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Traffic Regulations

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

1. Traffic is ONE WAY on Bishop Quarter Lane!  Enter Bishop Quarter Lane (second lane west of East Avenue on North Boulevard); exit Bishop Quarter Lane by continuing along U drive and turning onto North Boulevard.

2. THERE IS NO PARKING next to our building or in front of the garages.  These spaces are reserved for faculty and staff.  Even if you are coming in for “just a minute” -  park only on Lake Street, East Avenue, or in the metered slots on North Boulevard.  

3. You may wait for five minutes or less in your car along the sidewalk on Bishop Quarter Lane.  You may not park or leave your car in this area.  Do not wait on our neighbors’ driveways or in front of them.  You will be towed!
 
4. We do have Academy staff available at certain times to help greet young children and escort them to and from the building.

5. When walking your child into the building, please use the sidewalk, not our neighbors’ driveways, grassy areas or Bishop Quarter Lane.

6. Never park in the u-shaped drive in front of our building off of Lake Street.  You will be towed!!

7. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in your child’s dismissal from the Academy.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

Academy A.R.T.S. Calendar 2008-2009

Absences/Illnesses

ABSENCES/ILLNESSES

DO call the office -

•  if your child will be absent or on vacation
•  to report a contagious illness ~ we send home “health notices” to alert parents of any infectious or contagious disease that they may have been exposed to
•  if you are going to be early or late picking up your child
•  if you have problems or questions

Reminders

REMINDERS 

1. DO NOT allow your child to bring toys, blankets, pacifiers, jewelry, money, gum, candy or other snacks into the Academy.  Assure your child that these treasures will be waiting at home or in the car after school.

2. DO NOT use your child’s backpack to transport any medication from home to your child’s after school day care destination.  If necessary, we will be happy to keep such items in the office for you.

3. DO label everything!  Remember to do so at each change of seasons and/or as your child grows.

4. DO NOT bring any snacks containing any peanuts or peanut products into the school.  Please see page 1 for details.

5. DO NOT send children to school until they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours or have been on a full course of prescribed antibiotic for 24-hours.
 
6. DO check your child’s backpack on a daily basis for important A.R.T.S.
communications, artwork, etc.

Peanut Policy

PEANUT POLICY

THE ACADEMY IS A PEANUT -FREE ZONE
PLEASE READ AND OBSERVE CAREFULLY

We have students  at the Academy with life-threatening allergies to PEANUTS and all PEANUT PRODUCTS.  These students must avoid these foods and foods containing these substances.  Please do not bring in any treats on any occasion that contain any of the following ingredients:

PEANUT OIL
GROUND NUTS
MIXED NUTS
NUTS
NU-NUTS FLAVORED NUTS
PEANUTS
PEANUT BUTTER
PEANUT FLOUR
M & Ms (PLAIN OR PEANUT)
CHOCOLATE CANDIES AND CANDY BARS
HYDROLYZED PLANT PROTEIN
HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN
MARZIPAN
NOUGAT
AFRICAN, CHINESE AND THAI DISHES
EGG ROLLS
 
Please be sure to read labels!

We appreciate your attention to this important matter.  If you have any questions, please call Stephanie at the Academy at 708-848-2329.

Your Child's Day - Downstairs A.R.T.S.

YOUR CHILD’S DAY - DOWNSTAIRS A.R.T.S.

Children in the Downstairs A.R.T.S program are divided by age into four different groups -- red, blue, green and yellow, with the yellows the youngest.  Generally, the age range within a group is no more than six months.

There are three classrooms downstairs. Studio I is used for Creative Movement.  The Yellow group begins in this room every day.  Studio II is the Physical Fitness room.  The Green group starts here each day.  Studio III is the Art, Music, Montessori classroom. This is where both the Blue and the Red groups begin their day.

Creative Movement and Physical Fitness are each half hour classes; the children spend a full hour in the Art, Music, Montessori classroom.

Creative Movement classes work on basic motor and dance skills, as well as on problem solving using movement in space through time.  Props can include rhythm instruments, puppets, scarves and beanbags.

