2026-27 Preschool Parent Handbook

The purpose of the District Preschool Program is to provide a high quality early childhood experience for your child in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment where children develop and progress through a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our focus is to prepare children for Kindergarten, providing students a curriculum that promotes learning through intentional learning opportunities during the day supporting social and academic progress.

Families with a student enrolled in Preschool may request an interpreter to explain the Preschool parent handbook, provide an overview of Preschool Programming, and explain parent authorization and consent forms. Families should allow 1-2 weeks for document translation to be completed.  Contact the Preschool Department for more information.

The District’s preschool standards (what we expect children to learn) are aligned with Colorado’s preschool academic standards, the Colorado Early Learning and Developmental Guidelines, and Kindergarten Standards.

These standards and objectives set out a series of learning readiness. These standards describe what children should understand and be able to do as a result of their preschool experience.

Preschool teachers use the District’s standards-based Guaranteed and Viable curriculum, World of Wonders curriculum as well as Al’s Pal’s social emotional curriculum, all research based, to create an environment that supports learning through play in a variety of interest centers, i.e. blocks, dramatic play, science/discovery, art, technology, library/quiet area, etc. This curriculum also helps teachers develop appropriate small and large group activities to enhance child growth in the classroom.

Teachers use on-going, observational assessments to monitor the progress of children enrolled in the preschool program. The intent of informal assessments is to help teaching staff with the opportunity to plan for individualized instruction. Progress in language development, early literacy, early mathematics, fine and gross motor skills as well as social/emotional skills are assessed three times per year using Teaching Strategies (TS) GOLD. The first TS GOLD assessment occurs at the end of the first quarter. Teachers use the data from the assessment in order to begin creating an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). This plan notes the academic and developmental skills your child is currently demonstrating.

Teachers use the opportunity to meet with families during Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences to review student data and present the ILP. These assessments are conducted two other times during the school year and occur in the second semester.

If your child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), you will also receive quarterly progress reports from the special education case manager. These reports are a measure of your child’s progress on the goals in your child’s IEP.

Emergency Training:

All staff members are certified in First Aid, CPR and Standard Precautions, Evacuation procedures, Secure, Lock-Down and Shelter in place procedures, Multi-hazard Planning for Childcare, Injury Prevention for Child Care Programs, Playground Safety and Child Abuse & Neglect Recognition and reporting.

Security:

All staff members must pass background checks by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  In addition, employees must be cleared through the Central Registry of the State of Colorado.

Medical:

All staff are required to provide proof of good health as dictated by the Department of Human Services.

Professional Development:

Preschool teachers complete a minimum of fifteen (15) clock hours of ongoing training each year. Annual training topics can include Child Growth and Development, Child Observation and Assessment, Guidance, Health, Safety and Nutrition, Professional Development and Leadership and Program Planning and Development.

For children to be eligible for preschool, they must be at least three years old (i.e. 36 months) and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in order to start on their third birthday, after October 1. Four year old programming is for students in the year before they enter kindergarten, and they are required to be four by October 1. For children who turn five years old on or before October 1st of any given school year, they will attend kindergarten. If your child turns 5 after October 1st, they may still attend preschool until the following fall.

State law and District policies require that we have your child’s file complete with all the forms and information needed before they may attend preschool. Here is a list of what is required:

• Preschool Registration Forms including: Emergency contacts, authorized adults to pick up your child, a photo/video release, doctor/dentist information, and proof of residency.
• Emergency Information Card (kept by Health Clerk).
• A copy of your child’s Birth Certificate or other proof of your child’s age.
• The Preschool Program adheres to the legal requirements for immunizations as outlined in District Policy 5410: Student Immunization. The Preschool Program has the right to refuse to admit a child if a statement of health history, documentation of immunization status or exemption, is not submitted. Families who want a non-medical exemption must submit the certificate of non-medical exemption signed by an immunizing provider and their Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption received from the CDPHE’s Online Immunization Education Module.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools has 17 preschool programs located inside elementary and P-8 schools. Children must be three and four years of age on or before October 1st of the current year to enroll in an Adams 12 preschool program. Children with disabilities who have an IEP must be served by age three, therefore they may be enrolled throughout the year on or just before their third birthday.

