Northwood Nursery School is an outreach program of Faith Presbyterian Church by which we expose our children to a variety of cultures and religious beliefs. The school seeks to provide a rich learning experience for preschool children of this community, regardless of race, creed and color. Our children are encouraged to grow in the awareness and understanding of God, to enlarge their sphere of relationships, their knowledge of the world and their ability to express themselves in a secure environment under the guidance of a Board of committed Christian leaders. Northwood Nursery School is a supplement to, not a substitute for, home and church. It provides an environment planned and equipped especially for the young children of our community and to bridge the gap from home to public or private school. Faith Presbyterian Church understands this service of welcoming the community and its children to be the responsibility of Christian people. Our students receive encouragement to grow both mentally and physically with an emphasis to explore the broader community of mankind. -SCHOOL HOURS- Morning Session - 9:00 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. Daily Afternoon Session - 12:30 P.M. - 3:15 P.M. Daily

Dear Parents, The administration and teachers of Northwood Nursery School welcome your child for the new school term. Parents with children entering nursery school have arrived at an important milestone in their child's development. Our general program and policies have been carefully considered and are continually being re-evaluated to ensure the safety and the educational interests and success of each child entrusted to our care. Our primary concern at Northwood is your child! Social, developmental and physical growth are occurring constantly during these pre-school years. Our program supplements and complements your nurturing and encouragement at home. Although development (intellectual physical and emotional) of the child is our goal, your child's happiness is of prime importance at our nursery school. Northwood is a happy place where trying new things, making new friends and exploring possibilities become important parts of your child's life. Our teachers work cooperatively with the parents to achieve the ultimate goal of providing that which is best for the child. They are endowed with the willingness to observe and to assist children to intuitively learn social skills as they play with others. You are cordially invited to visit the classroom at a time prearranged with the teacher. The administration as well as the teacher is available to discuss any school problems with you. Please feel free to take advantage of these privileges. We look forward to meeting you and to the beginning of pleasant association between your family and Northwood Nursery School. Sincerely, The Administration and Faculty    -CLASSROOM ACTIV1TIES-  Opening exercises Free choice & directed play Development of large & small motor skills Music and rhythm Dramatics and stories Creative crafts Show and tell circle time Free scope for artistic expression Health and safety Science and nature study Outdoor play and games Field trips Cooking activities Professional visitors Restroom periods Cognitive skill games Snacks geared to teaching nutrition -SNACKS- You will periodically be asked to provide snacks for your child's class. Nutritionally sound snacks are always appreciated.  -SCHOOL HEALTH- Before entering Northwood all children should be immunized against measles, rubella, polio, and other communicable diseases which a child's physician deems necessary. A medical and dental check-up with your physician is recommended prior to the opening of school. Children showing signs of illness transmittable to others may not come to school. The teacher will contact a parent if these conditions develop during school hours. Any child well enough to attend will be considered well enough to go outside during recess, weather permitting. Please inform the child's teacher immediately upon learning of your child contracting a communicable disease so that the teacher may caution other parents who may take preventive measures. (A Doctor's certificate is required for a child to return to class following recovery from any contagious disease). The minimum periods of isolation from school for communicable diseases recommended by the school physician are: MEASLES - Six days from onset of rash. WHOOPING COUGH - One week following administration of prescribed antibiotic. SCARLET FEVER - 48 hours following administration of prescribed antibiotic. STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS (Strep Throat) - 24 hours following administration of prescribed antibiotic. GERMAN MEASLES - 24 hours after rash disappears CHICKEN POX - 7 to 10 days from onset of rash, after the last pustule (blister) forms a scab. MUMPS - 7 to 10 days from appearance of swelling. The school reserves the right to call a doctor in the event of illness or accident when the parents or family cannot be reached. For your own protection, please make arrangements for additional people other than yourself to be telephoned in cases of emergency. Our health requirements are identical to the Central Dauphin School District's, and the current State requirements. With consideration for the health of your child and others, please allow 24 hrs. after a fever subsides before your child returns to the classroom. Please notify the child's teacher when your child will be absent from class for a prolonged period of time.

-INSURANCE- Accident insurance ($10.00 deductible) is provided through the policies of Faith Presbyterian Church. - TRANSPORTATION - Because the area which Northwood children travel is so broad, we are not able to provide transportation. However, we do provide lists from which parents may arrange carpools.

