Student/Parent Handbook

Welcome to Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Center!

We are delighted to welcome our students and families to another exciting year at Bright Beginnings. Our dedicated team has been working tirelessly throughout the summer to ensure a fantastic school experience for every child.

At BBECC, our mission is to create enriching experiences that foster a love of lifelong learning. We believe the best way to achieve this is through strong collaboration with our families, nurturing meaningful relationships, and building a supportive school-community partnership. Our commitment to your child extends beyond academics—we strive to meet their social, emotional, and physical needs in a caring and engaging environment.

We recognize that young children are constantly learning and growing, and we embrace developmentally appropriate behavior as a natural part of their journey. Our approach supports children in understanding their emotions, developing problem-solving skills, and building positive relationships in a nurturing setting. Your involvement, insights, and encouragement are invaluable in making this school year a truly special one.

This handbook contains essential information regarding our policies, procedures, curriculum, health and nutrition guidelines, and ways to get involved as a parent. By working together, we can create a safe, supportive, and joyful environment for all.

If you have any questions or suggestions on how we can enhance your experience at Bright Beginnings, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re looking forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Sincerely,
Bianca Alvarez
Principal/Director
Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Center

Our school community will provide positive experiences for young children and families while creating an enthusiasm for life-long learning.

We believe that young children learn best….

1. through developmentally-appropriate practices based on what is known about how children learn through observation of the needs and interests of individual children and families,
2. when activities and experiences integrate components from all developmental domains,
3. in a safe, nurturing environment,
4. through hands-on activities in a multi-sensory environment, which values play in the learning process,
5. when a supportive and positive partnership exists between family, school and community, and
6. when all team members work collaboratively to meet the needs of the whole child.

Learning, Laughing, Caring, Sharing
as we grow together!

Age Group: Prenatal through age 3
Cost: No Cost
Sessions: Monthly office visits at the parent’s convenience
Socializations: Two per month
Parent Meetings: Monthly

Age Group: Prenatal through age 3
Cost: No Cost
Sessions: Weekly home visits at the parent’s convenience
Socializations: Two per month
Parent Meetings: Monthly

Age Group: Prenatal up to 72 months
Cost: No Cost
Sessions: Monthly home visits
Socializations: Two per month
Parent Meetings: Monthly

Under no circumstances are animals to be transported on school buses.

Persons bringing animals and plants into the school must receive prior permission from the supervising teacher and the building principal. Animals, including all vertebrates, invertebrates, and toxic plants such as poison ivy or sumac, may be brought into the classroom for educational purposes.

Domesticated animals must be inoculated against rabies at the student’s expense before the student may bring such animals to school. Animals must be adequately housed and cared for in screened cages. Handling of animals and plants by students must be on a voluntary basis. Only the teacher or students designated by the teacher are to handle the animals.

Building doors are open at 7:30 AM every morning for children and parents to enter the building.

Students and parents may enter the buildings through the front doorway to the north of the building, Door G.

To ensure student safety, parents/authorized adults are asked to never leave any children unattended in their vehicles and to hold the child’s hand while in the parking lot and building.

Children must never be left unattended or alone anywhere in the building or on school property.

Please be sure to adequately supervise your child during this waiting time.

Parents and children are greeted at the classroom door by a staff member.

A parent or authorized adult (a person, who is at least sixteen years old, on the Emergency/Release Information Form) needs to escort the child to and from the classroom, sign the student in and out, and record the exact time of arrival and departure.

The authorized individual (who is at least sixteen years old) needs to make direct contact with the staff member in the classroom before leaving the child upon arrival and before leaving with the child upon dismissal. Under no circumstances are children to be left in the hallway or without the knowledge of the classroom staff.

Emergency Release information must be updated regularly. Children will only be released to individuals listed on the Emergency/Release Information form. Staff is required to have a list of this information readily available and monitor to whom a child is released. Changes to authorized individuals must be made in person in the main office.

Children who arrive after 8 AM for our full-day classes and morning half-day classes or after 12:05 PM for our afternoon half-day classes will be required to check in, with their parents, at the school office and bring a tardy slip to their classroom teacher to enter the classroom. Students are tardy if they are not in their classrooms at our school’s designated start time.

At dismissal, parents are asked to wait in the hall until the classroom door is unlocked and bus children are dismissed, before entering themselves.

Children who are still in the classroom at 11:10 AM for morning half-day classes or 3:15 PM for full-day and afternoon half-day classes, will be
taken to the office of the main building to remain with designated staff members, until a person on the Emergency Release list arrives for them. If there is no notification from parents/guardians, students not picked up by 11:55 and 3:55 p.m. will be considered abandoned and the School Resource Officer will be contacted.

These procedures comply with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1302.47(b)(5)(iv), (7)(v).