The Physical Fitness class also works on basic motor skills with more emphasis on upper body work.  One or two days a week may have a special activity using ropes, balls or a parachute.  The other days usually have a circuit of activities.

The Art, Music, Montessori classroom offers a variety of different activities. There is a book corner, shelf work, imaginative play area, pre-writing table, game table and green circle with a variety of building materials to share.  Children generally participate in art projects on Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday and Thursday generally incorporate special projects and practical life exercises. The hour of activities concludes with music on the green circle. 

During the course of the year we work on thematic units that usually last about three weeks.  Items in our green circle, imaginative play area, books, puzzles, some shelf work, art and music vary with each theme.

Snack, usually consisting of graham crackers or pretzels and apple juice or water, is served halfway through the morning/afternoon.  Before snack the children wash their hands then change classes.

The teacher/child ratio varies from room to room.  There is one teacher and an aide in Creative Movement and one teacher and an aide in the Physical Fitness class.  Three teachers are always present in the Art, Music, Montessori classroom.  There are also one to two “floating aides” who assist children with hand washing and bathroom needs.  These aides also assist in the classrooms as needed and are actively involved in the greeting and dismissal procedures.

Children 3 1/2 (by September 1) and older are eligible to participate in our Friday Montessori program that is held in our large open classroom upstairs.

Your Child's Day - Upstairs A.R.T.S

YOUR CHILD'S DAY - UPSTAIRS A.R.T.S.

Children in Upstairs A.R.T.S. begin their day by climbing the long flight of stairs upstairs to the big classrooms.  The teachers greet your child.  They are directed to a special area where they remove their coats and change their shoes.  Once in their school shoes, the children do a daily calendar activity and then are free to choose work from the activity cabinet or to run and move about the yellow circle. To end this free time, a teacher rings a bell signaling the children to put their work away.  The Orange Group (younger children) will then go to the West gym as the Purple group begins their day in the East gym. 

Each day Upstairs has different activities, with each class lasting about 45 minutes. Depending on the activity and the day, the teacher/student ratio varies Upstairs, but is usually about 1:6. Like in Downstairs A.R.T.S, snack, usually consisting of graham crackers or pretzels and apple juice or water, is served halfway through the morning/afternoon.  Before snack, the children wash their hands.  After snack, the groups change classes. 

Mondays and Wednesdays are experience oriented. Mondays consist of an art and a creative movement class, each lasting about 45 minutes. Wednesdays are for literature and physical fitness.  Literature allows the children to informally act out  some favorite stories.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are performance oriented. During the school year, four “units” or "themes" are presented.  All classes explore activities and ideas built around these themes with a performance that ends each unit.  On Tuesdays, the children have Music and Production Shop -- an art class that creates sets, props and sometimes costumes for each performance.  Thursday’s children work in Dance and Cultural Awareness.  Here they will learn songs, dances and customs  from around the world.

Friday is a special day Upstairs at the Academy. Some older children (3 1/2 and up) from Downstairs A.R.T.S. join Upstairs students to work in the large open space.  The space is set up with special activity areas that include Montessori practical life  and sensorial work, science, language, math, puzzle solving and construction materials.  There are also weekly special projects  that might include cooking or flower arranging.

At the end of each day, the children change shoes, put on outerwear and are led down the back stairs to the main hallway where they are dismissed.

Clothing for School

CLOTHING FOR SCHOOL 

• CASUAL, LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING • 

  
• Simple shorts, leggings, or sweat pants with a T-shirt or sweatshirt work best.  Dresses get in the way during our more active classes.  If dresses are a must for your preschooler, they need to be worn over leggings, bike shorts, or tights. No jewelry please as this also gets in the way. Our art experiences are frequently messy, so please dress your child in something washable.

• Upstairs A.R.T.S. – dresses may not be worn on Wednesday, which is Physical Fitness Day.

• SHOES • 

• Children are required to have leather ballet slippers.  It is dangerous for children to run and dance in gym shoes or bare feet.  Heavy shoes can hurt other children; bare feet are cold, and socks are slippery on the floors.  Upstairs children will leave their ballet slippers at school.  If your child is taking a separate ballet class or Boys Production Workshop during the week we will see that their ballet slippers are waiting for them at their class.

