Parent Handbook
The Anne Brower School/Camp ABC Parent Handbook: 2022–2023
Welcome to The Anne Brower School!!
We're excited to have you as part of our community! The Anne Brower School was established in 1978, and ever since that time has been providing a warm and loving environment for young children to learn and grow. Individualized attention, love, and care are stressed by all members of our dedicated staff.
Below you will find The Anne Brower School (TABS) policies and procedures laid out in detail. Please read the Parent Handbook in its entirety. Subsequently, please complete the Acknowledgment Form and return it to the office prior to your child's first day of school.
Contents
- Starting School
- Immunizations and Individual Educational Plans (IEP's)
- Illnesses and Daily Attendance
- Allergies
- Incidents and Boo-Boo's
- Biting Policy
- Behavior Management Policy
- Mandated Reporters
- Healthy Meals
- Nap Time Policy
- What to Wear
- What to Bring and What Not to Bring
- Classroom Placement Policy
- Conferences
- Fire Drills
- Weather
- REMIND Etiquette
- In-House Field Trips and Holiday Celebrations
- Parking Lot and Building Safety
- Office of Children and Family Services
- Billing Policies and Procedures
- Withdrawal
- Important Contact Information
If you would like to download a PDF version of the Parent Handbook, click here.
I. Starting School
Starting School
Before your child comes in for their first day please make sure that all of the necessary paperwork is submitted to the office.
This includes:
- the enrollment application,
- most current immunization and physical, and
- completed blue emergency card.
We will also send you a welcome letter from your child’s teacher and a copy of their daily schedule, which will outline the activities we are offering throughout the day. It is helpful to review this information with your child before they start to aide with the transition process.
Also, all necessary payments need to be made prior to the first day of school.
This includes:
- all registration fees,
- material/trip fees, and
- two tuition installments.
Installments are due on the 10th of each month and can be paid by reccurring credit card charges on file or check.
When saying goodbye for the first time at school, make it short and sweet, i.e. “Goodbye, have fun!” Give a quick hug and kiss and leave positively. Staying too long may give your child the false idea that you are staying or that there is a reason you haven’t left. Children feed off the vibes of their parent. When you are confident they will be confident. Students that are having a hard time separating will be held and reassured that you will come back for them soon. If your child is inconsolable, we will help you and your child through the transition as smoothly as possible.
Please remember that class begins at 9:00 am and drop off starts at 8:55 am. For afternoon workshops, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm daily, drop off is at 12:55 pm in the BIG White House. Dropping off earlier than these designated times will be considered an early drop off and your account will be billed accordingly. Our early morning drop off program runs from 8:00 am to 9:00 am.
Arrival and Dismissal Information:
- The Early Drop-Off Program is in session from 8:00 am to 8:55 am. Please drop your child off in the White Schoolhouse via the Main Entrance.
- Our typical school day begins at 9:00 am. Please drop your child off in their respective classroom at 8:55 am or later.
- The After Care Program is in session from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Pick up for your child is in the White Schoolhouse.
Should your child be dropped off before or picked up after our allotted 5-minute window, you will be charged for extra time at a rate of $15.
We certainly understand the need for new students to become acclimated and comfortable in their new environment. Should you need to accompany your child into the classroom, parking is in the large parking lot area. Please DO NOT leave your car running even for one minute if you are not in it!
All doors will be locked promptly at 9:10 am. Should your child arrive to school later 9:10 am, you must report to the main office prior to bringing your child to their respective classrooms. Our Office Manager will sign you in and call the classroom to alert the educators that the door will need to be opened.
If you are running late please call the school immediately to notify us. If you cannot arrive to the school prior to our closing time please make arrangements for one of your emergency contacts to pick up and inform the school of these arrangements. Make sure that they have with them their photo identification or we will not be able to release your child to them.
If at any time a student is not picked up by 4:05 pm, and we cannot contact a parent, guardian, or any of your emergency contacts, we will contact local authorities.
II. Immunizations & IEP's
Immunizations and Individual Educational Plans (IEP’s)
All students must be fully immunized and have a recent physical on file in order to attend school. If your child is not up to date on their immunizations, a doctor’s note will be required outlining the plan for your child to “catch up.” The physical must be dated within one year of admission to the school.
We will provide you with the necessary medical paperwork upon enrollment. Best practice is to always bring us a copy of immunizations when your child receives them so your child’s file remains up to date.
This is also the case for any child with and IEP. All IEP’s must be on file for your child and current. Having this information is not only necessary for their file but has proven to be a useful tool for all educators. Our educational team works tirelessly to plan lessons that are not only creative and fun; they look for ways to differentiate these plans to best meet the needs of each and every one of their students.
All Medicals and IEP’s can be faxed to the school directly at (631) 683-5558.