Regular attendance both in the classroom and at home visits is required for your child to benefit fully from Bright Beginnings. If your child is absent or you are unable to attend your home visit, call BBECC (620) 371-1220 or EHS/PAT (620) 371-1250 and leave a message for your child’s teacher or family advocate, stating the reasons for absences or home visit cancellation. You may leave a voicemail during non-working hours.

POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Policy: The program will develop appropriate strategies to improve attendance among students identified as being at risk of missing ten percent of program days per year.

The program will ensure average monthly attendance does not fall below 85%.

Procedures:

1. Attendance will be completed by the teaching staff on a daily basis.
2. Parents bringing children to school need to sign them in and out.
3. Parents are instructed to call within thirty minutes of program start time when their child is going to be absent or late. Parents of students in full-day preschool and in morning preschool will call the office by 8:30 AM. Parents of students in the afternoon session will call the office before 12:45 PM.
4. For the safety of our students, if the school has not heard from the parent or guardian, using the times stated above, the school will call home or work to verify the reason for absence. These calls will be made immediately after 8:25AM/12:40 PM and be recorded as unexcused absences for the child.
5. After 3 consecutive days with no parent contact, a home visit will be done to verify the child is safe. (HS)
6. The program secretary will notify the program director when a child has entries approaching ten percent of the total days of the student’s enrollment. The attendance entries may be a combination of tardies, excused or unexcused absences.
7. An attendance action plan will be created with the parent.
8. The program director will meet with the education support team (teacher, paraprofessional, and family advocate) to determine the reason for the absences. The Management Team will review the individual circumstances of the absences. If it is decided that the child has missed enough days without documentation of valid reasons for the absences, or excessive absences occur that are not able to be alleviated, the education support team (teacher, paraprofessional, and family advocate) will meet with the parents to develop an action plan to overcome attendance barriers and improve attendance. If the student’s attendance does not improve after attempts have been made to overcome barriers and follow the action plan, then the student will be dropped from the program. A student may be placed back on the waitlist AFTER a home visit is completed with the family advocate and the parent signs a form stating that if the child’s absences fall below 85% of the total days the student has been enrolled, the child will be dropped from the program and will not be eligible to reapply to the program during the current school year. Student attendance entries include tardies, unexcused absences AND excused absences. The total attendance entries considered should not exceed 15% of the student’s total enrollment days for the current school year.
9. The family advocate will assist the parent with any identified attendance barrier.
10. The family advocate will document any and all assists they have made with the parent and that documentation will be placed in the child’s file and Child Plus.

The procedure complies with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1302.16.

Some families may need help with child care for just a short time before or after school, in order to drop off a child and still make it to work or to get to school in time for pick-up right after work. In partnership with Russell Child Development Center, a Building Blocks grant provides Before and/or After School Care scholarships to qualifying families based on need and availability. Other required elements are the completion of the application, the ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE-2 in the fall and spring.

Currently, Before School Care is from 7-7:35 AM. After School Care is from 3:30-4:15 PM. For additional information, contact the school office. There are limited slots available in Before and After School care and these will be filled in order of application.

To ensure a positive school experience for all of our preschoolers, clear, consistent and age-appropriate behavior expectations are modeled and taught by staff to students. Our underlying philosophy is embodied in this saying: In our Bright Beginnings Family, it is our job to keep you safe. It is your job to help.

Simply, our staff will work with students, modeling and teaching them to follow our First Step guidance:

• Eyes watching
• Ears listening
• Voice quiet
• Body calm 

Students will learn what they are able to do in a variety of settings to show they are safe, respectful and responsible at school, during mealtime, on the bus, in P.E. or at recess, in the bathroom, halls, or library.

Student misbehavior will be addressed by staff in a caring, positive, respectful, supportive and age-appropriate manner. Corporal punishment (spanking, striking or other forms of physical punishment), name calling, sarcasm, the use of threats, and the use of food, outdoor time or physical activity as a reward or punishment are not allowed at our school or at any of our preschool activities by anyone, including staff, substitutes, parents, older siblings, community volunteers, etc.

Parents are encouraged to read Dodge City Public School USD 443’s Elementary School Handbook for additional information about our district’s guidelines for student behavior.

In the event that a child exhibits persistent and serious challenging behaviors, BBECC staff will explore all possible steps and document all steps taken to address such problems, and facilitate the child’s safe participation in the program. At minimum, steps will include engaging a mental health consultant, considering the appropriateness of providing services and support under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and consulting with the child’s parents and teacher(s).

If, after BBECC has explored all possible steps and documented all steps taken, in consultation with the parents, teacher(s), the agency responsible for implementing IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act), if applicable, and the mental health consultant, it is determined that the child’s continued enrollment presents a continued serious safety threat to the child or other enrolled children and Bright Beginnings is not the most appropriate placement for the child, then our program will work with such entities to directly facilitate the transition of the child to a more appropriate placement.

