(860) 304-1305

We believe strongly in positive methods of discipline.  These methods encourage and promote self-control, self-esteem, and cooperation.  No physical means of discipline are used at any time!

When possible, a child is re-directed (“do you need to take a walk” or “Let’s find another toy to play with”) to deal with unacceptable behavior.  Every reasonable attempt is made to communicate to the child what they need to do and what is acceptable.  At times, a child may be removed from the area. The child is given the chance to regroup as the staff begins to help him/her understand what is unacceptable about the behavior and why it is not acceptable.  Policies strictly forbid the use of abusive, neglectful, corporal, humiliating or frightening punishment.

When unacceptable behavior recurs several times, an incident report is written and sent home to the parent for signature.  After three consecutive incidents of unacceptable behavior, a parent-teacher conference is scheduled.

Both Region 18 and the School Age Program want our programs to run smoothly in the schools, and we have therefore reiterated the Regional District #18 rules and regulations below.

SEPTEMBER   RESPONSIBILITY

• Rules - Review all rules for the year.  Are there any more we need to add?
• Manners - What are they & why do we use them?  i.e. “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “May I please,”   Other manners- address by title, wait your turn; keep your hands to yourself, no pushing, etc.
• Responsibility - Toys and games put away.  Clean up after snack and art projects. Jackets and backpacks in their place!

OCTOBER   RESPECT

• Respect for people - parents, grandparents, siblings, self, others, animals, etc.
• Respect for objects - games, toys, and sports equipment.  Reduces loss and breakage!

NOVEMBER  THANKFULNESS

• Gratefulness/Thankfulness - What does it mean?  What are you thankful for?
• Pie making for the Soup Kitchen
• November 7 - FUN DAY  8am-4pm at Center School (Registration Required)

DECEMBER   HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD

• Giving - Does it mean store-bought gifts? What does “giving to others” or “giving of oneself” mean?
• Dec. Holidays- Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and others around the world

JANUARY   CHARACTER

• Character - What is it? (morals and ethics that you live by)  What does strength of character mean?

FEBRUARY   HONESTY/KINDNESS

• Honesty - What is it? Why is it important?  Who do you respect for being honest?

MARCH   DETERMINATION

• Determination- Have you ever tried hard to meet your goals? How?  Does it mean getting your way?
• March 9 - FUN DAY  8am-4pm at Center School (Registration Required)

APRIL  PATIENCE

• Patience - with family members, teachers, classmates and friends

MAY   HONESTY/INTEGRITY

• Honesty/Integrity- What do they mean?  How do you achieve it? Why is it important?

JUNE   WELCOME TO SUMMER

End of June Summer Camp 8am-4pm at Center School TBD (Registration Required)

Morning Schedule: Program is held at OLCLC Preschool Program (57 Lyme Street)

7:00 Morning program opens.  Teacher guided activities with the children.

7:30 Students have option to go to gym or outside with a teacher

7:55 Bus P picks up children for Lyme Consolidated School

8:15 Bus N picks up children for Mile Creek School

8:20 Program closed.

2:30                Staff arrive

3:00-3:20    Center School (CS) Students arrive

3:20-3:50     CS students in the gym

3:45-4:00    Mile Creek (MC) and Lyme students arrive; CS students return to cafeteria and all have snack and announcement time.

4:00-4:45    Grades 3-5 in cafeteria for indoor games and crafts, Grades K-2 outside/gym

3:00-4:45    Students will have the opportunity to switch locations if they wish

4:45-5:30    Grades 3-5 outside/gym, K-2 students in cafeteria for indoor games and crafts

5:30-6:00    All in cafeteria.  Clean up and get ready to go home.

6:00               Program closed

August 2014

Dear School Age Program Families,

With our new school year starting up, we have decided to make a slight alteration in how we will provide snack to the children. Rather than OLCLC providing the afternoon snack, we will be asking that parents pack an additional snack with their child, so that they may have it when they enter the program.

The State of CT DPH licensing regulations require child care centers to provide two food groups during snack. To meet this requirement, OLCLC will provide milk (whole or 1% milk) with snack and we ask that you provide a healthy snack option for the afternoon (please note: if your child has a dairy allergy, please provide a beverage, labeled with your child’s name, that we can keep on site for the week). We will also have snacks on hand if the PM snack was accidently not packed.

We also must keep in mind that we do have children with food allergies, so when packing snack, please continue to be mindful of the ingredients.  Snacks (like lunch items) that are sent with a peanut butter alternative like sun-butter or almond butter must be labeled or we will not be able to serve the item.  Also, please be aware that we cannot serve food items that contain trace amounts of peanuts or that are processed in a plant where other peanut products are produced.

Below is a suggested list of snack items that we have found work well for all of the children:

• Fruits/vegetables
• Cheerios, Chex, crackers (Ritz, Saltines, Wheat Thins, Goldfish, etc.), applesauce, Nutrigrain bars, rice cakes, raisins and hummus.
• Please note: snack items should be individually wrapped each day your child attends school, labeled “pm snack”.  And items should be ready to eat, we are unable to microwave.

To allow some adjustment time, we will continue to provide snack until Friday, September 5, 2014.  Please pack the PM snack starting on Monday, September 8, 2014!  Thank you all for your cooperation and understanding during this transition!

Sincerely,

Alison

If your child has any of the following conditions or symptoms, we will contact you to pick up your child from the Center (within 45 minutes) in order to prevent contagion as well as to ensure the proper care for your child:

• Contagious childhood disease (chicken pox, measles, mumps, impetigo)
• Conjunctivitis, pink eye (bacterial and/or viral)
• Mouth sores that are open
• Scabies, head lice, pinworms or other infestations
• Strep throat
• Colds accompanied by colored nasal discharge, or uncontrollable, productive cough
• Fever at or greater than 100.0 degrees
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Any illness disabling child from participating fully in the program

In order to return to the program, your child must:

• Take any prescribed antibiotic for a full 24 hour course
• Be free from fever, vomiting, diarrhea for a full 24 hours
• Be free from open, oozing skin conditions unless

                   1.) a health care provider signs a note stating that the condition is not contagious

                    2.) the involved area(s) can be covered by a bandage in a way that prevents contagion.

• Be free of infestations.  If there is any doubt, OLCLC will require a physician’s note.
• Be able to participate comfortably in all usual program activities