The following are procedures of the Forest Hill Nursery School, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the Co-op.

1. A membership contract will be signed by each member family.

2. Member attendance is required at Membership Meetings.

   1. New Members

      1. In the Spring preceding enrollment, new members will attend the April Meeting.

      2. Orientation, held in late Summer, is mandatory for all new members.

   2. All Members

      1. Orientation is mandatory for returning members who have been absent from the co-op for two or more years.

      2. General Membership Meetings are held at the school.

         1. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. in September, November, January, and April

         2. There will be a mandatory teacher meeting for all 2-day members in October.

         3. There may be a mandatory teacher meeting for all 3-day members in May.

         4. Meetings are for adults only.

   3. Absences

      1. An excused absence requires prior notification to the Secretary.  One excused absence is allowed per member family per school year.  Failure to notify the Secretary prior to a meeting constitutes an unexcused absence.

      2. The following are considered unexcused absences:

         1. Failure to notify the Secretary prior to the meeting.

         2. More than one unexcused absence will be brought to the attention of the Board.

         3. A $20.00 fine will be assessed for unexcused absences.

         4. Two absences from membership meetings could terminate the member family’s membership and returning member status at the discretion of the Board.

      3. If a member is absent from a membership meeting, it is the member’s responsibility to obtain the information from the Secretary.  Every absentee must read and sign that they have read the minutes posted on the bulletin board prior to the next meeting

      4. If a member is absent from the Orientation Meeting the member is responsible for the following before being allowed to work in the classroom:

         1. Obtain the videotape of the Orientation Meeting from the Orientation Chairperson, watch the videotape, and sign that he/she has watched the video.

         2. Tour the building with the Orientation Chairperson at the chairperson’s convenience and sign that he/she has taken the tour.

         3. Shadow a returning working parent in the classroom for one class period and sign that he/she has shadowed in the classroom.

         4. Arrange for another working parent to take member’s place until all of the above have been completed; notify teacher of working parent change and make changes on the master classroom schedule on the bulletin board outside the classroom

3. Age of Children

   1. 2008-2009 2-day class:  Third Birthday by September 1, 2005.

   2. 2008-2009  3-day class:  Fourth Birthday by September 1, 2004.

4. Transportation Safety Rules

   1. Children MUST use car seats and/or booster seats in compliance with Maryland Law.

5. Operation of School

   1. Schedule

      1. Opening Date for classes: Wednesday (3-day) and Thursday (2-day) after Labor Day.

      2. Closing Date:  End of May.  (Exact date determined at school closing of previous school year.)

      3. The remainder of the schedule follows Harford County Public School calendar.

      4. Changes in session times require a majority vote of the membership.

   2. Inclement Weather Policy

      1.  If Harford County Public Schools are one hour late, the co-op morning session will start one hour late.

      2. If Harford County Public Schools are two hours late the co-op morning session will run from 11:00 a.m. through 12:30 p.m.;  the co-op afternoon session will run from 1:30 through 3:00 p.m.

      3. If Harford County Public Schools close early, the co-op will close early.

      4. If Harford County Public Schools are closed, the co-op will be closed.

      5. Use your own discretion during inclement weather.

   3. Upon notification of an officer, teachers are authorized to close the co-op for reasons of health and safety.

   4. Parent-Teacher Conferences

      1. Children will not miss any school due to conferences.

      2. Conferences are available at any time, upon request.

      3. Two-day class

         1. Conferences and written evaluations are held at the end of January.

         2. A substitute teaches for the day.

         3. If a second day is needed, use Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.

         4. During the last week of school in May a written evaluation is sent home.

      4. Three-day class

         1. Conferences and written evaluations are held at the end of January.

         2. A substitute teaches for the day.

         3. If a second day is needed, use Tuesday or Thursday.

         4. During the last week of school in May a written evaluation is sent home.

      5. When a child is withdrawn from or completes the program at the co-op, all reports and curriculum records will be forwarded to the new school ONLY if the President of the co-op receives a written release from the parents or legal guardians.

         1. Parents or legal guardians may have access to the child’s records at any time provided the President of the school is present.

