Preschool Policies & Procedures

Philosophy

The Preschool Program is anchored in social/emotional and oral language development which gives students the ability to access academics. We believe that learning takes place when children are actively involved and engaged with their physical environment and peers. Our goal is to help children become independent, self-confident and engaged learners through a structured routine that is both teacher led and child led. Children are free to explore independently, make choices and learn at their own pace and developmental level. Preschool fosters a positive attitude towards learning and self-worth. We believe that family members are a child’s first teacher. We value the partnership between teachers and families in supporting educational goals and the overall wellbeing of the child. Family involvement is valued and encouraged.

General Information

27J offers preschool at all elementary buildings and its preschool only location, Bright Beginnings. 27J Elementary schools are a Preschool-5th grade model, with the exception of Discovery Magnet School, which is K-8. Preschool is a 4 day per week program (Tuesday-Friday) with a morning or afternoon session each day. Each session is approximately 3 hours long. Preschool follows the elementary school calendar. Morning session is from 7:45-10:55 and afternoon session is from 12:15-3:25. Preschool students range in age from 3-5 years old. Preschool is offered to 4 year olds through Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program (UPK) and through 27J directly for a limited amount of general education 3 year olds. Families interested in UPK must apply through upk.colorado.gov. Families interested in a 3 year old slot may apply through the 27J website at https://www.sd27j.org/programs-services/preschool

Procedures

Snow Closures or Excessively Hot Weather

On days when unusual weather conditions occur, school closure announcements will be sent to parents via social media, text, email and voicemail. PLEASE check these resources before calling the school. If weather conditions are excessively hot, children will remain indoors for recess time. Staff will ensure that children have plenty of water to drink.

Accidents, Illnesses

27J Schools follows CDPHEs “How Sick Is Too Sick” Policy and Procedures which is an appendix to this document. If your child becomes ill while at preschool, you will be notified. Families should make arrangements to pick up their child as soon as possible.

In case of injury requiring medical treatment, we will make every attempt possible to contact parents/guardians immediately through the information given on the Census Verification Form. If we cannot reach any of the persons listed, we will notify your child’s doctor and accompany your child to the advised medical facility. Any expenses are the responsibility of the parent/guardian. An incident report will be filled out by the staff member who witnessed the accident, which will be signed by an administrator and turned into the Human Resources Office. In addition, an Accident Report will be filed with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Division of Early Learning Licensing and Administration.

Admission Process

All 4 year olds, both general education and special education students, and 3 year old special education students must apply through the Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK ) at upk.colorado.gov. In order to qualify for transportation, you must select your neighborhood school. Preschool in 27J is half day, 3 hrs per day, 4 days per week totalling 12 instructional hours weekly. You may qualify for up to 30 hours of free preschool from the Department of Early Childhood. In order to access your 30 hours of preschool, you must select a private provider. 27J does not offer full day preschool. Parents may select a preference between AM and PM in the UPK application, however, AM and PM placements are determined by the classroom teacher in August. Selecting AM or PM in UPK is to note your preference only, it is not guaranteed. Once you are matched with a school in UPK and you accept your match, parents will need to fill out 27Js Online Registration paperwork through Infinite Campus. The Preschool Department will email you instructions once you’re accepted.

General education 3 year olds can apply for the limited number of 3 year old chairs located at Bright Beginnings Preschool, Henderson Elementary and Second Creek Elementary. You must be 3 years old by August 15th of the current school year in order to qualify. Please apply directly with 27J at: https://www.sd27j.org/programs-services/preschool. Find answers to frequently asked UPK questions.

Immunizations and Physicals

All students must have a current health appraisal that has occurred within the last 12 months or documentation that a health appraisal is scheduled with their health care provider on file with their school. Immunization records or a CDPHE immunization waiver must be submitted and on file with the school. Parents/guardians will have 30 days from the first day of school to submit these documents to their school’s health clinic. Parents/guardians will receive a letter from their school's health office if immunizations or physicals are missing. The health aid and nurse will work 1 on 1 with families to help them get access to care and support families who need assistance meeting these requirements.

