Supplies:
6 Elmer's Glue Sticks
2 - 24 pack of regular Crayola crayons
1 - 4 pack of Play-Doh brand play dough
2 Black Expo markers
1 Crayola water color set
1 Roll of paper towels
1 Box of tissues
1 Pack of baby wipes
1 Folder marked with your child's name (plastic folders hold up the longest)
1 Change of clothes marked with your child's name in the event of an accident (including socks and underwear)
Depending on how long supplies last, I may ask for additional cleaning supplies throughout the year!
Rest Time:
Your child will be given a rest mat for rest time that will stay at school
Your child is premitted to bring in a small stuffed animal or silent toy
The rest toy will remain in their cubby until rest time and will travel back and forth between home and school each day
Rest toys must be able to fit in your child's backpack with all other school necessities
Please do not send your child in with pillows or blankets
CJF 2026-27
Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten
Program Handbook
Table of Contents
Welcome
Mission & Philosophy
Program Overview
State Certification & Compliance
Daily Schedule & Routines
Health & Safety
Dress Code & Personal Items
Communication & Family Partnerships
Tuition & Fees
Acknowledgment Form
1. Welcome to the CJF Early Childhood Program
Welcome to Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten at Cardinal John Foley School, a Catholic, play-based, early childhood program. We look forward to a wonderful year of fun-filled activities, imaginative play, making new friends, and exploring our faith and the beauty of God’s world together.
This handbook was compiled to inform parents of the policies and procedures that help ensure the success of our program. We are available to answer any questions or to address any concerns you may have throughout the year. Thank you for sharing your children with us. We look forward to growing with them and partnering with you!
2. Mission & Philosophy
Our Mission:
We are a Catholic early childhood program that nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—through joyful play, loving relationships, and the examples of Christ.
Our Philosophy:
We believe children learn best through hands-on exploration, meaningful play, and nurturing relationships. Rooted in our Catholic faith, our program celebrates each child as a unique gift from God. We emphasize kindness, curiosity, and cooperation, and foster a strong sense of community among children, families, and staff.
We are committed to:
Encouraging growth through developmentally appropriate play
Teaching Gospel values of love, respect, and compassion
Partnering with families in a spirit of collaboration
Building a joyful, inclusive classroom community
3. Program Overview
Age Requirements:
Preschool: Age 3 by August 31st, toilet-trained and independent in the bathroom
Pre-Kindergarten: Age 4 by by August 31st, toilet-trained and independent in the bathroom
Program Hours:
Preschool Half-day session
3 day (T, W, Th)
8:15 am to 11:15 am
Preschool Full-day session
3 day (T, W, Th)
5 day
8:15 am to 2:30 pm
Pre-Kindergarten Full-day session
3 day (T, W, Th)
5 day
8:15 am to 2:30 pm
CARES Program:
The CARES Program offers extended care for students in a developmentally appropriate environment. This program is available to all students enrolled in PS through grade 8, as long as CARES enrollment paperwork has already been received and confirmed with Mrs. Donna Leonard in the parish office (dleonard@cjfschool.org). There is a balance between adult-directed and
child-initiated activities, active and quiet times, indoor and outdoor games.
The staff consists of an experienced director, teachers, and teacher aides, who work together to help each child grow in maturity and self-respect, as well as maintain a warm atmosphere of fun and cooperation.
AM CARES
Morning CARES is from 7:00-8:00 AM for all students.
No pre-registration is needed for morning CARES.
On days when there is a delayed opening, there is no morning CARES.
PM CARES
For full-day PS and PK students, afternoon CARES begins at 2:30 PM and is available until 6:00 PM.
No cars may enter the school parking lot between 2:45 and 3:15 PM to ensure the safe movement and dismissal of students in grades K-8.
We respectfully request that if you are not picking up your child at the 2:30 PM dismissal time, to please wait to pick up your child from CARES from 3:15 PM onward.
PM CARES Sign-up
Parents will use the CARES link sent in Mrs. Boyle’s Family Newsletter each Friday.
Parents are asked to submit the form by 8:00 AM on the Monday of each week, so that CARES directors can adequately prepare staffing for a given week.
Our after-school CARES program cannot accept same-day additions to the CARES list, as this last-minute influx in student enrollment will prevent our staffing from remaining in compliance with state-mandated teacher/student ratios.
