Home‎ > ‎

Handbook

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

WELCOME TO

ALDERSGATE CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

 

Thank you for choosing Aldersgate Christian Preschool for your child.  ACP's staff is dedicated to giving your child a truly outstanding Preschool experience.

RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY

We are all God's children!  We believe that a child's religious education begins in the home with the parents and is nurtured through family participation in church.  The staff of Aldersgate Christian Preschool nurtures and supports faith in Jesus Christ as God's son by providing a warm, caring preschool program, which fosters Christian values and beliefs.

PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS

At Aldersgate Christian Preschool we believe in the education of the whole child.   Following the guidelines of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) we believe that through play children learn about their world, discover how to get along with others, test their skills and muscles, try out new ideas, and feel competent enough to try new activities.  The ACP staff strives to promote each child's positive self-concept, to teach group responsibility and sharing skills, and to offer opportunities, which will enhance each child's educational, spiritual, emotional and physical growth.  

     The Aldersgate Christian Preschool staff is committed:

1. To nurture each child in developing and/or maintaining a positive self-concept as a child of God.

2. To offer all children sound educational and social opportunities at an age appropriate level.

3. To use positive reinforcement to create a warm, friendly, and well-managed learning and social environment.

4. To promote and stress Christian values throughout the teaching and management of our program.

5. To maintain a loving Preschool environment, that stimulates educational growth, offers a variety of learning activities,

     enhances social awareness and responsibility, provides positive individual and group interaction, and promotes

     self-assurance.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

ACP's Preschool classes are curriculum based emphasizing the developmental needs of the whole child: social, mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  The children participate in a variety of age appropriate activities during their day, including: circle time, concept/story time, music, art, snack and freeplay, both indoor and outdoor. Preschool classes for two-year-olds and three-year-olds are two days a week.  Four year olds have the option of a two-day or three day per week program.  ACP teachers have degrees or certificates in Education or Early Childhood Education and/or extensive experience working with preschool age children. 

Placement in each class is based on the Bellevue School District cut off date of August 31st.  A child in the:

            2/3 First Step class and the 2/3 class          must be 2 years old by August 31, 2012.

            3/4 class and the 3/4/5 class                     must be 3 years old by August 31, 2012.

            Pre-K class                                                must be 4 years old by August 31, 2012.

There are no exceptions to this age requirement. 

 

The Preschool classes offered for the current school year are:

2/3 First Step class     Monday/Wednesday                             9:30-12:00       Marilee Gossard

2/3 First Step class     Tuesday/Thursday                               9:30-12:00       Marilee Gossard

2/3 class                    Monday/Wednesday                            9:30-12:00       Cassie Deszo

2/3 class                    Tuesday/Thursday                              9:30-12:00       Cassie Deszo

3/4 class                    Monday/Wednesday                            9:30-12:00       Betsy Gayte

3/4 class                    Tuesday/Thursday                              9:30-12:00       Betsy Gayte

3/4 Enrichment             Friday  (add on to MW or TTh class)     9:30-12:00       Betsy Gayte

3/4/5 class                  Monday/Wednesday                           9:30-  1:30       Cindy Kuiken

3/4/5 class                  Tuesday/Thursday                             9:30-  1:30       Mary Wimer

Pre-K class                  Monday/Wednesday/Friday                  9:30-12:00       Dorena Becker

Pre-K class                  Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday         9:30-12:00       Lona Erickson

Pre-K class                  Tuesday/Thursday                              9:30-  1:30      Sandy Masson

EXTENDED DAY

ACP also offers an Extended Day program for children in our 2 1/2 hour Preschool classes. Choose this option to extend your child's Preschool day an extra hour and a half for a total of four hours.  Your child’s teaching team continues to provide a loving and positive environment for your children to grow and learn and play.  Extended Day is a more relaxed opportunity for the children to socialize, eat lunch together (brought from home), enjoy quiet playtime, and participate in additional outdoor playtime, weather permitting.  We continue to follow the general class rules and themes but with less structure.  This allows more time to encourage conversation and friendship.