All preschool programs district-wide offer Tuesday through Friday, half day programming, AM & PM opportunities.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) offers Tuition-FREE preschool programming up to 15 hours, but no less than 10 hours per week for ALL in district boundary four-year-old children going into kindergarten the following year (age cutoff is 4 on or before October 1st) as well as funding for three year olds with an identified disability and current IEP. Applications must be submitted through the Universal Preschool Colorado parent portal linked below. 

Preschool programs in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools work collaboratively with the District’s Special Education Department in the assessment, identification, and programming for children with disabilities. We work with parents, special education staff, and the preschool staff to determine the preschool program that meets your child’s needs as identified on your child’s IEP. If you have a concern about your child’s development, please speak to your preschool teacher.

Transportation is only provided to students with disabilities, as determined by the IEP team. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the Safety Procedures for School Bus Riding. 

Consistent daily attendance is expected of your student to achieve optimal educational benefits. Missing school sets students back in their learning, and children learn best with consistency. Parents are expected to make all efforts to have their students at school each day with the exception of illness or a family emergency. Attendance is tracked and monitored for student’s continuation in the preschool program.

Identifying Where Children Are At All Times

The Preschool Program staff directly supervises their assigned group of children during the Preschool Program hours. Staff will identify the children in their groups every 30 minutes throughout the day by taking a documented name-to-face attendance for each child/group, in addition to each time a child/group exits and enters a new space. Preschool staff frequently count children throughout the day while conducting name-to-face attendance. The staff will also scan the area to ensure the area is clear of children prior to leaving a space.

As part of the preschool enrollment process, every new preschool student is offered the opportunity to receive a developmental screening. This will help us to begin to know more about your student, providing the teacher with useful information in meeting your child’s individual needs. This may include vision and hearing screenings.

Developmental screenings are conducted in the first few weeks of your child starting school. The purpose of the screenings include:

• To identify each student’s name, strengths and needs
• Guide instructional modifications and/or accommodations
• Provide a well-balanced educational program
• Support effective early intervention
• Get to know the student(s) and build healthy student:teacher relationships
• Partner with parents and begin to build healthy relationships
•  Understand the developmental level of each child (i.e., in the areas of social emotional, language), which will establish appropriate instructional strategies
• To make any necessary adjustments to classroom assignments, parents will be asked to complete a survey about their child. The completed survey, in addition to an Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is given to preschool children by a classroom staff member. In addition, the classroom staff will use information from informal observations. These resources, along with results of a Teaching Strategies GOLD benchmark assessment may be included in a student performance portfolio. The teacher will share the information with you at conferences or as needed.

A vision and hearing screening is mandated for all students in preschool, kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grade levels. This screening does not include extensive testing. If a deficiency is found, parents are contacted and advised to arrange for a more complete evaluation.

The preschool program does not restrict enrollment for children who are still learning to use the toilet independently. If needed for your child, please send an adequate supply of diapers or pull-ups and wipes each day. We understand that accidents can occasionally occur. If this should happen, soiled clothing will be removed and placed in a plastic bag to be sent home with the child. Spare clothing from the child’s backpack will be used. If no extra clothing has been sent with the child, the school has clothing that can be used in an emergency.

Diapering will be conducted according to state health department and child care licensing standards.

Children enrolled in Preschool will be taught and encouraged to follow directions and cooperate with guidelines concerning their safety, well-being, and that of others. As well as developmentally appropriate behavior guidelines as supported by our social-emotional curriculum, Al’s Pals. The Preschool department provides ongoing training, tools, awareness and strategies to Preschool staff, helping them to understand, respond and manage challenging child behaviors.  Positive behavior support occurs daily as staff interact and supervise students. The discipline philosophy of Preschool aims to foster a culture that promotes positive mental health and social-emotional development by redirecting misbehavior, offering individualized problem-solving support, and implementing natural consequences.

Strategies and Techniques to Support Positive Behavior:

• Reflection and redirection to other activities
• Positive reinforcement
• Recovery time, time out & calm down time
• Praise and encouragement of positive behavior and positive feedback
• Different or assigned seating
• Problem-solving support
• Calming Corner
• Social Emotional Learning 
• Student Support Accommodations

Our Preschool Programs encourage staff to use the following principles when working with students to promote responsive, positive interactions and relationships:

1. React without anger or haste to problem situations.
2. Provide consequences that are not punitive but that allow the child to experience the results of a poor choice, enabling him or her to make better choices in the future.
3. Proceed in all situations with the best interest of the child. Academic, social and emotional well-being will be fostered.
4. Guide students toward personal responsibility and the decision-making skills they will need to function in the real world.
5. Arrange consequences for problem situations in such a way that the child will not be humiliated or demeaned.
6. Make every effort to ensure that, in each situation, the students involved understand why they are involved in consequences.