If your child is signed up for CARES and there is a dismissal change, please contact the Main Office:
610-446-4608
schooloffice@cjfschool.org
Curriculum:
We follow a play-based curriculum aligned with early learning standards and infused with Catholic values. Learning centers include art, building blocks, dramatic play, science, religion, literacy, and outdoor exploration. PS and PK students also engage in weekly Specials classes from Monday through Thursday that integrate literacy, music, art, and movement. Teachers guide children’s growth in spiritual, social-emotional, language, motor, and cognitive development.
A goal of the early childhood program is to build executive functioning skills around following directions, growing in self-regulation, and building responsibility with personal and classroom materials so that each student contributes to a positive classroom community. The daily schedule the students follow creates a balance of structure and routines to help students achieve these goals.
Faith Formation:
We integrate faith throughout the day in ways that are joyful and age-appropriate. Our goal is to help children experience God’s love and begin a personal relationship with Jesus. Activities include:
Daily prayer and prayer before meals and dismissal time
Simple Bible stories
Celebrations of the Liturgical Seasons, such as Christmas and Easter
Acts of kindness and service
Behavior Guidance:
Our classrooms are built on respect, responsibility, and relationship. We model and encourage safe behavior, problem-solving, and empathy. Young children are still developing self-control, communication skills, and the ability to understand the needs and perspectives of others. It is developmentally appropriate for children to sometimes have difficulty sharing or waiting, test limits or resist a teacher’s direction, express strong emotions, or become too physical during play.
Our teachers understand that these behaviors are part of early childhood development and use them as opportunities to teach appropriate ways to communicate, solve problems, manage emotions, and interact with others.
Children are expected to make gradual progress in following classroom expectations, responding to adult guidance, using safe hands and bodies, and treating others with care. Teachers support this growth by establishing clear and consistent routines, modeling appropriate behavior, redirecting children, helping them name their feelings, and teaching alternatives to unsafe or disruptive actions.
A behavior may require additional attention when it occurs frequently, is unusually intense, presents a safety concern, significantly interferes with the child’s or other children’s ability to participate and learn, or does not improve with consistent classroom support.
In these situations, teachers and administrators will document patterns, consider possible triggers, and work in partnership with the child’s family to develop appropriate strategies. When needed, the school may recommend additional supports or consultation with an outside professional.
Our goal is not to label or punish a child for behavior that reflects a developing skill. Rather, we seek to understand the child’s needs, teach appropriate replacement behaviors, maintain a safe and supportive classroom, and help every child experience success.
4. State Certification & Compliance
Keystone STARS:
Our program is certified by the Pennsylvania State Keystone STARS of Early Childhood Education, which requires specified Standards, Training, Assistance, Resources, and Support.
Keystone STARS certifies our program’s curriculum guidelines, student paperwork, teacher preparation, classroom environment, and health and safety protocols as required by the PA Department of Human Services.
Enrollment Requirements:
The following forms are required for student enrollment and State compliance. Periodic review of forms will take place at parent-teacher conferences in January.
Child Health Report, signed by a licensed medical professional, from annual well-visit exam (including latest immunization record)
Emergency Contact / Parental Consent Form
Tuition/Fee Agreement
Confidentiality:
All child and family information is kept confidential in accordance with privacy guidelines.
Mandated Reporting:
Staff are trained, mandated reporters and are legally required to report any suspected abuse or neglect.
5. Daily Schedule & Routines
Morning Drop-Off Procedure:
No cars are permitted on school property in the morning. Parents walk their students from home or drive and park at the Church parking lot, on a spot along St. Denis Lane or Poplar Road. Parents and/or older siblings must accompany PS/PK students to the entrance of the building for their class. All PS classrooms are in the St. Denis Building. All PK classrooms are in the Annunciation Building via the PK path to the right of the gym. Parents say goodbye to their child at the door to the building. Teachers, staff, and student safeties will be at the doors to assist the children with getting to their classrooms. Morning drop-off is from 8:00am - 8:15 am. Any student who needs to be dropped off earlier, may stay with morning CARES from 7:00-8:00 AM. We recognize that there are many challenges for families leaving for work and school in the morning, but we encourage parents to make their best efforts to arrive on-time for morning drop-off to prevent student anxiety and interruptions in the teacher/student routines.
