Ferndale Early Education Center

105 Packard Avenue

Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061

TEL: 410-590-4790 | FAX: 410-590-4795

Health Room: 410-590-4798

Mr. Kory Tvedt, Principal

ktvedt@aacps.org

Student Hours: 

Doors open 9:00 am 

Pre-K 9:15 am – 3:40 pm

AM ECSE 9:15 am - 11:50 pm / No school with Late Arrival

                                                       (11:00 am dismissal on Early Dismissal days)

PM ECSE 1:05 pm – 3:40 pm / No school with Early Dismissal 

Principal's Message:

Welcome to Ferndale Early Education Center.  I am thankful for our motivated and dedicated staff, who work to create an environment that facilitates student learning through challenge, excitement, and fun.  We believe that parent involvement is key to the success of our students.  In fact, research demonstrates that such involvement is the number one factor in determining student success in school.  Parental involvement can take various forms. First and foremost, parental involvement means getting children to school every day and getting them there on time.  This can't be stressed enough.  Parent involvement also means reading to your child every day. This helps students build their vocabulary and love of reading, as well as demonstrating the importance of reading to them.

This handbook serves as a valuable resource and I encourage you to familiarize yourself with its contents, as it will help you to understand how things are done at Ferndale.  If at any time you have a question or concern, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office. 

Let’s have a wonderful year together as we help your children to belong, grow, and succeed.

Kory Tvedt, Principal

Ferndale Early Education Center 

Mission and Vision 

Mission

Ferndale Early Education Center offers an early learning environment in order to create a strong academic, social, and emotional foundation. Through partnerships with students, families, and the community, Ferndale empowers students to be successful individuals in today’s diverse society. 

Vision

Ferndale Early Education Center is a place of learning. At our school, each child will experience the joys of learning, self-discovery, success, and acceptance. The teachers and staff are dedicated to fostering independence, confidence, and positive social skills by providing a variety of developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Arrival and Dismissal:

Morning arrival:

Car riders (ONLY for PreK 4): Family should remain in the car and pull up to the Kiss and Goodbye sign. A staff member will assist and direct your child into the building. If you want to get out with your child, please pull into a parking spot and walk them to the door with other walkers (see below).  Parents may only enter into the office, no side doors.

Walkers (PreK 4): Students may line up on the sidewalk by the recess door and wait to enter. Staff are not on duty until 9:00. For your child’s safety please wait with your child until staff arrive. Students who arrive after 9:15 need to sign in at the office with an adult. 

Bus riders: Students will be dropped off/picked up in the front of the building in the bus loop. No cars may enter the bus loop.   staff members will direct students into the building through the multi-purpose room doors. 

All PreK 3 and ECSE Students: Parents of PreK 3 and ECSE students must park their cars and walk their children to the door marked in purple on the map. 

ARRIVAL MAP (English)

ARRIVAL MAP (Spanish)

Afternoon Dismissal: 

For ALL Students:  Parents/Guardians, please park and meet your child at the designated door on the map below. Parents/guardians must always be prepared to present a photo id to pick up a child (for staff who do not know them). If you need someone not on the emergency card to pick up your child, you must write a note in advance to give permission and give us the name of that person (please tell this authorized person that they will be asked for a photo id to confirm their identity). If you need someone to regularly pick up your child (ex. grandparent or babysitter), you can write a letter authorizing this for the entire school year. Here is a template for such a letter.

* For safety, only 2-3 students are dismissed at a time, even if we see you waiting. This is not the time to have a conference with staff as it delays the dismissal of others. 

DISMISSAL MAP (English)

DISMISSAL MAP (Spanish)

ATTENDANCE 

Regular attendance is important to success in school. Preschool through first grade establishes the foundation for relationship building and life-long learning. Did you know that missing just one or two days of preschool or kindergarten every few weeks can make it harder for children to develop reading skills, and to be prepared for first grade? Preliminary data from a California study found that children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade.

• All absences, tardiness or requests for early dismissal require a written note to the teacher (or complete this Google Form in English or Spanish).

