OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool 2020-2021 Parent Policies - Planting the seeds to nurture curiosity and creativity. Growing a community rooted in ...
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OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool
2020–2021
Parent Policies
Planting the seeds to nurture curiosity and creativity.
Growing a community rooted in Jewish values.
Cultivating a love of life-long learning.
Welcome to OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool!
This Parent Handbook/Policy Manual has been created to include policy and procedure changes in response
to COVID-19 re-opening guidelines issued by Santa Clara County. Additionally, we have assembled guidelines
with advice from Community Care Licensing, American Academy of Pediatrics, Center for Disease Control,
California Department of Public Health and the OFJCC’s own Medical Advisory Task Force. The OFJCC
reserves the right to change these policies at any time.
All school policies and activities are created with the following observances in order to best protect the health
of our preschool community:
Minimize exposure by keeping small, stable groups of children and staff that do not mix with other
groups for the full period of preschool.
Daily health screenings and temperature checks
No “gathering” activities outside of classroom group
Create physical distancing between groups and, where possible and developmentally appropriate,
within the classroom setting
Practice exceptional hygiene and handwashing practices for all children and staff
Wear appropriate PPE, inclusive of facial masks by preschool staff
Clean and sanitize all commonly touched surfaces throughout the preschool day
Issue each child their own small motor skills supplies (crayons, loose parts, etc.)
Maximize the opportunity for play outside and ventilation within the classroom
No visitors outside of preschoolers and staff allowed on the preschool campus
Strict illness, travel and health policies
Parents and school work together to observe the requirements issued by Santa Clara County both in
and outside of preschool to protect the health of our community
Helpful Public Health Resources:
County of Santa Clara Public Health
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/public-health-orders.aspx
Guide for re-opening schools, Santa Clara County
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/school-guidance.aspx
American Academy of Pediatrics
https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-
considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/
California Department of Public Health/CALOSHA/CDSS
https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-
considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/
1School Information
Hours of Operation (Monday – Friday)
OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool (All ages)
8:30 am ........................................... Group “A” drop-off
9:00 am ........................................... Group “B” drop-off
1:00 pm ........................................... Pick-up for children in ½-day program
3:30 pm ........................................... Group “A” pick-up
4:00 pm ........................................... Group “B” pick-up
Due to current operating restrictions of COVID-19, the preschool is unable to offer care prior to 8:30 / 9:00 am
(depending on your grouping) or after the end of your selected program time as stated on your contract, 1:00 pm
for a ½-day classroom or 3:30 / 4:00 pm (depending on your grouping) for a full-day classroom.
If you leave your child beyond scheduled pick-up time, you will be charged a late charge of $1.00 per minute for
the first 10 minutes and $2.00 per minute for any additional minutes. This applies for services beyond 1:00 pm
for ½-day program and 3:30 / 4:00 pm for full-day program (depending on your grouping). We CANNOT keep
children beyond 4:00 pm.
The Preschool does not currently offer drop-in care. Children will only be cared for on the days and times
assigned.
Parent Involvement & Visitors
We believe strongly that preschool is a family experience. OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool is not a parent co-op;
however, parent involvement is encouraged and welcomed. Sadly, due to COVID-19, parents may not be present
in the classroom or spend extended time beyond brief drop off and pick-up on campus. The preschool and the
OFJCC campus are closed to visitors other than OFJCC staff, those registered for specific programs or pre-
registered members attending our limited fitness activities. ALL THOSE ENTERING CAMPUS MUST GO
THROUGH HEALTH SCREENING IN ORDER TO GAIN ENTRY.
When we can all gather again, we will welcome you into the classroom and at all preschool and OFJCC-wide
events!
School/Parent Communication
It is important to maintain open and frequent communication between parents, teachers and administration. By
working together, we can provide the most complete picture of your child, and the most consistent environment
for growth. Since parents will not be allowed into the preschool during this time we will rely upon
communication through email, phone and classroom newsletters:
Remini
Remini will be our new email and newsletter system. Your child’s classroom will send daily and weekly
messages, updates, photos and videos through this closed, secure system.
