child comes by
himself. Sometimes separations are
difficult, but it is best if the child comes alone. Parents are always welcome at Starlight School,
but it is best if parents wait outside of the child’s view. All children enter the school on a
probationary basis. The health and
safety of all children and staff members requires the withdrawal of any child
whose behavior is determined to endanger himself,
other children, or staff members. A
child may also be dismissed if it is found that the program is not meeting the
child’s needs.
WITHDRAWAL
If
either the parents or Starlight School determines that the placement of the
child in this program is not in the best interest of the child or the school, a
conference will be scheduled to discuss appropriate action. If it is decided that the child should be
removed from the school, the registration fee and tuition will be
forfeited. If for any reason, you decide
to withdraw your child from Starlight School a thirty days notice is
required. Parents will be responsible
for tuition fees for the next thirty days following their intent to withdraw
their child.
TUITION/FEES/PAYMENT
Starlight
School tuition is an annual fee in 10 equal payments plus a $100 registration
fee. The first and last month’s tuition
payments are due on the September first.
The other eight payments are due on the first day of each month, October
through May. Equal tuition is charged for all 10 months even though some months have
more scheduled holidays. Full tuition is
due for each month even if children are away for vacation, sickness, or
holidays not observed by Starlight School.
The $100 registration fee is due upon enrollment. Parents will be given at least a 30-day
advance notice of tuition increase. The
school is committed to creating a close collaboration between it and the
parents. The following are required
forms that need to be completed upon enrolling your child:
Tuition
contract and $100 registration fee
Notice
of Parents’ Rights
Personal
Rights
Health
History
Identification
and Emergency Information
Consent
for Medical Treatment
Immunization
Record
Physician’s
Report
HOLIDAYS
Starlight
School follows the same holiday schedule as the local school district. The school observes the following
holidays: Labor Day, Veteran’s Day,
Thanksgiving Vacation, Winter Vacation, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.
Day, Presidents’ Day, Spring Vacation, and Memorial Day.
RELEASES
For
your child’s security, parents are responsible for notifying the school if
someone other than the parents or individual listed on the emergency form is
going to take the child from school.
Children will not be released to anyone unless a phone call or note is
given to the school. This person should
be recognizable to the child. Starlight School
will check an unknown person’s photo I.D. to verify the person’s identity.
BIRTHDAYS
Preschool and Toddlers
At Starlight
School, a candle is lit to represent the sun, and the child carries the globe
around the sun to represent the passage of each year. Children are invited to bring in pictures,
one from each year of life, beginning at birth.
The teacher tells the story of the child’s life during each year, and
the children sing.
CLOTHING/SHOES/SUPPLIES
Preschool
Children
are encouraged to wear comfortable, practical clothes, which allow for free
movement and which are suitable for art projects. Fasteners, zippers, and buttons should be
easily manageable for the child. Belts
are difficult for children who wait until the last minute to get to the
bathroom. Overalls can be difficult unless
they practice. Please label all jackets
and/or sweatshirts. Children must come
to school in non-skid, closed-toe shoes, which are safe and comfortable for
play. No cowboy boots,
please.
Toddlers
Please
send a full change of clothing with your child enclosed in a clear Ziploc bag
and labeled with the child’s name, a supply of diapers (5 is enough) in a clear
Ziploc bag and labeled with the child‘s name, and an unopened container of
wipes to be used by the classroom as a whole.
Desitin and sunscreen are provided by Starlight
School.
Please
bring a picture of your child to be used on the cubby or folder, and a family
picture to be placed on our Family Tree.
DISCIPLINE
The
staff at Starlight School relies greatly on the natural and logical consequences
relating to behavior, consistency in reinforcing the playground and classroom
rules, and constructive redirection to maintain discipline within the
school. We believe that children find
security and direction when there is consistent adult guidance and
discipline. Children explore, observe,
feel, interact, and learn through the process of being involved with people and
things in their world. All behaviors are
learned. Teachers, in their role of
caring for children, model and teach appropriate behavior. Children need to know what we expect from
them before they can follow the natural order of the classroom. No corporal punishment will be used at Starlight
School.
We,
therefore, expect teachers to use constructive and preventative methods of
discipline and to maintain an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and order. This atmosphere is one in which children
respect themselves, their peers, and their teachers. The teachers plan ahead for possible areas of
conflict. A teacher will redirect a
child by distracting the child’s attention away from the disruptive behavior
and directing the child to some other activity, which is acceptable. The teacher will make sure that the child
understands what will happen if he or she persists in the unacceptable behavior. This will be done using words that the child
can understand with the teacher sitting or kneeling at the child’s level. The outcome must be appropriate to the
behavior being corrected. Our goal is to
work in partnership with parents to create an environment in which the child’s
self-esteem and skills for expression and conflict resolution are
enhanced. No time outs will be given,
but the child might be asked to hold the teacher’s hand and stroll through the
classroom in order to calm the child.
When the child has calmed and is ready to go back to work, the teacher
will help the child find something constructive to do.
DISMISSALS
All
children enter on a probationary basis.
The health and safety of all children and staff members requires the
withdrawal of any child whose behavior is determined to endanger himself, other children, or staff members. A child may also be dismissed if it is found
that the child’s needs are not being met with the program provided. Starlight School reserves the right to
dismiss any child whose tuition payments are delinquent for more than thirty
days.