III. Illnesses & Daily Attendance
COVID-19 Policies
Please click here to access our most up-to-date COVID-19 policies and procedures. These policies reflect the current circumstances of the pandemic and the most recent public health recommendations from federal, state, and local health authorities.
Illnesses and Daily Attendance
Please sign your child in and out daily via our computer system in each classroom. We use this information as an additional security measure to account for all students. All caregivers that commonly pick up will be given an individualized code. Please do not share your code with anyone.
Unwell children do not belong in school. If, within 24 hours your child has had: a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, a green gooey nose, an eye infection, or an unidentified rash, please keep your child home.
Our goal is always to protect your child and also the other children in school.
Daily Health Checks are documented each day on all students to help ensure the health and well-being of all. If your child is on antibiotics or other medications please inform your child’s teacher. Children on antibiotics are often “not themselves.” It helps to know so we can help your child.
Please notify the office any time that your child will not be in school for the day.
If your child becomes ill while in our care, we will contact you immediately to make arrangements to have your child picked up. If we cannot reach the parents or guardians we will try to contact the emergency contacts that you have on file. Please be sure to keep all emergency information up to date with our office.
In such situations where your child has something highly contagious we will require a doctor’s note in order for your child to return to school. Some examples would include: Strep, Lice (we have a no nit policy), Coxsackie, Fifth’s Disease, Pink Eye, etc. For more information, please see our Sick Policy.
We are unable to offer make-up days if your child misses their scheduled day. Furthermore, we cannot accommodate a fluctuation in your child’s contracted schedule. On occasion, it may be possible to add an additional day in the event that we have a student absent. Your contracted tuition schedule will remain the same and will not be credited for absences.
If you need to add on an additional day, and we have space available, you will be billed an Extra Day Rate.
Family vacation time taken outside of school vacation times, will not be credited.
IV. Allergies
Allergies
The health and safety of all our students is always of prime importance to us. We presently have students enrolled in our program with SEVERE ALLERGIES to many different items.
Peanut butter, nuts, etc. require special consideration not only because of the severity of reaction it causes, but because of the extreme difficulty in controlling exposure to peanut oil. Traces of its sticky, oily consistency can be left undetected in the classroom. The nature of the peanut allergies is such that for many affected people, even a trace of oil on the skin, or the slight scent of peanuts can cause a very severe reaction. For this reason, we are asking that you do not send in any food that contains peanut butter, nuts, etc. to school with your child as we will be unable to serve it. Please also see our Safe Food Guidelines.
If your child has an allergy of any type we will need the appropriate paperwork submitted from your doctor. This will include a Medication Consent Form for each medication and a completed Individualized Health Care Plan for a Child with Special Health Care Needs.
We will also ask that all necessary medications are brought in and given to the teacher. Medications need to be in their original box with pharmacy label on it to indicate your child’s name. Please be sure to keep us informed of any changes in your child’s allergies. Please be aware that we are only able to administer Benadryl, EpiPens and Nebulizers. Other medications must be administered by the parent or designated guardian.
V. Incidents & Boo-Boo's
Incidents and Boo-Boo’s
From time to time your child may get a “boo-boo” when at school. In such cases a Boo-Boo Report will be written up and presented to you at pick up time. A signature is required on the report. One copy will go to the parent/guardian and the other will be kept on file.
Any time a child is injured above the shoulders or skin is broken we will contact you to notify you. All other boo-boos will be reported to the parent at pick up time.
In emergency situations 911 will be called and you will be notified immediately after. If the primary guardian cannot be contacted we will call all contacts on the emergency contact list. Please be sure to always keep this information up to date.
If your child causes a student in our program to sustain an injury, an Incident Report will be completed and presented to you at pick up time. A signature is required on the report. One copy will go to the parent/guardian and the other will be kept on file. Should your child have three Incidents in any quarter, he or she may be suspended from our program on a short term basis or asked to leave permanently.
We want you to know that we will do everything possible to work with the family of the child (ren) in order to prevent this policy from being enforced. However should the child be at risk of causing serious injury to other children and/or himself or herself, or if a parent physically threatens or intimidates staff members, or if a parent verbal abuses a staff member in front of another enrolled student this can be a cause for immediate suspension or even expulsion.
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Parental Actions for a Child’s Expulsion:
Child’s Actions for Expulsion:
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VI. Biting Policy
Biting Policy
Though socially unacceptable, biting is unfortunately not unexpected behavior of a toddler between the ages of 18 and 36 months.
Whenever we have a student that bites in our school we take many factors into account. For example: Is the child teething? Do we need to provide a “teether” for them throughout the day? We will monitor the situation closely and make every effort to aide in curtailing this behavior.
Parents of the child that bit someone as well as the parents of the child who was bitten will be notified. Strict confidentiality will be maintained in all conversations with both parties.
