Office Staff

Відділ охорони здоров'я

All staff e-mail addresses are firstname.lastname@MinnetonkaSchools.org. For a complete listing of Minnetonka Preschool & ECFE staff visit the District directory here. A library of District policies is available here.

Місія

Місія шкільного округу Міннетонка полягає в тому, щоб забезпечити всім учням можливість реалізувати свої найвищі прагнення, служачи при цьому загальному благу. У спільноті, яка виходить за межі традиційних уявлень про досконалість, ми використовуємо навчання та викладання як засоби для того, щоб цінувати та плекати кожну особистість, надихати всіх на прагнення до досконалості з упевненістю та надією, а також формувати очікування, що стимулюють досягнення видатних результатів як у навчанні, так і в житті.

Бачення

• Як організація світового рівня, що ставить на перше місце інтереси дітей, шкільний округ Міннетонка буде:
• Стимулювати та підтримувати всіх учнів у прагненні досягти найвищих рівнів академічних та особистих успіхів.
• Забезпечувати розумне та інноваційне управління державними ресурсами.
• Виступати за якісні навчальні та позанавчальні програми.
• Залучати, розвивати та підтримувати викладачів та інших фахівців у галузі освіти найвищого рівня.
• Вимагайте дотримання найвищих стандартів професійної майстерності на всіх рівнях організації.
• Створювати, реалізовувати та підтримувати найкращі можливості в галузі дошкільної освіти, щоб усі діти, вступаючи до дитячого садка, були готові до навчання та досягнення успіху.
• Адаптуйте навчальні програми до потреб кожного окремого учня.
• Створюйте позитивне та приємне навчальне середовище.
• Сприяти формуванню позитивних рис характеру та соціальної відповідальності.
• Надихати учнів розуміти та служити загальному благу.
• Instill and abiding appreciation for the rights, privileges, and values of America’s system of government.
• Produce outstanding graduates who are ready to contribute and thrive in a wide array of future pursuits and engage in lifelong learning.
• Завоювати та зберегти широку підтримку громадськості.

Переконання

• Освічене населення є невід’ємною складовою демократичного суспільства.
• Головну відповідальність за забезпечення освіти своїх дітей несуть саме сім’ї.
• Усі дорослі несуть відповідальність за догляд та благополуччя всіх дітей.
• Кожна людина заслуговує на можливість реалізувати свій індивідуальний потенціал.
• Ставлення людини є найважливішим чинником, що визначає успіх.
• Самореалізація приходить, коли людина займається улюбленою справою.
• Кожна людина має фундаментальну, внутрішню цінність.
• Гідність кожної людини є священною.
• Усім людям потрібно кохати й бути коханими.
• Усі люди мають право жити та працювати в безпечних умовах.
• Унікальність кожної особистості збагачує суспільство.
• Кожна людина має право висловлювати свої переконання.
• Ефективна комунікація є запорукою налагодження відносин та зміцнення спільної відданості спільній меті.
• Чесність є запорукою міцних стосунків.

Minnetonka Preschool has earned the Four Star Parent Aware Rating. Parent Aware helps parents identify early education programs that implement best practices in preparing children for kindergarten. Attributes of a Four Star Parent Aware program include:

• Facilitates ongoing assessment of child’s progress.
• Continually adapts lesson plans and goals to meet individual needs.
• Regularly updates parents on child’s progress.
• Communicates across cultures.
• Provides staff annual professional development.

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program for all families with children between the ages of birth to 5, not yet in kindergarten. It is unique to Minnesota, supported by the legislature, and offered only through public school district community education programs. ECFE recognizes that parents are children’s first and most significant teachers. The program’s mission is to strengthen families and enhance the ability of parents to provide the best environment for the healthy growth and development of their children. Program goals include:

• Help families meet the challenges of parenting through education, information and support.
• Provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for children to explore, discover and learn.
• Facilitate discussion and reflection about child development and parenting techniques.
• Promote positive and realistic attitudes and expectations about raising children.
• Provide information regarding community resources for families.

Early Childhood Screening is a free, health and developmental check required by the State of Minnesota for all preschool-aged children who will be attending kindergarten at a public school. The program helps identify children with possible health or developmental concerns that may impact learning.

The screening process includes a check of:

• Бачення
• Hearing
• Speech
• Motor skills
• Cognitive skills
• Social and emotional skills
• Height & weight
• Immunization history

The program assists families in accessing services that will help their young children be ready for kindergarten.
To learn more about the screening process, click here. After your child’s third birthday, register for a screening appointment here. Children enrolled in Minnetonka Preschool must complete Early Childhood Screening within 90 days of their first day of preschool.

