Middleham and Saint Peter's Episcopal Parish

About Our School

The Middleham & St. Peter's Episcopal Day School operates as an extension of the educational, pastoral and outreach arms of the Middleham and St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Our goal is to support each child's personal, social, spiritual and academic development through methods emphasizing self-awareness, sensory awareness, coordination and physical abilities, listening and following directions and cooperation with peers and adults. Our curriculum includes programs for reading readiness, math readiness, science, music, cooking, art and physical education.

Days of Operation

School is in session five days a week, Monday through Friday with the exception of the scheduled holidays as specified on the school calendar provided to each family. Please note that in the event of inclement weather, the day school will operate as follows: If Calvert County Schools are closed, the Day School will be closed; if Calvert County schools are one hour late, the Day School will open one hour late; if Calvert County schools open two hours late, the Day School will be closed. If there are any changes to the above policy, the teacher will use her discretion to activate the parent telephone tree to notify all parents. The Day School is not obligated to make up snow days.

Class Size

The 3-year-old class will consist of no more than 16 pupils and the 4-year-old class will consist of no more than 20 students. Pupil/teacher ratio will be 8–1 in the 3-year-old class and 10-1 in the 4-year-old class.

Jumpbunch

Jumpbunch is added to the Day School's curriculum as a physical fitness piece during the colder months of winter. Through the program, students will be offered an opportunity to develop minds and bodies even when cold weather doesn't allow for outside play. Jumpbunch will include a coach who will lead the children through a sport fitness program for 30 minutes a week. The preschool teacher and/or assistant will be present to help facilitate the routines that include a warm-up, floor exercise, the sports activity of the week and cool down. For the students, Jumpbunch helps build confidence, coordination and a love of sports.

Children's Chapel

Basic instruction in Christian values is an important part of our curriculum. Both by word and example our students are taught care and respect for all of God's creation. Regular worship is an important component of our school's Christian tradition. Both our threes and fours will be attending chapel services. The Teacher will publish in the parent's newsletter a schedule. Weather permitting, we will walk to Middleham Chapel for a time of bible story with interpretation at an age-appropriate level, prayers offered for the children, their friends and family and the world, and singing of children's songs. If the weather is inclement, we will gather either in the classroom or the Great Hall. Ordinarily, Chapel will be conducted by the Parish Clergy. It is hoped that our introduction to prayer, scripture and singing in the Christian tradition will help for a strong foundation for the children's moral development and will compliment the primary religious training that properly originates in the home. Parents are always welcome to attend Chapel with their children.

Field Trip Policy

All classes will go on several field trips during the year. Parents and children will meet teachers at the field trip location at a pre-planned time, either individually or in prearranged car pools. Field trips are family events. Please feel free to stay and enjoy! The events will typically last about an hour. Children wil be dismissed from the field trip site. Some trips may require a small fee to be collected in class before the event.

Parties

Special days and holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter will be celebrated at school. There will be a sign up sheet for goodies and supplies prior to class parties. Parents are welcome to take part in the festivities!

We celebrate birthdays. Parents may send a special treat for all the children at snack time. Parents wishing to do so should check with the teacher before sending the special snacks. If your child decides to hand-out party invitations in class, each child must receive an invitation.

Snacks

Unless otherwise notified, each child must bring a nutritional snack for midmorning break each day of class. If you should forget, we have extra goodies and juice on hand, so not to worry.

Healthy Snack Ideas

Please strive for non-sugar snacks of foods that do not have nuts if there is a known allergy in your child's class. Also, please stay away from chocolate. The following is a list of suggestions. Be creative if you like.

Rice cakes with dip or spread
Pretzels
Popcorn
Pizza on English muffins
Granola bars
Mini bagels and cream cheese
Cheese and crackers
An assortment of vegetables and dip
Ham slices rolled around a cheese stick
An assortment of cheese and fruit to make a kabob
Macaroni and cheese
String cheese
Oyster crackers
Hard-boiled eggs
Mini sandwiches-peanut butter and jelly, egg salad
Pancakes and applesauce
Pasta
Raisins
Goldfish crackers
Cinnamon bread and butter
Muffins
Graham crackers with peanut butter
Celery with peanut butter and raisins (Ants-on-a-log)

Arrival and Departure

Child Drop Off: Please sign your child in upon arrival. It is very important that you escort your child to the classroom. There will NOT be a monitor in the hall way to make sure your child gets into the classroom.

