St. Joseph Preschool
6130 West St. Joe Road
Evansville, IN 47720
(812) 963-3335
Melba Wilderman: Principal
mwilderman@evdio.org
Laura Muensterman: Preschool Director/Teacher
lmuensterman@evdio.org
Program Philosophy
St. Joseph Preschool is a developmental program that encourages the growth of
the whole child. The primary goal is to help young children develop socially,
emotionally, cognitively, physically, and spiritually. Social/Emotional:
Children will develop a positive self-concept and genuine concern for others.
Cognitive: Children will be able to acquire skills that lead to life long
learning. Physical: Children will acquire basic gross motor and fine
motor skills.Spiritually: Children will learn to follow Jesus’ example in
learning to get along with others and to remember that God’s love is
everlasting.
Children learn best from direct interactions with their environment where each
child receives adequate amounts of structure time, individual time, and group
time. The children will participate in a well-balanced atmosphere that allows
for adequate freedom and choice. By structuring the classroom with appropriate
learning materials, and providing choice and incorporating many teaching
strategies in a safe and nurturing environment, children will have the
opportunity to gain a sense of autonomy, confidence, and self-esteem.
Programs Available
2008-2009 Pre-School Program: $56/month
(Children who are 3 years old on or before August 1 and who are potty trained)
Mornings: Tuesdays and Thursdays (7:45 am – 10:15 am) –or-
Afternoons: Tuesdays and Thursdays (11:30 am – 2:00 pm)
Childcare options:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00 am – 2:00 pm $16/week
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00 am – 5:30 pm $26/week
2008-2009 Pre-Kindergarten Program: $84/month
(Children who are 4 years old on or before August 1)
Mornings: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (7:15 am – 10:15 am) -or-
Afternoons: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (11:15 am – 2:00 pm)
Childcare options:
7:00 am – 2:00 pm
3 days (M-W-F) $24/week
5 days (M-F) $54/week
7:00 am – 5:30 pm
3 days (M-W-F) $39/week
5 days (M-F) $79/week
Tuition
Tuition fees are set for the month regardless of the number of classes per
month. Payments are due on the first day of the month. Childcare payments are
due at the beginning of each week. Please make checks payable to St. Joseph
School. Since our expenses are fixed, no refunds or credits will be given for
your child’s sickness, snow days, or family vacations.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
We ask that you never block the drive way, due to fire marshal rules, and
busses coming and going. Each day you will be asked to sign your child in and
out on a sheet and check the appropriate boxes that apply to their day.
Pre-K Morning Drop-Off
The Pre-K morning class begins at 7:15am. The classroom doors will be open no
earlier than 7:10am. If you are dropping your child off with older siblings
(6:45-7:10), your child may be dropped off with siblings by the gym doors.
(Please enter the drive by the cemetery off St. Joe Road and exit to St.
Wendel Road by the Mini-Mart.) They are to walk with their siblings in the gym
until the bell rings. When the K-8 students are dismissed, the Pre-K students
will meet in the center of the gym. Miss Goedde will come down to greet all of
the Pre-K students and bring them back to the classroom. If you are dropping
off after 7:10am, you may park along the concrete sidewalk by the black,
playground fence and bring your child into the classroom.
Pre-K Morning Pick-Up
The Pre-K morning class ends at 10:15am. If your child isn’t staying for
daycare, you will need to line your vehicle up along the concrete sidewalk by
the black, playground fence. (Please enter the drive by the cemetery off St.
Joe Road and exit to St. Wendel Road by the Mini-Mart.) Miss Goedde will bring
your child to your car.
Pre-K Afternoon Drop-Off
The Pre-K afternoon class begins at 11:15am. You should park in the spaces by
the black, playground fence and bring your child into the classroom. Lunch is
offered for afternoon students. If you would like to bring your child for
lunch, please bring them to the Pre-K classroom by 10:45am. Please note that
lunch recesses will be occurring at these times and you will need to leave by
way of the cemetery road.
Pre-K Afternoon Pick-Up
The Pre-K afternoon class ends at 2:00pm. Your child will be picked up in the
K-8 school carline. (Please enter the drive by the cemetery off St. Joe Road
and line up with the other cars.) Remain in your vehicles and a teacher will
bring your child to you. If you need to buckle your child in his/her car seat,
please pull over out of the car line and do so – this will prevent delays in
the pick-up line for the other students.
Pre-S Morning Drop-Off
The Pre-School morning class begins at 7:45am. You may park along the
concrete sidewalk by the black, playground fence or in the spaces near the
preschool and bring your child into the classroom. (Please enter the drive by
the cemetery off St. Joe Road and exit to St. Wendel Road by the Mini-Mart.)
