School Calendar | Domains & Elements | Daily Schedule | Unit Topics
Parent Volunteers | Rules and Regulations | High Scope Curriculum
Second Step

1. All parents must sign their child in before the child will be allowed in the classroom. Our staff will receive children from the “car line” beginning at 7:35 a.m. until 7:50 a.m. each morning. Any parent arriving after the staff has returned to the classroom must park their car in an appropriate space, come into the office and obtain a pass from your family partner before taking your child to class. (See #4). It is important that your child arrive on time each day. DO NOT PARK IN THE BUS LANE AT ANY TIME. IF YOU PARK IN THE BUS LANE, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE YOUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY.
    
2. It is the policy of our center not to allow any child to enter or leave the center unless escorted by an adult. When delivering your child to the center, you or the person you authorize should personally deliver your child to his/her teacher. You or the person you authorize should sign your child in and out of the center each day on the sign in/out sheet. You or the person you authorize should have appropriate forms of identification available to provide to the staff when asked. Children will not be released to any persons under the influence of any substance which impairs that person’s ability to drive or care for the child. No child should be left in the center without first making his/her presence known to the center staff. No child should be taken from the center without first notifying the appropriate center staff.
    
3. Children will be released only to persons designated on enrollment forms signed by the parent/guardian. Children will not be released to anyone less than 16 years of age. NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE TO YOUR CHILD’S DESIGNATED RELEASE PERSONS BY PHONE, FAX OR E-MAIL. ALL CHANGES MUST BE MADE IN PERSON. Please keep these updated as to changes at all times. We must have two working emergency contact persons’ phone numbers at all times.
    
4. Due to the fact that breakfast is ordered and transported in from a different location, breakfast counts are called in at the close of the car line. If your child arrives after the car line closes, you will need to feed your child before signing them into the classroom. It will be your responsibility to ensure that your child has eaten before taking them to the classroom or lunchroom. Lunch counts will be called in at 9:00 a.m. and children should not be brought into the center after this time without documentation of a medical or dental appointment. If you wish to provide your child’s meals, discuss this matter with your family partner and please send only nutritious food and drinks, instead of sweet drinks and snacks. We provide nutritious USDA approved meals.
    
5. At school, children should wear washable, comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the weather. We request that you keep an extra change of clothes for your child at the center at all times. The children may get dirty, because they play very hard. Please do not send your child to school in any outfit that you do not want to get dirty. All clothing needs to be labeled with the child’s name. Shoes should be worn at all times. For the safety of the children, your child should not wear cowboy boots, cleats, backless shoes, shoes with high heels or jewelry.
    
6. Children should be dressed appropriately for weather conditions. When the weather is permitting, all children will play outdoors.
    
7. It is important for your child to be in attendance everyday that the child is able. Parents must notify the center staff when the child is absent, give an approximate date of return and reason why the child is absent. Staff is required to contact the parent/guardian upon the third of absence and each third day thereafter, to determine the reason for the absence in order to support and assist in returning the child to regular attendance. Excessive unexcused tardiness or absences will result in withdrawal from the program.
    
8. While at the center, if your child becomes ill with any of the symptoms listed in our Ninth District Opportunity Parent Handbook, your child shall be moved to a quiet place in the center and you shall be contacted and asked to promptly pick up your child. Parents will be notified of any illness, injury or exposure to any communicable diseases, as well as adverse reactions to medicine. Children who have a contagious disease will need a signed statement from a physician indicating they are no longer contagious or have been on medication for at least 24 hours before they will be permitted to return to the center.
    
9. No medication will be administered to any child in the center except prescribed medication from the child’s doctor. The medication must be brought to the office in a pharmacy bottle with the child’s name, doctor’s name, amount to be administered and how often. Medication must be brought to the office, where it will be kept in a locked container. Parent will be responsible for providing the appropriate dispensing equipment (spoon, etc.). The parent/guardian must sign a DRUG CONSENT ADMINISTRATION RECORD provided by the center or the medication cannot be given. Medication will not be released to a minor. If a child exhibits a reaction to the medication, the parent/guardian will be notified immediately to pick up the child and take him/her to the prescribing physician.
    