Dismissal Procedures:
Preschool
Cars may begin lining up at 11:00am for student pickup by 11:15am (HALF-DAY)
Cars will drive into the main school parking lot entrance from E. Eagle Road; Loop counterclockwise around the lot to meet teacher/student at the St. Denis building entrance
All cars must clearly display the name badge provided by your child’s teacher on the front visor or left side window
Remain in your car with your car in park
Teacher will open car door and guide your child up into your car
You may pull forward toward the exit to park and buckle your child before exiting the lot.
Cars may begin lining up in two lines at 2:20pm when the cones in the main school yard lot are removed for student pickup beginning at 2:30pm (FULL-DAY)
Cars will drive into the main school parking lot entrance from E. Eagle Road; Loop counterclockwise around the lot in two side-by-side lines to meet teacher/student at the Gym entrance
All cars must clearly display the name badge provided by your child’s teacher on the front visor or left side window
Remain in your car with your car in park
Teacher will open car door and guide your child up into your car
Pull around the lot toward the exit to park and help buckle your child before exiting the lot.
Pre-Kindergarten
Cars may begin lining up at 2:20pm for student pickup by 2:30pm
All cars must clearly display the name badge provided by your child’s teacher on the front visor or left side window
Pull into DeAngelo Drive entrance from E. Eagle Road; Enter in two lanes behind the St. Denis Building that is closest to Eagle Road; Transition to a single line of cars once you reach the
middle of Our Lady of Mercy Building (convent building).
Cars pull up to the Annunciation Building entrance where teachers will bring students to your car
Remain in your car with your car in park
Teacher will open car door and guide your child into your car
Pull up and make a left down Msgr. Trinity Way (cemetery path) to buckle your child and exit.
6. Health & Safety
Absence / Late Arrival:
If your child is absent from school or arriving late to school, please email:
(1) your child’s teacher and
(2) the main office (schooloffice@cjfschool.org).
Dismissal Changes:
If you need to contact the school regarding a dismissal change for your child once the school day has begun, please call the Main Office 610-446-4608 no later than 1:00 pm for full-day PS/PK students. If your child attends after-school CARES, you must email or call the Main Office so that the teacher and CARES directors can be informed in a timely manner.
610-446-4608 (Main Office - Mrs. Brown/Mrs. Adams)
schooloffice@cjfschool.org
Late Opening / Early Dismissal (Weather-Related):
In the event of an early dismissal for weather-related or other emergency situations, parents will be notified from the student information system (FACTS) via email and/or text depending on your settings in FACTS. Please be sure that the emergency contact who you designate on the Emergency Contact / Parental Consent Form is a reasonable and reliable option in case you are not available for pick-up in the event of a school emergency. CARES is not offered in the event of an emergency closing. If there is a delayed opening due to weather, the half day programs will have school.
Transfer of Care Policy:
The care and supervision of each child enrolled in PS and PK are the responsibility of the CJF School child care staff, child care directors, and CARES staff and directors from the time that the child enters the school building until he/she is picked up at the designated campus locations by an adult listed in the child’s Emergency Contact / Parental Consent Form. No early childhood student is permitted to dismiss from CJF School unaccompanied or unsupervised.
Illness Policy:
For the safety and well-being of the children and adults in the classroom, students must be symptom-free (fever, vomiting, diarrhea) without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Children who have a communicable disease including, but not limited to, chicken pox, conjunctivitis (pink eye), Fifths disease, and strep throat must have a doctor’s note indicating that they are cleared to return to school.
Chicken Pox - A student must remain absent for a minimum of six days after the onset of the first lesion and until all lesions are crusted over.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - A student may return to school 24 hours after appropriate antimicrobial therapy has been started and redness and drainage has subsided.
Fever - A student must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
Fifths Disease (Parvovirus or “Slapped Cheek” Virus) - A viral infection that primarily affects children with a variety of stage 1 symptoms such as fever, headache, runny nose, joint pain, and fatigue. The illness is contagious during this first phase of symptoms from 4-14 days after exposure, and those who are pregnant and/or immunodeficient must contact a doctor if exposed. The virus shifts into stage 2 symptoms when a red, lacy or blotchy rash appears on a child’s cheeks (with the appearance of a slapped cheek) and possibly spreads to arms, legs, and trunk of the body. When the rash appears, the child is no longer contagious, but it is critical that students do not attend school until all stage 1 symptoms (particularly fever) are no longer present for the child.
Hand/Foot/Mouth Disease - A contagious viral infection that causes sores on palms of hands, soles of feet, inside mouth, and other areas of the body. Students may not return to school until they are fever-free without medication for at least 24-hours, and the sores have scabbed over or healed from skin.