Extended Day may be added at any time since the only children attending this class are children already registered in the Preschool class. In order to use extended day all you need to do is pack a lunch for your child and inform the teacher that morning that they are staying.  The teacher will record your child’s participation and you will be billed $11 for each day your child stays on your next bill.

CO-OP OPTION

Aldersgate Christian Preschool offers the parents of our school the opportunity to participate in the classroom as a co-op helper.  Co-op helpers assist us in keeping the tuition costs down while we endeavor to keep our student to adult ratios in the 4:1 to 6:1 range for all the classes.  The purpose of a co-op helper is to assist the teaching team with class preparations and general classroom management while being able to observe and participate in their child’s classroom. Training is available to all persons interested in being a co-op helper.

Co-op helpers make all the difference to our program at ACP.  They allow the teacher to focus on the whole picture by providing support in needed areas.  Without our co-op helpers ACP would not be the quality program the community has come to expect.  Although we have referred to co-op helpers as parents, we welcome grandparents, aunts, uncles and nannies as well.  And we want to remind you that dads are parents, too!  We are especially pleased to have dads and grandpas join us at preschool!  All co-op helpers are required to fill out and pass a Washington State Patrol background check before participating in our program.

As co-op helpers, you are part of our staff so therefore you need to arrive by 9:15 AM and stay until 12:15 PM or 1:45 PM (depending on which class you are helping in) on the day you co-op.  This means that you are available to help with the set-up and clean up of the classroom.  Your preschool age child will stay with you during this time.  Nursery will be available for your younger child from 9:10 AM to 1:50 PM.  

We will only schedule up to two co-op helpers per class for credit.  If a third person wishes to be in class on a day that two people are already scheduled, it will be only as a volunteer (no co-op credit) unless one of the scheduled co-op helpers is unable to work.  Note: Parents who co-op or volunteer at least twice a month will get to participate in pre-registration for the following year. (see Tuition Adjustment section page 15 for co-op rates).

NURSERY

ACP offers nursery care for infants and toddlers of our staff and co-op parents.  This allows parents with younger children to be available to co-op in their older child’s ACP classroom.  We schedule up to seven children (maximum 2 infants) in the nursery per day.  When using the nursery for a co-op day there is no tuition credit given for co-oping.  It is treated as an even exchange. 

If on any given day the nursery has space, parents have the option of signing-up their Nursery age children for Mom’s Day Out (MDO) purposes. The charge for this service is $18 for the morning (pick-up by 12:00) or $28 for the full day (pick-up between 12:00 & 1:30).    Parents who are interested in signing up for MDO need to call the ACP office to check availability.  Availability will vary from month to month.


FEES

REGISTRATION

A nonrefundable registration fee is charged at the time of registration if your child is placed in a class.  If all classes are full at the time you register no fee will be requested until your child is placed in the class.  The registration fee for the current school year is $100.00 per child with a $150.00 family maximum.

TUITION

Tuition is an annual fee divided into ten equal monthly payments.  Monthly tuition charges for the current school year are:

                        2/3 First Step class                                $171.00 per month

                        2/3 class                                              $171.00 per month

                        3/4 class                                              $171.00 per month

                        3/4/5                                                   $257.00 per month

                        Pre-K MWF and TTh                                $257.00 per month

                        Pre-K MTThF                                         $343.00 per month

                        Extended day                                        $  11.00 per day

 

ACP does not offer a one-day drop-in placement in classes.

Billings are sent out by the first week of each month with tuition payments due by the 15th of the month. In months where the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due on your child's first day back after the 15th of the month.  Tuition payments may be mailed or hand delivered to the ACP Office.  You may also set ACP up as a payee through your bank’s online bill pay system.  You need ACP’s address to set this up.

