What About the School?
We will do our part. Every staff member at Garrison is committed to helping your child reach his/her highest potential. We know each child is unique and not every child comes to school with the same experiences, backgrounds, or potential. However, every child can learn and we maintain high expectations.
The preschool at Garrison is either a Title I or ECSE program, which means they are funded by the federal government. A multiple criteria is used to determine the children who qualify for the program. The criteria are: a score below the 45%ile, an observation by the examiner, a parent questionnaire, and/or other information.
Preschool is designed to be a positive introduction to school. Children attend two to four days a week for 2 hours and 45 minutes each session. They are involved in a wide range of hands-on activities while in preschool. Activities are planned to meet each child’s individual needs. The time in preschool is divided into different segments. Our day is divided into: a center time, small group time, snack time, outside time, and large group time.
The activities in preschool center around the developmental learning skills of the children. These involve basic concepts such as:
- Personal development in building confidence, pride and attitude
- Social interaction, working in groups, and the concept of sharing
- Language development
- Listening
- Story telling
- Development of large motor skills
- Development of fine motor skills
- Color recognition
- Shape recognition
- Number recognition
- Seasonal changes and events
- Learning sequences
- Writing first name (4 year olds)
Four methods are used in evaluating the progress of the children at Garrison. The first method is a pre and post test using the DIAL-3. Students are given the DIAL-3 in the spring of the previous year and Title I students are given the DIAL-3 again in the spring during the school year. Educators will also write quarterly observations of the children while they are participating in the various activities. A checklist is used in the fall and then in the spring. Parent visits will also take place throughout the school year.
We encourage parents to keep the lines of communication open between home and school. If you have any questions about anything, do not hesitate to ask. The classroom teacher will be sending home NEWS letters periodically. These letters are intended to inform the parents about what has been happening in their child’s classroom and upcoming events. You are more than welcome to visit the classroom to see the various activities we are doing.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
The morning sessions begin at 8:15 and end at 11:00. The afternoon sessions begin at 12:00 and end at 2:45. If your child does not ride the bus, please bring your child to the classroom. Children are not allowed to go home with anyone other than their legal guardians unless we are notified. Please send a note or call the school if your child is to go home with someone else. This is for your child’s protection. We also request that you do not drop your child off before 8:00 for the morning sessions or before 11:55 for the afternoon sessions. A teacher may not be available to supervise before those times.
SCHOOL CANCELLATION
Garrison School follows the Chillicothe R-II school district calendar. If school is cancelled due to weather or an emergency situation, it will be announced on the local radio station, KCHI. If school is cancelled on a Friday, home visits would also be canceled. In early spring, Title I preschool will be cancelled two different weeks in order to hold Preschool Screening and Kindergarten Round-Up. Early Childhood Special Education will be canceled one week for Preschool Screening.
SCHOOL ATTIRE
Please dress your child in comfortable clothing. The children will participate in movement activities and many art activities, such as painting. Pay close attention to the weather, and dress your child accordingly.
We play outside if weather permits, so make sure to send a coat as needed.
LEARNING PACKETS/TAKE HOME BAGS
Learning packets/take home bags for the 4 year old preschoolers will be checked out in the same manner as the books. They contain games and/or activities that pertain to certain concepts. They are designed to encourage interaction between the parent and the child. Please let us know if there is a piece missing or if one gets torn so that we can take care of it.
BUSES
Preschool children are not eligible to ride the bus, unless they have an Individualized Education Plan
(IEP).
PARENTAL CONTACTS
Home visits are held throughout the year. These are not meant to be a threat to you or your family. They are developed to help the parents, child and teacher to get to know each other and allow the parents to discuss their child with the teacher.
During the home visits the teacher and aide will come into the home. They will bring a variety of activities to play with the child.
BOOK CHECKOUT
We are fortunate to have a wide range of books in our classroom. Children will be given the opportunity to check out books from the classroom and take them home. The books aid in the language development and cognitive development of your child. We encourage parents to read the books to their child. Don’t be surprised if you end up reading the book several times. We know it can become “boring” for you, but during these re-readings, the child is learning about language, sequencing and reading.
When a child returns the book, they will be allowed to check out a new one. If a book gets lost or torn, then the parents are responsible for paying for the book at replacement cost.
PARTIES
Three holiday parties will be observed: Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Parents are encouraged to sign up to help.
BREAKFAST AND SNACKS
Breakfast is provided to morning children at the same cost as the other schools in our district. A snack is provided daily.
REQUIREMENTS
Children attending Preschool must meet the following requirements:
- Current immunizations
- Copy of official birth certificate
- Social security number
DISCIPLINE
We believe that all children need to learn to become self-disciplined individuals. This process does take time. Children learn self-control when adults treat them with dignity, and use discipline techniques such as guiding, valuing mistakes as learning opportunities, redirecting, listening when children talk about their feelings, and remind children of rules.
HEALTH
To insure the health of all students, children will be sent home if:
- They run a temperature 99.6 or higher
- They have or suspected of having a contagious illness
- They have vomited or have diarrhea
- They received an injury requiring more attention than can be offered at school
Students with head lice will be sent home with directions for treatment. The student will have to be brought to school by a parent and checked before cleared for school.
Students should also be free of illness or temperature for 24 hours before returning to school. School personnel are not permitted to give out medication.
HELPFUL TIPS
Here are some suggestions that will help get the year off to a good start for you and your child.
A. Prepare your child to take care of personal needs. He/she should know:
- how to use the bathroom and wash his/her hands
- discuss the importance of not going with strangers
B. Practice good health habits:
- make sure he/she gets plenty of sleep
- see that your child eats good healthy foods (watch snack foods)
- consider a good physical examination before school begins
- keep a check on your child's vision and hearing
C. Prepare yourself as well:
- keep the school informed about changes in your routine, changes in address or changes in where to call in emergencies
- know the names of the teachers and those who will be working with your child
- watch for notes from the teacher and principal by checking the backpack every day your child attends school
- participate whenever you can in school activities
CURRENT STAFF
Superintendent - Mr. Dale Wallace
Assistant Superintendent - Mr. David May
Administrator/Even Start Director - Karen Dixon
Special Education Director - Pam Fetter
Title I Preschool Teacher
- Becky Lewis
Early Intervention Teachers - Jane Schmitz & Kim Griffin
Speech Therapist - Terri Figg
PAT Educators - Tammy Prewitt, Jill Gibson, Jenny Snyder
Title I Preschool Aide - Debbie Cassity
Early Intervention Aides - Marlene Paulus & Donna Ewing
GED - Pam Dedrick
Nurse - Chantel Hayes
Librarian - Betty Sue Radcliff
