Elmwood Franklin School's Guide to Prep

2017/2018 A Guide to Prep

“OBSERVE AND LISTEN TO CHILDREN BECAUSE WHEN THEY ASK ‘WHY?’ THEY ARE NOT SIMPLY ASKING FOR THE ANSWER FROM YOU. THEY ARE REQUESTING THE COURAGE TO FIND A COLLECTION OF POSSIBLE ANSWERS.” – Carlina Rinaldi President of Reggio Children and Director of the Loris Malaguzzi International Center

2017/2018 A Guide to Prep Table of Contents Welcome ......................................................................................................................

5 Our Mission ........................................................................................................

6 Our Philosophy ....................................................................................................................

7 Curriculum ........................................................................................................

9 Language Arts / Reading ................................................................................

9 Math ..................................................................................................................

10 Science .................................................................................................................

10 Foreign Language ................................................................................10 Music .................................................................................................................

10 Library ....................................................................................................................

10 Friendship Club ..........................................................................................................

11 Physical Education ........................................................................................................

11 Playground ....................................................................................................................

11 Technology ..................................................................................................

11 Morning Meeting ....................................................................................................................

11 Exploratory Learning ...............................................................................................................

12 Field Trips ....................................................................................................................

12 Communication ....................................................................................................................

14 Parents’ Night ....................................................................................................................

14 Report Cards ....................................................................................................................

14 Online Parent Community ............................................................................

15 Daily Documentation & School News ..................................................................................

15 16 Special Events in Prep ....................................................................................................................

16 Welcome Day / Parent Meeting ...........................................................................................

16 Grandparents’ / Special Friend’s Day ................................................................................

17 Springtime Tea ........................................................................................

17 Stage Performances ............................................................................................................

17 Prep Moving Up Day ................................................................................

18 Parent Council ....................................................................................................................

18 General Information ....................................................................................................................

18 Hours ....................................................................................................................

19 Horizons Afterschool Program .........................................................................................

Official Information Record Sheets ................................................19 19 Dress Code ....................................................................................................................

19 Supplies ..........................................................................................................

20 Lunch ....................................................................................................................

20 Illness ....................................................................................................................

Smoke-free Campus ........................................................................ 21 21 Allergies ....................................................................................................................

21 Medication ....................................................................................................................

21 Birthday Celebrations ..............................................................................................................

22 Suggestions ....................................................................................................................

W E LC O M E TO T H E

ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL

family

We are so excited to have you as part of the Elmwood Franklin community. This handbook will provide you with useful information about EFS and our Prep department.

Elmwood Franklin strives for sound communication between home and school. This handbook is not a substitute for personal contact, so please feel free to contact your child's teachers, Lower School Head Sarah Duddy, Assistant Head of Lower School Kathleen McIntyre, or any administrator at any time. Remember that this is only a guide and more information will be provided throughout the year.

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Our Mission Elmwood Franklin School prepares children for success in life. By setting high standards for scholarship and character and providing a nurturing and supportive environment, Elmwood Franklin fosters the development of confident, independent, self-motivated learners with a strong sense of responsibility to self and community.

To effectively carry out the mission, Elmwood Franklin is committed to • providing an enriched academic program that emphasizes learning how to learn, developing good work habits, and fostering creative and independent thinking; • enhancing each student’s learning experience with in-class and out-ofclass activities as well as extracurricular offerings including athletics and the arts; • sustaining an environment in which respect and caring for each child and adult in the school community are paramount; • building an inclusive school community that reflects and values diversity; maintaining a collegial faculty of outstanding professionals to serve as effective teachers and caring mentors; • fostering a school-home partnership focused on the academic and personal development of each student and characterized by open communication; • involving families in supporting the work of our students and teachers; • supporting our educational program with extensive resources and wellmaintained, well-equipped facilities.

Our Philosophy Elmwood Franklin’s Prep program incorporates the principles of the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy into our longstanding tradition of high-quality early childhood education.

Our Beginners, Prep I, and Prep II classrooms are guided by the belief that children are dynamic participants in their own educational experience. We give our young students an active role in choosing topics and methods of study. With the guidance of their teachers, they engage in projects that incorporate literacy, math, science, art and design, dramatic play, music, and social awareness. Children’s work is documented by teachers to validate their learning and to communicate their discoveries with others. The physical environment is seen as an important part of the learning process, with an emphasis on natural and child-created materials.