Impetigo - A contagious bacterial infection of the surface of the skin caused by strains of both staph and strep bacteria. It is not serious and is easy to treat with either prescription topical or oral antibiotics.
Lice - If a student is found to have nits during the school day, his/her parent will be notified and the student will be sent home for treatment. Any student with a case of lice (identified at home or school) must have undergone treatment and be nit-free in order to return to school.
Measles - A student must remain absent for a minimum of 7 days after the onset of rash.
Mumps - A student must remain absent for a minimum of 9 days after the onset of glandular enlargement.
Rashes and Sores - The school may exclude any student presenting a rash or sore of unknown etiology until such time that a diagnosis and recommendation is obtained in writing from the student’s physician.
Scarlet Fever, Strep Throat, Staph Infection, Mononucleosis,
Hepatitis Infection - A student’s readmittance will be dependent upon written approval and recommendation of the student’s physician.
Injury:
First aid will be administered for minor accidents and injuries which occur on school property, and teachers will notify parents if such a situation occurs. If there is a question whether further medical treatment is required, a parent will be contacted to come to school. If a parent cannot be reached, the student’s emergency contacts on their Emergency Contact / Consent Form will be called.
In an emergency, when time is an important factor, the student may be transported via official EMT personnel to the nearest hospital before parents can be notified. Again, parent notification will continue to be attempted until contact has been made. A school administrator will accompany the student in that event.
Medications:
ALL student medication (prescription and non-prescription) must go directly from parents to teachers. Medications will be administered only: with written permission of parent, original prescription label or original container of non-prescription medication, and a signed medication log form that must accompany each medication. The medication log will be filled out by the teacher each time that the medication is administered during the school day.
Allergies:
Each PS and PK classroom is a nut-free environment. Parents will notify school staff and teachers if their child has any allergies via their Child Health Report and initial classroom visit with the child’s teacher. Please be mindful of packing nut-free snacks and lunch items each day for the safety of all students.
Birthdays:
We enjoy recognizing your child’s special day in school, including summer birthdays! We have
special jobs for the birthday student and at lunch or snack time we celebrate and sing Happy
Birthday. Due to the many food allergies, no food may be sent into school for a birthday celebration. No treat/gift bags will be accepted for distribution at school.
Communication Regarding Safe and Respectful Behavior:
As explained under our Program Overview, we understand that early childhood students are learning how to manage their young bodies and emotions, and often need redirection or positive correction if their actions are harmful to self, others, or classroom spaces. Harmful physical behaviors (including, but not limited to biting, hitting, or shoving) can be a health and safety risk to other children and adults in the classroom. For this reason, parents will be informed of occurrences that have impacted the classroom community. Repeated occurrences will be addressed collaboratively with parents, teachers, and administrators.
Bathroom Policy:
All children must be fully potty-trained and independent in the bathroom in order to be enrolled in our PS and PK programs. Due to health and safety protocols of our early childhood school program, teachers, aides, and other school personnel are not permitted to assist students in the bathroom during their use of the toilet or cleanup during bathroom visits.
As our young PS/PK learners develop, we are aware and fully understand that bathroom accidents are part of their growth journey. They are a natural part of this age/grade level’s development. An accident may occur during class time; during a child’s visit to the bathroom (in which his/her clothing gets wet or soiled); while a child is deep asleep during rest time; or as a result of illness.
In the event of a bathroom accident for a PS student, the child’s parents and/or emergency contact(s) on the child’s Emergency Contact / Consent Form will be called. Only you or your emergency contact person may come to school to change your child so that he/she can return to the classroom. In the event that you need to change your child at school, a teacher or aide will. guide you to the designated restroom in the Gym vestibule. If a student in PS or PK has a bowel movement, the child’s parents and/or emergency contact(s) on the child’s Emergency Contact/Consent Form will be called. He/She must be bathed and changed before he/she can return to school. If accidents become frequent and sequential episodes occur at school, teachers and parents will meet to discuss next steps.
Emergency Procedures:
We conduct regular fire, weather, and lockdown drills according to state and township protocols. Your child’s teacher will explain and practice with the students in developmentally appropriate ways to build understanding and comfort before each drill and/or possible emergency situation.