Preschool Programs do not use emotional, verbal or physical abuse as forms of punishment.  Withholding food, physical activity, and corporal punishment are not allowed within our Preschool Programs. 

If student behavior negatively interferes with the health and safety of the Preschool environment, program license or operations, disciplinary consequences may be imposed. Behavior subject to discipline includes, but is not limited to damaging/stealing property; throwing objects; leaving the room, playground, school grounds, field trip, or current Preschool location without permission; displaying disrespectful, abusive, harassing behavior and/or inappropriate use of language; hitting or other unwelcome physical contact, or any other action that negatively impacts the health and safety of the students and others.

All students are expected to know, understand and comply with the Preschool Behavior Expectations and are subject to discipline, limited programming or removal from the program for repeated or serious violations. The Preschool Site Director reserves the right to remove a student from Preschool for a significant violation of the Behavior Expectations without prior warning, intervention or progressive discipline.

There are times when a student’s misbehavior may result in, pause in care, suspension and/or discontinuation of Preschool Program services.  

The following may occur as a result of misbehavior:

Should an incident of misconduct occur, a student may be given a verbal warning(s), written behavior notice(s), or Behavior Documentation, depending on the seriousness of the incident. Notification will be made to the parent/guardian about the inappropriate behavior.

• A behavior notice is designed to inform families of behaviors that they should be aware of. 
• Behavior Documentation is utilized when the behavior disrupts the health and safety of the Preschool environment, violates a District Policy, or the behavior impacts Preschool operations.    

When a student receives Behavior Documentation, parents may be contacted to pick up the student.  If needed a meeting may be held with the parents to review the student’s misbehavior and program expectations.  A student may also be suspended from the Preschool Program and/or Preschool services may be paused for 1-5 days per each incident of misbehavior.

• In the event of a pause in Preschool service or suspension, a re-entry meeting with the student and parent must occur.  The re-entry meeting will be an opportunity for Preschool staff to communicate with the family about possible interventions, student supports, to encourage and support positive behaviors.

If the student’s misbehavior is repeated, or deemed significant resulting in repeated Behavior Documentation, the Preschool Supervisor may be consulted and care may be discontinued.

To ensure the safe transfer of your child to and from preschool staff, as well as a safe learning environment, parents and caregivers:

• are required to follow sign in protocol for their child upon arrival and dismissal;
• are required to leave when the staff have acknowledged the child is present;
• will provide the school with the names of all persons authorized and meeting the requirements to pick up their child; and
• are required to use the District approved visitor check-in system and provide a photo ID if entering through the front office.

Authorized persons, not known to the staff by sight, will be required to provide a photo I.D. before the child will be released to them. Under no circumstance will anyone under the age of 18 be allowed to pick up a child. CDEC  regulations require that the Preschool Program be notified in writing whenever there is a change in persons authorized to pick up a child.

In the event the parent, guardian or authorized person is unable to pick-up the child at the end of the school day, a phone call from the parent or guardian can be made to provide temporary pick-up authorization. A staff member will verify the request.

The individual picking up the child will be required to provide a photo I.D. before the child will be released.

We recognize that there may be a rare time when you or another designated care provider may not be able to pick your child up on time. Special consideration will be given if parents or guardians are late due to severe weather. Please contact the classroom as soon as possible to let the teaching staff know you may be late, as well as your expected time of arrival.

If there are extreme or repeated patterns of a parent or designated care provider not picking up your child, the following protocol may be applied:

1. Failure to Pick Child Up after Dismissal:

• If an authorized person does not pick up a child at the end of class, the child’s parents or guardians will be called. In the event the parents or guardians cannot be reached, the individuals on the child’s emergency contact list will be called.
• If the child has not been picked up 30 minutes after dismissal, and attempts to notify all emergency contacts* have been made without success of reaching anyone, the staff member in charge may call the local police department. Local law enforcement may then contact the county child protection agency and may take custody of the child. The child will be released to parents or guardians at the discretion of the child protection agency. The Early Childhood Coordinator, Principal, and/or Director of Early Childhood will also be notified.