• SCHOOL BAGS •

• It is strongly recommended that each child in Downstairs A.R.T.S. bring a small backpack in which to carry ballet slippers, (optional: change of clothing), art work, and correspondence to and from school.   Please do not send toys, food, or meds in your child’s backpack.  Please label it with your child’s name.

• Backpacks are not needed in Upstairs A.R.T.S.

• HAIR •

• Girls’ long hair needs to be tied up so that it’s not in the way while they do physical fitness class.  Please also be mindful of bows, headbands and barrettes that easily come out.  They can be distracting to your child and easily get lost.

• CHANGE OF CLOTHES • 

• Occasionally accidents happen at school and clothing becomes wet or soiled.  The Academy has several sets of T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweat pants, leggings, underwear and socks.  The aides will change your child’s clothing and send home the soiled clothing in a plastic bag.  Just wash and return the Academy clothes the next time your child comes to school.  If your child is very uncomfortable wearing unfamiliar clothing, keep an alternative set of clothes in your child’s backpack.

• LABEL EVERYTHING! • 

• Ballet slippers must have name and telephone  number written on the inside of the shoes so we can contact you if they’re lost.  Children need to have their shoes, boots, outer garments and backpacks labeled as well.  Many children have similar boots, sweaters and jackets.  As the seasons change and children grow, please remember to label all new clothing.

• PERFORMANCE CLOTHING •

• Those children enrolled in the performance component (Tuesdays and Thursdays) of the Upstairs A.R.T.S. are required to have the following uniform clothing for our seasonal shows:

• girls - white long sleeved scoop neck leotard, pink tights, black sweat pants and pink leather ballet slippers.

• boys - long sleeved white turtleneck shirt or turtleneck leotard, black sweat pants and black leather ballet slippers. 

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures

DROP OFF/PICK UP PROCEDURES
 
Safety Restraints

We are required to follow Illinois law regarding car seats and safety restraints.  Greeters cannot put a child in a car lacking these mandatory safety devices.  Please walk in to get your child until you have safety restraints appropriate for your child’s age and weight.
 
Drop off and Pick up procedures begin the second week of regular classes. Prior to that, please allow time to park on the street and walk into the building.

Please do not drop children off prior to 10 minutes before classes begin.  AM begins at 8:45.  PM begins at 12:45.

• DROP OFF PROCEDURE •

• There is a greeter to escort children into the building from 10 minutes before the start of class to 10 minutes after. 
• Drive up to the utility pole far enough so that two cars can let off children at the same time.
• Stay in your car and let the greeter get the children out of your car.
• Please have your children on the passenger side of the car.
 

• DISMISSAL PROCEDURE •

You may pick up your child by parking on East Ave., Lake Street or the metered slots on North Blvd. and walking into the building or by using our pick up service.

If you are coming into the building to pick up your child:

• Downstairs A.R.T.S. parents should line up to the right of the double doors and around the desk area.
• Upstairs A.R.T.S. parents should line up to the left of the double doors (along the wall by the office). 
• Please leave a center pathway clear for the children to get through.
• All the children will be seated in the hall behind the closed double doors.  A staff member will ask you your child's name and we will walk your child to you.
• Please clear the entryway as soon as possible after greeting your child to make room for others.  The crowding and the noise in this small area can be difficult for some children, as well as the staff trying to call the children.
• We realize that the children are very excited to see you and you are equally excited to hear about their day, but we ask your patience. This procedure allows us to dismiss the children efficiently while keeping everyone safe.

If you choose to use the pick up service:

•  We have an established Pick Up routine, which you can elect to use.  Each child will receive a Pick Up  Number assigned by the office.  The Pick Up service helps avoid the congestion involved in having sixty parents trying to find separate parking spaces and coming into the building to pick up children. 
•  Please do not arrive 20 minutes early and just sit in line.  Our neighbors complain and call the police.  5 minutes is maximum.
•  A greeter watches at the outer door for the Pick Up Numbers, and then escorts the children to the car.
•  Show your number when you pull into Academy Drive by holding up your number outside the car window.
•  When your child is brought outside you may then pull up to the utility pole.  If you are first in line do not assume that your child will be the first to be brought out.  If the last person's child comes out first, that person may drive around the other cars to get their child.
•  Wait in your car.  Do not get out of your car to get your child because this will delay the line. 
•  Have your child’s car seat on the passenger side of the car.