We believe that school, home, and community work in partnership to promote learning. Our Prep program maximizes this by informing and involving parents in the life of the classroom, by encouraging meaningful collaboration among students, and by enabling children to take part in the greater community through service learning. Furthermore, we encourage the children to make choices, to solve problems, and to take responsibility for themselves, while providing a secure, consistent environment for learning and personal development.

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Curriculum The Beginners classroom puts into place a Reggio-Emiliainspired curriculum that promotes the early development of literacy, math, gross and fine motor, and social skills through open-ended thematic units built around the interests of the children. In Prep I and Prep II, we continue to embrace the principles of Reggio by providing a strong multimodal, project-based approach with lots of hands-on activities.

Formal instruction in language arts/reading and math skills is introduced. Science, music, art, and social skills are also incorporated into the program.

LAN GUAGE A RT S/ RE AD ING A well-rounded early childhood program provides experiences that enhance language development and listening skills in activities throughout the day.

Retelling, dramatizing and discussing stories with follow-up art and written activities are a major component of our Prep Program.

Language and reading begin at a basic level and gradually develop into very complex skills. A child's drawing provides the opportunity for dialogue between the teacher and student. A teacher inscribes a sentence summarizing the child’s thoughts on the artwork. It is our premise that children learn about print by experiencing a print rich environment. This leads to a more formalized reading program that is taught through a variety of approaches. Teachers read to and with the children in a group and on an individual basis. Often children spend time reading with another child or independently, and children are encouraged to share their reading with their parents. These various settings allow children to develop their reading skills through an integrated, thematic program.

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Language study is further developed through the use of inventive spelling, journal writing and personal responses to literature. Prep I uses Handwriting Without Tears and Prep II uses Zaner-Bloser for handwriting instruction. The foundation of the formal reading program is a combination of work with literature and phonics. The program is based on Houghton Mifflin’s Journeys reading program which is also used throughout Lower School.

MAT H The Prep math program emphasizes verbal interaction and manipulative and playful activities while laying groundwork for symbolic understanding. The activities support a variety of mathematic strands in which common life applications are explored. It recognizes individual differences in students and emphasizes cooperative learning. In Prep I and II, the Everyday Math program is used to provide formal instruction that highlights the use of math for real-life problems. The Everyday Math program is continued through fourth grade.

S CIE NCE A science teacher works with Prep students on a regular basis to incorporate science skills into their ongoing classroom projects. Students also enjoy visits to the Lower School science lab for special activities.

FOR EIGN LA NG UAG E Prep II students begin their foreign language experience at EFS by choosing French, Spanish, or Mandarin. During foreign language classes twice a week, Prep II students gain exposure to the culture and language of their choice.

MUS IC Throughout Prep, music occurs daily and involves singing and dancing games, learning sign language, playing instruments, and working with rhythm, beat, tempo and timbre. Emphasis is on participation and contribution. In addition, Prep II students work with the Lower School music teacher once a week in the music classroom.

L IB RARY Children visit the library each week. The librarian instructs students in the

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use of the library, reads special stories, and helps the children select books to take home. Parents are encouraged to visit the library any time and are welcome to check out as many books as they wish.

FRIE NDS HI P CL UB Friendship Club is a character education program unique to the Prep department at EFS. The children convene at points throughout the week to discuss topics that center around positive values, which helps to foster friendships and develop good citizenship.

PH YSICA L ED UCAT IO N Teachers plan daily activities to encourage development of appropriate gross motor skills. Often, the gym is used for sessions that are approximately 20-30 minutes long. Please have children keep a pair of sneakers in school for indoor use.

PLAYGRO U N D Our playground offers many opportunities for creative, physical activity.

There is a well-equipped climbing area; a hard surface area used for ball games, group games, and riding tricycles and scooters; a large sandbox; a building area with large blocks; and an outdoor atelier for artistic pursuits.

T EC HN OLOGY SMART Boards and iPads are regularly incorporated into learning activities.

When appropriate, students and teachers may also visit the school’s computer lab.

MOR NI NG ME ET ING A variety of activities are shared during the morning meeting time, such as discussing the calendar, observing the weather, reviewing the job chart, and listening to stories, songs, poems and finger plays. Social studies is also incorporated, stressing themes of friendship, individuality, and citizenship.

An important part of this time is the “Sharing Bag,” a show-and-tell language experience for which children are encouraged to share personal treasures such as books, stuffed animals, family photos and mementos, something found on a nature walk, etc.