2. Late Pick Up of a Child:

• If there are repeated patterns of the child being picked up late, the child may be withdrawn.
• The Director of Early Childhood will make the final determination.

*It is the parent’s/primary caregiver’s responsibility to keep the emergency contacts up to date.

When departing a classroom or area, the Preschool staff will scan the room/area before departing to ensure no students are left behind. Staff will confirm all students remained with the group during the transition upon entering the new room/area by counting students and conducting name-to-face attendance to ensure all students have remained with the group and are in attendance. Additionally, when the last student leaves for the day, the Preschool staff will check the transition and attendance sheets to ensure that all students in attendance have been signed out for the day. 

The Preschool Program welcomes visitors to come and see our Programs.  All visitors must comply with the procedures for the safety of the students.

• During regular school hours: Visitors must check in at the main office and sign in with the Preschool Program Site Director.
• During Preschool program operating hours: Visitors must provide the following information: first and last name, current address, the date of the visit, and the purpose of the visit.  If the person is unknown to Preschool staff, they must provide a photo ID and receive a visitor’s badge to wear while on site.

It is very helpful if the Program Site Director has advance notice of visitors so that arrangements can be made.  Visitors must stay in the same area as the Preschool Program staff and students.  If visitors want to be present at the program for more than two days, they must adhere to the volunteer policy below. 

Preschool only accepts parent volunteers who may want to attend a field trip or observe the program, provided the volunteer does not disrupt normal Preschool operations.  Parent/guardian volunteers are required to complete the district “Volunteer Application” located under District Policy #8800.  Parents who volunteer to work more than twice per year with a Preschool Program must agree to comply with all rules of confidentiality and adhere to all State Guidelines, including submitting to a criminal background check at the parent’s expense, complete a staff information record, and review the program’s policies and procedures before volunteering per Colorado State Law 7.712.44.

Preschool does not allow any volunteers outside of district personnel or parent/guardian. Outside therapists, counselors and tutors, etc., must adhere to District Policy 5470: Medically Necessary Treatment in School or the Preschool Program. A parent or guardian may authorize a person to pick up their student from the Preschool Program, leave the premises and check the student back into the Preschool Program.

To ensure that we continue to maintain a safe and secure environment for all students, our department will require all visitors, including parents (including Adams 12 employees), guardians, and authorized pick-ups to check through our RAPTOR system. The RAPTOR system is used throughout the District. RAPTOR is a visitor registration system that enhances school security by use of a driver’s license, or other government-issued ID, and then compares the information to the national sex offender dataPreschool.  Additional visitor information will not be gathered and no data will be shared with any outside company or organization.  Any people you have on your authorized pick-up list may also have to complete the process. Learn more about the RAPTOR system.

The Preschool Program will provide and apply sunscreen throughout the day. Children over 4 years of age may self-apply sunscreen under the direct supervision of a Preschool staff.  Preschool staff will assist with applying sunscreen to exposed skin areas which may include the face, tops of the ears and bare shoulders, legs, arms, and feet. Sunscreen will not be applied to any broken skin or if a skin reaction has been observed. Any skin reaction observed by staff will be reported promptly to the parent/guardian. The Preschool program will use Rocky Mountain Broad Spectrum SPF 30 bonding Preschool, water-resistant (80 minutes).

Parents/Guardians will be required to apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF to their students prior to arriving at Preschool. For your convenience, sunscreen will be available for parents/guardians to apply prior to checking your child into Preschool. At sign-in, the caregiver will document that sunscreen has been applied or if an alternative form of sun protection will be utilized (including long sleeves, hats). The time of application must be noted.

Sun protection for children in our care is required. Families who elect not to use sun protection lotion must provide sun-protective clothing that covers the child's sun-exposed skin. These items include long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats that shade the child’s face, ears and neck. Sun-protective clothing should have a Certified Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) to offer effective protection against UVA and UVB rays.