If we feel that the biting is becoming “excessive” we will ask you to remove your child from school. This can be on a temporary or permanent basis. Each biting situation is different and will be handled on a case by case scenario.
Any bite from the shoulders up will be an immediate call home. Any child who repeatedly bites another, especially in any area above the shoulders, will be suspended for a period of 2 weeks.
VII. Behavior Management Policy
Behavior Management Policy
The Anne Brower School/Camp ABC will implement the following positive child guidance techniques:
- Redirection – In a conflict, give an alternate toy or activity to one of our students competing for the toy. Multiples may be made available for “popular” toys.
- Focus on “Do” rather than “Do Not.” For example, “we walk inside” instead of “stop running inside.”
- Offer choices: “You can either sit on the rug or at the table for story time.”
- Encourage our students to use friendly words rather than physical acts. For example, suggest using the phrase, “I was playing with that toy.”
- Praise positive behavior: “Thank you for using your words.”
- Model desired behavior in order for our students to learn by example.
- Arrange the program space to positively impact student’s behavior. For example, avoid large open spaces that might encourage children to run.
- Listen to the student and respond to their needs proactively to achieve their goals. Keeping our students engaged with activities helps prevent conflict.
- For preschool students, involve the children in the development of the classroom rules and consequences.
VIII. Mandated Reporters
Mandated Reporters
As educators, we are classified as Mandated Reporters and are required to report any suspected abuse to Child Protective Services.
A report may be made any time there is suspected child abuse or maltreatment signs with a child in our program. Please note, that we are not making a judgment or an accusation that any type of abuse has taken place. We are giving information to an outside agency that conducts their own investigation and will make their own independent determination.
Types of abuse can include: physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and/or neglect.
IX. Healthy Meals
Healthy Meals
Parents are asked to provide a healthy and nutritious meal for their child if they are staying for Lunch Bunch. Ideally, their lunch should consist of a dairy, fruit, vegetable, grain and a protein.
Please be sure to put an ice pack in your child’s lunch box to ensure food does not spoil.
Snacks will also be provided by the parents. Please refer to the snack suggestion list supplied to you in your welcome packet or see our Safe Snacks page.
Be sure to refer to our Healthy Eating pamphlet that was given out with your welcome packet or see our Healthy Eating Tips page. Both have a lot of helpful information!
X. Nap Time Policy
Nap Time Policy
For students that are staying the entire day, they will be offered a time to nap or rest. Mats will be made available for all students that nap in their classroom.
Please send bedding in your child’s backpack that will be brought to and from school daily. Please do not bring in pillows or anything that cannot fit in your child’s backpack.
If your child does not fall asleep after 20 minutes they will be encouraged to do a quiet activity.
XI. What to Wear
What to Wear
Students should wear play clothes to school. Your child will be playing inside and outside, climbing and running.
Ankle length dresses are never appropriate to wear to school. Party shoes and flip flops are not safe on the playground.
Please dress your child comfortably for school.
Though we make an effort to keep our students out of the mud and covered in smocks they may still get dirty. When we are painting clothes may get dirty, we use washable markers and paints, but they cannot be guaranteed to come out of clothing.
XII. What to Bring & What Not to Bring to School
What to bring and what not to bring
Toddler and Nursery students should bring in a labeled diaper bag, with a box of diapers, large box of wipes and a full change of clothing (including socks). All clothing should be labeled with your child’s name. This bag should be left at school. Please make sure to restock diapers and wipes as needed and change the clothes seasonally.
Please do not bring in toys from home. Children typically have a hard time sharing their special toys from home with their friends in their class. This tends to cause a disruption in the classroom.
If your child is having difficulty separating, a special blanket, family photo or stuffed animal may be suggested. These items will be kept inside your child’s backpack and taken out as needed.
Guns, weapons (of any kind) and action figures are never permitted. A book may be brought in to share with the class.
Please help your child to understand this policy.
XIII. Classroom Placement Policy
Classroom Placement Policy
As a team, we consider a variety of factors as we place your child. We take into consideration the teaching styles of our educators, the dynamics of the classroom, your child’s learning style, personalities of the children, current friendships and children who live within the same district, where possible.
All children will absolutely be placed in the class that is best suited for them.
Requests for specific teachers are not appropriate and will not be considered when student placement is made.
XIV. Conferences
Conferences
Conferences will be held for ALL classes in November and February. Please check the calendar of events for exact dates.
If at any time you would like to have a conference please speak to your child’s teacher and they will make arrangements with you for this to happen.
XV. Fire Drills
Fire Drills
Each month we will conduct at least one fire drill at the school. These will be unannounced and will help our students to become familiar with our procedures in what to do in the case of a real fire. We additionally do 2 shelter in place drills and 2 lock down drills.