Supervision of Children

Students are closely supervised in all preschool settings and during special activities within the school by staff members. Preschool maintains a minimum ratio of ten students to one adult at all times. Staff closely monitor and interact with students to ensure their safety and educational benefit. Student attendance is checked using a first name and student photo system. Students are counted before and after going from one setting to another, including going to the playground, bathrooms or any other location within the school. Students are checked in and out of the classroom setting should they leave to work with a service provider. Should a student become separated from his/her class, one of the staff members will retrace steps of the class in order to find that student and alert the administrative staff, parents and the CDEC.

Positive Guidance

Social Emotional development is the underpinning of the preschool program. Positive behavior in the classroom is supported by the curriculum, The Incredible Years, which teaches students self regulation, social competence, relationship skills and problem solving strategies to use in social situations.

Suspension, Expulsion, Discipline

27J follows Colorado guidelines Per HB19-1194 a student PK-2 should not be suspended or expelled if the following conditions are not met.

Possession of a weapon; use, possession or sale of controlled substance/drug; or endangers health or safety of others
Failure to remove student would create a safety threat that cannot otherwise be addressed;
OR determine on case-by-case basis and clear documentation of any alternatives and interventions that were tried.
OSS – Maximum of 3 days, unless recommendation for expulsion

If there are concerns about a preschoolers behavior, the teacher will address the concerns with the family to develop a plan to positively support the student. Additionally, the school psychologist, school counselor or social worker will be a collaborative partner to support the student and family.

Emergency Procedures

In case of an emergency, such as a tornado warning, fire or a lost child, staff will follow the building procedures. These safety procedures are posted in classrooms and staff are trained on the procedures at the beginning of the school year. Schools in 27J follow the Standard Response Protocols (SRP) when responding to incidents. Information about SRP can be found on the district safety website or at iloveuguys.org.

For incidents that lead to the initiation of a SRP action, such as a fire alarm activation or building being put in a secure, the 27J Schools Communications Department will send information to families via text and email, as well as posting information on the district's Emergency Alerts Center. Preschool staff will notify parents as soon as possible if there are any concerns impacting a specific student, such as a medical incident or if the student is missing.

Preschool staff and students participate in drills throughout the year, including fire, secure, lockdown, and shelter drills. Buildings update emergency operations plans annually, ensuring emergency response procedures are up to date.

Transportation

Families are required to fill out the transportation application if they would like to utilize busing. This application is available at: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/sd27j-transportation during open registration, otherwise contact transportation. Transportation is only provided to students attending their homeschool and within its boundaries.

Please have your child ready and at the pickup location 5 minutes prior to pick up time. At the time of drop off, an authorized adult must be present at the bus stop to sign for the student. If no one is present, the child is not allowed to exit the bus. In this case, the child will be taken back to school. If the school is closed, the proper authorities will be notified. See enclosed School District 27J Bus Policy for further information.

Walking Field Trips

Your signed permission slip gives your child permission to participate in walking field trips to access various parts of the school that are not regularly accessed such as the library, gymnasium, or to a nearby park. Parents will be notified ahead of time and permission slips will be sent home. If a child arrives at school late and misses the field trip, the child will not be able to attend the field trip. The school office will notify the parent(s)/guardian to take their child home.

Media and Internet Usage

Families are provided with 27J Media and Internet releases during the registration process. No child is allowed access to internet websites unless they’re approved by 27J’s Technology Department. Children will have access to apps that support learning goals within the classroom as a part of center time.

Arriving and Leaving Preschool

For safety, all children who do not ride the bus must arrive and leave with their parent/guardian or authorized adult listed on the Parent Pick Up Card. Parent/Guardian should always have photo identification available when picking up children. Licensure requires persons dropping off and picking up a preschool student must be 18 years of age or older. You must bring in and pick up your child in the classroom or dedicated pickup/drop off location at the school and use the sign in/out sheet to track parent/guardian or authorized adult signatures. If you wish someone other than persons you listed on the pick-up card to pick up your child, please notify the school office or his/her preschool teacher in writing or by phone. This person will be required to show identification before we will release your child into their custody.

Procedures if child is not picked up from school

If a child has not been picked up at the end of the day, the front office will call all contacts to locate an authorized adult to pick up the child. The child may wait in the school office for pick up if a teacher has another commitment. If a family member or emergency contact person cannot be contacted, the police will be called. When all children have been picked up, or procedures have been followed, staff members may leave.