The classrooms are equipped with materials that support high quality instruction. Therefore, toys from home are not necessary. Please leave all toys at home. An occasional exception may be a toy to share on special occasions, or events related to the curriculum, in which your child’s teacher will notify you and pre-approve the proposed item. Further, children should not bring money to class. Any other household items are prohibited so that we can ensure a safe learning environment. The Preschool program is not responsible for lost or stolen items brought from home.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools follows guidance from CDPHE which is presented in the quick guide entitled, "In Care of Kids: How Sick is Too Sick?” by Children’s Hospital. Parents will be contacted to immediately pick up their child if an illness develops during school hours. If a parent cannot be contacted, an emergency contact will be called to pick up the child. The ill child will be isolated from other children and supervised by a school staff member until the parent or emergency contact arrives. The child may not return to school until he/she is symptom-free for at least 24 hours. School Health Aides assist the preschool in giving first aid and determination of illness. Please keep the teacher and Health Aide up to date on all of your child’s health concerns and current medications.

Injuries such as minor bumps, bruises and scrapes, etc. will be taken care of at school. Ice packs will be applied to bumps and bruises. Scrapes will be cleaned with soap and water and covered by a bandage as needed. Parents or guardians will be notified of minor injuries by phone or in person when picking up their child. Injuries and illnesses will be documented on the accident/illness log. Parents will be notified via phone of a more serious injury or illness Preschool on the severity or if a child is unable to resume Preschool Programming. A student accident/incident report will be completed for more serious injuries.

When a child who is ill or injured at school requires medical attention, the parents/guardians will be notified by phone. In the event they cannot be reached, the names on the child’s emergency contact list will be called. Therefore, it is essential to keep the school informed of any change in address and/or telephone numbers. In the event of a life-threatening illness or injury, 911 will be called and the parents/guardians will be notified immediately.

The Preschool Program realizes that a student sometimes receives medication at school when necessitated by health conditions. Parents must inform the Preschool Program at the time of enrollment, of any health care conditions and needs.  The Preschool Program will notify our Adams 12 Nurse to determine if an individualized health care plan is needed in addition to staff training, delegation and supervision prior to the child’s first day.  Additional time may be necessary to ensure the Preschool Program is able to provide special care for your child. Medications, supplies and/or medical equipment must also be available to the staff prior to the child’s first day of care.

Enrolled students with a newly identified special health care need will have 30 calendar days to provide the Preschool Program with the necessary paperwork, medications and/or supplies for the child’s newly identified need.

The Preschool Program follows District Policy 5420 for administering medications to students.

1. Prescription medication must be placed in the original pharmacy-labeled container and properly labeled with the prescription number, name of the pharmacy, patient’s name, doctor’s name with the dosage clearly marked.  Non-prescription medication must be in the original medication labeled container and the medication must match the prescriber’s written order and cannot be expired.
2. All medication needing to be administered during program hours will be kept in the Preschool Program area in a secured cabinet. The Program is unable to share medications with the school. Parents must provide medication(s) as outlined above to the Preschool program in addition to the medication in the health office.  Students will be prohibited from carrying medication, as the medication may be abused or endanger other students.  Inhalers or Epi-Pens may be exempt with the Adams 12 RN approval.
3.  All District medication forms must be completed in full and submitted annually or revised when any changes occur in the medication or its administration.  All medication received from the parent must be logged in and signed for by the parent and authorized Preschool staff member to ensure an accurate amount.
4. If a parent notes on the student’s registration paperwork that a student has a life-threatening medical condition that may require the need for medication at the Preschool program, the parent must supply appropriate medication/health care orders and medications.
5. Only Medication Delegated Preschool staff members will be allowed to handle and distribute medication.  Preschool Program staff members are trained to administer medications in compliance with the Colorado Department of Human Services rules and regulations.  A log will be maintained for medication that is administered.
6. Delegation of Nursing Tasks: 12-38-132 per Colorado State Law: Preschool follows all guidelines in the administration of medication per the requirements outlined in section 12-38-132.  Please contact the Colorado State agency below for a complete list of the guidelines in this area.
7. Medications must be received to the Preschool Program from the child’s parent/guardian. Medications received from children without a responsible adult, will not be administered.
8. Expired medications need to be picked by parent/guardian within 30 days of notification or they will be disposed of per EPA guidelines.

In the event of bad weather, Adams 12 Five Star Schools uses a variety of resources to determine if conditions exist that warrant a 1-hour delayed start or closure of schools.