10. Smoking is not allowed on Head Start/Pre-K property. Our Head Start/Pre-K program is a Tobacco Free Zone.
     
11. All children are encouraged to have a current physical and dental exam. Please provide these as soon as possible through the Cobb County Health Department or your child’s private physician or dentist.
     
12. In accordance with the State of Georgia licensing regulations, all children participating in the program are required to be up-to-date with their immunizations before entering the program and the immunization must be maintained throughout the year. Any child with an expired immunization certificate will not be allowed to remain in the center. No exceptions.
     
13. Parents are encouraged to volunteer at the center and attend parent meetings.
     
14. Except on rare occasions, we do not permit children to bring toys from home. The children may occasionally (at the teacher’s request) be allowed to bring books, tapes, etc. to share with their class, but these need to be labeled with their name. The center cannot be responsible for lost or damaged items. You bring these at your own risk.
     
15. Due to the limited space and safety concerns, book bags are to be brought to the center on Monday and will be returned on Friday. All supplies your child may need will be supplied by the Head Start/Pre-K program.
     
16. No parent or visitor is allowed in the Head Start/Pre-K office unless a staff member is in the office (for confidential purposes).
     
17. Head Start teachers are required to make 2 home visits and 2 conferences each program year. Pre-K teachers are required to hold 2 conferences per year. Family Partners are also required to make a minimum of three family services conferences each program year. These conferences are scheduled at the parent’s convenience.
     
18. All information and records regarding Head Start and Pre-K families will be kept in a locked cabinet at all times to maintain confidentiality.
     
19. It is the policy of Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. not to observe birthday celebrations of any kind at the center. It includes the distribution of party invitations. Please address any questions to the Center Director.
     
20. All children must be picked up from the center by the designated time. Dismissal time is 1:35 p.m. For your child's safety, no children will be dismissed through the office after 1:00 p.m. Please do not arrive before 1:35 p.m. as this is disruptive to the classroom schedule. Repeated late pick up incidences may result in DFACS being contacted or withdrawal from the program. Center personnel are legally required to report suspected incidents of child abuse, neglect, notifiable diseases, death or serious injury, or any occurrence that poses a potential threat to a child’s health and safety to the proper authorities.

If you have any questions regarding or concerning Head Start/Pre-K procedures, please contact your child’s teacher or the Center Director. If further assistance is needed, contact our office at 770-424-1961.

Newsletters are in PDF Format

2010-2011 Application Time

We are continuing to take applications for the 2010-2011 Head Start Program. If you know of anyone who has an eligible 4-year-old child, please have them contact us at
770-424-1961.

Important Dates

Friday, May 7th
RIF Day

MALE INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITY

Friday, May 7th
Read to Me Daddy Activity
& Literacy for Fathers Workshop provided by
Cobb County Public Library

Sunday, May9th
Mother’s Day

Wednesday, May 12th
Transition to Kindergarten Workshop 9:30 a.m.

Monday, May17th
Resource Fair – 1:00 p.m.

Friday, May 21st
Last Day of Classes

  Word from the Staff...

Spring is here! With the mornings still being cool, you might want to dress your children in layers that they can remove as the day warms up. Shoes need to be sturdy and easy for your child to keep on their feet, attached in the back. Please, no flip-flops or “clogs”.
Spring break is the week of April 5-9. The children return to school on Monday, April 12th. Take time to see the local sites, such as the mountains or the zoo.
Thank you for allowing our teachers to visit in your homes. I hope you enjoyed the information they shared regarding the outcomes. We are so proud to say that our center, each classroom and all of the children have made progress in each domain. Share our good news with your friends and help us in recruiting children for next program year.
 

Tip of the Month

It is time to start thinking about summer programs. If you need information for summer programs, you might contact Marietta City Schools at
770-429-3170
or check out their website and
others listed below:
www.acacamps.org/parents
www.kidscamps.com
www.summercamps.com