Pre-Kindergarten Program

"We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord. We will tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands." Psalm 78:4, 7

We look forward to introducing your child to school. Together, we will explore God's word, work, pray, and play! Below are some guidelines to familiarize yourself with our Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) program. Thank you for your interest in Life Christian School. If you have any questions or are interested in enrolling your child, please call the school office at 503-259-1329.

PHILOSOPHY & COMMITMENT

At Life Christian School, we believe that we have a responsibility to God and to you to provide a safe environment for your child where he/she will be nurtured, encouraged, and loved. We also believe that every child is a gift from God and that he has ordained their life. In keeping with every child's God-given destiny, the Lord has equipped them with special talents, gifts, and strengths. Our teachers will partner with you in discovering and encouraging these things in your child.

ABSENCES

If your child is ill, please call the school office so they can give the teacher the message before class starts, if possible. For other absences due to family vacations or day trips, please give as much advance notice as possible.

BIRTHDAYS

It is fun and exciting to celebrate birthdays at school. Let your teacher know at least two (2) weeks in advance if you would like to bring a birthday treat to the classroom (please no cupcakes or cake). Even if you choose not to celebrate with a treat at school, your teacher will still acknowledge each student's birthday during class.

CONFERENCES & EVALUATIONS

We will follow the same schedule for conferences as kindergarten through 5th grade. If you wish to conference with the teacher concerning your child outside the normally scheduled times, please let the teacher know and we will schedule an appointment.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline at Life Christian preschool will be loving, fair and consistent. In class, time- outs are used. For more serious problems, our Dean of Students and the child's parent(s) will be involved in handling the behavior situation.

DRESS CODE POLICY

At Life Christian School, it is our desire to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and see Him reflected in the lives of our students. Our dress code will emphasize modesty, neatness, and safety. (Uniforms policy applies to kindergarten and up). Slogans on t-shirts should be positive or reflect our Christian values. For safety sake, please no clogs, heels, or flip- flops. Pre-K students will be going outside for recess every day unless it is raining or snowy. In the winter and during cold weather, please send a warm coat with your child.

EMERGENCY & SICK CHILD PROCEDURE

If your child becomes sick or hurt while attending school, we will contact you or the designated individual to pick up your child, if deemed necessary. Your child should be kept home from school if he/she has any contagious illnesses or conditions, a cough that is less than a week old, or if the student has a fever.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are an important part of a child's education and development. These are also great opportunities for students, teacher, and parents to bond together.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Parents are responsible for carrying their own insurance.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We love parent volunteers! You are greatly appreciated! We only ask that you please leave younger siblings with a sitter. We do, however, encourage and welcome siblings on field trips and at parties. An approved background check, as well as a copy of your automobile insurance declaration page and drivers license is required for all volunteers who plan on driving on field trips.

PARTIES

We will be celebrating the following holidays: Thanksgiving * Valentine's Day * Easter * Christmas.

SCHOOL HOURS & PICK-UP

School starts promptly at 8:15 for all grades. Pre-K ends at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday , children must be picked up inside the classroom. 

SHOW & TELL

Each student will have opportunities for sharing special items or for telling the class about something of their interest.

SNACKS

Each student will bring their own healthy snack. Please send snack items that your child can eat within the 15 minute snack time, not a whole lunch.

SNOW DAYS

Occasionally, weather and road conditions may make it necessary to close school for the day. Please listen to your local television and radio stations for 'no-school' or 'late-start' announcements. If there is a late start, there will be no preschool for that day. We follow the Hillsboro School District weather schedule.

STUDENT SUPPLIES

A $25.00 supply fee should be paid to the school on or before September 9, 2011.

VISITING

All parents and visitors must report to the office before entering the classroom. Parents are encouraged to visit their child's classroom. To do so, please make arrangements ahead of time with your child's teacher.

Child/Parent Separation Guidelines

If the following applies to you and your child, please discuss this with the teacher prior to the August back-to-school night.

First week of class - if a parent believes it is absolutely necessary, the parent may attend class entire morning with child-for most children, parent leaving as soon as class starts or shortly thereafter (10 to 20 minutes) works best.

Second week of class - parent may attend class but at some point will leave room for short period, then return (showing child that parent can leave yet still returns).

Third week of class - parent may play with child in room before class begins (from 7:45 - 8:00) then leaves until class is over.

After the third week of class, if the child still cannot handle the separation (i.e. is out-of-control, cries for more than 15 minutes, has frequent periods of crying), he/she may not be ready for Pre-K (some children are not ready for the school experience until later - each child is unique). This is different from a child crying once in a while. At this point, a conference will be held with the teacher.

Recommendation: For a child who cannot separate from his/her parent, a play group may be a more appropriate choice.

Note: An exception to these guidelines would be if a child needs parent/helper assistance throughout class time due to personal limitations (i.e. physical challenges); if this applies to your child, please contact the teacher to discuss this further.

  8:15 -  8:25 Clean up, attendance, prayer, calendar, weather (2nd semester)
  8:25 -  8:35 ABC's, Show and Tell (later in Sep.)
  8:35 -  8:45 ABC paper
  8:45 -  8:55 "Finish" ABC paper, Free play
  8:55 -  9:15 Numbers/concepts/shapes, Paper, Free play when "finished"
  9:15 -  9:45 Clean up, Bathroom, Recess
  9:45 - 10:10 Snack time (actual eating time is less than shown)
10:10 - 10:25 Bible
10:25 - 10:30 Free play, Art set-up
10:30 - 10:55 Art, Free play when finished
10:55 - 11:10 Clean up, Book, Line up
11:15 Time to go home/pick up in room

Of course, from time to time there may be special activities or parties that take the place of some or all of our regular schedule.