Every effort will be made to announce a decision by 5:30 a.m. to close or delay opening schools. 

Alerts are ONLY sent if schools are closed or operating on a 1-hour delay. If schools are operating on a normal schedule you will not receive an alert.

Learn more about the district’s 1-Hour Delay and School Closure process.

Please note that Preschool Programs are also closed when the schools are closed for inclement weather or an emergency.

In the event that the school must be closed due to an emergency before the normal dismissal time necessitating canceling preschool early, every attempt will be made to communicate with parents as early as possible at their home phone, work phone, and through their emergency contact numbers. It is imperative that emergency contact numbers be up-to-date and not be the same number as the parent’s phone numbers. Please be aware that in some emergencies the school phones may be temporarily out of service. If this happens, contact might be made from another phone. Our first priority in any emergency situation is the safety of the children.

Please refer to school procedures regarding delayed starts or closures. Should an unforeseen emergency or inclement weather necessitate a delayed start or closure, tuition payments remain the same with no refunds granted.

The Preschool Program will periodically conduct required emergency practice drills with the students and staff members to ensure the safety of all students. 

In the event of an actual emergency where staff and students need to evacuate or are placed in an emergency hold situation, the Preschool staff will remain with the students during this time up until the threat is lifted.  Staff will provide students with disabilities assistance as needed during drills and emergencies. 

The Preschool staff will not answer the Preschool door or phone(s) during this time. It is likely that these situations will impact a family's ability to pick up their student during these times. When information is available, preschool families will be notified via email and or text message of how and where to pick up your child. 

Tornado/Fire:

In the event of a tornado or fire, the Preschool Program staff members will follow the procedures set forth by the school in getting the students to a safe and designated area.

Evacuation:

 In an emergency situation where the Preschool program will need to evacuate the school premises, the Preschool program will relocate to a safe location.  Parents will be informed via email and text message of the program's current location for pickup and reunification.

Adverse Weather: 

• Excessive Heat:  A heat index at or above 94°F (32°C), as identified by the National Weather Service (NWS). When temperatures are above 90°F, students are monitored for signs of overheating and have access to shade and water at all times. In the event of excessively hot weather while at the Preschool program, students will remain indoors and be encouraged to drink plenty of water. Precautions will also be taken to limit the time in the sun and sunblock will be liberally applied.  In the event of excessively hot weather, where the program is away from the building and on a field trip, students will be encouraged to drink plenty of water and utilize available shade. Precautions will also be taken to limit the time in the sun and sunblock will be liberally applied.  
• Excessive Cold: Weather that poses a significant health risk that includes wind chill factor below -15°F (-26°C) as identified by the National Weather Service (NWS). Please ensure that students have the appropriate clothing for outside activities (i.e., mittens, coats, hats, etc.).  Students will not be permitted outside if snow, rain or sleet is falling, the temperature with the wind chill is 20 degrees or less, or if playground conditions are poor (mud, snow, frozen or standing water).

Extreme weather conditions, which threaten the welfare or safety of students and staff members, may result in the closure of the District or a 1-hour delayed start, including all programs, activities and Preschool Programs.  Please listen to local television and radio broadcasts. The Preschool Program will attempt to text the parent/guardian who completed the cell phone contact information for information on late closures or emergency situations.  

Air Quality:

Air Quality Index Advisory Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” means an Air Quality Index value of 101 to 150. People with asthma, children, and older adults are the groups most at risk as defined and explained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When air quality is between 101-150 Preschool Programs will follow the guidance for schools.

Natural Disaster:

In case of a natural disaster, the students will follow the school disaster plan and will proceed to the areas mapped out for safety by the District.

Lost Student:

In the event of a lost student, the parents, local police authorities, and the administration will be notified. All attempts will be made to locate the student as quickly as possible.  If your student leaves the Preschool Program without permission, we will treat the situation as a lost student and notify parents and local police authorities immediately.  Appropriate reporting and documentation will be completed as required and given to the proper authorities. Students who intentionally or deliberately leave the program without permission will no longer be allowed to attend Preschool and services will be discontinued.

Internal/External Threats:

Safety procedures are implemented in accordance with Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Safety & Security Department. The district utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation in collaboration with the Five Star District and law enforcement. The SRP in Preschool is not on individual scenarios but on the response to any given situation.