Late Payments - If your circumstances require a late payment PLEASE contact the office.  We will make every effort to work with you, but we need to be made aware of the need for more time.  Tuition fees that are consistently paid after the 15th without prior arrangement in the office will be assessed a $10.00 late fee each month.  Any accounts that become 60 days past due will be given two weeks to become current.  If there is no response, the student will be considered out of the program at the end of the two weeks.  Please remember communication is everything!  All past due accounts must be made current before the start of the next school year for your child to be registered for that year.   

TUITION ADJUSTMENTS

Aldersgate Christian Preschool offers several opportunities to reduce the cost of tuition.  The maximum tuition reduction allowed for all adjustments is 50%.  Tuition adjustments will be made for the following situations:

  • Sibling Rate - There is a 10% reduction in Preschool tuition for each additional sibling.  There is no sibling rate deduction for nursery care or Mom's Day Out. 
  • Co-op Option - Tuition will be adjusted to reflect the number of times a parent co-ops.  In order to receive co-op credit the person co-oping must be present the entire scheduled time (for the 2 1/2 hour class work time - 9:15-12:15; for the 4 hour class work time - 9:15-1:45).   We welcome parent participation but co-op credit is only given for a full scheduled day of co-oping.  We will not continue to schedule you if you repeatedly cancel at the last minute (for other than illness) or repeatedly show up late on your scheduled day. 

     Co-op credit is given on a daily basis:       

        2 1/2 hour Preschool class (work 9:15-12:15)          $15.00 per day

        4 hour Preschool (work 9:15 - 1:45)                       $23.00 per day

 When the Nursery is used for younger siblings there is an even swap resulting in no reduction of tuition.

Working Scholarships – Aldersgate Christian Preschool will provide temporary or annual financial assistance in the form of a "working scholarship" to help reduce the cost of Preschool tuition under the following conditions:  ACP has the funds available to offset the tuition credit and the family agrees to provide a mutually agreed upon service to ACP in lieu of a percentage of the tuition. 

 

The maximum allowed working scholarship is 50% of Preschool tuition.  Scholarships must be applied for annually.  Scholarships are available for regular Preschool year only.  No scholarships are available for Summer Day Camp.  Some of the duties that may be available are:

1.     Laundry – Weekly washing of the nursery linens, art room aprons and outside drying towels.

2.     Gardening – Maintaining the planters and two garden spots in the front of the school.

3.     Baby sitting for staff meetings – Watching staff kids approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours 1 to 2 times per month.

4.     Coordinating each of our fundraisers.

5.     Other jobs that need to be performed from time to time like painting, handy person repairs etc.

    or any other mutually agreed upon duty that benefits the school.

Scholarships – Recognizing that hardships may occur (loss of job, extended illness, etc.), we will make every effort to work with you if you find it necessary to delay or reduce your tuition.  We ask that you inform the office as soon as you become aware that you will be unable to stay current with your tuition.  We will work together to find a solution, whether you just need to delay payment, add co-oping days, provide a service through a working scholarship or need a temporary scholarship.  Please see Chris or Jill if you need help.

VacationThere is a no adjustment to regular tuition for time missed for vacations.  If your family is scheduled to take an extended vacation, you still need to keep your tuition payments current to maintain your child’s place in the class.  If you choose to withdraw your child during this time you will need to re-enroll your child when you return providing there is space available in the class.  An additional $100 registration fee will be due at the time of re-enrollment.

School Cancellation - There is no adjustment for days missed due to snow, ice or other natural disasters.

Withdrawal from Preschool - If a child is withdrawn from preschool for any reason, ACP requires thirty days written notification for any refund of funds.  The maximum refund allowed is 50% of tuition.  Tuition is only refunded if the class spot can be filled by another student.  If it remains open no refund is allowed.  September tuition is non-refundable after August 1st, since school is only in session for two weeks and filling the vacated spot takes time.  If considering withdrawal at the start of the school year, please consider remaining in class until the end of September to allow for adequate time for your child and the teacher to get to know each other.  Often the first few weeks of class are hectic as children adjust to a new teacher and make new friends. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHEDULE

When Bellevue Public Schools announce that they are cancelled or running late due to snow, ice or power failure there will be no preschool classes that day.  Bellevue Public Schools announce snow and ice closures on local radio and television stations.  Please listen to radio and television announcements on snowy or icy mornings.  We will update the message on our voice mail as soon as we know whether school will open or not. 