2 Parent Handbook 2020-2021Parent Message Bag
Each family will be provided with a plastic message bag, which will be placed in your child’s backpack.
While we do our best to minimize paper communication, on occasion, the following may need to be sent
home on paper:
Individual messages regarding your child
Ouch reports (Ouch reports will be sent home for any minor scrapes or bumps)
Art projects!
It is your responsibility, as well as the responsibility of your authorized adult or carpool parent, to check
these message bags and take the messages home. There is no need to return the message bag once
home.
Email
Your classroom teachers will share their email address with you. Please note: teachers check these at
the beginning of the day and the end of the day, and are not asked to do so outside the preschool's hours
of operation.
Our school leadership may be emailed throughout the day:
Vicky Wegman Preschool Admin VWegman@paloaltojc.org
Anna Kuchuk Enrollment/Business Manager AKuchuk@paloaltojcc.org
Annette Medrano Tots Program Lead AMedrano@paloaltojcc.org
Lital Raz Ulpanon Program Lead LRaz@paloaltojcc.org
Mykenzie Busser Asst. Director MBusser@paloaltojcc.org
Ilana Gelemovich Curriculum Coordinator IGelemovich@paloaltojcc.org
Lauren Berman Preschool Director LBerman@paloaltojcc.org
Phone
If your need is more critical or time sensitive, please call the preschool office directly at (650) 223-8788.
Dress/Clothing for Preschool
Children should dress comfortably, simply and suitably for the weather. Children should wear clothes that
facilitate independence in toilet use. Dresses and tights are often limiting for both bathroom and playground
activities and are not recommended.
Children should wear clothes that can get dirty.
Children are required to bring a pair of “school shoes” that are to be left at school. We will
ask your child to remove their shoes before entering the classroom and put on their
“school shoes” during the school day. We will have them change back into “home shoes”
at pick-up. Closed-toe shoes are required. Closed-back shoes or shoes with a strap around
the back of the ankle allow children to run freely on the playground are required for safety.
Clothing should be sturdy and durable for outdoor play.
An extra set of clothing (well labeled) including underwear, socks, pants and shirt should be left
at school permanently in case of accidents.
An extra sweater or jacket at school is recommended.
A bathing suit is also needed (your teacher may suggest days to include this, or you may leave
one at school).
A sun hat is strongly recommended (we will spend LOTS of time outside).
Please label all clothing prominently with your child’s name.
3Food
Snack
We provide nutritious mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.
Snacks will be prepared and served in individual portions, not family style.
Snacks are rotated so that there is variety.
Beverages are usually milk or water.
NO PEANUT OR OTHER NUT PRODUCTS WILL BE SERVED.
If your child has allergies to any foods, please notify the teachers directly.
If your child is highly allergic (especially to wheat products) you may want to leave a stash of non-
perishable snacks for them with the teachers.
We serve organic, seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, and use whole grain, trans fat
free products whenever possible.
Lunchtime
Children should bring lunch in a lunch box with their name clearly visible on the outside by the
handle.
Everything needed for your child’s lunch must be inside your child’s lunch box, inclusive
of plastic or paper plate (if necessary) and utensils. These items will be placed back inside
the lunch box and taken home. In order to minimize exposure, preschool teachers will be
unable to wash or rinse these items before aiding our child in placing back in lunch box.
Unfortunately, during this time, we will be unable to heat up any items in your child’s lunch
box.
Parents are allowed to send meals that include meat, provided there are no pork products,
shellfish, or mixing of dairy and meat.
The school policy is that children may NOT bring NUTS or NUT PRODUCTS in their lunch.
Celebrating Birthdays at School
Children are invited to celebrate their birthdays with their class at school.