You can help us insure a safe and effective dismissal in these ways:

•  If you need to pick up you child early, call the office to make arrangements. 
•  Do not park in employee spaces around the building or Bishop Quarter Lane at any time or for any reason.
•  Please be sure to walk on the sidewalk along the fence, not on Bishop Quarter Lane or on the condo driveways.

The Academy can release children only to authorized persons – a child’s parent(s) or legal guardian.  Only the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian can authorize another person to pick up a child.  Authorizations should be in writing and must be signed by the parent(s) or legal guardian.  The Academy has long-term and short-term forms available in the office.  The Academy will accept a signed note or letter from a parent or guardian instead of one of the Academy forms.  Phoned authorizations will be accepted at the discretion of the Academy office.

Birthday Celebrations

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

You’re welcome to celebrate your child’s birthday at school.  You might even want to consider celebrating a six month birthday if your child has a summer birthday.  Some families choose to give a book or small gift to the classroom for all the children to enjoy.  Please ask the director for ideas of items the teachers can use.
          

• DOWNSTAIRS A.R.T.S. •

You are invited to bring a treat to share.  During the greeting routine, the birthday child is given a special sticker to wear for the day. At snack time the children sing “Happy Birthday” and enjoy your special treat.  Birthday napkins are a big hit, but no cups please.  They are too big for many children to hold.  Please keep the snack simple - no gooey frostings.  Pretzels, goldfish crackers, fruit, simple sugar cookies, donut holes, or mini muffins are always enjoyed.*  The Yellow and Green groups  have snack together.  The Red and Blue groups eat separately.  Please call ahead to let us know what date you will be providing snack.  We can then let you know if there are any conflicts as well as information about class size and possible allergies.  Snacks are served at 9:50 am or 1:50 PM.  You are welcome to join us. 

Downstairs A.R.T.S. children who attend Friday, Montessori Day have a few options for celebrating their birthday:

1) You can celebrate their birthday by bringing a special treat to share on the day that they attend Downstairs A.R.T.S. that is closest to their birthday;
2) You can celebrate their birthday on the Friday closest to their birthday with the Friday/Montessori children (see procedure below);
3) You can choose to celebrate both times ~ with Downstairs A.R.T.S. during the week and on Friday with the Montessori Group.

• UPSTAIRS A.R.T.S. •

Children who attend Upstairs A.R.T.S. but do not come on Friday, celebrate their birthdays on the school day closest to their birthday.  You are invited to bring a treat to share.  Snacks are served Monday through Thursday at 9:50 am and 1:50 PM. You are welcome to join us. 

Upstairs A.R.T.S. students who do attend on Fridays are asked to celebrate their birthday on the Friday  closest to their birthday.  Please advise the teacher in advance that your child will be celebrating his/her birthday.  Your child is asked to bring photos marking each year of his/her life.  Write the child’s age on the back of each picture so we can make a time line.  We discuss the changes that your child has experienced as he/she has grown.  Snack times on Friday are 10:30 am and 2:30 PM.  You are welcome to join us. 

Children prefer simple snacks; treats with frosting are too messy.  They generally like to have seconds and even third helpings of birthday treats.  Popcorn, rice cereal treats, butter cookies, donut holes and fruit are always enjoyed.*  The children all snack together.  Check with the director  to find out how much to bring.

*Please consult our Peanut Policy for important information concerning food allergies and prohibited snacks.

Seasonal Celebrations

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS

• FALL MASQUERADE •
 
At the end of October, the A.R.T.S. students celebrate with a class time masquerade.  Children are welcome to wear costumes although young children often do not want to.  If your child wants to wear a costume, please follow these guidelines:

• Do not send your child to school in a mask or heavy face paint.  Some of their classmates find masks or heavy face paint very frightening.
• Do not send your child to school with any weapons.  Toy guns, swords, etc. are best left at home as we strongly discourage this sort of play in our classrooms.
• Be careful that costumes do not hamper movement, as children  will  be participating in movement classes.  Sweat suits  with a few simple accessories, i.e. removable ears, tails, etc. are good choices.  Label costume pieces.

