At South Aiken Presbyterian Kindergarten, we teach the whole child by providing activities that develop the mind, body and spirit. Each day we want each child to experience success. We know that when children feel good about themselves they feel good about others, learn easier, and develop to their full potential. SAPK admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. We strive to give our students a positive Christian environment.
ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES:
September’s tuition is due by September 15. Starting in October, you will receive a tuition slip in an envelope the first of each month. Please return the tuition and envelopes by the 10th of the month in your child’s bookbag. Make checks payable to SAPK. There will be a $10.00 late fee charged if tuition is paid after the 10th unless the Director and bookkeeper have been notified in advance. Tuition may also be paid through PayPal. A $5 convenience fee will be charged for PayPal transactions.
BOOK BAGS:
We require that each child have a book bag with shoulder straps. Please make sure it is big enough to take home art projects that will be sent home most every day. Make sure the straps are tightened properly and label all items brought to school.
CAR- LINE:
Please enter car-line off Silver Bluff Road near Security Federal Bank. Cars will form a circle all the way around the building. Pull up to the steps past the overhand on the kindergarten office side of the building. Cars will exit carline onto Silver Bluff Road near the fire station. Do not enter or exit on Whiskey Road. We strongly encourage the use of carline for all children, with the exception of the Nursery. If you do choose to walk your child in, you may not enter the building prior to 8:15 a.m. For drop off prior to 8:15 a.m., students may be dropped off at Morning Glory in the gym beginning at 7:30 a.m. Please keep in mind that before school is not the best time for a parent teacher conference. The morning is a very busy time for our teachers and our students. On rainy days cars will be loaded and unloaded under the overhang. Have your child ready to exit the car when it is your turn. Car-line starts promptly at 8:15 a.m. and we will unload two cars at a time. We ask that after we put your child in the car, you pull over to the breezeway behind the staff cars to buckle up the carseats and boosters. This will keep the car-line moving. All students must be in an appropriate carseat or booster.
There will be two car-lines at dismissal time. The first car- line will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. for 2K, 3K and 4K. The second carline will begin at 2:00 for 5K students. If you must pick your child up early, please do so at least fifteen minutes before either carline starts. In the afternoon please do not stand in the hall outside of your child’s classroom. Please wait near the school offices for the children to walk down to carline.
You will be given a car tag to hold up on your car sun visor during after-school carline. We cannot see the faces in the cars or vans because of a bad glare and we like to call last names as soon as we see the nametags. Please also make nametags for all carpool riders. If carpool arrangements change, we must have a note or a phone call from the parent. You may be asked to show ID at any time. ALL persons allowed to pick up your child must be written on the Registration Form that we keep in the office.
CONFERENCES
The teachers will welcome an opportunity to have a personal conference with each parent and will be glad to make an appointment after school hours. Please do not try to talk to the teacher in the mornings before class. Arrival is the child’s most important time of the school day and teachers need the morning time to set up the room. You may call the school office at 648-9895 to schedule a conference with a teacher.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The behavior management method we will use is based on the choices your child makes each day. The strategy is used to help monitor each child's behavior and encourage students to make good choices. In addition to helping students display appropriate behavior, this system allows students to take responsibility for their decisions. This strategy uses smiley faces and sad faces to describe your child’s choices each day and opens up dialogue between you and your child and between you and your child’s teacher.
How it Works: Each child will have a behavior calendar in his/her folder. Teachers will draw in either a smiley face or sad face. A smiley face indicates the child had a good day. The sad face lets his/her parents know we had to speak to your child about their behavior. The teacher will write in a brief description as to what warranted the sad face. Keep in mind our children are still very young and they are still learning appropriate classroom behavior. It is our belief that every day is a new day and a new chance for a smiley face.