Closing of the Classroom

At the end of each session, the certified teacher or designee will check all of the classrooms at the site, including restrooms, to make sure all of the children have been picked up. If a child is still at preschool, procedures to notify parents/guardians will be followed.

Changes in Information

Parents/guardians need to notify the school of any information changes such as address or phone number in a timely manner.

Family Conferences

Parents/Guardians are required to attend a “Meet the Teacher” with their child’s teacher prior to starting school. During this meeting, families and students will be able to tour the classroom, meet the teacher, learn about the curriculums taught, assessments used and the daily routine. Families will also be asked to disclose any pertinent medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, food allergies, etc) to ensure the school nurse is aware. Additionally, educational goals will be collaboratively developed between the parent/guardian and teacher. Progress towards these goals will be shared at parent/teacher conferences and through written progress reports. Parents may request a conference with the teacher at any time.

Administration of Routine Medications

The School Nurse will delegate and supervise the task of medication administration only to staff members who have successfully completed the approved Medication Administration Training.

Because the administration of medication requires extra staff time and safety considerations, parents/guardians should check with their health care provider to see if a dosage schedule can be arranged that does not involve the hours the child is in school.

Medication Administration Policy

The following requirements must be met before medications can be accepted by the school health office:

Health Care Provider written authorization within the current school year (School year runs 07/01 to 06/30 of the following year) including:
- child’s name
- medication name and strength
- dates to administer
- specific time(s) to administer
- dose in milligrams (mg)
- route
Parent written authorization within the current school year
Medication in the original labeled container. Prescription medications must have the pharmacy label attached
Medication must be current and not expired

Inhaled asthma medications and emergency epinephrine autoinjectors require a written health care plan with instructions completed by the child’s Health Care Provider and signed by the School Nurse.

Parents are responsible for providing all medications and supplies to the school. Children should not transport medications to and from school; this includes medication placed in a diaper bag or backpack.

Program staff may not deviate from the written authorization from the Health Care Provider with prescriptive authority. Program staff must count and record the quantity of controlled substances (e.g., Ritalin®) received from the parent, in the presence of the parent.

Medications that have expired or are no longer being used at school should be returned to the parent or guardian. If the medicine has not been picked up within one week of the date of the request, then medication must be disposed of by a medication trained person per State procedures.

Child health information, including medications, is maintained confidentially.

Medication Storage

Medications will be stored under conditions as directed by the Health Care Provider, School Nurse, or Pharmacist. Emergency medications will be kept out of reach of children but easily accessible to staff who are trained and delegated in medication administration.

Medication Incidents

Medication incidents are documented on a Medication Incident Report and reported to the School Nurse, child’s parent/guardian, program administrator, and health care provider (as appropriate). Medication incidents involving medication given to the wrong child or an overdose of medication require immediate consult with Poison Control.

Personal Belongings

Children should not bring toys, money or other personal belongings from home. They often get lost and we cannot be responsible for them. District policy does not allow any toys at school that represent a weapon.

Snacks

Children will have a snack daily at preschool. However, it is very important that your child has a good breakfast or lunch before they come to preschool.

We ask that families provide prepackaged snacks if they are financially capable. Please send healthy snacks and a low sugar beverage monthly. If you want to celebrate a birthday or provide a special snack, please contact your child’s teacher to make those arrangements. Birthday treats such as cake or cupcakes, must be store bought and not homemade. If you want to bring in fruit, such as apples, they must be whole. Any cutting of fruit must be done at the school.

For the safety of all children and to comply with licensure requirements, it is our policy that snacks brought into school only be pre-packaged items.

Toilet Training and Diapering

A student does not need to be toilet trained to attend preschool. During the routine of the day all children are encouraged to use the restroom and wash hands. If a child is beginning toilet training, they will be encouraged to practice while at school.

Diapering stations are available for children if needed. Universal Precautions are used for the safety of staff and children. Adams County Health Department monitors preschool classrooms, including diapering stations, annually.

