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Dallas, TX
Dallas Day School
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Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Downtown · Telephone: (214) 828-9900 · Website: www.dallasservices.org
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) | 
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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source:
Director's Comments
Faculty communicates daily with parents through informal conversations and written progress notes. Depending upon the age, written progress notes and notes about the day's and week's activities are shared daily and/or weekly. Lesson plans are posted in each classroom so that parents can easily see the lesson. Teachers also provide ways that families can continue their child's learning at home. Individual developmental assessments are planned to occur at least twice annually. This assessment provides faculty and parents with benchmarks and measures of progress. Twice-annual parent-teacher conferences are scheduled and others occur as needed. The agency publishes a newsletter in which activities are announced and suggestions for 'learning at home and in the community' are provided. The Parent and Family Council provides an avenue for parents to collaborate with other parents and discuss concerns and achievements of the school. Specific advice is provided when requested but Dallas Day School refrains from 'grading' schools.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (4.8) |
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Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Small group sessions
- Parents in classroom early on
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
source:
Director's Comments
Children are resilient and often transition into the classroom setting much easier than parents. However, some children do have some separation issues. The teachers have received specific training in incorporating a new child into the classroom. Specific activities are planned to insure that a new student is immediately involved in the classroom. Everyone, whether child or adult, experiences some discomfort in a room full of strangers. Teachers often assign a 'buddy' to help new children settle in. Families also have the option of slowly introducing (attendance is incremently increased) their children to the school. Parents may also elect to spend some time with the child at school so that the child has the comfort of a parent until he/she is comfortable and fully integrated.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Dallas Day School is an inclusive preschool program and also a developmental child care for children ages 6 months - 6 years. As my oldest child is 3 1/2, we are just now learning more about the preschool elements of our school. Up until now, each classroom had age appropriate learning goals and kept parents informed of daily progress, along with a 1-year general assessment to determine overall skills, development, and to help parents determine how they can support their children's learning at home.
Parent #2
My children have been attending Dallas Day School since they were 3 months old. All of their teachers have been caring and interested in their well-being and development. They are always happy to arrive at school and truly enjoy their time there. Their current 2-year old teacher is excellent and they can count to 10 and pretty much know their alphabet. I am confident they will be ready for kindergarten. Parents are encouraged to actively participate in the school and their child's learning.
Parent #3
This is a very supportive school with staff who are ready to answer new parents' questions and provide suggestions on difficult parenting topics (i.e. potty training)
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.2) |
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Parents:
- Fundraise
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Receive newsletters
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
We have an active Parent and Family Council that fundraises and supports special events for the school.
Parent #2
Parents informally get together outside of school. There is no formal mechanism to gather parents outside of school for social activities other than an annual fundraiser. As an office of the Parent/Family Council, this is an idea, however, that the Parent/Family Council might incorporate as we continue our work to support Dallas Day School as well as enhance the experience for our families.
Parent #3
See above regarding Parent and Family Council.
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
- Notes
- Phone Calls
- Voice Mail
- Special Meetings
- Drop-Off
- Pick-Up
- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school
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