The procedure complies with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1302.17.

“The district will endeavor to provide a suitable environment conducive to the general health, safety and welfare of each student in school attendance and in school-sponsored activities. Building C’s Door G and Building A’s Door B, will be locked ten minutes after the morning and afternoon preschool sessions begin. All other doors will remain locked at all times. Visitors must report to the office to sign in and receive a badge, before proceeding to the classroom, after the doors are locked.

Only bus students and supervising staff are to use the east doors of Building C during arrival and dismissal times.

Exterior doors should never be propped open.

District Stance: “District-Issued Only” In compliance with Kansas Senate Bill 2299, the district operates a “Bell-to-Bell, Device-Free” policy. The district’s official stance is: If the district did not issue the device to you, it is not allowed inside the school building. This applies to all classrooms, passing periods, lunch, and restrooms.

Absolute Prohibition on Personal Technology This policy applies to any and all technology not owned or issued by the district. If the district did not give it to you, it is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to:

• All cell phones and smartphones.
• Smartwatches, GPS-enabled watches/devices, and phone watches (Apple Watch, Garmin, etc.)
• Wireless earbuds/headphones (AirPods, Beats, etc.).
  • Testing Accommodations: The district will provide required headphones/earbuds for testing or instructional purposes as needed.
• Personal tablets or gaming devices.

Off-Campus and Workplace Learning Expectations

• College Classes: College/Concurrent Enrollment Classes: Students attending college or concurrent enrollment classes may use personal devices while off campus. Upon returning to school grounds, devices must be left in the vehicle or checked into the Main Office immediately upon return to the high school.
• Job Shadowing / PLE / WBL: These are considered school-related learning experiences. Personal devices must be left in the student’s vehicle during the duration of these experiences. Use of a personal device during job shadowing or workplace learning is a violation of this policy.

Athletic and Activity Travel (Non-Instructional Trips)

• The Departure Rule: Students leaving for school-sponsored athletic or activity events (e.g., away games, music competitions) may retrieve their personal devices from their vehicle or another building-designated storage location only after they have been officially dismissed from their academic classes for travel. Buildings may determine the most appropriate storage location for devices prior to dismissal (e.g., Main Office, Athletic Office, etc.).
• Instructional Field Trips: This exception does not apply to instructional field trips. Field trips are considered an extension of the classroom, and the “Device-Free” building policy remains in effect for the duration of the trip.
• Usage: Once the athletic/activity bus departs school grounds, personal devices may be used at the discretion of the head coach or sponsor to coordinate late-night pickups with parents.

Authorized Storage

• Vehicles/Home: Students are directed to leave personal devices at home or in a locked vehicle.
• Main Office Check-In: If a student brings a device into the building, it must be checked into the Main Office or another building-designated location immediately upon entry. Buildings may establish additional procedures for device storage and retrieval based on operational needs.
• Backpacks: Backpacks are NOT considered an authorized storage location for personal devices.

Communication & Emergency Procedures

• Parent/Student Contact: Parent/Student Contact: All contact during the school day must occur through the school’s Main Office or other building-designated location.
• Emergency Phone Use: Students needing emergency communication may use a school phone in the Main Office or another building-designated location as determined by administration.

Exceptions (Last Resort) Personal device use is a last resort only for documented IEP/504 requirements or medical necessities. Documentation must be on file with administration.

Discipline Progression: If a device is seen or heard and was not properly checked into the office or other building-designated location, the following discipline progression will apply. Buildings may establish procedures for how confiscated devices are stored and managed based on the operational needs of the building.

• 1st Offense: Confiscated; taken to the Main Office. Student picks it up after school.
• 2nd Offense: Confiscated; taken to the Main Office. Parent/Guardian must pick it up.
• 3rd Offense: Confiscated; taken to the Main Office. Parent/Guardian picks it up + detention.
• Refusal to Surrender: Refusal to immediately surrender a device to a staff member is a cell phone violation and insubordination/defiance. This results in an immediate administrative referral, and the student will bypass the 1st offense (student pick-up).
• Continued Violations: Repeated violations may result in additional disciplinary consequences and/or parent conferences as determined by administration.
• Documentation: Violations will be documented in Skyward.

Parents and other visitors are welcome and encouraged to make arrangements to visit school and to become informed about the education program. USD 443 has policies against weapons, drugs and no tolerance of gang activities. Visitors are asked to be aware of all these policies before entering the buildings.

Open House, school programs, and conferences all provide regularly scheduled times to visit school, although visits are not limited to those times. If parents have questions about their child’s progress, they are invited to contact their child’s teacher at any time to arrange a conference to address those specific concerns.

