Holy Family Day School

Parent Handbook

Arrival and Dismissal

Beginning the second week of PRESCHOOL classes, we have a Drop off/Pick up system that all parents are encouraged to use. However, as school begins please walk your child into the building remembering that All children are to be walked to their classroom by an adult. The children should arrive at 8:30 for morning classes The teachers are very busy preparing materials and classrooms for your children prior to the start of the day. Dismissal is at 11:30 for the morning classes and at 3:30 for the afternoon classes. It is VERY important that you pick up your child promptly. If you are unable to be at school on time, please notify us so that we may reassure your child. If you are 15 minutes late there will be an overtime charge of $15.00 or 2 punches from your punch card to help compensate the teacher who will be supervising your child after normal school hours. Please wait by the church office for dismissal of the children. Children will be released to authorized adults only. A written note (signed and dated) is required to change pick up arrangements. Note: For the safety of all, please do not bring pets onto school property whether on a leash or in the car.

Withdrawal

If a child is to be withdrawn from our school, 30 day written notice and a conference with the Principal is required. There will be no prorated fee for withdrawals. If the student’s place can not be filled, the parent/guardian is under obligation to fulfill the remainder of the year’s tuition. Military orders are considered reasonable cause for withdrawal.

Drop off/Pick up Plan

Drivers will line up in the aisle of the parking lot facing the church door.
At 8:25 the staff will come outside and direct the first 4 cars to pull up to the curb, facing the green storage unit. Please wait until you are directed to the curb.
The children will be taken out of vehicles on the sidewalk side only.
After the children have left your vehicle, please exit the drop off area carefully.
Staff members will be available to unload vehicles from 8:25 until 8:35. If you arrive after 8:35 please walk your child in to the building and wait for your child’s class to return from chapel.
For pick up staff members will bring the children out to parents, and previously approved pick up people. Please line cars up in the same manner as drop off.
Drop off/Pick up will take place at 8:25, 11:30, 12:30 and 3:30 to accommodate morning classes, lunch bunch and afternoon classes.

Chapel

The children, ages 3 and older attend chapel daily, with their class from 8:35 - 8:50 (am classes) and 12:35 - 12:50 (pm classes). If you arrive after 8:35/12:35 please wait in the hall for you child’s class to return. *Please do not enter the chapel once the doors have been closed.*

Health and Safety

The health and safety of the children is very important to us. A medical history of your child as well as a current copy of his/her immunization record showing that standard immunizations have been administered is required.

Please help us stay healthy by keeping your child home if your child has:

a fever or has had one in the past 24 hours.
a stomach virus within the past 24 hours (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.)
a cold, heavy nasal discharge, constant cough, or headache.
an ear ache or sore throat
any symptoms of a possible communicable disease. Please report any diagnosed contagious disease so that parents may be notified.

Prior to returning to school, your child must have been fever and illness symptom free for 24 hours.

No medication will be dispensed by any staff member during the preschool day.

Emergency Medical Authorization Form found under the "register" sidebar.

School Closings

Our school schedule is similar to that of Virginia Beach Public Schools. In case of inclement weather please listen to the information about the public schools.

If Virginia Beach Public Schools close-

Holy Family Day School will be closed.

If Virginia Beach Public Schools delay opening-

Holy Family Day School Morning preschool classes are cancelled
Holy Family Day School will open at 9:30 (for one hour delay) or at 10:30 (for a two hour delay) for the Kindergarten class
Holy Family Day School will open at 12:30 for afternoon Kindergarten and preschool classes.

Unlike the public schools, we are not obliged to make up any days lost due to inclement weather.

Emergencies

It is imperative that you keep the school up to date on phone numbers, emergency numbers, and other important information. In the event of a medical emergency or and injury, we will immediately make an attempt to contact a parent or the person on the emergency contact form. If you can not be reached and it is deemed necessary, we will call an ambulance. The child will be brought to the nearest emergency hospital. The expenses that result will be the parent’s responsibility.

Liability Insurance

Holy Family Day School is covered by a public liability insurance offered by the Diocese of Richmond. This insurance provides coverage in the event that someone brings suit against Holy Family Day School for personal or bodily injury suffered during school hours as a result of negligence.

Clothing

Each child will need to bring an extra set of clothing to be left in school in case of an accident. Please put the complete set of clothing in a large Ziploc bag, with their name clearly labeled on it.

*PLEASE* dress the children in comfortable, washable clothing and sneakers. We will play outside daily, weather permitting and we paint and glue often. We do not want the children to be worried about their clothing.

The child’s name should be on all outside clothing to ensure that they are not lost.

Tote Bags

Each child is asked to have some type of tote bag to help them learn to take care of their things. The tote bag will be used as an early organizational tool. They will carry their snack bag to school in it and they will be responsible for taking home their folder containing the monthly calendar and important notes. Please check your child’s folder when it comes home and return it the following day. Most importantly, the tote bag will help the children bring home their beautiful work safely!

Snack Time

Snack time is a very important time for children. This is a time to have a mid-morning break and enjoy each other’s company. Parents are asked to send a nutritious snack and drink. If your child eats fruits or vegetables a certain way (sliced, peeled, etc.) please send them to school that way. Possible ideas for healthy snacks include; fresh fruit and/or vegetables, cheese/peanut butter crackers, muffins, half a sandwich, granola bars, applesauce and yogurt. Please remember to send in a spoon if it will be needed. Birthday celebrations are held at snack time. Please let the teacher know if you are planning to provide a special treat for your child’s birthday. Due to the growing number of children with allergies to nuts, we ask that you not send peanut butter or nuts in any form to school.

Toys

Holy Family Day School is well equipped with books, toys and materials for your child. We ask that all toys be left at home so that they are not misplaced or broken. Your child’s teacher will schedule opportunities for the children to bring materials related to class instruction.

Discipline Policy

Holy Family Day School discipline methods are positive, respectful and age appropriate. The children will have limits set ahead of time so they will know what to expect. The staff will redirect inappropriate behavior whenever possible. All children have the right to a safe learning environment and we will ensure that. If a child is having difficulty and needs to “take a break” from the class, that option will be available. Parents will be called if a behavioral problem continues. The teacher and the parents will be encouraged to work together to resolve the problem. The school reserves the right to withdraw a child from the program if all our efforts have not been successful.

Bank Policy on Returned Checks

If your check is returned for any reason the bank will charge you a processing fee of $50.00.