What is the typical class size?
Classes usually range from 14-16 in Multiage 1, 16-18 in Multiage 2, 18-20 in Multiage 3.  The half day preschool programs for 3 and 4 year olds have a class size of 12 - 14 students with one teacher and a full time assistant.  The 2 year old program has 8 – 10 students with 1 teacher and 1 assistant.

What measures are in place for security?
Video cameras are placed in the halls; windows allow viewing from the rooms to the hall and from the hall to the play area.  The playground is fenced and adults are on site supervising during recess.  All students must be signed in and out by family members or authorized adults.  Students wear uniforms for quick identification.  The front desk adult volunteer and the church office monitor all visitors entering the building.  Staff and volunteers wear identification badges.

What about snacks and lunch?
Parents are asked to send a healthy lunch daily for full time students.  There is a microwave and refrigerator available for students.  Parents will be asked to provide some snack items for field trips and for some of the younger classrooms.

How will I know what is happening each week?
A white dry erase board in the entry way will be updated daily with current information.  Flyers, classroom and school newsletters and the family handbook will provide you with other necessary information.  Information will be placed in your child’s mailbox.  (Please check your mail file daily.)  Some information will also be available on the website.

What technology is available?
Computers are available for student use in our full day program.  We are connected to the internet and have a wide variety of learning programs to support our curriculum.  Our web address is www.stmaryschristianschool.com.

What about naps/rest periods?
Regular naps are not included in the full day program schedule.  Quiet rest time is built in as needed.

Can you assist me in finding others to car pool with or to pick up my child occasionally?
We will be happy to assist you.  We publish a family directory, so that you may easily contact other parents and mail invitations or exchange necessary information.

Are there days when uniforms are not required?
Students are to wear uniform colors and approved clothing items everyday unless notified otherwise.  On days when the class has physical education, tennis shoes are required.  Since students are climbing on equipment at recess and running, we ask that dress shoes and beach or open toed shoes are not worn.  A shirt with the school logo is required on field trip days.  Free Dress Day, Valentine’s Day, individual picture day, summer school days, extended care only days and a few days during the year may be declared as uniform optional days.

What do I do when my child will be absent?
You are asked to let the school know by phone between 7:00 am and 8:30 am the morning that your child will be absent.  You may let us know at any time if an absence is preplanned.

Will I still be charged for days my student does not attend?
Yes, your contract is for the entire school year, not for a number of days.

What hours and days do you operate?
We hold school 180 days for 6 and ¼ hours per day; 8:15 am to 2:30 pm. Our ½ day programs operate fewer days and hours.  We are closed for a short spring vacation, and have 2 weeks off during Christmas time.  There are a few four day weekends and school is closed during parent/teacher conferences.

What is tuition based on?
The budget is based on $5.78 an hour for each child in the full day program.  We operate with state certified experienced staff in a new facility with up to date materials and methods.  We are a non-profit organization.  We are funded with tuition, fees, donations, and fund raisers.

Am I required to volunteer a specific amount of my time?
No, you are welcome and encouraged to assist with the program and events, but no set amount of time is required.  You are asked to assist us in any way possible with fund raising, donations or grant writing to raise additional monies for the school.  You are expected to help your child’s class host one family event and to be very actively involved in the yearly auction.  You will also be expected to fill out the annual customer satisfaction survey at the end of each year.  This helps us to monitor the level of customer satisfaction.

How will inappropriate behavior be handled?
Children act in ways that attempt to get their needs met.  When a child displays inappropriate behavior, we see this as a learning opportunity for the child.  A more appropriate behavior will be taught, practiced and reinforced.  We will make every effort to insure the child understands the rationale for the correct behavior.  All serious inappropriate behaviors will have consequences and parents will be notified when it is necessary to follow up at home.

How can I help my child at home?
Depending on the age of the child, homework may be assigned.  All parents especially, of our younger children, are encouraged to read daily with and to their child and to make vocabulary development a priority.  Children can also work on math facts and practice expressing themselves orally and in writing.  Children are expected to become successful problem solvers and creative thinkers.  If your child is experiencing difficulty with behavior, role playing at home also helps to give the child better options for dealing with situations.

How often will the teacher contact me or meet with us about our child’s progress?
Parent conferences occur twice a year.  Progress report cards are handed out between conferences and at the end of the year.  You may request a time to talk with the teacher as often as you feel the need.  Teachers will contact you, if an academic or behavioral issue needs immediate attention.  The beginning and end of the school day, when you pick up your child, are often busy times for staff with little opportunity for quality conversation to occur.  Unless you have prearranged this time with the staff member, we ask that you limit your sharing or questions for the teacher to only the most immediate need to know items at these times of the day.  Staff members strongly encourage you to schedule a time when you can focus totally on the needs of your child.  Often this can be done with only a few hours notice.

What are the qualifications of staff members?
The majority of our teachers hold BA degrees in education, early childhood or related areas.  Several staff members have master’s degrees.  The staff has a total of over 200 years of experience working with children.