It’s fine if your child decides not to wear a costume.  We will have some things here for children to put on.  Costumes need not be elaborate - a silly hat or a funny shirt can be delightful.  Our  focus is on children having a good time.

• VALENTINE’S DAY EXCHANGE •
 
We celebrate Valentine's Day in our classrooms.  The children bring valentines for each of their classmates.  Please help your child sign each valentine, but DO NOT ADDRESS IT.  The children will enjoy a special holiday snack provided by the PTO.

• RECOGNITION DAY/"GRADUATION DAY"! •
 
At the end of May children share music and stories with family and friends and receive certificates recognizing their participation in the A.R.T.S. Program.

Discipline Policy

DISCIPLINE POLICY

What is the Academy’s discipline policy?

This is a question many new parents ask us when they are considering the Academy for their child. Our goal, as educators, is to provide our students with a safe environment where they can, with our guidance, learn self-discipline and self-control. It is our task to present them with choices and actions appropriate for the situations they encounter in our classrooms. When a child chooses an inappropriate behavior – such as interrupting another child’s work with educational materials, or trying to sit on another child’s mat – a teacher will approach the child and, one-on-one, explain why this choice is inappropriate. With children who are becoming more verbal, teachers help children to use words to express their feelings to each other in cases of conflict or dispute – and to learn to say: “I’m sorry”.

Sharing common materials (toys), respecting another’s personal space and learning to wait for a turn are all a part of the preschool classroom experience. We help children learn problem-solving skills and to develop “scripts” to deal with classroom social interactions and activities. Occasionally it is necessary to ask a child to sit to the side and to observe and to see for him/herself what the other children are doing; this is a part of the learning process.  The teacher may also point out to the observing child what it is that the other children are doing that is appropriate – or by praising the behavior of another child the teacher can motivate others to choose a similar behavior.

As much as possible, we try to help the child with positive directions. In those cases where a child demonstrates dangerous/harmful behavior (i.e. biting or hitting), it is necessary to remove him/her from the situation to another area of the room or out in the hall. This “Time Out” provides the child an opportunity to calm down, regain control, as well as providing the teacher an opportunity to talk with the child. Usually talking about the reasons why the child is feeling so upset and identifying and acknowledging the child’s feelings is enough to calm him/her enough to return to the classroom. Rather than view our discipline policy as a negative punishment, we see our task as educators as one where we use constructive interruptions to refocus, redirect and – educate.

Communications

COMMUNICATIONS

• COMMUNICATIONS •

Please feel free to contact us anytime you have questions, comments or concerns.  You can do this by directly asking the director/staff or leaving a message in the office indicating who you’d like to talk with and/or what you’d like to talk about.  Both the staff and director are involved with the children during class time, but we will return your call at a time that you indicate is convenient for you.

• DEANS •

In Downstairs A.R.T.S. your child’s dean is the teacher of your child’s first class.  Each of the color groups, yellow, green, blue and red has a dean. Usually your dean will be the teacher to contact you if your child is having any challenges at school.

In Upstairs A.R.T.S. the director of the program is the dean for all the students. 
  
   
• OBSERVATIONS •
 
You may observe in the classroom at any time after November 1st.  We will make every effort to accommodate your schedule, but ask that you please make an appointment through the office at least 24 hours in advance.  We need to limit the number of parents in any given classroom for the least amount of disruption.  You are welcome to bring your infant of six months or younger when you come for observations.  Please make child care arrangements for older siblings.  It is difficult to get a good idea of your child’s classroom behavior if you have to supervise other children.

• CONFERENCES •
 
Conferences are scheduled during the month of November.  Conferences give you an opportunity to get to know your child’s teachers, to ask questions and to get an overview of your child’s participation in class.  These are team conferences that include some of the teachers who work with your child. Baby-sitting is provided for the November daytime conferences.  You may also request a phone conference in the Spring after you receive your written evaluations.

Conference time is limited, so we ask you to make a separate appointment if you have serious concerns about your child or the school. 