We do ask your cooperation with respect to the following guidelines:

1. Upon arrival at the school, visitors must sign in and sign out when leaving the building in the office. Name tags are available for visitors to wear while in the building. Parent ID will be required to get a visitors pass sticker.
2. Please make appointments for all visits or conferences, preferably at least one day in advance.
3. Children may not visit schools except when accompanied by a supervising adult.

Children are never left alone with volunteers. Regular volunteers, working in our school with children for more than ten days, must be screened for appropriate communicable diseases and pass a background check.

This complies with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1302.94 (a)(b).

“It shall be against board policy for any business or organization to deliver flowers or gifts to individual students during the school day. Any group deliveries must have prior approval of the building principal.”

BBECC staff is required by Kansas State law to report suspected cases of Child emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and neglect to the Kansas Department for Children and Families. All Bright Beginnings staff are mandated reporters. We realize that parenting is not an easy job and sometimes parents need resources from the school or community to assist them. We have a School Counselor and a Behavior Interventionist on staff to assist you in these matters. Please remember that we are here to listen and support our families in their time of need, as we work together to keep our children safe and well-cared for.

All information about your child and family is kept confidential. Parents/guardians are the only ones who can authorize release of information about their family and shall sign an Authorization for Mutual Exchange of Information form before any information will be released.

This complies with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1303.24

Neatness, decency, and good taste are guidelines of the district dress code. A student’s appearance should not disrupt in any way the normal proceedings of the school, nor interfere with the health, safety or welfare of any individual.

Apparel and clothing containing printed or visual messages, which are inappropriate in a school setting, may necessitate a change of clothing. Shoes shall be worn. Hats and cutoffs, beach apparel, see-through, bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, skate shoes and unsuitable fake fingernails are unacceptable. Cropped tops, T-shirts with inappropriate pictures or messages, tank tops, mesh or fishnet shirts, bicycle shorts, short shorts, or boxer shorts are also unacceptable.

Extreme hairstyles and/or color will not be permitted. Decisions concerning these matters will be at the discretion of the building administrators.”

Outdoor play is a regular part of our daily schedule. Exercise and fresh air have positive effects on both children and adults as long as they are dressed appropriately for the weather. All students will go outside each day, weather permitting.

Please be sure your child is dressed for the cold weather. Per the childcare watch guidelines we usually go outside when the temperature is 32 degrees or higher, with the wind chill factor.. Appropriate winter outdoor clothing includes snowsuits, mittens, hats, socks, and boots. In the fall and spring, children still need to bring a light jacket or sweater to wear outdoors on cooler days. Remember to label your child’s outerwear with his/her name.

Children are encouraged to wear tennis shoes daily for attending Physical Education (P.E.). Sandals, open-toed shoes, cowboy boots, slippers and high heels can present a safety risk during class when students are running, climbing, and riding tricycles. Please visit with the P.E. teacher, your child’s teacher or family advocate, if you have any questions or concerns about safety, clothing and outdoor play.

“The Board of Education for Unified School District 443, Dodge City, Kansas is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for students, employees, volunteers, and patrons free from harassment, intimidation or bullying.

The Superintendent is authorized to direct the development and implementation of a plan that includes provisions for the training and Education for staff members and students. Students found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion, and may be reported to local law enforcement.

For the purposes of this policy, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying include any intentional written, electronic, verbal, or physical act, when such act:

• Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
• Is severe, persistent, or pervasive, creating an intimidating or threatening environment; or
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

“Intentional” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s).
Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including, but not limited to: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawing cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, electronic, oral, or physical actions.

This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the education environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom, or program rules.

Corrective disciplinary action, counseling, and/or referral to other school district and community resources, including law enforcement, may be used to address and correct the behavior of the perpetrator(s) and mitigate any impact on the victim(s). False reports or retaliation for harassment, intimidation, or bullying also constitutes violations of this policy.

“If poor weather conditions make it necessary to close school, the decision to do so will be made by the Superintendent of Schools. Notification regarding school closing will be sent to local radio and television stations.

*Emergency Weather Procedures During the School Day

If the weather seems to be developing into a possible emergency weather situation, please follow these steps:

1. Listen to KOLS-K 95-FM, Q 97-FMKGNO 1370-AM, KJIL 99.1-FM radio, local television stations and Channel 21 for possible school cancellations. Information will also be sent out using the district communication system and school social media.
2. If school is canceled, students will be dismissed to parents before or at emergency dismissal time.
3. Students will not be allowed to walk home. They need to be picked up at their schools.
4. Parents will be responsible for their children getting home. If parents cannot pick up their children, they will need to provide a means for them to get home and notify the school.
5. Businesses employing a large number of parents of school-age children will be notified of the cancellation. Those parents will be expected to pick up their children before or at the emergency dismissal time. If this is not possible, parents will need to provide a means for them to get home and notify the school.
6. Parents are encouraged to notify other parents who do not have telephones of the cancellation.”