DISCIPLINE POLICY   

It is the policy of ACP staff to:

1.     Use positive reinforcement to encourage correct and desired behavior.

2.     Redirect inappropriate behavior with a change of activity or other distraction.

3.     Give a consistent reminder and/or consequence to stop any unacceptable behavior, which may put the child, other children, staff

        or equipment and materials in jeopardy.

4.     Use time outs and removal from class as a last resort after the above methods are exhausted.

 The basic rules that all children are expected to follow at ACP are:

      1.   Be kind to yourself and others.

      2.   Respect teaching staff, including classroom aides and co-op parents.

      3.   Listen to and follow the teacher's directions.

      4.   Be respectful of the preschool's materials and equipment.

Although, each family will determine their own method of discipline within their family, corporal punishment (example, spanking) is not allowed at ACP.  Please refrain from using such while on the grounds or in the building of ACP.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

When arriving for school, parents must park in the lined stalls in the parking lot. Parking at the curb in front of the school, in the fire hydrant zone or in unmarked areas is not allowed for safety reasons.  If the lot is full, please continue driving around to the upper lot to park.  You may enter the building through the upstairs doors marked “Church Office” or walk around the outside walkway on the east side of the building to the Education wing.  If the “Church Office” doors are locked, please ring the doorbell.  For security reasons, the doors may be kept locked if only one church staff member is on site.

Children may not arrive for class before 9:25 AM and must be escorted from the parking lot into their classroom by an adult.  You need to make sure your child is in the classroom so that the teacher will know your child has arrived for the day.  We do not allow children to be dropped at the curb to find their own way into school.  For their safety and yours please park and walk them in.  We also ask that you do not leave your other child(ren) in the car while you escort your preschool child into the building.  This is not only not safe, it is illegal in the state of Washington.  We realize that it is difficult to manage everything at once, but children should not be left unattended in a car.  Too many things can happen!!!

CO-OP HELPERS - We ask that co-op helpers park upstairs and arrive in the classroom ready to work at 9:15 AM.  If you have a child in the nursery please arrive a few minutes early so that you may get your child situated and still be able to arrive in the classroom by 9:15 AM.  The only way into the building at this time is through the door off of the upper parking lot marked “Church Office”.  This is the door that the staff uses. If the doors are locked, please ring the doorbell.  For security reasons, the doors may be kept locked if only one church staff member is on site.

DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL

Children will only be dismissed to go if a parent or other previously agreed upon adult is present to receive them.  Only adults whose names are listed on the registration form or who have written permission from the parent will be allowed to pick-up the child.  ACP prefers that permission be given in writing but in an emergency will take messages over the phone from the parent.  When a person other than the parent is picking up the child the teacher will request identification before releasing the child.  Please be sure your child’s registration form includes all the people who may be allowed to pick-up your child.  You may update your list at any time during the year.

When picking up your child DO NOT park along the curb or in the no parking area in front of the fire hydrant.  Pull into a parking stall.  Remember there are other parking areas upstairs in the upper parking lot.  Please make your nannies and family members who may be escorting your children to and from school aware of this also.  The safety of all of our children and families is very important to us.

 

PARKING LOT ETIQETTE

When driving in the ACP parking lot please maintain a speed of no more than 5-10 miles per hour.  Take extra precaution when backing up in the ACP parking lot.  Little children may dart into the parking lot and could be unseen in your rear view mirror.  Always hold your child(ren)’s hand(s) when crossing the parking lot.  Please also speak to your child(ren) about and enforce safety rules when arriving and leaving school.   It is imperative that you focus your attention on your children during this arrival and departure time to avoid all possibility of accidents happening.  Thank you!!!