-2011 - 2012 SCHOOL CALENDAR- On Tuesday evening, Sept. 4th, at 8:00 P.M., a get acquainted meeting will be held for all parents. The teachers and board members will be present to greet you. September 4 (8:00 p.m.) Parent-Teacher Meeting September 6 & 7 *First Day of School October 8 Columbus Day Observance November 6 Election Day November 22 - 26 Thanksgiving Holiday December24 thru Jan. 1 (inclusive) . .Christmas & Winter Holiday January 15 Martin Luther King Holiday February 20 President's Day April 5 - 9 Spring Break May 25 Closing Program & Last Day of School * In order to assure the happiness and security of each child on their first day of school, we divide the classes so that only half of each class attends on the first day, and half on the second. You will receive a letter in the latter part of August informing you as to which day your child should attend. We feel that smaller classes on the first day of school assures a smooth entrance into a happy school year. SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED DUE TO SNOW WHEN THE CENTRAL DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT KINDERGARTEN IS CLOSED. Local radio station WHP-AM will carry this information. Days will be made up in accordance with the Central Dauphin School District's make-up days. The Nursery School Board is responsible for rescheduling the school year due to excessive snow days. If it is announced on the radio that Central Dauphin has a delayed start with no morning Kindergarten the NORTHWOOD MORNING CLASSES WILL NOT BE HELD. If Central Dauphin schools are one hour late with nothing else stated, Northwood will begin one hour late in the morning and the afternoon schedule would be unchanged. When Central Dauphin announces a 2-hour delay with a Modified Kindergarten Schedule, there will be NO MORNING CLASSES at Northwood. If Northwood will not have afternoon classes, a separate announcement will be made on the radio by 11:00 A.M. If a building emergency exists, a separate announcement would be made on the radio.

It is important that you observe opening and dismissal times. Teachers need time to prepare for classes. Children cannot be accepted in the classroom more than 5 minutes before the start of school. Parents should remain in the hallway. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult to their classroom and must be picked up by a duly-authorized adult at the classroom for the child's safety.

-CLOTHING- Casual or play clothes are recommended for daily wear. Because the children engage in so many different art and play activities both indoors and outdoors, we recommend that they bring a man's shirt to protect their clothing. It is advised that this "work apron" be marked with your child's name and remain in school. Coats, jackets, boots, other outside clothing and all other items brought from home should be marked with the child's name. Boots should be worn whenever the playground may be muddy. Please use the Northwood coat room and boot racks provided at the school entrance.

- SCHOOL VISITS- Parents are encouraged to visit the classrooms at times prearranged with the teacher. However, we usually advise that this not be early in the school year so that the children have time to adjust to the new environment. You may phone the school office anytime. The teacher will return your call if classes are in session.

-TRAFFIC- For the safety of the children, enter and exit from Valley View Road, using extreme caution in our parking lot. DO NOT DRIVE IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE PARKING LOT. Driving up to the front door and parking your car at Opening or Dismissal times is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Please refrain from this practice. Our little ones safety is of primary importance. Please use the Northwood entrance only to enter and leave the school building.

-CLASSES- Our classes are geared for the three, four and five-year olds we serve. In order to qualify for entrance to our school, a child MUST be three years old by September 1 of the school year. There will be no exception to this policy.

-FIELD TRIPS- When trips away from school are planned, permission slips and information will be sent home for parent's signature. These slips MUST be signed and returned before a child may participate. Your help may be requested for these or other events. Please consider these requests carefully and do your share. You will probably find it rewarding and enjoyable.

-PARTIES- We celebrate all kinds of events at Northwood including birthdays, but we ask that private invitations to parties not be delivered during school hours. Please do not ask teachers to deliver invitations. - SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS School Phone - 657-0715 School Days - 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Summer - 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon Thursdays

-TUITION- For the five-day program, tuition for the school year is payable in the amount of $150.00 per month for nine months. For the three day program, tuition is payable in the amount of $115.00 per month for nine months. Tuition for the 2-day program is $85.00.A $25.00 nonrefundable registration fee is required at the time of enrollment. Please make payments by mail or at the School Office. They cannot be accepted at the classroom. Payments are due the first of every month. There will be a $5 fee for checks returned for insufficient funds. Late notices will be sent after the fifth school day of the month. Contact the school office in case of a financial emergency. A full month's tuition is required for registration after April of each year. Before the April deadline a two-part payment plan may be utilized for registration. This is fully explained on the application form. This total amount serves as the last month's tuition and will be returned if the application is not accepted. If the application is accepted, the fee is used to pay May's costs and CANNOT be refunded in case of withdrawal. Notification of withdrawal later in the school year should be made in writing before the first day of the month in question; otherwise, the full month's tuition is due. No tuition rebate will be granted for temporary withdrawal. BACK