Walking Trips:
Enjoying outdoor activity is an integral part of the school day for the early childhood students. These outdoor activities include short walking trips, including to Merwood Park. Each teacher will provide a permission form for parents to sign at the start of the school year to allow students to join on these outdoor walking trips that are local to the school campus.
7. Dress Code & Personal Items
Name Labels:
All items that PS / PK students bring to school must be labeled with each student’s first and last name. Items that should be labeled include, but are not limited to: school backpack, lunch box, snack bags, water bottle, folder, any outerwear (jackets, coats, hats, gloves, etc).
School Attire and Footwear:
Students must wear seasonally-appropriate and comfortable clothes for a day full of activity and learning. Only rubber-soled, closed-toe sneakers (velcro preferred) are permitted. The students go outside for play or activity as often as possible, go to the Gym for a Specials class or for free play during inclement weather. No student is permitted to play on the Gym floor if not wearing sneakers. If your child wears snow/rain boots to school, he/she must bring sneakers to change into.
Emergency Outfit Bag:
Each student will be required to bring a bag labeled with his/her name containing a full outfit of clothing (must include clothing top, bottom, underwear, socks) to retain in his/her cubby in the event of a spill, tear, or other accidental situation that requires a change. If the clothing change involves a PS student’s pants/underwear, a parent/emergency contact will be notified to come to school to assist the student with that change.
Backpack:
Student backpacks should be full-sized and large enough to hold a standard folder, lunchbox, student artwork, and other school work that your child needs to bring home. A backpack with a side pouch for a water bottle and a front pouch for student snack items is preferred so that students can walk safely without extra items in their hands. Student names should be labeled on the inside of backpacks. Students must bring backpacks to school every day, unless otherwise notified by their teacher.
Snack and Lunch:
Children are expected to bring a healthy morning snack every day. Students enrolled in the full-day PS and PK program must also pack a lunch. All classrooms where students eat snack and lunch are nut-free. Glass containers for snack and lunch are not permitted. PS and PK students do not have the option of purchasing lunch at school. Children attending the CARES extended program must bring an additional snack - labeled - for after school.
Toys:
The PS and PK classrooms have many learning materials, toys, books, and furniture that is cleaned, approved, and secured for safe use each day at school. We ask that personal toys stay at home unless otherwise requested for Show-and-Tell or special occasions as directed by the teacher.
Rest Mats:
All full-day PS and PK students will be provided with a rest mat, labeled with their name and stored in the classroom. Teachers will inform parents when students may bring a small stuffed toy or item to have with them at rest time.
8. Communication & Family Partnerships
Teacher Communication:
Open communication between school and student families is essential. The main method of communication from teachers to parents is through the teacher’s website and email. Announcements and “Weekly Updates” will be posted at the start of each school week. In the event that other important information needs to be sent home, it will be placed in your child's folder. Please check this folder every night. Any money or notes that need to be returned to school must be placed in your child’s folder. Please put all money in an envelope with your child's name and the reason the money is being sent into school. (i.e. HSA dues, Scrip Order, etc.). Folders will be checked each morning.
Family Newsletter from the Principal:
Each Friday of the school year, Mrs. Boyle emails a newsletter to all school families. Please be sure to read and review the newsletter for important dates, helpful schoolwide reminders, and highlights of the school community. Parents will also use the CARES link sent in Mrs. Boyle’s Family Newsletter each Friday to sign their children up for afternoon CARES for the coming week.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Formal Parent/Teacher Conferences are held in January for PS and PK parents. Information will be sent home indicating the times and date. Any parent who has concerns or questions about his/her child’s progress at any time during the school year is encouraged to contact your child's teacher so that a conference can be set up immediately and any issues addressed promptly.
Family Involvement:
There are a number of opportunities to engage in and celebrate your child’s progress in the PS/PK program during the school year, which include:
A holiday-centered craft/celebration at school with a special person (twice each year)
Mystery Reader via Zoom
Opportunities to celebrate Halloween, Christmas, and end-of-year Closings
9. Tuition & Fees
Each family completes and signs a Fee Agreement Form before being assigned to a PS or PK classroom. There is a separate charge for the extended CARES program. Tuition payments are automatically withdrawn from a family’s designated account through the school’s tuition management system (FACTS). Families may choose to pay tuition monthly (10 months), semi-annually, or annually.
10. Acknowledgment Form
Please sign and return the Handbook Acknowledgement Form provided by your teacher (page 14 of this handbook) indicating that you have read and understand the information and policies outlined in this handbook.