A serious infraction will result in a documented warning. A second infraction will also result in a documented warning, and a mandatory parent conference at the Director’s convenience will be required. A one week probationary period will be established for the child and explained to the parents. If the parent fails to appear at the conference, the child will be expelled immediately. If any serious infraction occurs during this probationary period, the child will be expelled.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
South Carolina law requires a certificate of immunization for all students. This must be on the South Carolina Department of Health form. Children entering 5K at SAPK must turn 5 on or before
September 1.
FIELD TRIPS
Trips are taken at various times during the school year. Parents will be notified prior to each trip. Seat belts are always used and children will not be allowed in the front seat of transporting vehicles. Booster seats are required for all SAPK Field trips. The parent is responsible for sending a LABELED booster on field trip days. Students are required to wear their SAPK shirts which are available for purchase in the office for $12.00. Siblings are not allowed on field trips but you may contact the SAPK office to check for availability in the nursery. The nursery is available at no charge if you are a driver on the trip. The trips are scheduled to be educational opportunities for 4K and 5K children only.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Cooperation of parents in helping to prevent the spread of communicable diseases is of great importance. Please notify the school if your child contracts a contagious disease. Following an illness, a child should be able to participate in all activities before returning to school. We do not have provisions for keeping a child inside during scheduled outside time. Children should also be free from fever (without medication), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours before sending them back to school. No medication will be given to children while at school without parental permission.
We have a period of outside play every day, weather permitting. Please dress your child suitably for the weather. We discourage long dresses, flip flops, cowboy boots, and overalls. We request that you send your child to school in sneakers and clothing that they can manage themselves. We are encouraging independence in your children and clothing with an elastic waist helps them with independent bathroom skills.
We give milk or water to drink at snack time. All preschoolers are expected to drink out of 5 ounce plastic cups. We will not use sippy cups. Please practice this important skill at home at meal times.
We also have a “NO STRINGS” policy at SAPK. Please remove all strings from your child’s jackets and caps.
For safety reasons, do not send hard candies, balloons, or gum in any of the classroom goody bags. Keep parties and treats simple. Do not send cupcakes with lots of icing to parties. Our custodian will thank you!
The Kindergarten Staff and classroom teachers need to be informed of any special food or skin allergies your child might have.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Generally, SAPK follows the Aiken County Public School schedule and procedures for inclement weather. A closing advisory text will be sent directly to you via Remind. If the Public Schools issue a One Hour Delay, we will begin classes on normal schedule and carline will begin at 8:15 a.m. If a Two Hour Delay is issued, we will begin classes at 9:30am. This is the same time that elementary schools report on a two hour delay.
LUNCH BUNCH
Lunch Bunch is available to all preschoolers. You do not need advance reservations. Send a labeled lunch box and drink and we will take your child to the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m. The children will eat from 11:30-11:50. Outside time is 11:50a.m.-12:15p.m. The cost is $3.00 and we will add the amount to your monthly tuition bill. There is NO carline for Lunch Bunch. You must park and come to the playground or gym to sign out your child. Please send lunches that do not need to be heated. Simple finger sandwiches, fruit, and cheese work best. Children who are not picked up by 12:15 p.m. are automatically transitioned into the Church after school program Bible Friends which runs until 2:00 p.m. for an additional $7.00. There is a $10.00 late fee added for late pick-up.
PARENT PARTICIPATION AND CLASSROOM PARTIES
Parent participation can take many forms and we hope that all parents will find meaningful ways to participate in their child’s school experience. You may help with field trip transportation, provide special snacks, books, and even come in and share a special talent. You will be asked to sign up for holiday classroom parties or send in letter snacks in 4K. It is very important that you keep the snacks, games, and art projects simple. Simple cookies, fruit, ice cream cups work well. The classroom teacher will give you some ideas. Preschoolers can be overwhelmed very easily and party days need to be kept structured and calm. Remember, if you would like to send home party invitations here at school via the bookbags, you must include an invitation for everyone in the class.
VISITORS
All visitors must report to the Director’s office first. For safety reasons, we do not allow siblings or relatives to attend school with SAPK students. There will be a sign-out form in the Kindergarten office. Please use the form if you need to pick up your child early. You may be asked to show ID. Please write the names of all persons allowed to pick up your child on the emergency card.
ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES:
September’s tuition is due by September 15. Starting in October, you will receive a tuition slip in an envelope the first of each month. Please return the tuition and envelopes by the 10th of the month in your child’s bookbag. Make checks payable to SAPK. There will be a $10.00 late fee charged if tuition is paid after the 10th unless the Director and bookkeeper have been notified in advance. Tuition may also be paid through PayPal. A $5 convenience fee will be charged for PayPal transactions.
BOOK BAGS:
We require that each child have a book bag with shoulder straps. Please make sure it is big enough to take home art projects that will be sent home most every day. Make sure the straps are tightened properly and label all items brought to school.
CAR- LINE:
Please enter car-line off Silver Bluff Road near Security Federal Bank. Cars will form a circle all the way around the building. Pull up to the steps past the overhand on the kindergarten office side of the building. Cars will exit carline onto Silver Bluff Road near the fire station. Do not enter or exit on Whiskey Road. We strongly encourage the use of carline for all children, with the exception of the Nursery. If you do choose to walk your child in, you may not enter the building prior to 8:15 a.m. For drop off prior to 8:15 a.m., students may be dropped off at Morning Glory in the gym beginning at 7:30 a.m. Please keep in mind that before school is not the best time for a parent teacher conference. The morning is a very busy time for our teachers and our students. On rainy days cars will be loaded and unloaded under the overhang. Have your child ready to exit the car when it is your turn. Car-line starts promptly at 8:15 a.m. and we will unload two cars at a time. We ask that after we put your child in the car, you pull over to the breezeway behind the staff cars to buckle up the carseats and boosters. This will keep the car-line moving. All students must be in an appropriate carseat or booster.
There will be two car-lines at dismissal time. The first car- line will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. for 2K, 3K and 4K. The second carline will begin at 2:00 for 5K students. If you must pick your child up early, please do so at least fifteen minutes before either carline starts. In the afternoon please do not stand in the hall outside of your child’s classroom. Please wait near the school offices for the children to walk down to carline.
You will be given a car tag to hold up on your car sun visor during after-school carline. We cannot see the faces in the cars or vans because of a bad glare and we like to call last names as soon as we see the nametags. Please also make nametags for all carpool riders. If carpool arrangements change, we must have a note or a phone call from the parent. You may be asked to show ID at any time. ALL persons allowed to pick up your child must be written on the Registration Form that we keep in the office.
CONFERENCES
The teachers will welcome an opportunity to have a personal conference with each parent and will be glad to make an appointment after school hours. Please do not try to talk to the teacher in the mornings before class. Arrival is the child’s most important time of the school day and teachers need the morning time to set up the room. You may call the school office at 648-9895 to schedule a conference with a teacher.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The behavior management method we will use is based on the choices your child makes each day. The strategy is used to help monitor each child's behavior and encourage students to make good choices. In addition to helping students display appropriate behavior, this system allows students to take responsibility for their decisions. This strategy uses smiley faces and sad faces to describe your child’s choices each day and opens up dialogue between you and your child and between you and your child’s teacher.
How it Works: Each child will have a behavior calendar in his/her folder. Teachers will draw in either a smiley face or sad face. A smiley face indicates the child had a good day. The sad face lets his/her parents know we had to speak to your child about their behavior. The teacher will write in a brief description as to what warranted the sad face. Keep in mind our children are still very young and they are still learning appropriate classroom behavior. It is our belief that every day is a new day and a new chance for a smiley face.
A serious infraction will result in a documented warning. A second infraction will also result in a documented warning, and a mandatory parent conference at the Director’s convenience will be required. A one week probationary period will be established for the child and explained to the parents. If the parent fails to appear at the conference, the child will be expelled immediately. If any serious infraction occurs during this probationary period, the child will be expelled.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
South Carolina law requires a certificate of immunization for all students. This must be on the South Carolina Department of Health form. Children entering 5K at SAPK must turn 5 on or before
September 1.