         2. Anyone else wishing to investigate a file may do so if the co-op has received written permission from the parents or legal guardians prior to the investigation.

         3. It is the policy of the co-op to evaluate a child’s progress through anecdotal records, progress reports, and parent conferences.

         4. A written guideline of the child’s progress and skill level will be given to parents and legal guardians at the last conference.

         5. All records are kept in a secure place for five years.

   5. Progression of Pupils

      1.  The co-op is a preschool program for three and four year old children.

         1. Children entering school for the first time are placed according to chronological age.

         2. If a child is not developmentally ready to perform the skills deemed necessary for his/her chronological age, the co-op retains the right to mingle chronological ages or to recommend withdrawal of the child.

         3.  If a child is in the four-year-old class and is assessed according to teacher observation and individual progress reports to be operating on a three-year-old level, the teacher will consult with the parent/legal guardian and may recommend placement in the three-year-old group.

         4. The same principal may be applied to a three-year-old assessed to be on a four-year-old level; however, it is not recommended.  A child may show evidence of advanced intellectual skills but may retain a lag in physical, social, and/or emotional development.

      2. Disciplinary Procedures

         1. If a teacher has a concern regarding a child’s behavior, he/she may initiate a conference with the child’s parent/legal guardian.  The teacher and parent/legal guardian will document and implement an Action Plan as deemed necessary.  At the discretion of the teachers and

            the Board, if a situation arises where it is deemed necessary, it may be requested that a parent or helper of a child be present while school is in session.  This may be required for reasons of safety, to facilitate communication with the child, or to minimize disruption in the classroom and ensure that the class can be managed to meet everyone’s expectations for their children.

         2. If a child’s parent/legal guardian has a concern regarding their child, they may initiate a conference with the teacher.  The teacher and parent/legal guardian will document and implement an Action Plan as deemed necessary.

         3. If a member other than the child’s parents/legal guardians has a concern, he/she may initiate a conference with the teacher.  The teacher will acknowledge the concern and advise said member as to whether an Action Plan has been implemented.  After a reasonable amount of time, if the concern remains, the member will discuss the issue with the President.  The President will act as liaison to the member and the teacher.  Confidentiality will be stressed.

         4. The Action Plan will be jointly developed and implemented by the teacher and the parents/legal guardians.

            1. The focus of the Action Plan will be on creating a successful experience for the child and implementing positive reinforcements for successes.

            2. A variety of techniques need to be implemented.  Each technique should be given an adequate time frame to be implemented.  This information will be documented on the Action Plan.

         5. Without disclosing the child’s name, the teachers may confer with each other as well as with other professionally trained workers in the field of early childhood education as deemed necessary.

         6. All original Action Plans will be retained as school property in a secure place.  Parents/legalguardians of the child may receive copies if they desire and provide a written request.

6. Student-Adult ratio in the classroom shall be determined by the majority of members upon recommendation of the Board in accordance with licensing requirements.

7. General Responsibilities of the Working Parent

   1. Helping parents will arrive at school 15 minutes prior to opening with no more than two children.

   2. Daily snacks and juice are provided by the parents on duty in the 2-day class.

   3. No smoking on school property.

   4. No corporal punishment is permitted.

   5. On field trips, the student-adult ratio will be 3:1 at the teacher’s discretion.  NO child may go on a field trip without the written permission of the parents/legal guardians.

8. Provisions of Absences from Classroom Activities

   1. Absence of child

      1. Tuition payments will continue during prolonged periods of absence.

      2. Parent’s/Legal Guardians co-op responsibilities continue.

   2. Absence of Parent/Legal Guardian

      1. It is the parent’s/legal guardian’s responsibility to complete the following:

         1. To find another parent substitute to be classroom helper.

         2. To notify the teacher.

         3. To make necessary changes to the master classroom schedule on the bulletin board.

         4. Failure of the scheduled parent to find a substitute to work in the classroom on his/her assigned day will result in a $25.00 fine.

      2. Parent absence on assigned working days for any reason other than maternity leave or serious medical problems must be made up.

      3. A three month leave of absence will be granted for a maternity leave or serious medical problems.