Currently, we request that food items not be brought in from home to share at school. Your
child’s classroom teacher will communicate with your child about ways they may celebrate in class
with art projects, activity choice and food preparation. We will certainly provide lots of photos and
video so you may share in this special day!
The birthday child has the honor of giving, not just receiving, on his/her special day. If you wish to
donate an item, the classroom teacher can give you ideas of what the class would enjoy.
Please, no decorations or gift bags.
Naptime
Naps or rests will be given each day to children in full-day programs from 1:15–2:15 pm (or later, if the child
sleeps and parent requests). While we understand length of nap time preferences vary, please note we will never
force or ask a child to stay awake or forcibly wake a sleeping child. All children will be asked to spend a minimum
of 30 minutes on their nap mat. If child remains awake beyond this time, they may be transitioned to another
quiet activity.
A small blanket and small (crib size) sheet must be kept at school. These will be stored on a plastic
container with a lid, not touching any other child’s nap items.
Each Friday, the nap items are sent home to be laundered in a plastic bag. Please return these
items on Monday in a CLEAN plastic bag.
All items must be marked clearly with name.
Thank you for helping us keep nap items sanitary.
Please do not send large pillows, blankets, soft toys or sleeping bags for nap.
If your child must have a lovey for nap, this lovey MUST REMAIN AT SCHOOL and not returned
home daily. The lovey will be kept inside the nap bin with nap items.
4 Parent Handbook 2020-2021Policies and Procedures
Absences
All absences must be called or emailed into the Preschool. Please include the following:
Name of your child
Your child’s classroom
Reason for absence
If reason for absence is illness, please include your child’s symptoms
Anticipated length of absence
Your name and contact information
Call in #: (650) 223-8788
Email: Absences@paloaltojcc.org
Drop-off and Pick-up
New drop-off and pick-up procedures are still in development, but will include the following:
Temperature and health screening of both child and parent
Sadly, parents will not be allowed on the preschool campus. Drop-off and pick-up will be
somewhere outside the preschool gates
Everyone age 7 and over must wear masks on campus.
Signing In and Out
In compliance with California State Licensing Law, parents and all other authorized adults (individuals over 18
years of age) bringing a child or picking him/her up from our program must sign the child in and out of Preschool.
LFP utilizes Remini, an electronic platform, and each classroom as well as the front office are provided with
iPads set up with the Remini app. Each authorized caregiver is assigned a unique PIN for signing the child in
and out. We have adjusted the program to be touchless, to avoid any unnecessary contact with surfaces. Parents
and caregivers dropping off and picking up children must use the app to scan an associated QRS code on the
teacher’s iPad and then sign in/out on phone. This accurately reports the time your child left and was released
from our care. If electronic signing is unavailable, each classroom will have a specified sheet where each
caregiver must sign a full signature at drop-off or pick-up. It is a licensing requirement that we have signatures
from authorized caregivers at each drop-off and pick-up. Failure to sign in or out will subject families to a
$50 charge per missed signature.
Changes in Pick-up Schedule
Please remember to let your child’s teacher and the office know in writing of any changes in pick-up schedules
or plans. We will need to assure your child is ready to go and bring him/her to you at the designated pick-up
location. Surprise early pick-ups can be difficult on children and staff alike.
Leaving School
Each child in your care must be signed OUT each day. Pick-up times are the following:
1:00 pm or 3:30 / 4:00 pm depending on program length (½-day or full-day) and group assignment
After you sign out a child, the responsibility for the child has returned to you.
To minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure, we ask that you leave right away with the children
in your charge, and not stop to talk with friends outside the preschool. The common areas of
the OFJCC, including the Oasis playground (outside gym) will be closed to those outside a
registered program operating during those hours.
We MUST have your permission IN WRITING to release your child to anyone, other than
yourself or an already authorized person in your child’s file.
Without a written authorization your child WILL NOT be released.
5 Please advise anyone new who is picking up your child to bring identification. This is for your child's
protection.