Our general policy is that we use outdoor play as a regular part of our daily activity schedule. Therefore, children and staff go outdoors whenever the weather permits. Staff will determine if the conditions are healthy or not before taking the children out. Determination is made using a combination of weather reports, temperatures, environmental alerts, etc.

When school is in session and the parking lot is dangerous due to weather, families will be notified via the district notification system of closure of the lower lot. The following map shows safe places to park.

The following map shows the flow of traffic for our parent/guest parking lot.

Students must be accompanied by an adult into the building and signed in and out by a parent/adult in the child’s classroom. Parking for all student arrival and dismissal will take place in the north BBECC parking lot or in the parking lot down by Memorial Stadium. There is no double parking allowed at any-time. The handicapped parking stalls are reserved for those who need them. Vehicles must arrive and exit the parking lot at a low rate of speed, respecting student and family safety. There is no smoking allowed in the parking lot or on school property. All children must be secured in child safety seating, as required by Kansas law. Children must not be left unattended in vehicles at any time. Any unsafe or excessively fast driving will be reported to the police. School Resource Officers (SROs) will be present periodically, in parking lots.

For the safety of our children and staff, all parents and visitors are asked to enter and exit Building C- PreSchool (east building) through Door G, our main entrance, or enter and exit Building A- Daycare (west building) through Door B. Door G will be locked ten minutes after the morning and afternoon preschool sessions begin. All other doors will remain locked all day. Visitors must report to the office to sign in and receive a badge before proceeding to the classrooms after the doors are locked.

Please do not block the bus loading zone at any time. It is located on the east side of our main building. Parking is not permitted on Comanche Ave.

Sunnyside students must follow the entrance and exit procedures outlined in the student expectations of their attendance center.

While walking in the parking lot and hallways, parents are asked to hold their child’s hand until arriving in the classroom and arriving back to their vehicle.

“School administrators and staff are not responsible for valuables that students bring to school. It is recommended that students leave all valuables at home. This includes electronic devices, games, trading cards, toys from home, etc. If special circumstances make it necessary for a student to bring substantial cash or other important possessions to school, registering them and leaving them at the office can safeguard these items.” The following items are not allowed at school: bicycles, electronic devices, laser penlights, rollerblades, scooters, skate shoes, and skateboards.

In the event that a child or parent would like to bring something from home, it must first be discussed with the teacher before bringing it to class. Personal items need to be marked with the child’s name.

BBECC is not responsible for the loss or damage of personal items brought to school.

Bus service is available for students who live outside the walk boundary and meet program eligibility requirements set by the Board of Education and federal Head Start regulations. Students are expected to comply with policies set forth in this handbook as well as the Student School Bus Handbook that is received prior to receiving transportation. Discipline procedures will be enforced when a student fails to comply with these rules. Full day classes do not qualify for busing.

Students receiving services from SKACD, may be eligible to receive transportation services based on IEP needs. Transportation requests must begin with the school’s office.

If your child is not to ride the bus please notify the office the day of, no later than 10:20 AM if your child is in the morning session or 2:30 PM if the child is in the PM session. This will ensure the office notifies the correct personnel.

Information regarding address changes, schedules, and bus times are available through the Transportation Department at (620) 471-2106.

BUS PICK UP AND DROP OFF LOCATIONS
The parent/guardian needs to attach a tag to the child's backpack for their first bus ride that includes the child's name, address, and phone number. Your child will receive a bus identification tag, to be placed on your child’s backpack. Children need to have their backpack each and every day when they ride the bus with their permanent tag.

A minimum of three days written notice is required for a permanent address change, to be completed at the transportation office. If you are planning to change day care centers or babysitters, make sure they will be able to meet the bus at its assigned stop to drop off or pick up your child. Door-to-door service is not available for regular education students. The child care provider will also need to be added to your child’s emergency contacts. Notify your family advocate, teacher and the Transportation Department, in writing, as soon as possible, to receive uninterrupted bus service.

Students who have five missed pick-ups, which include an adult who fails to meet the bus to drop off or pick up a child or an adult who fails to call the Transportation Department to let them know the child will not be riding the bus, will lose the opportunity to ride the bus for the remainder of the year.

If you have concerns regarding your child’s school bus transportation, please contact the Transportation Office at (620) 471-2106.

TRANSPORTATION SCHOLARSHIPS
If you do not qualify for transportation based on the walk boundary and you cannot find any other way to get your child to school, please notify the front office or your family advocate. Bright Beginnings has a limited number of transportation scholarships available. Qualification for the scholarship is based on need and availability. Other required elements are the completion of the application, the ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE-2 in the fall and spring. Student attendance meeting program requirements plays a part in continued eligibility for this service. Students and families will be required to follow the transportation rules in order to utilize this service.