In the event that we need to evacuate the premises, our primary relocation site is: 38 Lawrence Hill Rd. Huntington.
Our secondary evacuation site is: 28 Barrow Court in Huntington.
XVI. Weather
Weather
Snow Days: The Anne Brower School will be closed if either The Cold Spring Harbor or Huntington School District is closed. If either school district has a delay of one hour or more we will open at 12:15 pm for those students enrolled in our Full School Day or Full Day Program. If either school district closes early, we will follow the same schedule. Please make arrangements to abide by these schedule changes. We will send out a Remind notice to all families for all change of schedules as soon as we make the decision.
Outside Play: We do go outside in cold weather. Please dress your child appropriately, including hat, gloves and warm footwear. In snowy weather please send in boots and snow pants. We do not go outside if the real feel is under 32 degrees.
Please remember to label your child’s belongings. Mittens and mitten clips are helpful.
XVII. REMIND Etiquette
REMIND Etiquette
REMIND is a messaging platform that helps educators, students, and parents send quick, simple messages to any device. Please see our REMIND page for more information.
Changes/additions to your child’s schedule, reports of absences due to illness, and any other communication should be emailed to [email protected].
XVIII. Field Trips & Holiday Celebrations
In-House Field Trip Events & Holiday Celebrations
If an event or celebration is scheduled on a day your child DOES NOT normally attend, you may accompany your child to the event or celebration for the duration of the program or festivities. If space is available and you wish to have your child attend school that day, you will be billed for an extra day.
XIX. Parking Lot & Building Safety
Parking Lot and Building Safety
We ask that you please drive very slowly in the parking lot. All cars should travel at 5 MPH maximum, at all times. Pick up and drop off times are especially busy and it is important to be aware of your surroundings.
Please be aware that there is a stop sign in our parking lot. Please also note that the entrance to the school is located at the east gate and the exit is on the west side of the property.
When parking, only use the designated spots located throughout the lot.
We ask that, as a TABS community member, you be courteous of all families and refrain from pulling in and or stopping behind any parked car. Families that do not comply with these requirements may be asked to leave the program.
Please note: the entrance to the school is located at the east gate and the exit is on the west side of the property. Children should be in car seats and/or boosters in the back seat of your vehicle. Seat belts should not be removed until the vehicle is fully stopped and the ignition is turned off.
Your safety and your children’s safety is our primary concern. NEVER leave your child unattended in the car!
Cars must be turned off in the parking lot with the keys removed from the ignition if you leave your car. Cars may NOT be left in the upper driveway. If you need to come in, please park in the parking lot.
Please keep in mind that tardiness is inconvenient to our staff as well as upsetting to the class and your child. If necessary, make adjustments in your schedule to allow for prompt pickups. You will be charged a late pick up fee of $15 per hour.
When entering any of our buildings, please be sure that you close the door behind you and do not keep it open or allow someone to enter you do not know.
XX. OCFS
OCFS
We pride ourselves in being a school that provides the best educational experience possible. To further better our program, we are licensed through New York State by The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
They can be reached at 631.240.2560 at any time if you would like to register a compliment or complaint. If you wish to review a copy of the regulations you may do so on their website.
XXI. Billing Policies & Procedures
Billing Policies and Procedures
You will be given a current rate sheet prior to enrolling in The Anne Brower School. During that time you will be given a choice of several payment options from which to choose.
It is preferred that a credit card is left on file for automatic billing purposes. Checks and cash are also acceptable, but they must be submitted by the 1st of each month. Failure to pay on time will result in a late payment fee of $25. Each additional week your payment is late you will be billed an additional $25. All checks that are returned due to insufficient funds will be billed a $35 returned check fee.
Please also be conscious of when you are dropping your child off and when you are picking them up. We allow a 5-minute grace period for early drop off or a late pick up. Beyond that window you will be bill an additional fee of $15 per hour.
XXII. Withdrawal
Withdrawal
In the event that you choose to withdraw from our program, we ask for 1 month’s written notice. Refunds will not be considered if you choose not to give the required a 30-day notice. All material fees and registration fees are non-refundable.
XXIII. Important Contact Information
Important Contact Information
The Anne Brower School
50 Lawrence Hill Road
Huntington, New York
11743
Main #: (631) 423-4147
Fax #: (631) 683-5558*
*Please Note: Our school’s fax number should be used for sending information regarding current Medicals and IEP’s.
Staff Contact Information
| Name | Title | (631) 423-4147 | Email Address | |
| Lisa Marie George | Owner | ext. 10 | [email protected]. |
|
| Tracy Murphy | Director of Human Resources & OCFS Relations | ext. 11 | [email protected] | |
| Anita Perez aka Cookie | Office Manager | ext. 12 | [email protected] | |
|
Gabriela Castillo |
Curriculum Director | [email protected] |
