Summary

Contact Info

Alamo Heights United Methodist Weekday School
825 E. Basse Road
San Antonio , TX 78209
www.ahumc.org

Tel: (210) 826-2412
Fax: (210) 826-3897

Director: Jane E. Mowrey
jmowrey@ahumc.org

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 1

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

45%

- CPR

85%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Located close to public transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

Classroom equipment and furniture

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
my son loves attending AHUM weekday school. He looks forward to each day and is disappointed when he has days off. The staff is wonderful. They go beyond their role as teachers. They are loving and caring, yet firm, when they have to be. They are preparing my son for the future and I look forward to 2010 when my little girl can attend as well.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of the AHUMC Weekday School is to provide children with healthy surroundings and to give them the opportunity to have happy experiences related to the church. Through playing and sharing with other children and adults, they are given an opportunity to develop social awareness, learn basic Pre-readiness skills and to gain self-confidence. Each child is provided with a group experience that meets his needs, supervised by teachers who understand and love children and are skilled in working with them. A. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY It is the goal of the AHUMC Weekday School to help children have the following opportunities: 1. to know themselves as children of God 2. to know themselves as a part of a group 3. to know themselves as persons with strengths and weaknesses 4. to know the balance of independence and interdependence

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

Children are helped to reach these goals by making and enjoying friends, learning to recognize the needs of others, and learning to share responsibility for the care of the world we live in. Planned activities develop motor skills, language abilities and generate experiences with math and science. Activities are designed to foster self-confidence and an appreciation for home, school, church and the community, recognizing their responsibility as well as their dependence on others.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-		-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-		-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-		-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-		-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-		-	-	YES
Time & space	-		-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-		-	-	YES
Music	-	-		-	YES

Visual arts	-		-	-	YES
Physical activity	-	-		-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The teachers introduce may facets of education in the classroom.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
It says alot to a parent when you see your own child not want to leave the school, as well as witnessing other children doing the same thing.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Small group sessions

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I registered my son in this program to prepare him for pre-kinder. My son had never been away from my husband or myself, seeing as I am a stay-at-home mother, with the patience of the faculty at AHUMC weekday school, he is a thriving social butterfly. I am very pleased and grateful to these wonderful people.

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

General Parent Education

-This preschool does not conduct parent education classes

-This preschool does connect parents with services and activities that can help you help your child develop better at home

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Receive newsletters

- Encourage play dates out of school

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Special Meetings

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The teachers and staff are always available at your convenience for any concerns you may have concerning your child.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

Discipline and guidance of your child will be consistent and based on an understanding of individual needs and development. No physical punishment will be used nor will your child be humiliated or embarrassed. We will use positive reinforcement, and your child will have his good behavior recognized and encouraged. If you child's behavior is such that he/she is harming himself, others or property, he/she will be separated from the group for a short time and counseled on his/her behavior.

Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario

Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'

Children are encouraged to be kind to all and take turns in playing - teacher would redirect the child to another play area to feel included and remind Child A that we can all play together.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The facilities are always maintained and clean. The faculty stresses proper handwashing and other hygiene issues.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 4 years to --			$275/Month
From 4 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 12:00pm Wed 8:45am - 12:00pm Fri 8:45am - 12:00pm	$225/Month
From 3 years to --			$275/Month
From 3 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 12:00pm Wed 8:45am - 12:00pm Fri 8:45am - 12:00pm	$225/Month
From 3 years to --		Tue 8:45am - 12:00pm Thu 8:45am - 12:00pm	$165/Month
From 2 months to 3 years			$28/Week
From 2 months to 3 years			$20/Week
From 5 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 12:00pm Wed 8:45am - 12:00pm Fri 8:45am - 12:00pm	$325/Month
From 5 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 2:45pm Wed 8:45am - 2:45pm Fri 8:45am - 2:45pm	$325/Month
From 5 years to --		Tue 8:45am - 2:45pm Thu 8:45am - 2:45pm	$0/Year

Application & Admissions

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Apply early!