“A student shall not knowingly possess, handle or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon at school, on school property, or at a school-sponsored event. This shall include any weapon or destructive device, any item being used as a weapon or destructive device, or any facsimile of a weapon or destructive device.”

Bright Beginnings will utilize the Creative Curriculum whole-child curriculum with fidelity. The instructional staff will monitor student progress towards goals in the developmental domain areas of Social-Emotional, Approaches to Learning, Physical Development, Cognitive, Literacy, Language, and Mathematics and curriculum checkpoints will be given in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

Bright Beginnings will utilize Teaching Strategies Gold to assess individual student progress towards school readiness goals in the content areas of early literacy and early numeracy. These assessments will be given in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

Bright Beginnings will participate in the district's use of Fastbridge to assess the kindergarten readiness skills of four-year-olds in early reading and early math. These assessments will be given in the fall, winter, and spring.

These assessments will inform the program and instructional staff of the individual student instruction needs, instructional staff support, and professional development needs.

Several developmental screenings are required and conducted within the first 45 days of a child’s attendance at Bright Beginnings. The screening tools used by BBECC include the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ 3) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional screener (ASQ-SE 2). These screeners are given upon entry and at the end-of the-year.

The ASQ:3 is a developmental screener that measures a child's communication, fine motor, gross motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills levels. The ASQ: SE-2 is a behavioral screener that determines the child's current level of emotion and behaviors.

These screening tools are not IQ tests. The ASQ:3 and the ASQ: SE-2 are required screenings and will be given upon enrollment and at the end of the school year.

A parent or guardian completes screenings to help identify the child's current level of development across several areas. The instructional staff uses the screening results to individualize the child's classroom instructional needs and supports.

If warranted through screening and additional relevant information, and with direct guidance from a mental health or child development professional and the parent’s consent, children eligible for services under IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act) receive a full range of services. Staff members work closely with community agencies to identify and provide services to these families to meet the needs of the child enrolled.

Enrolling children eligible for services under IDEA into the program has proven to be an enriching experience for regular education children, as well as the children with diagnosed disabilities. Overall, this helps all children learn to accept and respect the individual differences of people. This acceptance is necessary to the social development of all children.

BBECC’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Team meets regularly to address student needs identified by a teacher, support staff, and the child’s parent. The MTSS Team is composed of the director/principal, Education-Disability Specialist, Mental-Health Specialist, School Psychologist, Behavior Interventionist, and the classroom teacher.

The Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) process provides instruction and support to promote academic and behavioral success for all children.

MTSS addresses the primary areas of reading, math, and behavior.

The MTSS process includes three tiers of instruction.

In Tier 1, all students receive evidence-based curriculum and instruction.

In Tier 2, the school provides additional instructional support in small groups to students in addition to the general curriculum.

In Tier 3, the teacher provides intense instructional support to students in need, often at a ratio of 3:1 or smaller. The MTSS team will document and review these interventions to identify progress made toward individual skills.

Parents are key members of this team, and they will be notified by the child’s classroom teacher for parent consent, when their child is recommended for MTSS services.

The Mental Health Specialist aka the School Counselor works closely with staffed mental health consultants to promote the social-emotional development of children and families in our program. In consultation with teachers, family advocates, and parents, involvement in the MTSS team will be considered for support and activities. Mental Health Consultants have the ability to offer support in the classroom, small groups, or individually in the Mental Health Specialist room, or in the home with families. Screenings, ongoing observations, and communication within the MTSS will benefit the next steps for the child in their development.

The Mental Health Specialist will work with program staff and Mental Health Consultants who have concerns for children who have demonstrated a behavioral  social-emotional need based on any of the following: parent concern, teacher concern, and or use of behavioral assessment data, ASQ:SE-2. With parent consent, the Mental Health Consultant will be able to administer the Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment Clinical Form (DECA-C) to children who demonstrate a behavioral concern.

Head Start regulations require a physical exam be performed for each child before the child enters into the program and once yearly, thereafter, for as long as the child is enrolled.

A COMPLETE PHYSICAL EXAM INCLUDES:

• a review of the body systems (i.e., eyes, ears, heart, lungs, etc.)
• a hemoglobin (to check for low iron and anemia)
• a blood pressure check
• Height and weight check
• an up-to-date immunization record that is maintained throughout the school year.
• A blood lead test

It is a Head Start requirement for parents to have a recommended follow-up treatment completed, as soon as possible.

A COMPLETE DENTAL EXAM INCLUDES:

• a check of the child's teeth by the dentist
• a diagnosis of whether or not the child needs dental treatment
• Fluoride varnish

Healthy baby teeth are important for proper language development, good nutrition and positive self-esteem. Early dental check-ups can prevent pain and bigger problems later.

Children receive other screenings while at Bright Beginnings, too. 

