Operational Details

1. Days & Hours of Operation

The school operates from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. each day, five days per week. There will be an extra charge for children staying 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.

Preschool hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. each day, five days per week. Breakfast is served between 8:00-8:45 A.M. Classroom activities begin at 8:45 A.M.

Kindergarten classroom hours are 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. each day, 5 days per week. Based on classroom schedule, breakfast is served between 9:00-10:00 A.M. To avoid disturbance in the classrooms, starting in October, children arriving after 8:30 A.M. will be directed to the office. Later, at an appropriate time, they will be escorted to their classrooms.

The concept of time is an important aspect of children's growth and development. Therefore, it is important that children arrive to school on time each day.

2. Uniforms / Other Clothing and Preschool Necessities

All students are required to wear their school uniforms daily, beginning with the first day of school. St. Mary's Richard Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten uniforms are unisex and consist of the class T-Shirt and jeans or any navy/black (dark color) pants or shorts. A navy colored cardigan worn over the T-Shirt on the cold days completes the uniforms. For their own safety, children should wear sturdy and closed toe shoes. Sandals are not recommended. For information regarding uniform orders, please refer to Registration Information in the child's enrollment packet. Uniforms must be clean and tidy.

Each child should bring his/her own bedding, an extra pair of underwear and clothing. Please label all his/her belongings and bring them to school in a sturdy plastic zippered bag. The school will not take responsibility for any lost clothing or item.

Children's bedding will be returned to parents at the end of each week to be washed. The bedding should be returned to school on the first school day of the following week.

3. Toys and Accessories

Children may not bring any toys from home to school. On sharing days, children may bring books to school to share with their friends. However, please note that these items are subject to being damaged or lost. No guns or weapon toys of any kind are permitted in the School. Other than sharing toys, children are not allowed to bring items from home. The School will not assume responsibility for lost or broken items. Jewelry, knives, war toys, nail polish, lipsticks, money (paper & coin), vitamins, pills and other items deemed dangerous by school administration are prohibited and may not be possessed by students in School.

4. Transition

Starting a new school can be a difficult experience for parents and young children. We encourage parents and children to visit the School before and after enrollment.

To ensure a smooth transition from home to school, parents are encouraged to visit the School with their child during Summer School and to participate in designated activities.

Also, to make the transition from Preschool to Kindergarten and from Kindergarten to first grade smoother, at the end of each school year, preschoolers visit the kindergarten classes and kindergarten students visit first grade classes at Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School.

On the first day of school, due to the School's occupancy permit limitations and the welfare of children, we ask that each child be accompanied to school by no more than two adults.

5. Attendance Policy

1. According to state licensing, parents are responsible for signing in and signing out on the attendance sheet at the time of their child's entrance and exit.
2. Under no circumstances will a child be released to a person, not even a staff member, who is not listed on the child Release Form in the application packet without written authorization from the parent/guardian.
3. The School must be notified in writing immediately if there is a permanent change in the child pick-up authorization form or Emergency Release Form.
4. The persons who have your authorization to pick-up your child (on the Child Release Form in the application packet) must be 18 years of age or older and have proper picture identification (i.e. driver's license or equivalent) and must be identified on the appropriate School form.
5. Please notify the office as soon as possible if your child is going to be late or absent.

6. Field Trips & Educational Assemblies

In order to expand on the NAEYC's and the Kindergarten standards children will have opportunities to participate in educational field trips and in-house educational assemblies throughout the year. For each field trip a flyer will be sent home by the School to the parents describing the details of each field trip, such as cost and location. Field trips are considered to be part of the class activity; however, parents may opt their child out of such participation. By signing the Consent Form at the time of enrollment, parents also give their child permission to go on School field trips. Parents, who do not wish their child to participate in field trips, must inform the School during enrollment or at any time after enrollment. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children during these educational trips; however, parental participation is not mandatory.

For each field trip, the School provides transportation with commercial school buses and nutrition for parents and children. To prevent program disruption, we ask that parents, who accompany their children to field trips, refrain from purchasing additional items from merchants or vendors at the field trip location.

School rules, regulations, policies and practices will be in effect during field trips, unless specifically stated. Parents of students who participate in School field trips or excursions are responsible for any and all associated costs.

All individuals making the field trip shall be deemed to have waived all claims against the School and its teachers, administrators, and staff for injury, accident, illness, or death occurring during or by reason of the field trip or excursion.

While conducting the field trip, the teacher will have a first aid kit in his or her possession. Before participating in any field trip, the School must have a signed Parent Permission Form, Waiver of Liability and Consent for Medical Treatment on file.

7. Summer School

Depending on the needs of the community and availability, St. Mary's Richard Tufenkian Preschool may offer 3 to 5 weeks of Summer School during the months of July and August. Summer School provides fun programs, such as, water play, art, and swimming.

In addition to fun programs, for older children (5 and 6 year old), the School offers preparatory English, Armenian and Math classes.

8. Termination of Services Policy

The School reserves the right to admit and/or dis-enroll any student at its sole discretion. Additionally, Program Services may be terminated to a family and/or child by the School's administration in any of the following circumstances:

1. Parent/Guardian fails to abide by the provisions of this Handbook, the School's agreement and/or contract.
2. Parent/Guardian disrupts the smooth and efficient operation of the Program and/or compromises the health and safety of children or staff.
3. The Center is unable to meet the physical, social/emotional and developmental needs of the child.
4. The registered child compromises the health and safety of children, staff or himself.
5. Other reasons determined by School administration at their sole discretion.