ABSENCE CALL-IN

Please call the ACP office each day your child will miss class.  The teachers and children would like to know whether their friends are sick or on vacation.  If the absences are for vacation you do not need to call daily.  Just let the office know the time period that your child will miss.  We worry when we don’t know the reason for the absences.  Also the teachers and children like to pray for their sick and travelling friends.


ILLNESS POLICY

As children (and their parents) begin attending school they become exposed to more germs.  There is the likelihood of exposure to cold, flu, strep and chickenpox.  To lessen the children’s, family’s and staff's exposure to illness DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF HE/SHE HAS:

   1.  Experienced vomiting (2 or more occasions), diarrhea (2 or more watery stools or any bloody stool) or fever within the

            preceding 24 hours.

   2.  Eyes that are red, tearing and/or have a mucous discharge until clear or until 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.

   3.  Fever of 100˚ F or higher (taken under arm with digital thermometer) within the past 24 hours accompanied by sore throat,

         rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, headache,  irritability or confusion or fatigue that limits participation in daily activities.

   4.  Any undiagnosed skin rash especially with fever and itching (not diaper rash, heat rash or allergic reaction).

   5.  Persistent dry coughing or deep chest coughing at less than 15-minute intervals (especially if accompanied by other

         symptoms).

   6.  Cloudy or colored nasal discharge that requires wiping at intervals of less than 30 minutes.

   7.  Been complaining of stomach pain, earache, headache or sore throat.

   8.  Open or oozing sores, unless properly covered and 24 hours has passed since starting antibiotic treatment, if antibiotic

         treatment is necessary.

   9. Lice or scabies: Lice, until no nits are present; Scabies, until after treatment is begun.

 10. The signs of a possible onset of illness, such as: disturbed sleep patterns, loss of appetite, low energy, listlessness or

         crankiness.

 11. The inability to participate normally in typical school routines and activities due to the effects of illness (i.e. inattentive, listless,

         cannot play outdoors, tires quickly, emotionally fragile).

When in doubt, PLEASE keep your child at home.  Please be as considerate of the health of the other children and adults in your child's class as you would want them to be towards your child and family's welfare.  Remember that children who return too soon after the acute stage of illness not only risk relapse or increased exposure to other germs due to a depleted immune system but also enjoy few of the benefits of being at school.

If you bring your child to class and it is determined that he/she is too sick to stay as per the list above, you will be asked to take him/her back home again.  Also, if your child becomes sick during the day, we call the home phone, parent cell phone numbers, parent work numbers and finally the emergency contact numbers listed on the registration form until we find someone to come pick your child up.  We do not have “sick room” capabilities at ACP.  It is imperative that your emergency contact numbers are local people that have your authorization to pick- up your child.

If your child has a communicable illness, such as swine flu, chickenpox, strep, conjunctivitis (pink eye), etc.  you must inform the ACP office (425-562-0433) so that we can advise the staff and parents of possible.

CHAPEL

Once a month the entire school gathers in the sanctuary for a mini (15 minute) worship service.  During this time we sing, pray and share stories.   It is a special time to learn about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a large group time.  Parents are always welcome to attend.  We usually schedule Chapel the first week of each month, except June (the classes take individual time in the sanctuary to practice their singing for the Graduation program).  Watch your monthly calendar (included with your bill) for the exact dates each month.

FIELDTRIPS

Throughout the year the 3/4, 3/4/5 and Pre-K classes take fieldtrips.  (No fieldtrips are taken in the 2/3 Preschool classes.)  Fieldtrips are planned to relate to the class curriculum and may vary from year to year.  Each fieldtrip is planned by the teacher but requires parent involvement to carry it out.  Teachers will ask for parent volunteers to drive and assist with classroom management.  A fieldtrip may be cancelled at the last minute if there are insufficient parent volunteers to drive.  If a fieldtrip includes the extended day portion of the school day there will be no charge for extended day that day.