• It is important that all families have a plan for picking up children in case of emergencies or when children become sick and are required to be picked up and go home early. 

• Absences of five or more consecutive school days will require a doctor's note to accompany the child returning to school.

• Students with 2 or more absences a month will be monitored. 

• Students who are chronically absent, late, or leaving early can lose their spot in Pre-Kindergarten.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM

Edible treats are allowed to be sent to school for student birthdays. They must be store bought, for the entire class, and eaten in the classroom at the end of the day. Items should be small because our students have small mouths and appetites.  We recommend items such as small bags of chips/pretzels/goldfish, mini cupcakes, brownie bites, or small cookies. No pizza or other large food items will be allowed. Balloons and other items are prohibited. To minimize disruption, visitors are not allowed for birthday celebrations.

BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS

Birthday invitations may not be passed out at school unless there is one for every child in the class. 

CAFETERIA - LUNCH 

Parents have the option of putting money on an account with cash or by check to the cafeteria (make the checks payable to Ferndale Early Education Center), or prepay lunch online at MealPayPlus.com. This avoids the need for students or staff to hold money until lunchtime.

You can apply here for free or reduced meals for your children: Meals Benefit Application

Prices for meals are as follows: 

Breakfast Free for all

Regular Lunch: $2.75

Free/Reduced Lunch: $0.00

Milk: $0.55

CONFERENCES 

Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on the following dates:

August 26th and 27th 

November 25th and 26th

May - Exact Dates still to be announced   

Your child’s teacher will contact you with further details to schedule a time to meet.

Please reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule a conference at any time you have a concern or question. 

CONTACTING TEACHERS

Parents are encouraged to contact their child's teacher(s) whenever they have concerns or questions. This is best done by calling the school office and asking that the teacher return your call or by emailing that teacher.

Please do not attempt to conference with teachers before or after school unless you have made prior arrangements. Teachers may have other professional responsibilities. It is also crucial that parents do not attempt to conference with teachers while visiting or volunteering in the classroom since teachers must maintain their supervision and instructional responsibilities at all times.

If you have something that is very important for the teacher to know before the end of the school day, please contact the front office so that we can ensure the message is shared with the teacher and/or student.  Teachers may only have a free moment in the morning to check email so we cannot guarantee the teacher will receive and read your email in time.

DELAYED OPENINGS/EARLY CLOSINGS 

In the event of inclement weather or other emergency situations causing a delayed school opening or early closing, announcements are made by radio and TV stations or on the school system’s home page (www.aacps.org). You can also receive notifications about delayed openings and early closings with the AACPS Mobile app (Links Here).

Please establish plans for early dismissal and share them with your child’s teacher. 

In the event of a delayed opening, students cannot be dropped off at the regular time. Delayed opening means a late arrival for all school staff members and there will not be anyone to supervise children until school opens.

EARLY DISMISSAL 

While it is best not to miss school for doctor, dentist appointments, etc., we realize that this is not always possible. Should a student need to leave school early, please send in a note informing us of this. 

• A note is required for any change in a student's normal dismissal routine. 

• Parent/Guardian must come to the office, present a valid photo ID, and sign out their children.

Students are released only to parents or persons designated on the Emergency Card Verification Report unless we have a written note in advance from the parent.  If you need someone not on the emergency card to pick up your child, you must write a note in advance to give permission and give us the name of that person (please tell this authorized person that they will be asked for a photo ID to confirm their identity). If you need someone to regularly pick up your child (ex. grandparent or babysitter), you can write a letter authorizing this for the entire school year. Here is a template for such a letter.

EMERGENCY CARD VERIFICATION REPORT 

Emergency cards need to be completed online at the beginning of the school year for verification of information. Please be sure to update this information, including the order in which you prefer contacts to be made. Please be sure to notify the office any time information needs to be updated. This information is vital in the event of an emergency or illness.

If there is a custody agreement in place, paperwork MUST be given to the office to be filed in the student’s file. Written permission is needed from the custodial parent if a non-custodial parent or other adult is picking up the child. Students will only be released to adults listed in the custody agreement, on the emergency card, or authorized in writing in advance by the custodial parent. 