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EXP LO RATORY L EA RN ING Self-directed learning activities constitute an important aspect of the Prep experience. Children are encouraged to spend time exploring, experimenting, pretending, and problem-solving, both individually and in groups. To facilitate this kind of learning, specific areas and/or materials within the classroom space offer opportunities to engage in multimodal learning activities including: • a building area containing large blocks, unit blocks, and transportation toys, • fine motor materials designed for the development of small finger muscles as well as hand-eye coordination, such as beads, puzzles, pegs, and Legos, • reading and writing centers where children can have quiet time reading or creating books that can be shared, • a listening center with music recordings and audio books, • a dramatic play area where children can try on different roles that may change throughout the year, coordinating with themes in the curriculum, • a sensory table that can be filled with water, sand, or other materials, • an atelier, or mini art studio, where children can design and produce art works in a variety of media, • the Tinker Atelier where children can build and create with materials beyond traditional blocks, such as PVC pipes, Velcro hair rollers, and light ropes, and • interactive technology opportunities using computers, iPads, or SMART Boards.

FIE LD T RIPS Prep takes field trips throughout the year to places of interest in Western New York. These trips support elements of the curriculum and provide valuable learning experiences for the children. We have traveled to such places as the local fire station, a pumpkin patch, a farmer's market, Kleinhans Music Hall, the Buffalo Zoo, and Reinstein Woods. Service learning and outdoor education are major components of certain trips.

We travel on a school bus or the EFS buses, and we always make sure each child is buckled into the seat. For each field trip a letter is sent home informing you of the upcoming trip.

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“ONCE CHILDREN ARE HELPED TO PERCEIVE THEMSELVES AS AUTHORS OR INVENTORS, ONCE THEY ARE HELPED TO DISCOVER THE PLEASURE OF INQUIRY, THEIR MOTIVATION AND INTEREST EXPLODE.” – Loris Malaguzzi Founder of the Reggio Emilia approach to early education

Communication In the Reggio Emilia philosophy, education is based on honest and respectful communication within teacherteacher, child-child, teacher-child, parent-child, parentteacher and parent-parent relationships. At Elmwood Franklin School, we strive to create a welcoming atmosphere that allows for open exchange. It is through this partnership that optimal success in educating children will occur. Toward that end, we offer many opportunities for parents to be informed and involved in the life of the school.

PAR ENT S’ NIG H T Parents' Night is an opportunity to visit EFS as your child's teachers present an overview of the programs for the forthcoming year. This is an informative evening—one not to be missed!

R EP ORT CA RDS Four times a year, the teachers complete progress reports on each child.

These reports describe personal development skills that reflect both social and emotional growth, as well as academic readiness. At a fall and spring conference (on a day when school is closed), parents schedule an appointment to discuss the development of their child. This allows parents and teachers to share their observations and to gather important information. You will receive a report at these conferences. The winter and year-end report with written comments will be available through the Online Parent Community. Our goal is open and continual communication, so please realize that parent/teacher conferences can be scheduled at any time throughout the school year. All teachers have voicemail and e-mail and will return messages as soon as possible.

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O NLINE PA REN T CO MM U NIT Y Prior to the start of the school year, each family will receive information to access the Online Parent Community via the Elmwood Franklin School website (www.elmwoodfranklin.org). Through this secure, web-based portal, parents can update contact information, review grades and comments, view account and billing information, re-enroll for the next school year, and make an annual fund gift.

DA ILY D OC UM E NTAT ION & S C HO O L N EWS A daily communication is sent by e-mail to all parents documenting that day’s classroom activities. Forms and flyers may occasionally be sent home with the students, as well.

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, nearly all of the school’s general correspondence is sent via e-mail and posted on the school website.

Please make sure the main office has your current e-mail address.

Information sent includes announcements of policies and events, as well as the monthly calendar, lunch menu, and more.

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Special Events in Prep WELCO ME DAY / PAR E NT M E ET I NG Welcome Day allows Prep children a chance to visit school the day before it officially opens. This is an opportunity for children and parents to meet teachers, set up lockers, become comfortable with procedures and ask questions, thus enhancing the first day of school. During Welcome Day, parents will meet separately with teachers and the Head of Prep/Lower School to discuss the philosophy of the school and to have specific questions answered about the school schedule and how your child’s day will flow. We will talk about some behaviors you can expect from your child at the beginning of the school year. Your child will enjoy time on the EFS playground during the meeting.