In order to drive on a fieldtrip for your child’s class it is necessary to meet the requirements of the Aldersgate Christian Preschool Field Trip Policy.  All persons driving for an ACP field trip must:

§  Submit and pass the Washington State Patrol Background Check.

§  Complete the fieldtrip driver form verifying that they

-          are a licensed driver in the state of Washington,

-          carry $100,000/$300,000 liability coverage or higher on their personal car insurance,

-          have a seat belt for each individual child’s car seat or booster seat riding in the car,

-          will keep all children buckled in car seats or booster seats while the car is moving.

Each person who wishes to drive for a fieldtrip must fill out the ACP Fieldtrip Driver Information Sheet annually.  Each child must have a Fieldtrip Permission Form filled out before they can attend an ACP fieldtrip.  Both of these forms were included in your packet in August.  Additional forms can be obtained in the ACP Office.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

At ACP we have tried to prepare ourselves for a possible natural disaster.  We have in each classroom a backpack with sterilized water, food bars, space blankets, light sticks, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit.  In addition we have tents, tarps, rope, and other necessary supplies. to enable the teachers and children to evacuate the building if needed.  Of course the hope is none of this will ever be necessary, but we want to be prepared for any emergency.

EARTHQUAKE DRILLS

The teachers will be teaching your children what to do in the event of an earthquake by performing  classroom drills.  We will not do an all school drill for earthquake. Please ask your children what they are learning to reinforce their memorization of these important steps!  If you have any questions about our emergency plans don’t hesitate to contact Chris.

    FIRE DRILLS

     ACP classes will participate in a fire drill in the Fall.  Teachers will be talking to the children about what to expect (loud noise) and how to behave.  If your child has a great fear of loud noises you may want to inform the teacher ahead of time.   Providing this drill goes well we will only do one due to the sensitivity to noise of some children.  In the past the children have responded so well to the fire drill and their teacher’s lead in evacuating the building quickly that we have not needed to do another drill.

PARENT INFORMATION BULLETIN BOARD AND FILE BOX

The ACP Parent Information Board, located in the main hall across from room B, is a valuable resource for you.  On it we post preschool and community information.  Parents have in the past posted notices of carpools forming, nannies needed, or babysitting co-ops. We also post information about community events and items of interest to parents.  Please check out this board periodically as notices may change!

The ACP Parent File Box is located on the table in the main hall.  From time to time we get information about other educational opportunities, sports programs, social programs.  Rather than crowd our bulletin  board with too much paper, we file the info in the ACP Parent File Box.  If there is more than one copy of an item you are interested in, please feel free to take a copy.  If the item is the last one, please copy down pertinent information and return the original to the file.

If you have an item you would like posted on the ACP Parent Information Board or placed in the ACP Parent File Box, please check with Chris about available space and appropriateness of the notice.  All items posted on the bulletin board must display a date of when it was posted. Also if you post a notice of an item for sale or a job opportunity, etc. , please remove the notice when the item has been sold or the opportunity no longer exists.  Too often things are left on the board long past the need for them to be there.   All notices of this kind will be thrown away after a month so check with Chris if you need it there longer.  And please make your notices no larger than a half sheet (8.5” X 5.5”).  Space is limited!

PARENT MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS

PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING

Several times during the year parents are specifically invited to attend events at ACP.  The first of these is the parent orientation meeting which occurs on an evening the week preceding the start of Preschool in the Fall.

   CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The children in each class prepare a musical program for their parents to celebrate the Christmas season.  We celebrate two days in a row mid-December right before Christmas vacation, one program for the Monday/Wednesday classes and one program for the Tuesday/Thursday classes.  Classes for both days begin at their usual time of 9:30 AM.  The program starts at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary.    All Preschool classes will be dismissed after the program and refreshment time is over so you will take your children home with you after the festivities.