We ask that due to COVID-19 exposure concerns, you limit the number of people authorized to pick
up your child to no more than 4.
Bringing Toys from Home
During this time, in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure, we ask that your child not bring any toys
from home.
Medication Policy
Please dispense medications prior to arriving or after leaving school, and request prescriptions with 12-hour
dosages from your physician or health care provider.
In the event that prescription medications, nonprescription medications and topical nonprescription medications
need to be dispensed at school, parents must complete LIC 9221 Form, “Parent Consent for Administration of
Medications,” indicating the beginning and ending date the child is to receive the medication. In addition, parents
are required to:
Provide information on possible side effects of the medication.
Bring medication in its original container in a clear bag.
Ensure that prescription medication includes a prescription label with specific dispensing instructions and
a current date.
A prescription or a note from your child’s doctor must be attached with the medicine. Without a
prescription or doctor’s note we are unable to administer any medicine to your child.
Do not store medications in lunch boxes, backpacks, or any other personal belongings.
Teachers must have documented training by either a parent or a child’s medical provider on how to
administer the medication.
As a general policy our staff do not administer injections. The only exception is the EpiPen in the case of
extreme allergic reactions.
EpiPen:
If the child has a medically prescribed EpiPen, the Preschool staff will:
1) Use in accordance with the directions and as prescribed by a physician and in emergencies only.
The EpiPen will only be used in the event of an allergic emergency as prescribed by a physician
and will be administered in accordance with the emergency medical treatment plan as supplied
by the parents for the child. The use of this device is for emergency supportive therapy only and
is not a replacement or substitute for immediate medical or hospital care.
2) Keep EpiPen ready for use at all times. It will be stored in the emergency backpack.
3) Protect the EpiPen from exposure to light and extreme heat.
4) Note the expiration date on the unit and request a replacement from the parents prior to that date.
5) Call 911 and the parents, or authorized representative, immediately after administering an
EpiPen.
6) If 911 is called we will notify Community Care Licensing Division Regional Office within 24 hours.
Written notification (LIC 624) “Unusual Incident Report” will be sent to CCLD Regional Office
within 7 days. A copy is also given to the parents and placed in the child’s file.
All medications will be kept in a Ziploc bag in the child’s classroom emergency backpack. The backpack
will be taken with the class in the event of an evacuation.
6 Parent Handbook 2020-2021Record of Food Allergy
Parents are requested to communicate fully with the teachers and administration about their child’s allergies.
An “Allergy List” is posted in the classroom kitchens which itemizes each child’s name, photo, classroom, allergy,
medication and/or EpiPen.
Sunscreen
Please apply sunscreen at home prior to leaving for preschool.
If you would like us to apply sunscreen during the preschool day, the policy is as follows:
Please leave a bottle of sunscreen, well-labeled with your child’s name, in your child’s backpack.
If you have delivered sunscreen with your child, we will take this as permission you would like it
applied.
Sunscreen will not be shared with other children.
We strongly encourage your child to wear a sunhat as well.
Teachers will apply sunscreen wearing gloves that will be changed from student to student.
Health Policies
We are concerned about the health of every child in our program. To keep all children as healthy as possible,
we ask you to keep children at home for at least 72 hours after the resolution of any of the below health
concerns any signs of the following:
Fever of 100.0° F or higher
Frequent coughing
Vomiting
Excessive nasal discharge
Difficulty breathing
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Diarrhea
Abnormally passive or irritable behavior which precludes normal participation
Complaints of internal pain, including earaches (or consistent, excessive rubbing of an ear), cramps,
headaches
Head lice
Redness, sores and crusting of skin around the nose and mouth.
If a child exhibits any of these symptoms at school we will call you to pick the child up.
The child will be moved out of the classroom to the isolation area located just outside of the preschool
gates and wait there with a teacher until you arrive.
When called, you (or a local alternate emergency person) are expected to pick your child up
IMMEDIATELY.
