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Alexandria, VA
Aldersgate Methodist Church Day School
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Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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Review this preschool |
Telephone: (703) 768-8351 · Website: www.aldersgate.net/
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
The Day School offers an Open House the spring prior to each child's first year of school. In addition, a parent Orientation Night is held prior to the beginning of school in September. During both these events, school policies are discussed in detail and parents meet with teachers to discuss individual classroom and age level goals and objectives. During these sessions, separation is addressed and strategies discussed.
Daily, parents drop off and pick up children at their classrooms. While this is not a time to discuss specific concernes in detail, it is a good time to set up conferences with teachers if needed. Our teachers are ready and willing to meet with parents before or after school to discuss any concerns they may.
In addition, the school dedicates two full days in February for individual Parent-Teacher conferences to discuss children's progress, goals, and development.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
source:
Director's Comments
In our vast combined experience integrating children into the preschool environment, we have found that children separate best by: first, having visited the school a couple of times, playing on the playground, etc. and familiarizing themselves with the building; and second, during the first few days of school, parents should give a quick kiss so-long, reassure the child they will be back and let the teachers take over comforting the child. It is our belief that children need to learn from the very beginning to trust the adults in the classroom and learn to feel safe and secure in their care. Our school does have extra staff on hand and some of the classes of younger children have an abbreviated schedule during these first weeks; however, it is our goal to make each child feel welcome and safe as quickly as possible. One of the primary goals of our school is to help children learn to trust other adults in their world, and we begin this process on the first day of school.
Yes, sometimes children are upset as their parents are leaving. Yes, some children do not initally want the teachers to pick them up and comfort them; in these situations, the teacher stays close by and talks to the child, reassuring him/her that he/she is safe and that "mommy or daddy will be back soon". The teacher will then attempt to engage the child in play and interacting with the other children until he feels better.
We have experienced great success with these methods and most of our children acclimate within a day or so. In rare cases, in conjuction with parents, it is determined that the child is simply not ready for school yet and should wait a little while. We strive to make each child's preschool experience a positive one and never want a child to associate negative feelings for school.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The school and the church are so welcoming and they encourage us to use the playground and to attend church children's functions throughout the year. That really has built a strong sense of community for us pre-school parents.
Parent #2
Aldersgate sends monthly newsletters filled with information and suggestions of how parents can reinforce skills being developed during school. These newsletters contain reminders of things going on at Aldersgate as well as suggestions for fun activities families can do together in the community and at home.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0) |
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Parents:
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Encourage play dates out of school
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Pairs old parents with new parents
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
- Notes
- Phone Calls
- Voice Mail
- Special Meetings
- Two or More Regular Conferences
- Drop-Off
- Pick-Up
- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school
source:
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