What if the school needs to cancel classes or close early due to weather or an emergency situation?
It is critical that you keep the office up to date with current phone numbers and the names of relatives or other adults who could pick up your child from school should we need to close early.  Each child needs to have an emergency kit with food and water and a change of clothes at school.  We will contact you by phone, at home or at work to pick up your child.  If we are unable to reach you, we will call the designated emergency numbers.  A staff member will remain with your child until someone comes to get them.  You may want to make arrangements with another parent of a student here at school to act as an alternate pickup person for you.  Should we be unable to open due to weather conditions, we will try to call you at home prior to the opening of school, if possible.  During the time public schools are in session we will follow the same closure schedule as the Clover Park School District.  We are located across from the high school and about a half mile from an elementary school, so we feel that their decision will be based on valid safety information.  Local television stations and their web sites also carry current information starting at 5:00 am.

What supplies will my child need for school?
You will receive a basic list prior to the start of school.  You may be asked to have your child bring a special item for an art project or special event.  You may also be asked to provide snacks or other food items from time to time.

What other fees or costs will there be beyond the registration fee, tuition, extended care fees (optional) and the cost of required supplies and uniforms?
There may be an entry fee required for some field trips.  There are several optional fees; for school and class pictures and for special projects.

Do I have to be an Episcopalian to attend?
Families of all Christian faiths are welcome to attend.  You are encouraged to attend church on Sundays and any church activities that you and your family are interested in.  The Pastor and Principal are available to answer questions for you.  Your child is invited to attend Vacation Bible School, Sunday School and be a part of the Christmas Pageant.

Will my child be tested?
Children will be tested to determine a base line for developing their individual program.  We do both formal and informal assessment on an ongoing basis to track your child’s individual progress.  We do not compare children with other students.  We do compare them to developmental norms and a continuum of skills.  We use a wide variety of commercial and teacher developed assessment tools to determine the progress made by students.  We build our program around the determined needs of our currently enrolled students rather than asking students to fit into a totally predetermined program.

Why multiage?
Grouping this way allows us the greatest flexibility to place children where they are performing and to allow continuous progress in their skill development without restricting them by using age levels.  Students may be moved from one class to another during the school year depending on their needs and the rate of progress academically and behaviorally.

What if my child is injured or gets sick at school?
If your child is running a temperature, is vomiting or has diarrhea, they will need to be picked up as soon as possible.  We do have a nurse’s office where they can be isolated for short periods of time.  You will need to have a backup plan in place, if you are unable to leave work or work some distance from school.  We are unable to give any medication (including over the counter) without doctor’s written orders.

We are able to handle most minor injuries here at school.  In the event of a serious problem, we will call 911 and make every attempt to contact you.  A staff member will ride in the aid vehicle, if it is determined there is need to transport your child to an emergency room where you will be expected to meet us.

Are there discounts or available financial aid?
A limited amount of financial aid is currently available.  Contact the school office for information on the application process.

What payment options are available?
Tuition can be paid monthly, quarterly or in a single lump payment.  We will work with you to determine what works best for you.  As the school is tuition funded, it is imperative that payments are made on time in order for us to meet our contractual obligations to staff and our payment of operating expenses.  We are unable to allow accounts to become past due.  If an account becomes 30 days past due, the child will be withdrawn if satisfactory payment cannot be arranged.  The school uses an electronic transfer system for tuition payment.  Transfers can be established for once or twice a month over a period of time agreed upon by the school and parents.  Tuition for the current school year is expected to be paid in full by June 30th so that each year’s tuition is paid prior to the beginning of a new school year.  Detailed information and arrangements for establishing a transfer contract can be made through the school office.

Do you enroll children with special needs?
We feel all children have special needs.  We serve a diverse population.  We make every attempt to accommodate the special needs of all individuals.  Should we be unable to provide adequate service for a child, we will make other program recommendations for families.  If we find we cannot adequately meet a child’s needs after a child has enrolled, we will work to assist families in finding another program that can meet those needs.

Is transportation available?
Due to the cost of operations, and insurance, this is not a possibility now or in the immediate future.  Parents are encouraged to car pool.  We are located on the bus line with a stop in front of the school.

What steps are made to assist my child’s transition to their next school?
We currently serve students from six local school districts including military families who are deployed all over the world.

Students develop portfolios of work to take to their next school to indicate their skill levels and competencies.  We constantly monitor trends in education internationally to stay informed about new programs.  We have been very successful to date in preparing students for their next educational experiences.

What curriculum do you use?
Our curriculum is developed using a wide variety of resources.  It is dynamic and constantly revised based on new research, state requirements, national content standards, developmental criteria and the needs of our current students.  A copy of the skills taught at each level is available.  We have recently adopted Washington State’s New Early Learning and Development Benchmarks for our youngest students.  To obtain a complete copy of the document parents can visit the following web sites:

Office of the Governor
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Do you have specialists for some areas?
We currently have specialists for music and physical education.

Updated December 2007