There are no exceptions to this rule.
This is to protect the health of your child, his/her classmates, and our staff. We appreciate your
cooperation in this matter.
State law mandates that contagious diseases be reported to the school by the parent as soon as the
illness has been diagnosed, so that other parents may be notified of the exposure. When a potentially
contagious illness occurs (COVID-19 or otherwise), parents will be notified.
7COVID-19
Currently, information indicates that people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be
at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Those at high risk include people of all ages with underlying
medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised
(Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment,
smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS,
and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.)
People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease who are undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease
If your child has any of the above conditions, please speak with your health care provider about the safety of
enrolling your child in preschool.
COVID-19 Testing and Reporting
Students and staff are encouraged to be tested as soon as possible after they develop one or more COVID-19
symptoms or if one of their household members or non-household close contacts tested positive of COVID-19.
Positive test results
Parents/Guardians or Staff must notify school administration immediately if the student or
staff member, respectively, has tested positive for COVID-19 or if a household member or a
non-household close contact has tested positive for COVID-19. See “Response to Suspected
or Confirmed Cases and Close Contacts” below for steps to be followed for positive cases.
Negative test results
Symptomatic students or staff who test negative for COVID-19 should remain home until at least
72 hours after resolution of fever (if any) and improvement in other symptoms.
Asymptomatic (no symptoms) household contacts should remain at home until 14 days after the
COVID-19 positive household member completes their isolation.
Asymptomatic non-household close contacts to a COVID-19 case should remain at home for a
total of 14 days from the date of last exposure, even if they test negative.
Documentation of negative test results must be provided to school administration.
Because we know many of these symptoms may be present daily in some children and staff due to
allergies or other pre-existing conditions, in lieu of a negative test result, some symptomatic
students and staff may return to work/school with a medical note by a physician that provides an
alternative explanation for symptoms and reason for not ordering COVID-19 testing. This will
carefully be examined and may be different for each case.
Response to Suspected or Confirmed Cases and Close Contacts
Suspected COVID-19 Case(s):
Any students or staff exhibiting symptoms will be immediately required to wear a face covering and,
accompanied by a teacher /preschool staff member, led to isolation area where they will wait with
staff member until transported home by parent, guardian or emergency contact.
8 Parent Handbook 2020-2021Confirmed COVID-19 Case(s):
Preschool administration will notify the Department of Health immediately of any positive COVID-19
case and notify all staff and families in the exposed cohort of any positive COVID-19 case while
maintaining confidentiality, as required by state and federal laws.
Preschool will close off areas used by sick person and, in order to reduce the risk of exposure, wait
24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting areas.
All students and staff in stable cohort will be instructed to remain quarantined at home for 14 days.
Preschool will provide information regarding close contacts to the Santa Clara County Health Dept.
via secure fax or email.
Close Contacts of COVID-19 Cases(s):
Close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases will be sent home immediately, and should get
COVID-19 testing immediately and then again on day 10 of the last day of exposure to the case.
They should, even if they test negative, remain in quarantine for a full 14 days after (1) date of last
exposure to COVID-19 positive non-household contact or (2) date that COVID-19 positive
household contact completes their isolation.
No actions need to be taken for persons who have had no direct contact with a confirmed
COVID-19 case, and instead have only had close contact with persons who were in direct contact.
Those who test positive may not return until they have met the County of Santa Clara criteria to
discontinue home isolation.
Return to Campus After Testing
Symptomatic children/staff who test negative for COVID-19 can return 72 hours after resolution of
fever (if any) and improvement on symptoms. Documentation of negative results must be provided
to school administrators.
In lieu of a negative test result, we may allow students or staff to return to campus with a medical
note by a physician that provides an alternative explanation for symptoms and reason for not
ordering a COVID-19 test.
Symptomatic individuals who test positive for COVID-19 can return 14 days after symptom onset
OR 7 days after resolution of fever and improvement in other symptoms, whichever is longer.