ECFE class curriculum is based on Minnesota’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and is focused on parents following their child’s lead. Licensed Parenting Educators utilize the Minnesota Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework which includes the following domains:

• Parent Development
• Family Development
• Parent-Child Relationships
• Culture & Community
• Early Childhood Development

• Social- Emotional
• Суспільні науки
• Cognitive
• Language
• Science and Technology
• Математика
• Physical
• Мистецтво
• Early Literacy Authentic observations collected via Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment help teachers evaluate children’s development and learning, and also inform teachers’ planning and instruction.

Daily outdoor play is an important part of the curriculum. Dress your child appropriately for the weather and label your child’s clothing and boots with his/her name. Indoor gym time will be used when weather is prohibitive. Please apply sunscreen or bug spray to your child before dropping them off for school.

• Developing friendships/positive relationships through the use of greetings and learning the names of classmates.
• Teaching of emotion words/feelings.
• Teaching children how to recognize feelings in oneself and others.
• Teaching calming skills.
• Teaching how to control anger and impulses.
• Teaching and supporting students in learning how to problem solve. What is the problem? What are some solutions? What would happen next?
• Supporting students in practicing their solutions with one another: share, ask for help, try a timer, take turns, find another toy, ignore.

• TIER I Building Positive Relationships: with students, parents, and staff, and creating supportive environments
• TIER II Social Emotional Teaching Strategies: includes large group instruction along with targeted instruction for children at risk (includes the social skills curriculum that is part of the program.)
• TIER III Individualized Intensive Intervention: planned support provided by classroom staff, behavior specialists, parents and other qualified staff designated to help.

Emergency contact information must be completed prior to the child’s first day of class each school year. Please notify the office immediately if there are any changes in your information by emailing Dorothea.McCabe@MinnetonkaSchools.org.

Immunization records are requested when registering for Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE. If your child IS seen by a health care provider in Minnesota (MN), shot records will be looked up in MIIC (Minnesota Immunization Information Connection) by the health office. If you child has NOT been seen by a MN health care provider and has records from another state, please provide a copy to the Preschool/ECFE office.

A copy of a certified birth certificate is required for each child enrolling in Minnetonka Preschool, ECFE, and/or Sibling Care. This information will be submitted to the student accounting office and a student ID will be assigned to your child. The State of Minnesota requires your child’s complete name and date of birth.

Copies of legal documents must be provided to the program office before staff will actively prevent non-custodial parents from picking up their child. Parents are responsible for keeping the legal documents up-to-date with the office.

During online registration, Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE families are asked to provide photo and video consent. Photos and/or videos taken within Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE classes, activities, programs and events may be included in paper and/or online promotional advertising, catalogs, and displays.

Records concerning your child, including enrollment forms, health records, observation records and all other information about your child are confidential and will only be accessible to you, your child’s teachers (including Minnetonka Preschool, ECFE and Junior Explorers staff where applicable), program coordinator, program office assistant, health office and/ or a person designated by the school or state to review our records for licensing purposes and annual state reporting requirements. The Minnetonka School District Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records #515 also applies to students enrolled in Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE.

ECFE: ECFE parent-child classes meet from mid-September through May and are charged on a sliding fee scale based on a family’s gross household income. Please call the ECFE/Preschool Office at 952-401-6812 if the fee is a hardship. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay. Minnetonka Preschool: Minnetonka Preschool classes have a set fee, and financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Please contact Briana Andres for information about scholarships and School Readiness funding

In the event of an accident or injury to a student at school, an accident report will be completed and submitted to the program coordinator and the health office on the day of the incident. Parents will also be notified by the health office and the classroom teacher. If a child receives a minor injury, he/she will be provided first-aid by the school nurse or health para, and parents will be notified. In the event of a more serious injury or health emergency, parents will be notified as soon as possible, and if necessary, the child will be transported to a hospital by local emergency medical technicians. The child will be transported at the parents’ expense.

The Minnetonka Preschool & ECFE program follows the District Bullying Prohibition Policy #514.

• Preschool - Preschool tuition is due the first of the month, and all payments are processed electronically. There is a $15.00 charge for any payment that does not process. The first month’s tuition and $100.00 registration fee are nonrefundable.
• Lunch Bunch - Requests for refunds must be received five business days before the first day in order to receive a full refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee.
• ECFE - Requests must be received five business days before the first day of class for a full refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee.

Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE conducts fire, tornado and lock down drills. Staff will teach children how to respond and keep children safe during these drills. Emergency exit plans are posted in each classroom and throughout the building.

• When arriving in the classroom.
• Before and after eating; before preparing and serving food; before setting the table.
• Before and after preparing or giving medication.
• After using the toilet, before and after diaper change, or after assisting a child with toilet use.
• After handling items soiled with body fluids or wastes (blood, vomit, stool, and urine, drool, or eye drainage).
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• After playing with or caring for pets or other animals.
• After playing outside.
• Before and after using water tables or moist items such as clay.
• After handling garbage or cleaning.
• Whenever hands look, feel or smell unclean.
• Before going home.

