Birch Grove

Absences	It is best to keep your child home when he or she is not feeling well.  A child that is not feeling well will not feel comfortable in school and will not benefit from the activities.  Students must be fever, vomit & diarrhea free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school. Please call the school  at 870-6750 when your child is absent.  If your child takes bus transportation to school please call the bus company at 875-6378 to let the driver know.
Allergies	Modifications are made for all children with allergies. Please let us know BEFORE the first day of school about any allergies, including food allergies, medications, or environmental allergies.  PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE ARE A PEANUT, TREENUT, WHOLE EGG, SESAME & STRAWBERRY FREE CLASSROOM DON'T FORGET TO READ ALL LABELS INCLUDING "MADE IN A FACTORY THAT PROCESSES …..."
Arrival	Morning Class:  between 8:30-8:55 Afternoon Class: between 12:30 - 12:40  Main entrance doors will be locked between 8:50 - 3:15 p.m.
Behavior	We encourage responsible behaviors at all times.  Effective classroom discipline is guidance that helps the children to learn self-control and cooperation.  We use redirection, encouragement, environmental control, choices, consistency, reflective listening, I-messages, problem solving, structure, and time-out from positive reinforcement for effective discipline methods in the classroom.  We teach independence and problem solving strategies through out the school year.
Birthdays:	Birthdays are important to the children at Birch Grove School. However, we would like to recognize your child's special day without including food. We make birthdays very special days in our classrooms by making a birthday crown to wear, singing birthday songs, and playing special games.
Communication	Parents and teachers communicate via classroom newsletter, parent phone calls and e-mails.  We are also available to schedule parent conferences as necessary.
Delayed Openings Early Closings	If we have a delayed opening of school, the morning class will be canceled.  The afternoon class will have regular hours. If there is an early closing, the afternoon class will be canceled.  Please check the school web site, a local TV station, or a local radio station for school delays and closings.
Pick-Up	Morning Class:  11:30 pick-up. Afternoon Class: 3:10 pick-up. If you are late, please call your child's teacher. Your child may have to wait for you in the Birch Grove School Office. When leaving the school, please monitor parking lot safety carefully & hold your child's hand.
Parent Conferences:	Parent-Teacher conferences for children are held in late fall for all students.  We also have conferences in March for those students who require one. Parents can request a conference at any time.
Parent Education	Please visit the Family Resource Center for more information.
Parent Visits	Parents are welcome to visit our program on any day.   It is best to call to arrange a time because visitors are limited to one set of parents at a time.  Please make sure you have filled out the proper volunteer paperwork through  the board of education office.
School Bus  Information	Children with special needs are eligible for transportation by bus or van. Appropriate car seats are used.  Peer Model students are transported by their parents.
School Calendar	We will follow the district  school calendar.
Snack	Please send in a healthy snack and drink with your child daily.  PLEASE REMEMBER NO PEANUTS, TREENUTS, SESAME, WHOLE EGGS OR STRAWBERRIES.

  Curriculum

     Our overall curriculum is a theme-based approach. The curriculum is also driven by the individual objectives of the children placed in our class.  Our themes last appropriately two weeks each but can extend longer due to class interests and needs. The following is a guide to our theme planning.  New themes are often introduced as the individual classes express interest.  We use the Connecticut Early Learning Standards to guide our instruction and assessments. 

Classroom Information

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Preschool children with special needs should:

• Be identified early with appropriate measures
• Be seen as capable and competent of positive developmental outcomes
• Receive their programming in the least restrictive environment possible
• Be educated in an environment which includes a significant number of typical children
• Be taught from a rich, diverse and multi-sensory curriculum
• Be exposed to multiple early literacy events that build the foundations for later reading and writing success.  Early literacy events consist of parents and teachers talking to and with children about everyday experiences.  They also include singing and reading to and with children.
• Be taught at their appropriate stage of development.  At the preschool level, children learn best through active exploration of their environment through child-initiated and teacher-selected activities.  The curriculum should foster social, emotional, communicative, cognitive, adaptive, and physical growth for every child.

• To provide an environment where each child is motivated to master new skills commensurate with his / her abilities and potential.
• To provide ample opportunities for social interaction and communication among all children while fostering respect for individual differences.
• To prepare children for future school experiences in terms of learning classroom routine, good work habits, and attending and listening skills.
• To expand knowledge and language through active exploration and play with developmentally appropriate materials and activities.
• To include parents as partners in the educational process through nightly homework assignments, daily newsletters, classroom visits, home visits, parent conferences, field trips and classroom activities.
• To serve as a resource for other settings that our children spend their day in.  This includes daycare and nursery school settings.
• To comply with all state and federal special education regulations.