FINANCES
TUITION
Tuition is based on an annual ten-month schedule. There will be a late charge of $20 for tuition not paid within 5 (five) days of the due date. The Pastor will review accounts that are in arrears two months. Persistent failure to pay tuition when due may be cause for relinquishing the child’s place to a new enrollee.
Families with more than one child enrolled will receive $10 off monthly tuition for the second child.
REGISTRATION
A yearly registration fee is due at the time of enrollment and is non refundable.
FEES
Fees for supplies can be paid in two payments on March 1st and April 1st. In the event a child leaves the program for whatever reason, the fees will not be refunded.
NAP MAT FEE
Two year olds are required to have a napping mat. Due to limited space, the school will purchase mats and sell them to the two-year-olds parents each year.
FIRE DRILLS
Fire drills will be conducted each month to assure the safety of the children and familiarize the children and staff with the routine. An emergency evacuation will be practiced twice a year.
INSURANCE
St. Mark’s Catholic Preschool carries an insurance policy that is secondary to your medical coverage.
HEALTH, ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY
A statement from the child’s doctor to the effect that he or she is healthy, is able to participate in school activities, and has completed his or her immunizations is required for each school year. No medication can be administered to a child.
Children experiencing fever, diarrhea, vomiting, pink eye, etc. may not attend school until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours. Children too sick to participate in the full program including outside play, need to be kept at home. This also applies to cold weather days. Children will participate in outdoor play, unless the weather is too extreme.
The parents will be notified immediately if their child becomes ill or has an accident at school.
Parents must sign a form authorizing the Directors or staff to obtain medical aid in the event of a serious injury or illness.
VISION/HEARING SCREENING
Visual acuity and hearing sensitivity screening are required by the State for four year olds enrolled in school. Space is provided for this information on your child’s health form
PARENT/CHILD OPEN HOUSE
This event is held once each year and is scheduled in the evening to give every opportunity for both parents to attend.
It is a time for the child to introduce the parents and siblings to the teachers and classmates and show off his/her accomplishments. It will also serve to further acquaint parents with the school, the staff and the curriculum.
PARENT COOPERATION AND INVOLVEMENT
PARENT-TEACHER-CHILD COMMITTEE (PTC)
This group is comprised of all parents having a child in school, the Directors, and the staff. Active members provide an invaluable support system to the school and each other.
VOLUNTEER PARENTS
Parents may volunteer to be room parents. They will be responsible for helping with holiday parties.
STATE REQUIREMENTS
A copy of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Minimum Standards and current Licensing Inspections may be viewed in the school office. The phone number for Licensing Staff is 210-337-3399. The address is 3635 S.E. Military Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78223 and the website is www.txchildcaresearch.org.
PROGRESS REPORTS/CONFERENCES
Progress reports will be given to the parents twice a year. Parent/teacher and/or Director conferences will be available upon request.
THE SCHOOL DAY
ORIENTATION
Before the first day of school, families are invited to an orientation to learn about the school, meet the teachers and become acquainted with the child’s day.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
· Class times are 9:15 am – 1:45 pm Monday – Thursday and 9:15 am – 11:45 am on Friday and early out days.
· Drop-off time is between 9:00 am and 9:15 am
· Class begins promptly at 9:15 am
· Pick-up time is 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm on Monday – Thursday and 11:45 am – 12:00 noon on Friday and early out days.
· There will be an overtime charge of $25 per child for pick-ups later than 12 noon or 2:00 pm and $5 for every 5 minutes thereafter.
· Your child will be released only to his/her parent or a person authorized on the pick-up form.
· In case of an emergency, a phone call or note that will be verified by the school will allow a child to go home with someone else.
· When dropping off or picking up a child, a staff member must be made aware of the child’s arrival or departure.
· Children are not to be released from the car to come into school without an adult.
DISCIPLINE
Positive guidance and redirection are used to promote self-discipline and acceptable behavior.
In accordance with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, teachers have been required to be oriented in recognizing the symptoms of child abuse, neglect and sexual molestation. Texas law requires reporting such abuse to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Our teachers accept their responsibility to report any such cases. Child Abuse Hotline telephone number is 1-800-252-5400.
BEACH DAYS
If your child participates in Beach Day activities, you will need to sign a permission slip for liability purposes as required by the State. The teachers are not allowed to apply sunscreen or insect repellent. This will be your responsibility.
ENROLLMENT AND WITHDRAWAL
ELIGIBILITY
Children ages two, three, four and five as of September 1st are eligible for enrollment in St. Mark’s Catholic Preschool. Two- year- olds DO NOT NEED TO BE POTTY TRAINED. Their classrooms have a separate area used for diaper changing with a hand-washing sink (requirement of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.) Three- year- olds NEED TO BE POTTY TRAINED. Their classrooms do not have a separate area for changing diapers.
ADMISSION POLICIES
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services license St. Mark’s Catholic Preschool. St. Mark’s does not discriminate against any child due to ethnic background, religion, sex, national origin or color.
Upon receipt of the Enrollment Forms, Parent Agreement and appropriate fees, a child will be enrolled in the program depending on a vacancy in the age-level appropriate class. Pre-registration is held each January or February for children already in the program and their siblings. Registration for parishioners and open registration will follow immediately.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE SCHOOL
The Director(s) may terminate a child’s enrollment at any time due to the failure of either the parents or the child to cooperate with the policies of the school.
A minimum of two weeks’ notice must be given to the Director before parental withdrawal from the program. In the event that your child leaves the program for whatever reason, there will be no refund on any fees. No exceptions will be made. A child withdrawn from the school during any given month of a semester will pay full payment for that month.
POLICY CHANGES
Any changes to St. Mark’s Preschool Policies and Procedures will be sent home in writing in a timely manner.
CLOTHING
Children should be dressed in simple, washable clothing that they can easily handle for toilet trips and for outdoor play. Tennis shoes are suggested as footwear for the children. Children are not permitted to wear boots.
All preschool children need a complete change of seasonal clothing to be kept in the classroom. Each item, including socks and underpants, should be sent to the class in a Ziploc baggie labeled with your child’s name.
SNACK/LUNCH
Each child is to bring his or her own nutritious snack/lunch and drink from home each day.
TOTE BAG
Each child needs to have a tote bag or backpack for snack/lunch and school papers.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
If you would like to send a special treat for your child and his/her classmates on his/her birthday, please notify the teacher. This treat must be store bought, to comply with the State Regulations.
PHILOSOPHY
St. Mark’s Catholic Preschool provides a nurturing environment in a caring and positive atmosphere to create a warm and happy place for children to learn. As we bridge the gap from home to school, we guide children to a continued good self-image while building social skills in a school setting.
St. Mark’s fosters an “open door” policy and welcomes parents to visit the classroom and the office.