   SPRING CELEBRATION

All classes prepare musical selections for their parent’s enjoyment.  The musical program is followed by a Graduation ceremony for the Pre-K classes as they prepare to leave our program and enter Kindergarten in the Fall.  As with the Christmas program we will celebrate two days in a row, the last Wednesday and Thursday of the preschool year in June.  Classes for both days begin at their usual time of 9:30 AM. The program starts at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary.  All Preschool classes will be dismissed after the program and refreshment time is over so you will take your children home with you after the festivities.


FUND-RAISERS (AND OTHER WAYS TO HELP ACP)

ACP may schedule a couple of fund-raisers during the year.  The purpose of the fund-raisers is to provide the funds for new toys and equipment, scholarships, and facilities improvements.    The fund-raisers scheduled for this year so far are:

1.   OneCause.com ACP is registered with onecause.com.  If you shop online you can register to have a percentage of your purchase price go to ACP.  It doesn’t cost you anything more and goes to help support ACP.  More information is available online at www.onecause.com. 

 2.  eScrip.com - If you shop at Safeway, you could help us raise funds by simply registering your Safeway reward card for benefit of Aldersgate Christian Preschool.  It is easy and painless; go to escrip.com and register.  After that just do your regular Safeway grocery shopping. For more details go to www.escrip.com.  IF YOU ARE ALREADY REGISTERED you need to renew your commitment to ACP each year.  Just go to www.escrip.com and click on the big red checkmark. 

3.   Campbell’s Soup Labels Throughout the year ACP families collect Campbell’s Soup and other related labels.  We are able to exchange these for new equipment for the school.  We have been able “purchase” a new paper cutter, a new world globe, new staplers and art materials.  More information will be sent out as the year progresses, but you can start saving those labels now.

HELPFUL HINTS TO MAKE YOUR ACP EXPERIENCE A GOOD ONE

1.    Please remember to label everything you bring to ACP that you may want back, such as: coats, hats, gloves, lunch boxes and all dishes inside, sharing items, diaper bags and "loveys".   We have a Lost and Found box under the table in the main hall.  However, it is much easier for us to return your lost items to you if they are labeled.

2.   Please remember to send diapers, pull-ups and/or a change of clothes or two, as appropriate, with your child to Preschool.  We have diaper supplies and extra clothes for emergencies or when you forget but we do require you to bring your own daily supplies.

 3.   Dress your child for indoor and outdoor play.  The children will use paints and glue and play outside in the wet grass and sand.  There will be special days when children can dress up (picture day, Christmas Program and Spring Program), when messy activities will be omitted.

 4.  The children will go outside in misty and/or cold weather.  Don't forget to send appropriate coat and shoes/boots.  Remember hats and mittens, too!

5.   When packing lunches please do not send items that need high supervision (eg: hard-boiled eggs in the shell) or that may cause choking (whole eggs, whole nuts, whole grapes, hot dog rings, whole cherries, etc.).  The staff cannot heat up lunches for each child so pack familiar cold lunch foods that you know your child will eat or warm foods in a thermos.  Pack healthy, nutritious choices, including protein, fruits and vegetables.  Please limit sweets and too many high starch items.  PLEASE, DO NOT PACK CANDY.  Children will ALWAYS choose to eat sweets before nutritious items.  Teachers will encourage the children to eat their "growing food" first but cannot monitor each child's food choices.  Please send appropriate silverware and a napkin, too. (eg: if you pack yogurt, send a spoon).  We have some backups but cannot supply every child a spoon for long before we run out!

 6.   Children may be dropped off in their classroom no earlier than 9:25 AM.  The teachers are doing their final preparations and will not be ready to receive your child until then.  Also please be prompt in picking up your child at 12 or 1:30, depending on your child’s class.  If you know you are running late due to unforeseen circumstances, please call the ACP office (425-562-0433).  Or in case of emergency you may call the church office (425-746-9800).  It is also important to drop off your children and leave the room to have conversation with other parents.  Our rooms are not large enough for parents to gather and chat at the beginning and end of school.