• Wet hands.
• Use liquid soap and running water.
• Rub hands vigorously for 20 seconds, being careful to get the backs of hands, wrists and between fingers.
• Rinse well.
• Dry hands with a single use paper towel or air dryer.
• Turn off the water at the faucet using a paper towel.

• A fever of 100 degrees F or above
• Блювота або діарея
• An undiagnosed rash
• A strep throat culture with results pending from your doctor’s office. If the child has been diagnosed with strep throat he/she needs to be on an antibiotic for 12 hours before returning to school
• In addition to the items listed above, parents may be asked to pick up their child from school if the child displays symptoms of illness, including nasal or eye drainage, difficulty breathing/wheezing, unexplained irritability, or an inability to participate in routine activities.

• Attempt to reach you at home or work
• Call people listed as authorized pick-ups
• If you are more than 30 minutes late, the police will be contacted for assistance. A late fee of $10/child is charged for each 10 minutes that parents are late picking up a child. The fee will be added to your monthly tuition bill.

The playground equipment in the front of the Minnetonka Community Education Center and the Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) located on the southwest side of the building is designed for children ages six and under. We encourage you to explore the playground and OLC with your children whenever there is not a class using the spaces. Please do not leave children unattended in either outdoor space.

• Believe in your child’s ability to separate from you.
• Show your child where you will be when you leave.
• Acknowledge your child’s feelings and add the opportunity for change. For example, “I know that you will have fun once you are finished feeling sad. Play with the blocks when you are ready.”
• After you say you are leaving, it is important to just leave. It is also important to pick up your child on time.
• Allow your child to bring a comfort item with them to school.
• Discuss the drop-off plan or expectations. For example, “first we will get out of the car, then we will walk to the door”, etc.

Your child will be released only to people listed on your authorized pick up form. Staff are required to ask for identification from anyone unfamiliar attempting to pick up a child. If an unauthorized person attempts to pick up your child, you will be contacted. If you can’t be reached, your child will remain in the building until you or your emergency contact person arrives. Please notify the office via email at Dorothea.McCabe@MinnetonkaSchools.org if you want to authorize additional adults to pick up your child or have changes in your contact information.

• School is cancelled: When school is cancelled, Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE will be closed for the entire day, including evening classes.
• Delayed start: When school opening is delayed by an hour or more, Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE morning classes will be cancelled, but afternoon classes will be held.
• Early dismissal: When weather-related emergencies lead to an early school dismissal, Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the day and will remain open until parents or guardians have picked up all children.

Minnetonka Preschoolers bring their own healthy snack and water bottle to school each day. Classrooms are all Peanut Aware. Please refrain from bringing snack items that contain peanuts or tree nuts. Parents will be notified of any other allergies in their child’s classroom. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday at school, please consider donating a book to your child’s classroom or sharing another non-food item. Please do not bring edible treats.

All teachers in Minnetonka Preschool and ECFE hold a valid teaching license from the State of Minnesota. All teachers and paraprofessionals are trained in developmentally appropriate practices and have current certification in infant/ child CPR and First Aid.

Mini Tonka Times, an electronic newsletter, is emailed to families on a monthly basis during the school year. It contains information on upcoming events, program updates and new classes. Preschool teachers also create and disseminate class specific information to families of enrolled children via Seesaw. Please call, email or speak to your child’s teacher directly if you have any concerns or information you wish to share about your child. Interpreter services are available; please email Dorothea.McCabe@MinnetonkaSchools.org to request an interpreter.

Please keep your information current, e.g. addresses, phone numbers, employment etc. Please email the office at Dorothea.McCabe@MinnetonkaSchools.org with changes.

Minnetonka Preschool parent/teacher conferences occur twice during the school year. During conferences, information about your child’s progress will be shared. Interpreter services are available. To request an interpreter, please contact your child’s teacher at least 2 weeks prior to your conference date.

The Minnetonka Preschool & ECFE PTO is made up of parents, staff and community members. The purpose of the PTO is to support and enhance ECFE and Preschool programs through advocacy, community outreach, fundraising and volunteering. Generally the PTO meets on Thursday of every other month (September-May). For more information contact: mtkapreschoolpto@gmail.com or visit: tinyurl.com/MtkaPreschoolPTO.

Parent and guardian participation is encouraged. Some parents/guardians have special talents, skills or experiences that they can share with the classroom. Others may have some extra time to help in the classroom or chaperone a field trip. Please contact your child’s teacher if you are interested in volunteering. All potential chaperones and volunteers are required to complete a background check. The background check form is located on the District website at MinnetonkaSchools.org/shortcuts/volunteer-background-check. The process can take up to 48 hours