TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to and from school is the responsibility of the parents.

STUDENT ACCIDENT AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

The Center carries insurance that covers loss resulting from bodily injury to students while they are at school, while they are away from school on school-sponsored field trips and while they are traveling directly between school and home.

PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM

Abracadabra, in collaboration with the Parent Advisory Board (PAB), offers a parent education program that includes group discussions with Dr. Charmaine Ciardi.  Parents are given the opportunity to discuss issues involved in raising young children and also have access to a parent “helpline” to discuss crisis or other issues of concern privately with Dr. Ciardi by phone.  The phone number is 301-365-5929.  Please identify yourself as an Abracadabra parent, give a brief description of the issue at hand and leave numbers where you can be reached over the next 24 hour period.

CLOTHING AND BELONGINGS

Children should be dressed comfortably to allow freedom to move around and should wear clothing they can get in and out of with a minimal of adult assistance.  During most of the year, children will be most comfortable in layers of clothing that they can add or remove as they need.  On snowy days, when school is in session, every effort will be made to take the children out to play in the snow so please make sure your child has boots, hat mittens and warm jacket, as well as snow pants or an extra pair of pants.

Parents will supply diapers and/or pull ups as needed. Each child should have an extra set of seasonal clothes, including underwear and socks (and a week’s supply of diaper or pull ups, if used) in their cubbies at all times. We do not have a supply of clothes here at school so it is very important that extra clothes be supplied from home.  Children who are toilet training need to have several pairs of underwear and pants in case of multiple accidents.

Because children play outside daily, sneakers are the preferred footwear.  Smooth soled shoes are too slick for outdoor climbing and running and for the uncarpeted areas inside.  In the summer, rubber soled sandals are allowed if there is a heel strap.  Flip flops are not allowed as the children have difficulty keeping them on their feet while walking and running on the playground.

TOYS BROUGHT FROM HOME

Toys from home are not allowed in the Center; however, children may bring in books from home to be read in class. Children may also bring a soft toy for nap time.  Children new to the Center may need a security item from home in the beginning.  Please speak with the teacher if this is something your child needs. Occasionally, teachers may have a special day where toys from home are allowed.  Ample notice will be given to the parents when this occurs.

Children also need a small blanket during nap time.  Pillows are not permitted.  Parents must take the blankets home on Fridays for washing.

LAUNDERING SHEETS

About once every 38 weeks, parents are asked to launder the sheets used on the cots at nap time.  Sheets go home in a mesh bag every Friday on a rotating basis and parents are asked to wash and fold the sheets and return them on Monday. 

PLEASE DO NOT ASK STAFF MEMBERS TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE

Teachers currently employed by Abracadabra may not provide child care outside school hours to the children of families currently enrolled in the Center.  Parents and teachers who enter into off-site child care arrangements expose the church and the school to unreasonable levels of liability and compromise the professionalism of the teachers.  Also, siblings of enrolled students may visit but only when accompanied by a parent.  They may not be left in the care of teachers.