A.R.T.S. PTO

A.R.T.S. PTO

The A.R.T.S. Programs depend on the contributions of time and talent by parents.  We really need you!  Your energy adds to the overall success of the program and to your child’s enjoyment.

Upon enrolling your child in the A.R.T.S. program, you automatically become a member of the Academy A.R.T.S. PTO.  This group is led by a board of officers and room parents who help to facilitate many events throughout the year.  They sponsor both the Fall Get-Together in September and the Valentine Sock Hop.  They organize special festive snacks for the Fall Masquerade, the Celebration of Lights in December, and Valentine's Day, as well as the refreshments during Parent-Teacher Conferences.  In short, they provide many of the "extras" for the A.R.T.S. program.

There is a list of jobs for which the PTO always needs volunteers.  We encourage you to become involved in the organization and to sign up for at least one activity.  Many of the jobs require mostly phone calling to organize special holiday snacks, etc. and are do-able by working parents or families with infants whose schedules make it difficult to help out during the actual school day.  It is a good way to meet other families and to feel a part of your child’s preschool experience.  It also helps us keep tuition costs down while providing an exciting and enriching environment for your child.

Fill out the volunteer form or talk to the director about what you can do to help out.

Emergency Closing Procedures

EMERGENCY CLOSING PROCEDURES
 
The Academy has only closed twice in twenty-five years ~ each time it was due to bad weather.  If we can’t get snow-plowed, we can’t open.  Should this or any other emergency occur (i.e., loss of power), your child’s dean will telephone you to advise you of the closing.  Do not assume that if Oak Park Public Schools are closed that the Academy will be closed.

Family A.R.T.S. Activities

FAMILY A.R.T.S. ACTIVITIES

• FALL GET-TOGETHER •

The PTO sponsors a Sunday afternoon get-together in September.  It is a great way to renew old friendships and to meet new A.R.T.S. families.  This fun-filled afternoon includes a mini-movement workshop with Larry and juice and cookies for all.

• VALENTINE’S SOCK HOP •
 
We will have a special family evening of family fun scheduled in February.  Parent volunteers help to organize a sock hop for all the A.R.T.S. children and their families.  Everyone brings a snack to share.  We dance, make valentines and visit with friends.  It is a fun and festive evening for the whole family.

Upstairs A.R.T.S. Performances

UPSTAIRS A.R.T.S. PERFORMANCES   
 
Upstairs A.R.T.S. children who attend on Tuesday and Thursday over the course of a year will investigate and study four topics in depth.  These are explored through a child’s perspective with art, dance, literature, music and cultural awareness.  Each unit closes with a performance.  After the program we celebrate with a special snack. At some point during the year each family is asked to bring something to share. You will be contacted when it is your turn to provide treats.

The children work hard and look forward to presenting their show to an appreciative audience made up of family and friends.  Please try to make sure at least one adult in your family is at each performance during the year.  It means a great deal to the children.

The specific details regarding each of these events will be sent home in a timely fashion during the school year.

A.R.T.S. Faculty

Academy Administration
Stephanie Clemens, Director
Kari Farkvam, Administrative Assistant
Mary Ellen Faust, Business Manager

A.R.T.S. Administration
Niki Merrick, Director, Downstairs A.R.T.S. Program
Donna Pries, Director, Upstairs A.R.T.S. Program

Downstairs Faculty
Patricia Ackerman, Creative Movement
Judy Bianchi, Physical Fitness, Montessori
Anita Fillmore, Physical Fitness
Philomena Harbaugh, Montessori
Larry Ippel, Creative Movement
Niki Merrick, Music
Ruth Tazelaar, Art

Upstairs Faculty
Larry Ippel, Creative Movement, Physical Fitness, Montessori
Mara Leonard, Music
Linda Preston, Montessori
Donna Pries, Art, Cultural Awareness, Literature, Production Shop, and Science
Rebecca Pries, Dance
Marion Steffen, Special Projects

Classroom Aides
Julie Burdick
Rosa DePerlinghi
Caroline Deziel
Claire Lombardo
Mary Lou Powell
Rebecca Pries
Sarah Reposh
Beth Seuffert
Gina Sigismondi
Marion Steffen