Information Packet for New Families
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Administration
Enrollment and Financial Obligations
At the School
Health Requirements
Administration
The Staff and Administration
The staff and administration includes all the classroom teachers, our administrative assistant, custodian, business manager, and the director. The staff and administration are responsible for the care of your children on a daily basis and the daily operations of the school.
The Board of Trustees
This board is made up of between three and seven current and former parent members who have been a member of the co-op for at least one full school year. These parent members are annually elected or appointed by the Steering Committee.
This board oversees the schools long-term obligations. They have the authority to enter into leases/licenses and assume debt on behalf of the school. The Board of Trustees advises the Steering Committee each year of the requirements for meeting the long- term obligations of the school (i.e., the cost of rent and debt).
The Steering Committee
The Steering Committee currently consists of parent members who are elected annually to oversee the Cooperative responsibilites of the school. We encourage families to consider a leadership position on the Steering Committee.
The Cooperative
Families enrolled at the Maple Street School are members of a Cooperative or Co-op. There are certain responsibilities required of Co-op Members. Currently these responsibilities include serving on a committee, general membership meeting attendance, School cleaning – one time per year, providing snacks – two times per year and Gal Fundraising assistance.
Co-op Committees
Each family is required to serve on one of the various Maple Street School committees (Maintenance, Education, Communications, etc.). Serving on one of the school’s committee is one of the most important aspects of ensuring that the school functions in a smooth and efficient manner. The school relies on families fulfilling their time commitment to the school.
Prior to or shortly after the school year starts, each family is assigned to one of the school’s committees. Each committee chair will contact members of their committee to set up an initial meeting. Committee members are expected to get involved early in the year. If a committee chair has tried to contact a committee member at least twice and has not received a response from that member, or the committee chair feels that the member is not fulfilling that member’s service commitment, the committee chair will refer that member to the Parent Liaison. The Parent Liaison will then notify the family in a warning letter that they are not fulfilling their service duty to the cooperative. The committee chair, Parent Liaison and a member of the offending family must meet within two weeks following the sending of the letter to resolve the issue. If after this two-week period there has been no agreement or arrangement made with the family, the Parent Coordinator and committee chair shall recommend to the Steering Committee that such family be removed from the cooperative. Such family may only be removed by a vote of more than two thirds of the members of the Steering Committee in favor of such removal. No family shall be removed on less than 30 days written notice following a vote of the Steering Committee and any such removal shall only occur following the conclusion of any school semester.
General Membership Meetings
All families must have a representative attend all General Membership meetings. General Meetings are held three times per year, September, January and June. These meetings are a crucial part of each family's cooperative duties. The coop meetings are the best means by which parents can learn more about the school as well as to give input and share opinions and ideas.
A family may be excused from attending a general meeting only in the case of a family emergency (i.e. death in the family, birth, illness) or other pre-arranged absence such as a planned vacation. Families who are unable to attend a General Meeting must advise one of the Steering Committee Co-Coordinators prior to the meeting of their reason for not attending; failure to do so will result in the presumption that such absence was unexcused. Families who do not attend the June General Meeting due to their anticipated departure from the school without a valid excuse will be fined $50, with such sum withheld from the family’s bond fee.
If a family has an unexcused absence from a General Meeting, a representative from the family will be required to participate in an additional weekend cleaning of the school. The family will be notified of the date and time by the Chair of the Maintenance Committee and must make arrangements to fulfill this duty. Failure to attend this additional cleaning will be grounds for removal from the school.
Snack ResponsibilityEach family is responsible for providing snacks on a rotational basis. Currently Co-op members provide snack two times per year. You will be informed of the type of snack that is needed, such as crackers, juice, and/or fruit.
Cleaning Responsibility
Each family is responsible for cleaning the school in a group of 3-10 families once a year. The Maintenance Chair will assign families their cleaning duty in September. Families who do not fulfill this obligation will be assessed a $250 fine following their missed cleaning.
Gala Fundraiser
The Maple Street School Gala is a major source of funding for the school. It requires the participation of all member families in order to be successful. Each family is required to assist with the gala, sell tickets, donate items, and solicit advertisements. Families vote and decide the previous spring what the exact gala obligations are for the following year.
Enrollment and Financial Obligations
Registration Fee
New families must pay a non-refundable application fee of
$50.
Bond
Every family is required to have on deposit a $400 bond which will be returned to you in October of the year your child leaves the school on request, provided your account is up to date, you did not de-enroll mid-year, and you fulfilled all your cooperative obligations. If a family does not request their bond fee to be returned by December 1, these fees will be considered a donation, and an acknowledgement letter will be sent. The bond does not bear interest.