Asymptomatic individuals who test positive for COVID-19 can return 14 days after their positive
result.
If they test positive, close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 case can return after completing the
required isolation period described above.
If they test negative, close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases can return a full 14 days after
(1) date of last exposure to COVID-19 positive non-household contact or (2) date that COVID-19
positive household member completed their isolation.
Community Expectations
We expect all families to follow all federal, state and local health guidelines, including wearing masks in
public and practicing social distancing. We are in this together.
Travel Restrictions
If your child or someone in your child’s household has traveled on an airplane and/or internationally, the child is
required to stay home for 14 days after return or get a negative COVID-19 test no sooner than 5 days after return
flight before returning to the preschool.
Additional Group Activities During School Restrictions
For the period of time your child is in school, they may not also participate in other group activities/camps or care.
Masks/Facial Coverings
All adults/staff/parents are required to wear masks at all times (except for eating and designated, outdoor,
physically distanced breaks.) Children under the age of 7 are not required to do so while in the stable, private
childcare setting.
9Administrative & Tuition Policies
Extended Closure
The OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool has developed a tuition policy in the event of a prolonged closure of the
Preschool. A prolonged closure is defined as more than two consecutive weeks of a required closing. The
following policy will ensure that we keep connectivity between school and home during a prolonged closure
and that your child’s place in our accredited early childhood learning center is kept secure.
If our preschool is required to close, the OFJCC is committed to ongoing continuing early childhood education
remotely through: Zoom, Facebook Live, Facetime calls and WhatsApp programming. We recognize that
virtual programming is not equivalent to in-person school, and in that vein we are instituting this tuition policy:
1. If the school is forced to close on or prior to the 10th day of a month, a 40% tuition credit for that month
will be issued.
2. If the forced closure is instituted on the 11th day or thereafter, no credits will be issued for that month.
3. If the school will be closed for additional months, further tuition will be billed at only 40% of your
remaining monthly payments.
This tuition policy applies to all emergencies which force the OFJCC to close the preschool facility due to
unforeseen circumstances, including:
• Weather emergencies
• Natural disasters
• Threats
• Covid-19
• Other, unknown pandemics
Closures of the Preschool could be mandated by:
OFJCC Board of Directors
City of Palo Alto
County of Santa Clara
State of California
Federal Government
Tuition and Fees Charges
All fees will be debited from your checking or savings account, per the authorization agreement on file on the
first of the month. Additionally, a 5% Campus Safety Fee will be charged monthly during the time of campus
response to COVID-19. No adjustments are made for absences (see extended closure policy below) or
holidays. All families must have an Authorization Agreement for Direct Payments on file.
10 Parent Handbook 2020-2021RELEASE
It is the responsibility of every program participant's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to provide the child’s own
accidental health coverage while participating in all OFJCC activities. The OFJCC does not provide any
accident or health coverage for its members or guests.
By participating in OFJCC activities and programs, I agree to assume the risk of such activities and
programs and further agree to release and hold harmless the OFJCC and its staff members from any
and all claims, suits, losses or related injury or death, accidental or otherwise, during or arising in any
way from the activities or programs of the OFJCC. I assume all risk for any injuries. I acknowledge and
agree that this general release of liability of the OFJCC is binding upon me personally as well as in my
capacity of parent or guardian of my child and on my heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assignees.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
The OFJCC is committed to adhering to the guidelines that the County, State and Federal governments put into
place to guard against COVID-19. We also know that we do not control what families and staff do outside of the
preschool. We also know that community transmission of COVID-19 continues, including transmission by
individuals who are infected and contagious, but have no symptoms. While we will do our best to put policies in
place to help families and staff adhere to safety guidelines, we cannot guarantee that you or your child will not
be exposed to COVID-19 on campus.
11
Parent Handbook 2020-202112 Parent Handbook 2009-2010
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