PARENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Spending time at school:
You are welcome at the Preschool and in our classrooms. Please call to make an appointment with the office or teacher. You are welcome to observe  and participate in the curriculum.  Parents can also be involved in the classroom by sharing a moment in the classroom with their child during drop-off or pick-up time.  We invite you to read your child a story, help to build a building, share a hobby, share a part of your culture, tell us about your career.  Please arrange these special days with your child’s teacher—we will all be richer for the experience. 

2. Field Trips:
Our Oldest and Afternoon Enrichment Classes take a few field trips each year. These trips are well planned and age appropriate. We need parents who can help organize, enjoy and especially supervise these events. Our ratios are different for each event, but typically we have one adult to two children. Children are transported by a contracted bus company. Please watch for specific information as these events are scheduled.

3. All-School Family Events:
We plan several family/parent events throughout the school year. We find these to be special, enjoyable times and we encourage you to take part in them. We have our Welcome Brunch Parent Orientation for parents, Back to School Night and Open House for parents, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas Program & Party, Valentine Chapel & Celebration, Easter Chapel & Celebration, Farm Day and Picnic at the Beach for the whole family. Mothers Day Brunch and Daddy Day are reserved for your preschooler and his or her one special adult. Please refer to the Special Event Plan listed under General Guidelines for scheduling and attendance policies for these times. These are great times to spend with your child. . . don’t miss them!

4. Parent Meetings & Enrichment:
We have one parent meeting each year to discuss upcoming school business and to sign-up for all of our various committees. We will also schedule time for speakers, workshops, videotapes and discussions on topics of interest to parents of preschoolers. As a body of people with common concerns, we will be able to share, help learn and grow together. Parent education programs are offered at various times during the school year on topics relevant to parenting issues.

5. Hospitality:
We have various events throughout the school year that offer you a chance to bring cookies, cakes, breads, finger foods or other light snacks for class parties or gatherings. If you love to cook at home or with your child, or if you would be willing to coordinate with others so that we have food available during these special occasions, please consider signing up to assist in this way. Snack sign-ups are also available in each classroom every day.

6. Fundraising:
Each year at Bel Air Presbyterian Preschool, we hold annual fundraising activities. The philosophy of fundraising at Bel Air Presbyterian Preschool emphasizes voluntary giving. Bel Air Presbyterian Preschool relies on our parent community to assist us in seeking resources to benefit the Preschool. Our goal each year is to provide an opportunity to donate funds to the Preschool for the necessary and vital operation of our campus and program. A strong annual fundraiser contributes to building and capital improvements, equipment, materials, special events, teacher salaries, benefits, tuition assistance, keeping tuition at an affordable level along with other necessities. We seek to provide an opportunity that embraces an atmosphere of parent and teacher community; that promotes the importance of early childhood education; that promotes the principle of reaching out to others (children, families, schools and community); thereby honoring our Christian commitment to God and each other.

• Fundraiser Event Co-Chairs:
The co-chair positions of our fundraising activities are positions that require much leadership, commitment and experience. Therefore, each spring or summer our returning parent body will nominate potential candidates for these positions. The Preschool Committee will then speak with the interested candidates and ask individuals to assume these roles prior to the first events of the fall.

7. Missions:
As a community we are blessed materially in ways that most of the world will never experience. We believe that it is important for our children to learn to give as well as receive. We sponsor several small programs throughout the school year in which you and your child can give to someone else. In the fall we will have a “Coats for Kids” drive to collect used or outgrown coats so that all the children in the San Fernando Valley will have coats during winter. At Advent, we adopt a family for Christmas and provide food, gifts and clothes. During Lent, we collect new socks and underwear for homeless children and adults in Los Angeles. And all year long, we collect nickels and dimes for a World Vision child we sponsor in Guana, Africa for $20.00 per month. We encourage you to get involved in the organization of these events and involve your child in these projects. We believe it’s an extremely important lesson!

8. The Week of the Young Child:
This is an annual celebration sponsored by NAEYC. During this week, we (parents, educators, and community members) take time to recognize and recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of environment that will promote their early learning. This is an amazing week, filled with many events for you to be involved in coordinating, organizing and implementing.

9. Room Parent:
Throughout the year there are many opportunities for parents to get involved with their child’s classroom, however, each year we need one organized and dedicated parent to help us with special events, class parties, etc. Some classes need extra help with pictures, documentation, copying, filing and typing flyers as well as phoning parents in the class, arranging for class parties and being the class “Fundraiser Cheerleader.” All parents are encouraged to be involved, but only one parent will be the designated room parent. If you are interested, please fill out the form located in your packet at the Welcome Brunch each September. Each teacher has his or her own way of organizing parent help. If you are a willing person, please don’t hesitate to let your child’s teacher know. Your support, help and prayers are appreciated!