If you are bringing your child earlier than 7:45, they will go to Ms.
Brenda’s daycare room, located off the cafeteria.
Pre-S Morning Pick-Up
The Pre-School morning class ends at 10:15am. If your child isn’t staying for
daycare, you will need to line your vehicle up along the concrete sidewalk by
the black, playground fence. Please enter the drive by the cemetery off St.
Joe Road and exit to St. Wendel Road by the Mini-Mart.) Mrs. Joyce and I will
bring your child to your car.
Pre-S Afternoon Drop-Off
The Pre-school afternoon class begins at 11:30am. You should park in the
spaces by the black, playground fence and bring your child into the classroom.
Lunch is offered for afternoon students. If you would like to bring your child
for lunch, please bring them to the Pre-school classroom by 10:45am. Please
note that lunch recesses will be occurring at these times and you will need to
leave by way of the cemetery road.
Pre-S Afternoon Pick-Up
The Pre-S afternoon class ends at 2:00pm. Your child will be picked up in the
K-8 school carline. (Please enter the drive by the cemetery off St. Joe Road
and line up with the other cars.) Remain in your vehicles and a teacher will
bring your child to you. If you need to buckle your child in his/her car seat,
please pull over out of the car line and do so – this will prevent delays in
the pick-up line for the other students.
Important Information
Clothing
Please dress your child in something that is comfortable, easy for him/her to
manage, and is washable. Tennis shoes and socks are required; flip-flop type
shoes are not permitted. Remember that children learn through play (and play
gets messy). The children will participate in activities that involve cutting,
pasting, painting, clay, play dough, sand, water, and outdoor play. Please
label all extra clothing such as hats, gloves, coats, and spare clothing.
Sick Policy
A child should not be in attendance if they have any of the following symptoms
listed below, or have had them in the past 24 hours:
-Fever of 100 degrees or more
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Unexplained skin rash
-Chills
-Anything contagious (strep throat, pink eye, chicken pox, head lice, or etc.)
-Sore red throat
-Earache
-Stomachache or nausea
-Swollen glands
Should your child become ill or develop a fever during school hours, you will
be called to come pick them up.
Medication
All medications must be given to and picked up from the teacher. Medicine
will be administered if this is the only time it can be given and the provided
medication:
*has been ordered by a physician and the parent has given written consent.
*is in the original container with the pharmacy label, and the physicians
name.
*has the child’s name, date filled, and directions for use on the bottle.
Evaluation Reports
The three year old class will have an evaluation report in January and again
in May. The four and five year olds will have one in November and April. This
is not a report card, and should not be viewed as such. This will show you
what your child is working on and what we will be working on in the future.
The four and five year olds evaluation will be more extensive to prepare them
for Kindergarten. The most important thing you can do to assure your child’s
success in future grades is to read to them and support your school in reading
programs. It is never too early to start reading.
Closings due to weather conditions
· If Evansville public schools are closed, St. Joseph
Preschool/Pre-K/Childcare will be closed.
· If Evansville public schools are on a 1 hour delay, St. Joseph
Preschool/Pre-K/Childcare will be on a 1 hour delay. Childcare will be
available starting at 8:00 a.m.
· If Evansville public schools are on a two hour delay, St. Joseph half-day
A.M. classes for three year olds and four and five year olds will be closed,
but all day and extended day will open on a two hour delay. Childcare will be
available starting at 9:00 a.m.
Lunches and Snacks
Lunch
If your child is enrolled in an all day program they may bring their lunch in
a lunch box that is able to keep food at a cool temperature. No food items
will be able to be heated up, so please pack cool items only. Coke products
are not allowed in any lunches.
If your child would like to eat lunch at school the cost is $1.65. This
includes a milk product to drink. Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches are an
option for lunch on Mondays and Fridays. If your child wishes to have PB&J,
please mark it on the sign-in sheet. If they need a juice due to an allergy
the cost is $1.85 a day.
Snacks
If your child is attending the half-day a.m. class for the three year olds, or
the four and five year olds they will be having a snack only. Your child will
have an opportunity to bring in a snack. These snacks must be a healthy
option. Good examples would be: fruits, veggies and dip, granola bars, cheese
crackers, pretzels, yogurt, etc…NO COOKIES, OR CAKE PRODUCTS PLEASE. Your
child may purchase a drink in the cafeteria for $.30 a day. They will have an
option of white or chocolate milk, or a 100% juice product.
