Mountain View Whisman School District
Agenda Item for Board Meeting of 5/5/2022
Agenda Category: CONSENT AGENDA
Agenda Item Title: Preschool Handbook Addendum
Estimated Time:
Person Responsible: Terri Kemper, Preschool Director
Cathy Baur, Chief Academic Officer
Background:
During Federal Program Monitoring we were asked to revise several sections of our Preschool Family Handbook. These revisions are to ensure the language of the Family Handbook is more precise in meeting the requirements of California State Preschool Program (CSPP) regulations. Changes were made to the following sections: Excused/Unexcused Absences, Health Requirements, Birthdays, Field Trips & Special Events.
- Excused/Unexcused Absences: Appointments for parent or child with a doctor, dentist, social worker, therapist, lawyer, or counselor have been removed from the "excused absence" category but may be considered under the "family emergency" sub-category (still excused). The limitation of five "family emergency" absences per school year was removed. Items previously listed as "unexcused absences" have been removed and this category has been generally defined as "absences for a reason besides those listed in the excused absences."
- Health Requirements: Dental exams were removed as an enrollment requirement. They were previously a requirement for students when the preschool program received Head Start funding and they were kept as a best practice to support student health. Instead, the preschool will rely on in-house dental screenings in collaboration with community partners to encourage and monitor student oral health and meet Quality Rating and Improvement System requirements.
- Birthdays: A suggestion for parents to provide non-food items in birthday "goodie bags" to classmates in lieu of candy, cupcakes, and other sweets was removed. CSPP programs are not permitted to ask parents to contribute anything to the program that may cost the families money.
- Field Trips & Special Events: One exception to asking parents to contribute to the preschool program is for an annual field trip fee of $25 per child. Parents must be allowed to vote on or provide input as to whether the fee should be collected each school year. Language was added to the handbook to specify the opportunity for parent input.
An addendum to the Preschool Handbook was created with the new information requested. The Addendum is attached for reference. Information about these changes will be communicated to families and incorporated into the Preschool Handbook after approval by the Board of Trustees.
Fiscal Implication:
None
Recommended Action:
That the board approves the Preschool Addendum as presented.
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