FIELD TRIPS
Trips are taken at various times during the school year. Parents will be notified prior to each trip. Seat belts are always used and children will not be allowed in the front seat of transporting vehicles. Booster seats are required for all SAPK Field trips. The parent is responsible for sending a LABELED booster on field trip days. Students are required to wear their SAPK shirts which are available for purchase in the office for $12.00. Siblings are not allowed on field trips but you may contact the SAPK office to check for availability in the nursery. The nursery is available at no charge if you are a driver on the trip. The trips are scheduled to be educational opportunities for 4K and 5K children only.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Cooperation of parents in helping to prevent the spread of communicable diseases is of great importance. Please notify the school if your child contracts a contagious disease. Following an illness, a child should be able to participate in all activities before returning to school. We do not have provisions for keeping a child inside during scheduled outside time. Children should also be free from fever (without medication), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours before sending them back to school. No medication will be given to children while at school without parental permission.
We have a period of outside play every day, weather permitting. Please dress your child suitably for the weather. We discourage long dresses, flip flops, cowboy boots, and overalls. We request that you send your child to school in sneakers and clothing that they can manage themselves. We are encouraging independence in your children and clothing with an elastic waist helps them with independent bathroom skills.
We give milk or water to drink at snack time. All preschoolers are expected to drink out of 5 ounce plastic cups. We will not use sippy cups. Please practice this important skill at home at meal times.
We also have a “NO STRINGS” policy at SAPK. Please remove all strings from your child’s jackets and caps.
For safety reasons, do not send hard candies, balloons, or gum in any of the classroom goody bags. Keep parties and treats simple. Do not send cupcakes with lots of icing to parties. Our custodian will thank you!
The Kindergarten Staff and classroom teachers need to be informed of any special food or skin allergies your child might have.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Generally, SAPK follows the Aiken County Public School schedule and procedures for inclement weather. A closing advisory text will be sent directly to you via Remind. If the Public Schools issue a One Hour Delay, we will begin classes on normal schedule and carline will begin at 8:15 a.m. If a Two Hour Delay is issued, we will begin classes at 9:30am. This is the same time that elementary schools report on a two hour delay.
LUNCH BUNCH
Lunch Bunch is available to all preschoolers. You do not need advance reservations. Send a labeled lunch box and drink and we will take your child to the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m. The children will eat from 11:30-11:50. Outside time is 11:50a.m.-12:15p.m. The cost is $3.00 and we will add the amount to your monthly tuition bill. There is NO carline for Lunch Bunch. You must park and come to the playground or gym to sign out your child. Please send lunches that do not need to be heated. Simple finger sandwiches, fruit, and cheese work best. Children who are not picked up by 12:15 p.m. are automatically transitioned into the Church after school program Bible Friends which runs until 2:00 p.m. for an additional $7.00. There is a $10.00 late fee added for late pick-up.
PARENT PARTICIPATION AND CLASSROOM PARTIES
Parent participation can take many forms and we hope that all parents will find meaningful ways to participate in their child’s school experience. You may help with field trip transportation, provide special snacks, books, and even come in and share a special talent. You will be asked to sign up for holiday classroom parties or send in letter snacks in 4K. It is very important that you keep the snacks, games, and art projects simple. Simple cookies, fruit, ice cream cups work well. The classroom teacher will give you some ideas. Preschoolers can be overwhelmed very easily and party days need to be kept structured and calm. Remember, if you would like to send home party invitations here at school via the bookbags, you must include an invitation for everyone in the class.
VISITORS
All visitors must report to the Director’s office first. For safety reasons, we do not allow siblings or relatives to attend school with SAPK students. There will be a sign-out form in the Kindergarten office. Please use the form if you need to pick up your child early. You may be asked to show ID. Please write the names of all persons allowed to pick up your child on the emergency card.
