General Information

Grace Lutheran Preschool is sponsored and operated by Grace Lutheran Church, 343 Grand Avenue, Loves Park, IL 61111, (815) 282-6114. The Governing Board is made up of members of the church, a representative of WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), the Pastors, the Director of the School and the Chairman of the Board.
Our school first opened in 1945 as a kindergarten.  In 1959 the school was licensed by the Illinois State Department of Children and Family Services.  After the Harlem School District offered kindergarten, we expanded to include a four-year-old pre-school in 1970.  Four years later, a three-year-old program was opened in an effort to serve the community better and fully utilized the church facilities.

Staff

Jill Miller - Preschool Teacher & Interim Co-Director
Stacie Leese - Nursery Teacher & Interim Co-Director
Sue Hoffmann - Board Chairman
Lori Granath - Treasurer
Linda Dunphey - Preschool Teacher
Mary Franzen - Assistant Teacher
Mary Frykman - Assistant Preschool Teacher
Loretta Clark - Assistant Preschool Teacher
Candy Wolf - Assistant Teacher
Ashley Myhres - Assistant Teacher
Jean Humphries - Assistant Teacher

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Purpose

• Provide Christian training
• Provide for the development of perceptual and motor skills
• Stimulate socialization and develop a sense of responsibility
• Discover, encourage, and evaluate a child's learning ability
• Foster creativity
• Encourage sensitivity to, and understanding of one's own feelings, as well as those of others

Goals

A variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials shall be provided to help children achieve the following goals:

• Positive self-concept, sense of independence, and wise use of leisure time
• Social skills, 'including an awareness of community
• Cognitive skills
• Physical development and skills
• Sound health, safety and nutritional practice
• Creative expression
• Respect for diversity
• Develop an appreciation for God's world and to know what it means to be a child of God

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Registration

Registration is held every March. There is a non-refundable registration fee. Children currently enrolled in our 3-year-old class or preschool who anticipate attending another year can register the week prior to public registration. Grace Lutheran Church members can also register one week before the public registration. Registration forms are available from the Director after the public registration.

Tuition

Non-refundable registration fee-$65.00 (for supplies) May’s tuition due at registration-refundable by August 1st.  If you need to cancel.  NO REFUNDS AFTER AUGUST 1ST.
Two Day Program (3 year old class) $66.00 per month (Meets Tuesday & Thursday or Wednesday & Friday-AM & PM). Child must be 3 years old on or before September 1st of the current school year.  Some exceptions may occur.
Three Day Program (Preschool) - $99.00 per month (Meet Monday, Wednesday, Friday; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - AM & PM). Child must be 4 years old on or before September 1st of the current school year.  Some exceptions may occur.
Tuition is due the first day of the month.  The first payment will be for May and the second payment is due September 1, etc.  There will be no payment due in May.  The first payment will be due on the day of registration, and it will be refunded only if a cancellation is made with the Director by August 1st.  In August you will receive a school calendar listing all the tuition due dates.  Make Checks Payable to: Grace Lutheran Preschool, not to the church.  No receipts will be given for checks.  ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE TREASURER, Lori Granath, 4638 Vega Court, Machesney Park, IL 61115.  NO CASH PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS ONLY.  Please notify her promptly if a tuition payment will be late.

Tuition payments are our only source of income.  Because of past problems with late or NSF checks, the board has implemented the following:

• If the tuition checks are not postmarked by the 10th of the month, there will be a $10 late fee.
• If the tuition checks are not postmarked by the 20th day of the month, there will be another $10 late fee, for a total of $20 in late fees.
• If the payment is not received by the last day of the month, your child will be dropped from the program, unless special arrangements have been made with the Director and the Treasurer.

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Admission

The school is nondenominational and is open to any child in the community.
A child's acceptance into the program is contingent upon the following:

• The child must be completely toilet trained and need no additional help in the bathroom.
• There must be an opening in the class.
• The parent must pay the advance monthly tuition fee.
• The registration form, physical, and all other necessary papers must be completed by the first day of school NO CHILD WILL BE ALLOWED TO START SCHOOL WITHOUT AN UPDATED PHYSICAL!

Discharge

• Any child, who after attempts have been made to meet his/her individual needs, demonstrates inability to benefit from the type of program offered by the school, or whose presence is detrimental to the group shall be discharged. Parents will be consulted first.
• Failure to make prompt tuition payments for the support of the program will result 'in being dropped from the school. If there is a financial problem, please discuss it with our Director.
• NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE UNLESS THE CHILD CANNOT BE PLACED IN THE PROGRAM!

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Medical and Emergency

• A medical report, dated no longer than 6 months prior to entry into school must contain all updated immunizations, including a TB test (not older than 6 months from the start of school), HIB, Hepatitis B and Chicken pox vaccinations and lead screen. Since this report is valid for 2 years, a child who attended our school the previous year does not need another physical. A dental exam is encouraged, but not required. No child will be allowed to begin school without a physical and all immunizations.
• In case of illness, accident, or injury to a child, the parent (or person designated on the registration form) will be notified. If no one can be reached, the school will secure the services of a physician (except to those declining medical care on the basis of religious grounds). Staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid.
• All contagious diseases must be reported to the school (282-6114), and a permission slip from a doctor or nurse must be presented before returning. If a child becomes ill while at school, he/she is isolated (with an aide) and the parent is notified to come for him/her. Since school is in session for a short period of time, no medications will be given by the staff.