Cafeteria/Food Services
Delicious and nutritious lunches are served in our school cafeteria for our
preschool all-day and afternoon classes. Milk is included with the lunch. A
basic meal is prepared each day with several menu choices. School lunches are
prepared by professional cooks working in cooperation with a registered
dietician. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. The menu
for the school lunches are determined by our cooks. The menu is distributed
through the red folders so parents and students can decide whether they will
purchase a lunch or bring their own. The lunch menu is available in the rooms
and cafeteria.
Application forms for free and reduced lunches are available in the school
office.
The same behavior applies in the cafeteria as it does in the classroom.
Please send lunch money for the entire week on MONDAY, or the first school day
of the week with your child.
Adult lunches can be purchased for $2.20 for teachers, volunteers, or parents.
Please make reservations with the school secretary by 8:00 a.m.
Birthday Celebrations
Student birthdays are recognized in the classroom in a variety of ways.
Students may bring birthday treats or treat bags for the class. To protect the
feelings of the students, we ask that treats, treat bags, invitations, etc. be
given to all students if they are distributed at school.
Classroom Discipline Policy
For the pre-school and pre-kindergarten classes, I use the stop light which
is hanging up on my circle carpet. Everyone starts on green for the day. Each
day, they get three warnings before moving to yellow, and then to red. Before
moving their bus to a different color, I ask them to sit out of the activity
for one minute to think about their bad choice and how they can change that
behavior. After one minute, I discuss the problem with the child.
At the end of the day, if each child remains on green they get a sticker to
place on their token chart. If the child makes it all the way to a red light,
a note is sent home explaining the behavior problem.
Expulsion
Expulsion is the permanent dismissal of the student from the preschool
program for disciplinary reasons.
Due to the gravity of the consequences of expulsion, it is essential that the
principal consult with the Director of Schools prior to initiation of
expulsion proceedings.
The expulsion of a child from the diocesan school is such a serious penalty
that it should be invoked rarely, and only as a last resort. The fact that the
child presents a problem is not in itself a sufficient reason for expulsion.
The principal and teacher shall use every means available to discover the
cause of the problems and exhaust all appropriate remedies.
Parents must be informed of their rights and opportunity to be heard. A
notification of expulsion from the program must be sent to the Director of
Schools within a twenty-four hour period of the determination.
Visitors
All visitors are required to report to the school office upon entering the
building. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to visit at anytime but must
report to the office upon entering the school building, regardless of the
purpose or length. We ask that you use the main entrance of the school between
the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Withdraws
If a decision is made to withdraw your child from the program during the
school year, parents should notify the principal as soon as possible. Teachers
and staff will summarize the child’s progress and prepare the child’s records,
which will be forwarded to a new school or program. Parents should make sure
all school materials are returned and any outstanding fees will be required to
be paid in full.
Student Records & Release of Records
Academic records, health records, and test scores are recorded for each
student. Parents may call the school and request an appointment with the
teacher to review their child’s records. Information included in these records
may not be released without written parental consent.
Student Services
Many testing and evaluation services are available to our students. This
includes speech therapy and learning disability services provided through the
EVSC. A counselor is also provided through the Catholic Charities.
Fundraising
Fundraising is a vital and necessary source for our school. Classroom and club
fundraising projects must be approved by the principal. All school affiliated
organizations are encouraged to give careful thought and consideration to
fundraising and promotional projects. Parental and student support is
necessary for each project’s success. Families are encouraged to read
promotional information carefully and follow directions concerning turn-in
dates, methods of payment, and return procedures.
Field Trips
Field trips to special events and to nearby points of interest are scheduled
by classroom teachers and staff throughout the school year. These trips are
designed to supplement classroom learning and to introduce the students to
resources available in the community. Parents will receive notices of field
trips well before the scheduled trip date and will be required to sign a
permission form. No student will be allowed to travel on a school sponsored
trip without an original signed permission slip. Written forms or verbal
authorization will not be accepted, you will be called to pick up your child
while the class is on the trip. Often parent chaperones are necessary to
provide adequate supervision. On other occasions, parents are invited to join
as guests, and may be required to ride in their own vehicles due to limited
seating on the bus. Please check each form before making plans.
Emergency Drills
The school and preschool program is prepared for a variety of emergency
situations. Fire drills are conducted once a month and severe
weather/earthquake drills are conducted periodically. Detailed escape plans
are posted near the door of each classroom. A detailed emergency plan is
available in the school office. An emergency bag is provided in each
classroom.
Emergency Information
In case of an emergency, each student is required to have on file at the
school office the following information:
1. Parent(s) or guardian(s) names
2. Complete and up-to-date addresses and email addresses
3. Home phone numbers and parents’ work numbers
4. Emergency phone numbers of a friend or relative
5. Physician’s name and phone number
6. Medical alert information
7. Hospital choice
It is necessary to notify the school and teacher if you have any changes to
the above information.