Enrollment Contract
Each family is required to sign an enrollment contract by June 1st. Families who withdraw before the end of the academic year will be expected to pay all charges for the rest of the academic year unless we can fill your child’s slot. The school will not attempt to fill slots after April 1. Families who withdraw mid-year automatically forfeit their bond fees.
Tuition Payments
Prompt payment of tuition is crucial to the smooth running of the school. Please refer to the tuition and fee guidelines for the current year for payment schedule and tuition rates.
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At the School
Classroom Schedule
| Early Arrival | 8:00 am - 9:00 am |
| Morning Program |
9:00 am - 12:30 noon |
| Lunch for all students |
12:00 noon |
| Rest Time for full-day students |
12:30 pm - depends on classroom |
| Afternoon Program |
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm |
| After School Extended Hours | 3:30 pm - 5:50 pm |
Children should be dropped off at school at 9:00 am (unless they are signed up for Early Morning Drop Off). It is very distracting to the children and to the staff if children are brought in late. Families are required to pick up their children on time at the end of each session. We have Rest Time immediately following Lunch Time so it is critical for Morning Program students to be picked up on time at 12:30.
Late Pick-up fee
A late pick-up fee of $20 will be charged to children picked up later than 12:30. In the afternoon, there is a ten minute grace period for children who are picked up late. $20 will be charged to children picked up after 3:40 pm. After school children who are picked up after 5:50 pm will also be charged a late pick-up fee of $20.
Absences
If your child is absent, please contact the school to inform the teachers. If your child misses school, there will be no make up days of any kind.
What to Bring
On the first day of school, each child should bring two complete change of appropriate for the season, including underpants, pants, socks and a shirt. Please clearly label all clothes and put in a shoe box or zip lock bag. For those still in diapers, an unused package of diapers and wipes should be brought to school each semester, labeled with the child's name.
Those children who are at school for rest should bring a sheet and blanket labeled with their name. Pillows are not allowed due to a Department of Health regulation. All special cuddly toys and blankets are welcome. Although it may be very difficult, please leave other toys at home.
Birthday Parties
If you would like your child to celebrate his or her birthday with the school, please bring a snack for the entire class. Please do not bring anything but the snack. For those children whose birthdays fall during the summer, pre or post birthday celebrations can be arranged.
Discipline Policy
The teachers at Maple Street show children how to interact appropriately through mediation and modeling. We treat conflict as a time for children to learn to use their words and learn how to express their needs verbally instead of physically. We encourage children to be independent problem solvers but the teachers are always on hand to observe and to step in to help resolve disputes when necessary.
It is not unusual to see a teacher and a student engaged in a problem-solving discussion at the Maple Street School. Teachers help the children find ways to resolve a conflict and to understand each others feelings. We believe that resolving conflict is another opportunity for children to grow and learn together.
On occasion a child may have a behavior, learning need, or other special concern. The Maple Street School will meet with the family to insure children’s needs are met. It is essential that families join us in this process so a child can receive the support he or she needs. If children do not receive support or a child’s needs is beyond the school’s resources, the school will work with the family to find a setting where a child can get all his or her needs met.back to the top
Health Requirements
Immunizations
Every child enrolled is required to have the necessary immunizations mandated by New York State health laws. Exemptions for immunizations on religious or health grounds must be submitted to the school before your child begins attending. Your child will not be able to attend school without immunization records or an exemption letter.
Forms
A standard health form filled out by the child's doctor must be submitted each year. The forms will be provided by the school and must be returned prior to the first day of school. Your child will not be able to attend school without them! Additionally, it is recommended that you make a copy for your records.
Medication may not be given to your child unless you fill out the proper forms from the Department of Health. These forms will be given to you if they are requested.
Medical Emergencies
Emergency telephone numbers must be provided on registration forms allowing school personnel to contact a parent in a crisis situation. Because hospital emergency rooms will not treat an ill or injured child without the consent of a parent, it is crucial that we are able to reach you in case of an emergency.
When Children Should be Kept Home
Please keep your child at home when a fever is present, s/he has unexplained rashes, vomiting and or diarrhea, conjunctivitis (pink eye), or other contagious diseases, such as chicken pox, lice, impetigo or ringworm. Please keep your child home when mucus from a cold is extensive or cloudy. Every effort is made to inform all parents in the cooperative when any child contracts a contagious disease.
Chronic Health Conditions or Allergies
Please inform the school in writing about any chronic conditions (such as asthma) or allergies that your child may have. Food allergies must also be posted with a picture of your child on the refrigerator, and in your child’s classroom. Medical alert bracelets are highly recommended.
Note: The Maple Street School is a dynamic organization, therefore it is important to note there may be changes to this Family Handbook often.
Please feel free to contact the Administration or the Steering Committee Co-Chairs if you have any questions about our school or cooperative.