HEAD START REQUIRED SCREENINGS INCLUDE:

• A vision screening for acuity and for strabismus (“lazy eye”)
• A hearing screening
• Height and weight
• Blood pressure
• Developmental Screenings, Ages and Stages Questionnaires: ASQ 3
• Behavioral Screenings Ages and Stages Questionnaires: ASQ-SE 2

Parents are notified in writing when any vision or hearing concerns are identified during these screenings.

Opportunities are provided in collaboration with Genesis Family Health to acquire required health documentation.
Parents will first be notified of health requirements 30 days before their due date. All heath requirement documentation must be in by March 31st to ensure continued program participation.

If health information is not received within one week of the due date, a second contact will be made by the family advocate to remind the parent of the requirement.

After two weeks, if the proper documentation has not been completed, a meeting with the Family Community Specialist, Program Nurse, and Family Advocate will determine why the health requirement was not completed. The purpose of the meeting will be to determine obstacles that the family may have, and to provide assistance when needed, to overcome barriers that may be preventing completion.

Family Advocates will follow up with the family to help with barriers to acquire necessary documentation. If the parent does not comply with the provided opportunities, the parent may be required to provide necessary documentation before the child will be allowed to return to school.
If a child fails a hearing or vision screening, a referral is sent home by the program nurse, and a follow-up appointment is required, parents must provide documentation of the follow-up visit.

This process will be supervised in monthly Leadership Team Meetings.

We ask for your cooperation to help assure that the children have a happy and healthy Bright Beginnings experience. It is important to make sure that your child is feeling well when he/she leaves for school.

Children cannot cope well with group situations when they do not feel well. Also, if a child is not feeling well, they could spread the illness to other children and staff.

If your child becomes ill while at school, you will be notified. Your child will be kept in a quiet place until arrangements have been made to get your child home. Every attempt will be made to contact the parent. If staff is unable to contact the parent, the emergency contact person listed on the Emergency Release form will be contacted. Arrangements will be made with parents or emergency contact persons to have the child picked up from the center.

In order to ensure the health and safety of our children and staff, children who have any of the following conditions will be excluded from the classroom until the child feels better, the condition subsides, or we receive a note from the child’s doctor stating that the child is no longer contagious. Conditions are not limited to this list.

• Difficulty breathing or untreated wheezing
• Severe congestion
• Diarrhea (more than once)
• Discharge from the eyes
• Untreated lice will result in being sent home, bus will be unavailable. (Once treatment with adequate medicated shampoo has begun, the child may return the following school day.)
• Missing four consecutive days of school due to an illness, will require a doctor’s note upon return with the absent dates identified,
• A rash
• An oral temperature over 100 degrees
• Vomiting

This procedure complies with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1302.47(b)(7)(iii).

Your child is not ready to return if he/she has:

1. Had a fever or diarrhea or vomited in the last 24 hours. Your child should be fever-, diarrhea- and vomit-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
2. Had a communicable disease and is still considered contagious. Parents may be asked to provide a statement from a physician stating that the child is no longer contagious.

EMERGENCY CARE
It is very important to keep your child’s Emergency Contacts/Release form up-to-date. All parents are required to complete and sign an Emergency Contacts/Release form. In case of an emergency, staff will attempt to contact the parents immediately. If a parent cannot be reached, BBECC will call the other emergency numbers listed on the form. If the emergency situation requires the attention of a physician, we will call paramedics to take your child to the local hospital’s emergency room. If a parent or guardian is unable to be contacted, an administrator will escort the child to the hospital in the ambulance, until a parent or guardian arrives.

MINOR INJURIES
Any child who has an injury at the center will receive appropriate first aid for their injury. The parent will be notified the day of the incident, by use of the district communication system, telephone call, or when the child is picked up at the center.

BITING AND HITTING
It’s important to understand that biting in early childhood, especially in preschool settings like Head Start, is often a developmental behavior. Head Start believes that all behavior is a form of communication, and children may be expressing their needs or feelings through biting or hitting.

In Head Start preschools, biting and hitting are not allowed, and staff are trained to intervene immediately, calmly, and firmly, focusing on teaching appropriate behaviors and supporting the emotional needs of all children involved.

Parents will be informed of any biting or hitting incidents that leave a mark or visit to the nurse, involving their child, and they should work with the program to develop strategies to address the behavior.

Staff will help prevent biting and hitting incidents by creating a positive and supportive classroom environment, teaching children how to resolve conflicts peacefully, and addressing the underlying needs of children who are struggling with these behaviors.