Child Pick-up: A child may be picked up only by a parent, legal guardian or someon pre-authorized whose name is on record with the school. In cases of emergency, when another party must pick up the hcild, notification must be given to the teacher prior to the child's departure and identification must be shown. The child must be signed out. We understand itis important to keep in touch with other parents, however, for your child's safety, please mingle with others before picking your child up from class.

Note: WE DO NOT OFFER BEFORE AND/OR AFTERCARE. NO ONE IS AVAILABLE TO SUPERVISE YOUR CHILD PRIOR TO 8:40 AM OR AFTER 11:50 AM. A late fee will be charged when the child is not picked up on time. The fees are: 15 minutes late: $10.00 and $1.00 per minute thereafter. Fees will be billed to you.

Please call the school in the morning if your child will be absent for any reason.

Health Concerns

Toilet Training

All children must be fully potty trained by the beginning of the school year. Accidents will occasionally happen and the staff will assist the child in cleaning up, but for the safety of all the children, if toilet accidents happen on a recurring basis the parent will be called to come clean up their child to prevent the staff from having to leave the classroom for an extended period of time.

Change of Clothes

An emergency set of clothes appropriate to the season must be kept at school for each child.

Medical Forms

Medical forms will be given to parents on registration day. They must be returned by September 1. In compliance with the Maryland State Health Dept. regulations, “Children who are not completely immunized or who have not presented the immunization record may be temporarily admitted to school and then be given up to 20 calendar days to get the needed record/vaccines from their health care provider. If a health care provider is unable to vaccinate, children should be referred to their local health department for vaccination. If the missing documentation is not presented to the school by the due date, the child must be excluded the next school day and may not return to school until records are provided to show current immunization compliance.” Each form must be signed by a physician where necessary. No medication may be administered by the School Staff.

Absences

If a child is absent, a note with the reason for the absence (illness or otherwise) should be sent with the child on the next school day. If someone other than a parent brings the child to school after an absence, a note signed by the parent should accompany the child stating the reason for the absence. Excessive absences (one month or more) will be reviewed by the Day School Board in consultation with the Teacher and child's parent(s). If a child misses an excessive number of days it may cause the student to fall behind in the educational experience offered by the school and could be grounds for dismissal.

Parent/Student/Teacher Relationships

Parent Liaison

Your teachers are always open to communication, but here at Middleham and St. Peter's (MSP) Day School, we also offer communication through your Parent Liaison. The Parent Liaison is a member of the school board and is available to help parents get the information and assistance they need to support their child at home and to ensure their child's success in school. Julie Fuller is the parent liaison and may be reached by calling 410-586-9809 or email Julie.fuller@fullerfour.com.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome! Parent/Teacher conferences may be requested by either party as the need arises. We will be happy to schedule an appointment with you at a mutually convenient time. School hours, drop-off and pick-up times are not appropriate for conferencing.

Counseling Procedures

If the need arises referrals for family and/or individual counseling may be arranged through the clergy. With the parent's permission, observation and consultation with a psychologist can be arranged for a student's behavioral and/or learning difficulty.

Withdrawal from School

If a student withdraws prior to the end of the month, a pro-rated refund will be given provided that two weeks written notice of the withdrawal is given. The Day School reserves the right to terminate enrollment of a disruptive child after all attempts for a solution to the problem(s) caused by the child's presence in school have failed.

Emergencies

Emergency Policy - Currently being revised. Please check back soon. Thanks!

Financial Information

Tuition

Yearly tuition will be discounted 5% if paid on the first day of school.
Yearly tuition for the 3-year-old program $1,170.
Yearly tuition for the 4-year-old program $1,530.

Payment may be made monthly, due on the first day of the month.
Monthly payments for the 3-year-old program $130.
Monthly payments for the 4-year-old program $170.

If payment is not made within 10 days, the child's enrollment will be terminated unless other arrangements can be made. Returned checks will be subject to a $25 service fee. Tuition is to be placed in the white payment box in the parish office.

Scholarships

A limited amount of funds may be made available for tuition grants from the Church Vestry and other interested groups and individuals. Parents who need financial assistance may request forms from the Teacher. After the application has been received, parents will be notified of the results following the next meeting of the Board of Teachers. Forms must be submitted within 2 weeks after a child is registered in classes. Parents of recipients of scholarship funds are required to participate using volunteer time and/or talent.

Fundraisers

In order to keep tuition costs low for our school families Middleham & St. Peter's will conduct fundraisers throughout the year.

Admission and Registration

There is a $50 non-refundable registration fee due at the time of registration. A child entering the 3-year-old program must be three years old by September 1. Chidren Entering the 4-year-old program must be four years old by September 1.