GRA NDPA R E N TS’ /S P E CIAL F RI EN D’ S DAY Grandparents’/Special Friend’s Day is a memorable day filled with a slide show, sing-a-long, photographs, treats, a shared craft project, and story time. The children are thrilled to share their morning with their grandparents or special friend.

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S PRING T IM E TE A Springtime Tea in May provides a special time for you to join your child in the Prep classrooms.

STAGE PE R FORM A NCE S Stage performances take place at Thanksgiving and at the end of the year.

The entire Lower School and Prep department will delight the school community with songs, dances, and musical instruments in a child-oriented production—not to be missed! In December, Prep II students also have a special performance for parents in the Johnston Theatre.

PRE P MOVING U P DAY In May, Prep students are invited to visit the classroom they will be moving up to in the fall. Students will spend time participating in activities with the teachers and getting to know their new classroom.

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Parent Council Early in the school year a New Parent Dinner is held to inform and welcome parents to the Elmwood Franklin School community. It provides a chance for parents to meet each other and to learn more about the happenings throughout the year and encourages families to become active participants in Parent Council. Parents play an integral role in the school through various volunteer efforts. There is no need to “join” Parent Council; all EFS parents are automatically members of this supportive group. Just come to a meeting or contact one of the officers to become involved.

General Information HO URS School Day: 8:10 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.

The school day runs from 8:10 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. It is important that children arrive before 8:10 a.m. This gives them time to settle in, choose their lunch and socialize before their busy day begins. Children may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. Dismissal is at 3:20 p.m. Prep students are taken outside and escorted to waiting cars. Please notify the office at 877-5035 between 7:00–8:10 a.m. if your child is not coming to school or if your child will be coming late. Late arrivals (after 8:10 a.m.) report first to front office and then proceed to their classroom.

Half-Day and Partial Week Options The Beginners program offers full-day, half-day, and three-day (Tu/Wed/Th) week options. Half-days run from 8:10 a.m. to 12 noon; partial weeks, in which students attend for two, three, or four days a week, are accommodated on an individual basis. Prep I also offers the half-day option for students.

Please see Head of Lower School Sarah Duddy to arrange for one of these options. Often, children may begin the year with this option and switch to a full day when appropriate. This is easily accomplished by notifying your child's teacher that you wish to make a change.

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Delayed Pick-up Students who are not picked up at dismissal time will be supervised free of charge until 3:45 p.m.

HO RIZ ON S A FT E RSC HO OL P RO G RA M Elmwood Franklin's extended day program is available to all students for a fee. It can be used on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Horizons provides a caring and consistent environment for children. Time is provided for homework, as well as arts and crafts and other fun activities. A flexible schedule can be designed to meet the needs of families and the isolated emergency can also be accommodated. Horizons is available from dismissal to 5:45 p.m.

O FFICIAL IN FORMAT IO N RE CO RD SH EET S Forms will be sent to new parents requesting pertinent information such as addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. If changes occur, please keep us updated by accessing your information in the Online Parent Community. Login information will be sent to parents and can also be requested by contacting Rebecca Murak at rmurak@elmwoodfranklin.org.

D RE SS C ODE In general, at the discretion of the administration, any form of dress that distracts from the educational mission of Elmwood Franklin will be considered a violation of the dress code. Each child’s appearance should contribute to an atmosphere of serious academic purpose.

In particular, please follow the following guidelines: • All clothing must be clean, neat, and appropriate for school.

• Solid color tops and bottoms, suitable for indoor and outdoor play.

• No blue denim jeans.

• Clogs, sandals, ballet flats, Crocs, and platform shoes are not permitted.

Shoes must have backs. Tie shoes and Velcro work well. Safety is our primary concern.

• Hats are to be worn outside only.

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S UPP L IE S The following is a list of items needed: • complete change of clothes to be kept in school • rain boots (for muddy playground conditions) • bike helmet for use in fall and spring • extra sweater • book bag or backpack • separate pair of sneakers for gym use only • small bath towel (as big as the child) for rest time Please be sure that everything is labeled with first and last name.

L UNC H Prep students are offered a nutritious lunch with a wide variety of food choices. Monthly menus are posted online, and the dining room chef is willing to accommodate special dietary prescriptions and/or religious needs. Please indicate this on your Official Information Record Sheet. A lunch packed from home is also an option for any given day if you should so choose.