Regulation Concerning Pediculosis Management within USD 443

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses, as well as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that the management of pediculosis (infestation by head lice) should not disrupt the education process. No disease is associated with head lice, and in-school transmission is considered to be rare. The KDHE states "frequent screenings for lice in schools have not been shown to be effective in the control of head lice. Head lice infestation is a mild health condition without serious health consequences for a child, and should not be considered as a major health threat to those infested or those potentially exposed." Both the KDHE and NASN recommend that children found with live head lice should remain in class until the conclusion of the school day. Per KDHE suggestion, "school policies should reflect the mild nature of this health condition and the impracticality of total elimination. Policies and practices should have minimal disruptive effect on children’s educational experiences and minimal stigmatizing impact on children."

Taking all of this information into consideration, the recommended USD 443 regulation concerning student pediculosis management within USD 443 is:

• Any student found with pediculosis will be sent home at the end of the school day and parents will be notified as soon as possible.
• The student will have no more than two (2) calendar days to receive treatment and return to school.
• Once treatment has been administered, the student will return to school and be re-examined by the School Nurse before returning to the classroom. If a student has been dismissed for pediculosis more than once during a school year, the parent may be asked to show proof of treatment before the student is re-admitted to school.
• The student will be re-admitted to class if no head lice are found.

Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 06/08/2009; 03/08/2016; 01/25/2021; 01/23/2023

Mental health consultants are present for observation and support in classrooms on a regular basis. The consultants are looking at the interactions between staff, children, and others in the classroom. The observations provide us with ways to better promote the social-emotional development of children.

The Mental Health Consultants will work with program staff who have concerns for children who have demonstrated a behavioral social-emotional need based on any of the following: parent concern, teacher concern, and or use of behavioral assessment data, ASQ:SE-2. With parent consent, the Mental Health Consultant will be able to administer the Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment Clinical Form (DECA-C) to children who demonstrate a behavioral concern.

Policy: Ensure all medication is dispensed properly to safeguard the health of children, staff and families.

Bright Beginnings only allows the dispensing of medication when the medication cannot be given at any other time of day. No first time administration of a medicine will be given by Bright Beginnings staff aside from emergency medications.

Procedures:

1. In all cases, the “Permission for Administration of Medication” form must be completely filled out and signed by both the physician and the parent.
2. Medication must be brought to school in the original container, appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician, stating the name of the medication, the dosage, and time to be administered.
3. Medication is kept in a locked cabinet. Medication that requires refrigeration is kept in a locked box in the refrigerator.
4. The “Permission for Administration of Medication” form will be kept with the medication in the locked cabinet.
5. A record of administration of medicine will be noted in the child’s program records.

This procedure complies with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1302.47(b)(7)(iv).

Due to Head Start and federal health standards, we do not allow outside food to be brought to the classroom.

Parents are welcomed to join the classroom on special occasions, but we do not encourage “treats” (food or nonfood items) at school.

Policy: A plan is implemented to accommodate and ensure the safety of children who have food allergies and other dietary restrictions.

Procedures:

1. The parent will need to complete a school-provided Meal Modification Form to take to their medical doctor for completion, specifically stating the food allergy or other dietary restrictions.
2. A copy of the Meal Modification Form is given to food services and to the classroom teacher. The Nutrition Department will make substitutions based on nutrition guidelines.
3. Individual child food allergies will be posted prominently in classrooms, where staff can view, wherever food is served.
4. The nurse will contact staff working with students with food allergies, notifying them of signs of an allergic reaction and emergency protocol in the event of a severe allergic food reaction. Staff will immediately call 911 and seek the help of the nurse, following emergency safety protocol.

This procedure complies with Head Start Program Performance Standard 45 CFR 1302.47(b)(7)(vi).

Your child’s school offers nutritious meals every school day. These meals prepare children to learn and do their best at school.

The meals available and the prices charged are as follows:

• Full Price Breakfast Fee:
  • Breakfast Fee: $2.25
  • Reduced Breakfast: $0.30
• Full Price Lunch Fee:
  • Lunch Fee: $3.10
  • Reduced Lunch: $0.40

*Price subject to change

Money for student accounts may be taken to the Bright Beginnings cafeteria. Money should be in a sealed envelope with the student’s first, last name, and class room number. Payment may also be made in the District Nutrition Office, 2112 First Ave., Room 111 or online through Skyward’s Family Access. Payment reminders are sent home daily when a student’s meal account reaches $6.00 and below. Reminders continue until payments have been made to the account.

No charges will be allowed after the first week of May.

All families are encouraged to complete an application for the Child Nutrition Program Benefits. A current application is required each year. Families will be notified of their benefits within 10 days of the application being received in the Nutrition Office. One application is needed per household and all information is kept confidential.

Until the household has been notified of their benefits, parents are responsible for paying full price for their student’s meals.

All school cafeterias are inspected yearly by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The cafeterias follow the guidelines set forth by the KDHE pertaining to safety and sanitation.

Further information about the program is available by contacting the District Nutrition Office, 2112 First Ave., Room 111. The telephone number is (620) 371-1030.