Visitors and Volunteers

All visitors and volunteers must sign in at the office with their drivers license which is run through the RAPTOR System to receive a visitor name tag. Adult family members are welcome and encouraged to visit preschool classrooms. Due to licensure regulations, children not enrolled in preschool are not permitted to be in the classroom while adults are visiting or volunteering. Visitors to the classroom should be actively involved in the classroom and interacting with students as instructed by the preschool staff. If you need to discuss specific needs concerning your child, please schedule a time with the teacher before or after class.

Complaints

Should you have a concern or complaint about the preschool classroom, we ask that you discuss this with your child’s teacher first. If that is not possible, please call the building principal to discuss the situation. If none of these contacts remedy the situation, you may contact the Department of Human Services at 1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203 or by phone at 303 866-2304.

Child Abuse Reporting

The following letter from the Colorado Department of Social Services provides information on child abuse reporting. Additionally, all staff have been trained in Child Abuse Reporting through Colorado Professional Development Information System. All staff will report suspected abuse or neglect cases to Adams County Social Services as per school district policy and notify the CDEC.

Dear Parent: Your child was recently enrolled in a child care program that is licensed by the Colorado Department of Social Services. The license indicates that the program has met the required standards for the operation of a child care facility. If you have not done so, please ask to see the license. Most licensed facilities make every effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for children. Unfortunately, on rare occasions an incident of physical or sexual abuse may occur. If you believe that your child has been abused, you should seek immediate assistance from your county department of social services. The telephone number to report child abuse in your county is: 303-412-8121.

Adams County Social Services

7401 N. Broadway

Denver, CO 80221

Colorado law requires that child care providers report all known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

Child care services play an important role in supporting families, and strong families are the basis of a thriving community. Your child's education, physical, emotional, and social development will be nurtured in preschool. Remember to observe the program regularly, especially with regard to children's health and safety, equipment and play material and staff. For additional information regarding licensing, or if you have concerns about a child care facility, please consult the Colorado Office of child Care Services at 303-866-5958.

Office of Child Care Services

Clothing

Children should be dressed in appropriate clothing daily. Your child should have an extra change of clothes in his/her backpack. Clothing appropriate for outdoor play should be provided daily. All backpacks and outer clothing need to be marked with his/her name.

Withdrawal of Service

Families who are withdrawing students from 27J Schools are required to notify their child's school so the student is withdrawn and no longer active in Infinite Campus and teacher rosters.

Universal Preschool (UPK) Policies & Procedures

Screening & Referral Services

The Child Find team is available to screen and assess children suspected of having a developmental delay. Child Find screens in the following domains: social emotional, cognitive, language and motor skills. Screenings and evaluations are at no cost to parents/guardians.

Please contact childfind@sd27j.net or 303-655-2946 for more information.

Vision and hearing screenings are provided to enrolled preschoolers at their Elementary or Early Childhood School.

Dental and health referrals are through Health First Colorado and Kids In Need of Dentistry (KIND). Find information on Community Resources.

Family & Community Engagement

Conferences

Committees and Engagement

Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in district level committees which can be found here. For school specific committee and engagement opportunities, such as PTO, please contact your child's school directly.

Surveys

Parents/guardians will receive a bi-annual Parent Climate and Culture survey specific to their child’s school to provide feedback.

The CDEC will invite parents to participate in an annual survey related to UPK.

Translation and Language Services

Translation and Interpretation Services at 27J schools is committed in overcoming language barriers that prevent effective communication between families who speak different languages and 27J Schools. We strive to ensure equal access to education and services for all students. We provide free language assistance to guarantee equal and meaningful educational opportunities for 27J students and families. We offer services for over 100 languages, but our top languages, besides English in the district, include Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Nepali, Hmong, Korean, and Russian.

27J Schools Staff is authorized to request translations and interpretations from the Translation and Interpretation Services department.

Parents and families should contact their school for these service.

Additional Community Resources

Adams Community Mental Health (Community Reach Center),4371 E. 72nd Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022, 303-286-2668
27J Child Find, 89 N 6th Ave, Brighton, CO, 80601, 303-655-2946
Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County (ECPAC), 8859 Fox Dr, Thorton, CO, 80260, 303-428-2929
Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado, 13123 E 16th Ave, Aurora, CO, 720-777-6200
The ARC of Adams County, 641 E 112th Ave, Northglenn, CO 80233, 303-428-0310

View a complete list of Community Resources.