Learn more about:

• The Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
• How the district communicates during an emergency
• A parent's role in an emergency

Learn all about Safety & Security in Adams 12

The Preschool Program follows District Policy 5035 concerning student use of district technology and the Internet. Preschool Programs will provide age-appropriate Common Sense Media Education Lessons 2-3 times per year in addition to ongoing reminders about online safety practices.

The Preschool Program recognizes and supports the use of technology (computer, IPad, tablet) as a resource to support and reinforce students’ academic achievement.  While at Preschool the use of technology and the Internet is primarily to support, strengthen and reinforce educational concepts. screen time may only exceed sixty (60) minutes for a special occasion and will not occur more than once every two (2) weeks.

District-owned technology devices are loaded with educational and age-appropriate activities.  These games are carefully selected and approved for students.  Appropriate use of technology devices and internet safety will be reviewed with students periodically. 

We believe you are your child’s first and most important teacher. We are committed to partnering with you in the following ways:

• Language Support: We provide opportunities to utilize interpreters or other language resources as needed to ensure clear communication.
• Cultural Sharing: We invite and encourage you to share your home’s cultural and social practices within our classroom community.
• Goal Setting: We will partner with you to set individual learning and development goals for your child.
• Program Decision-Making: We offer opportunities for families and community partners to engage in our program's operational decision-making processes.
• Transitions: We will actively involve you in your child’s transitions between classrooms or when moving to a new school.
• Feedback: We value your perspective and provide opportunities for you to give feedback on the quality of program-family and program-staff interactions.

Parent Teacher Conferences are held twice a year to partner with the parents(s)/guardian(s) and discuss a child's behavior, progress, and social and physical needs to include next step goals for promoting learning in the classroom and at home. Each preschool will have a procedure for assigning times for conferences. Individualized conferences may be held at any time during the year at the request of the parent or the teacher.

Each spring, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) conducts an annual family survey. You will be notified of the opportunity to participate and share your experiences regarding your meaningful and culturally appropriate involvement in our program, as well as the healthy development supports provided.

School districts across the state participate in the “Healthy School Meals for all”, including Adams 12 Nutrition Services. Your child will receive a healthy breakfast and/or lunch, depending on the preschool program they’re enrolled in.

Students in the morning session will receive a free breakfast, while students enrolled in the afternoon session will receive a free lunch.

Please contact your school’s kitchen manager for more information about obtaining a special diet for your child.

It is the parent’s responsibility to advise the preschool staff of any individual food allergies that need accommodation. Allergies must be listed on the program intake form with medication provided.  If an allergy is listed on the intake form medication must be provided, BEFORE the student attends Preschool.

The kindergarten cutoff date is October 1. Students who turn 5 on or prior to October 1 will transition to kindergarten. The District hosts a variety of events designed to introduce families to the kindergarten program and share valuable resources to help children and families prepare.

Our district highly supports students moving on into kindergarten when they are age qualified. It is on a rare occasion that retentions are approved after consideration of the factors identified in District Policy. If you want to request the retention of your child, please submit a request in writing to your school Principal and the Director of Early Childhood for consideration and discuss with your child’s teachers at winter parent/teacher conferences.

The following may be contacted if there is a complaint regarding the school’s preschool program:

1. The Preschool Site Director
2. The School Principal 
3. The Early Childhood Coordinator
4. The Director of Early Childhood
5. The Director of Student Support Services(for students with disabilities)

To address unresolved issues, a meeting may be planned to discuss the matter. In the event a solution cannot be reached between the Site Director and the parent/guardian, a third-party intervention may be requested. Any threatening, intimidating behavior or use of profanities directed at Preschool staff or students by the parent/guardian or authorized pickup will result in the withdrawal of Preschool student pickup privileges.

If you plan to withdraw your child from preschool, please give a written two week notice to the preschool staff. Children are often on a waiting list. Our greatest wish is that the preschool experience will be a happy time for your family and your child.

In the unlikely event that it becomes necessary to remove your child from the program, a conference with the teacher, principal and parent/guardian will take place before any final decisions are made.

Reasons for dismissal include:

• Non-payment of tuition (for tuition paying students)
• If your child is absent from preschool for more than two weeks consecutively and no notice has been given to the school or preschool staff.