DISASTERS
We
will hold regular fire drills so that your child will know exactly what to do
and how to respond in an emergency situation.
FIELD TRIPS
Preschool Field Trips
From
time to time, we may take small excursions or field trips. Parent permission in writing is required, and
we may ask you to help drive. Also,
across the courtyard from us in the Gathering Hall of the Church, Valley Oak
Respite program meets three times a week.
They often ask our school to bring the children over to sing a few songs
for them a couple of times a year. This
is a wonderful service the children can provide to a small section of our
community.
Toddler Field Trips
You
will be notified in advance if the toddler classroom is involved in a school
field trip (examples may be the Danville Public Library and a trip to a local
pumpkin patch). Toddler aged children
must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on all excursions and/or
field trips.
HEALTH
All
children entering the programs at Starlight School must have valid proof of the
required immunizations before they will be allowed to attend.
ALLERGIES
It
is important to list all allergies on the emergency or medical consent
forms. Advise the school immediately of
any new information to be added to the forms.
Children experiencing severe allergy reactions, which inhibit their
ability to comfortably cope within the school setting, are asked to remain at
home.
ILLNESSES
Children
with fever, sore throat, active colds, vomiting, diarrhea, or undiagnosed skin
rashes should be kept at home. If your
child has a communicable or highly contagious disease (chicken pox, pinkeye,
head lice, or impetigo), please notify the school immediately. If your child becomes ill at school, we will
request that you, or your designated emergency contact, take your child from
school. A child must stay home for 24
hours after a fever breaks. Please do
not send medication with your child. No
medication will be administered at Starlight School. In situations of emergency or injury, staff
will administer first aide as necessary or will call 911 as necessary.
One
of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness is by frequent hand
washing and the proper use and disposal of used tissues. Children are expected to wash their hands
when soiled, before eating, after blowing their noses, and after using the
toilet. Pre school aged children are
expected to know how to use the toilet and how to wipe themselves. Reinforcement of these life skills at home
and school will help the child gain independence.
Positive
routines are important at bedtime to insure a restful night with adequate hours
of sleep for young children. Children
who stay up late and rise early for an active day will be fatigued at school
and will not get the most out of their environment.
INSPECTION OF FACILITY
Parents
are allowed to visit the facility without advanced notice at any time during
the normal hours of operation. However,
when the parent’s behavior poses a threat to the health and safety of the
children, the entrance is denied.
Respectful behavior is expected by everyone.
The
Department of Licensing shall have the authority to interview clients,
including children or staff, and to inspect and audit client or facility
records without prior consent. The
Department of Licensing shall have the authority to observe the physical
condition of the client, including conditions which indicate abuse, neglect, or
inappropriate placement, and to have a licensed medical professional /physician
examine the client.
The
state of California requires that several health forms and medical releases be
on file with the school for each child.
Therefore, all forms that are issued upon acceptance of your child at
the school must be returned to the school by the first day of your child’s
attendance.
CONFERENCES
There
will be a parent meeting in the fall to acquaint parents with other parents,
the teachers, and the school. Informal
conferences will be held with parents when necessary. A formal parent conference is usually
scheduled in January. We will do our
best to bring up questions or concerns as soon as we have them, and to make
sure you are informed at all times of your child’s progress.
BACKGROUND
Parisa LoBianco received her B.A. from
Cal-State Hayward in 1984, a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State in
1985, and a Montessori certificate for teaching children ages 3 to 6. She is a member of the American Montessori
Society as well as the International Montessori Foundation.
From
1996 to 1998 Parisa was employed as a Montessori preschool teacher at Garden School
in Danville. She worked as a child-care
provider for children ages 6 months to 10 years in her home. Previous to that, she was an elementary
school teacher for grades 1 through 4 in the Dublin, Manteca, and Pacifica
school districts. She was employed as a
preschool teacher at Serendipity Learning Center in 1981. She worked as a behavior specialist at Spectrum
Center in 1984. She has been a teacher
of 6 and 7 year olds at a Baha’i Sunday school for 6 years, has served on its
Board of Directors for 4 years and is currently co-director of the school. She has three daughters. Parisa is a member of the Baha’i Faith, which
recognizes the oneness of God, of religions, and humanity. She has traveled and lived in many countries
including Iran, many parts of Africa, South America, and Europe.
No medication will be administered at Starlight School. In situations of emergency or injury, staff
will administer first aide as necessary or call 911 as necessary.
There will be an interview process between the
School and parents before child will be admitted.
Starlight School Tuition Rates and Hours
September 2009 - June 2010
Preschool Program - Ages 2.9
to 6
Part-time Full-time
Days
per week 9-12 9am -
3:30
12:30-3:30
3 $450 $420 $580
4 $495 $465 $695
5 $615 $585 $780
Toddler Program - Ages 18
months - 3
Part-time
Days
per week 9-11:30
MWF $490
TTH $440
TWTh
Emergency
Drop-in rate is $20 for part-time and $40 for full-time. Hourly rate is $7 per hour. (Not available for the toddler program)
A
10% discount will be taken off the second child’s tuition for families who
enroll 2 children.
Registration
fee: $100 non-refundable
Lunch
Bunch Program: Child brings a lunch and
stays until 12:30 for an extra $5. (Not available for the toddler program)
Late
tuition: $5 per day after the 5th
of the month
Late
pick-up fee: $10, 10 minutes after
pick-up time