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Security

To keep our children safe, our school is a locked facility.  The doors will be unlocked 5 minutes before school begins and then locked until school is out.  If you are late, you need to go to the Grand Avenue Doors, where a secretary will buzz you in.  The secretaries can watch all doors on a security T.V. in the office.

• Insurance - The school is covered by liability insurance by A. W. Anderson Insurance Agency.
• Volunteers - All volunteers that help at the school must be fingerprinted and have a background check, according to DCFS regulations. Please let your child’s teacher know if you can help-we need hand-washers, and special day helpers.
• Arrival & Dismissal - No child will be allowed 'in the building until 5 minutes before starting time. It is the parent's responsibility to see that the preschool students enter the building. All students must be brought to the room and picked up from the room. All parents must come in and "sign out the children" in the notebooks provided, as required by DCFS. A child will be released from the facility only to those persons designated on the registration form or car pool information. Persons not known to the staff shall be required to show some identification if any changes are made for a release. Teachers will keep an accurate record of this. Please be prompt when picking your child up from school. A late charge will be issued to parents who are more than 5 minutes late and will be added to your next month's fees.

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Etcetera 1

• Communications - All messages to the teacher should be sent with the child. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE UNLESS IT IS URGENT.
• Discipline - In the event it becomes necessary to discipline a child for inappropriate behavior, the child will first be asked to stop the behavior. It may, in some cases, be necessary to give the child a "time-out" for no more than 3 minutes for a three-year-old, no more than 4 minutes for a four-year-old, no more than 5 minutes for a five-year-old. The child will be asked to sit in his chair. If consistently inappropriate behavior continues, the parents will be consulted by the teachers to find an appropriate solution. If an appropriate solution cannot be reached, the child may be dismissed from the program. Every parent will be asked to read our discipline policies and sign the bottom; if they agree, then return it to school.
• Communicable Diseases - All communicable diseases should be reported to the school at once for the protection of the other children. You should KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME if s/he has the following symptoms: fever, nausea or vomiting, skin rash or sore, inflamed or swollen eyes, red or swollen joints, diarrhea, flushed face, unusual pallor, excessive coughing, sore throat, or headache. Please keep your child home 24 hours after an elevated temperature has returned to normal.
• Parking - We need to keep the parking lot safe for the children at all times. You will be required to park your vehicle during drop off and pick up times. Please park in the designated parking spaces so you do not block the flow of traffic. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN ALONE IN YOUR CARS WHILE PICKING UP CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL.
• Pets - Pets may be brought to school, but only after they have been seen by a veterinarian and have received a rabies shot. To have your pet visit, please schedule with the teacher at least one day in advance (preferably when your child has Show & Tell). NO TURTLES, PLEASE!
• Show & Tell - Your child will bring home a Show & Tell box or bag when it is his/her turn for Show & Tell. No guns, knives, or valuable items should be brought. We cannot be held responsible for these!
• LIBRARY - The PreSchool classes check out books from Loves Park School’s library.  Each parent will be asked to sign a form so they are responsible for any damaged or lost books.
• Hand Washing - According to DCFS rules every child must wash their hands as soon as they enter the building, before they enter the classroom.  Please let your child’s teacher know if you can help wash hands at the beginning of the school day.

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Etcetera 2

• Treats - The school furnishes milk and snacks. Children may bring treats at any time, as long as they sign up for what they are bringing and what date on the treat sign up sheet in the classroom. DCFS requires us to keep a snack list posted at all times. This is to protect those children who have snack allergies. Parents must notify the teacher if their child has certain food allergies. PLEASE NOTE DCFS RULING: Children may only bring prepackaged treats from a bakery or store. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CUPCAKES - THEY ARE VERY MESSY!
  SNACK SUGGESTIONS
  Cheese Cubes/Slices
  Crackers of Cookies
  Fresh Fruit or Fruit Snacks
  Granola or Cereal Mixes
  Popcorn or Pretzels
  Quick Breads or Muffins
  Raisins or Vegetables
  Pudding or Applesauce
  Ice cream or Fruit bars
  Sandwiches
• Field Trips - The children will take field trips during the year. Some will be within walking distance (such as the fire station & other short walks). Permission slips and details will be sent home for you to sign for each field trip.
• Fire/Tornado Drills - We will have fire drills to teach the children to exit in an orderly fashion. Please let your child's teacher know if your child becomes afraid, or is having problems because of the drill. The children will wear their coats 'in cold weather. We will also have tornado drills, once in the fall and once in the spring.
• Vacations & Holidays - All vacations, holidays and institute days will be listed on the school calendar. Closing for these days or snow days will not be made up. In case of inclement weather, the school will follow the policy of the Harlem Schools. If Harlem Schools close their afternoon kindergarten, we will also close. Please listen to WGSL 91.9 FM for school closing information.
• Visiting the School - Parents are welcome to visit the school at any time. If you wish to have a conference with a teacher, please schedule a time. Progress reports will be sent home in January and May. Our progress reports are based on the Illinois Early Learning Standard. 
• Records & Release Information - The state requires that we keep records on file for 5 years. No personal information about a child or family will be released without written consent of the parent. All reports are confidential. Copies of all records will be made for the parent at a nominal cost.
• End of Year Programs - Preschool students will take part 'in a graduation ceremony, complete with caps and gowns at the end of May. There is a small fee to cover the cost of a graduation cap, which is yours to keep. The 3-year-old students will also share a special program with family and friends at the end of May. Be sure to stay for fellowship and refreshments after all the programs. Please support our Book Fair, which is held after the programs!

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