Beginners eat lunch in the classroom. Prep I and II students eat lunch in the dining room. The teachers and dining room staff serve lunch to the children.

Appropriate table manners are stressed along with independent skills.

I LLN ES S If your child becomes ill at school, we will notify you or the designated emergency contact person indicated on your Official Information Record Sheet or in the Online Parent Community as soon as possible so that arrangements for pick-up can be made.

Parents are requested to call school if a student will not be present or will be tardy. It is best to call between 7:00–8:10 a.m.

Please inform the school nurse if your child has contracted a communicable disease (i.e., chicken pox, strep throat, etc.). We ask that children diagnosed with strep throat stay home for 48 hours to allow the medicine to strengthen their immune system and for the safety of other students.

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Please be aware that lice can be a common occurence among school-age children. If a child has lice, our policy is to notify parents and send the child home for treatment. You will be notified if a lice case has been identified in your child’s classroom so that you can be extra diligent in checking your child’s hair.

S MO KE-FR E E C A M P US Please note that Elmwood Franklin School is a smoke-free campus. This also carries over to field trips and school-sponsored events.

ALLE RGIE S Because some students have food allergies, we ask that no food be given to any student without first checking with the classroom teacher.

ME DICATIO N Elmwood Franklin’s medication policy mirrors New York State Education Law. Should it become necessary for your child to receive medication in school, please give the medication to the school nurse in an original container.

(Your pharmacist will prepare an additional bottle for school use if requested.) An order from your child’s physician, dentist, or nurse practitioner stating the exact dose and time of administration of this medicine must accompany the medicine. Written permission to medicate the child must also be received from the parent.

This policy applies to over-the-counter as well as prescription medication.

B IRT HDAY CE LE B RAT IO NS Parents are invited to participate in their child’s birthday celebration in the classroom and may bring a birthday treat to share.

When planning birthday parties outside of school, please consider the feelings of all classmates. We ask that no invitations or gifts be distributed at school and that pick-up for birthday parties not take place at school.

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S UGG EST ION S Read to and with your child. The shared experience provides an opportunity to create a positive feeling toward reading while also reinforcing important skills.

Discuss basic math concepts: adding and subtracting, time, etc.

Instead of television and handheld electronic games, we recommend cutting, lacing, stringing beads, drawing, puzzle making and other creative play. This helps in the development of fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination.

Display your child's creations, making sure to stress effort and not product.

This lets your child know you value his/her work.

One aspect of social/emotional growth involves the area of self-help skills. A child with responsibilities is generally a child who feels confident and important.

Here are some ways you can further self-help skills at school and at home: • Encourage your child to dress and undress himself/herself.

• Have your child get his/her backpack ready the night before with the things needed for school (e.g., library book, item for the “Sharing Bag”, etc.).

• Assign your child several home responsibilities, such as setting the table or making the bed. Don't expect perfection, but be sure to praise your child's best efforts.

• Have your child say goodbye quickly so he or she can begin the morning routine.

A well-rested child is better able to accept the challenges of the Prep program, both emotionally and academically. Establish consistent routines that allow your child to receive eleven to thirteen hours of sleep, a figure based on current research findings. Also, a good breakfast starts the day off right!

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The Hundred Languages of Children

by Loris Malaguzzi The child is made of one hundred.

The child has a hundred languages a hundred hands a hundred thoughts a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking.

A hundred, always a hundred ways of listening, of marveling, of loving A hundred joys for singing and understanding a hundred worlds to discover a hundred worlds to invent a hundred worlds to dream.

The child has a hundred languages (and a hundred, hundred, hundred more) but they steal ninety-nine.

The school and the culture separate the head from the body.

They tell the child to think without hands to do without head to listen and not to speak to understand without joy to love and to marvel only at Easter and Christmas.

They tell the child to discover the world already there and of the hundred, they steal ninety-nine.

They tell the child that work and play reality and fantasy science and imagination sky and earth reason and dream are things that do not belong together.

And thus they tell the child that the hundred is not there.

The child says: No way. The hundred is there. (translated by Lella Gandini)

General Information

877-5035 Head of School Andy Deyell Head of Prep/Lower School Sarah Duddy Ext. 104 Attendance/Receptionist Renee Olomo Ext. 101 Assistant to the Heads Mariann Miller Ext. 105 Online Parent Community Rebecca Murak Ext. 179 Tuition/Billing Laura Forster Ext. 112 Building and Grounds Ziggy Piadlo Ext. 116