RECESS/OUTDOOR CLASSROOM IN COLD WEATHER

Children are scheduled for a 30-minute outdoor recess when weather permits. Students also usually have STEM classes in our outdoor classroom. When the temperature is below freezing or the wind chill is low, students will remain indoors. Otherwise, students are expected to be outside with their class and dress warmly for cold weather.  If you need help with warm coats and winter gear, please contact the school counselor.  

EXTRA CLOTHES 

Please be sure your child has an extra pair of clothes (underwear, top, bottom, socks) we can keep in their locker for bathroom accidents or emergencies. For younger students, we suggest multiple sets of clothes.  Consider changing out the clothing at school based on the weather.  Soiled clothes will be sent home and should be replaced or laundered and returned to school as soon as possible (Donations of extra clothing are welcome).

POTTY TRAINING (TOILETING), DIAPERS, PULL-UPS, AND WIPES

It is the goal that most students be potty trained and able to use the bathroom independently when in Pre-Kindergarten (we understand that some students are often less independent in this area). Staff need to focus on instruction, so they are unable to potty train children.  We strongly encourage parents/guardians to work on this essential skill at home.  For students that are not yet able to use the bathroom independently, staff can supervise children in changing and cleaning themselves, but parents must send in needed supplies for their children (diapers, pull-ups, wipes, etc.). We do not have a budget to provide these supplies.  Please also make sure to send in a change of clothes (and replace as needed) because children often have accidents and we don’t want any children to be unclean and uncomfortable.  Please note: ECSE students can use diapers or pull-ups, as needed, but PreK students should only be using pull-ups because of the goal of independence.

MEDICATIONS 

All medications that must be taken at school can ONLY be dispensed by the school nurse or health assistant when the proper forms have been completed. (Medicated cough drops, aspirin, nose sprays, cold medicine, etc., are all covered by this policy.) Medication dispensing forms are available in the office and linked here.  Additional information about School Health can be found here or by contacting our school nursing staff.

PARKING

Parking in designated fire lanes and/or bus loops is prohibited. This prohibition extends to staff, students, and visitors. The principals will make a concerted effort to monitor these areas during the school day and at school sponsored activities. Any vehicle parked in a fire lane must be moved to an authorized parking space. As you know, in a critical emergency, the loss of even one minute caused by vehicles blocking fire and police department access can be the difference between life and death.

When parking around the school, please be considerate of each other and our neighbors.  Do not double park, blocking traffic, and do not block driveways.  Remember that Packard Avenue is one way and it would be very dangerous to go against traffic.

TRANSPORTATION 

Bus information can be found here on the AACPS website.  You can also sign up for notifications about bus delays and cancellations on that webpage.

If you need to change the way your child normally goes home, we must have a signed note from the parent/guardian stating the change in transportation. For example: My child will be a car rider today instead of riding Bus 13.  Today, John Smith will be picked up by his grandmother, Judy Cohen, instead of his mother. (Judy Cohen will have to have her identification checked to pick up the child.)

EXCEPTIONAL TRANSPORTATION:

If your child needs to ride a bus other than the bus to and from your home, you must fill out an Exceptional Transportation Request form from the office and it must be submitted for approval a minimum of 5 days in advance.

Exceptional Transportation Requests that will be considered are:

• Parent(s) work and student goes to babysitter’s home,

• Parent(s) work and student goes to/from a nursery or daycare facility and

• Parent(s) go on vacation and the student is staying with another adult.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS/PETS 

Students can often bring personal items to school that can enhance learning. Other items, however, are often inappropriate and tend to distract students or create problems. For these reasons, toys, radios, IPODS, video games, CD players, Pokemon trading cards, etc., should not be brought to school. Pets or animals of any kind should not be brought to school.  Personal belongings are not insured by the Board of Education's policy. We cannot, therefore, be responsible for broken, lost or stolen personal belongings.  Please label lunchboxes, hats, gloves, jackets, etc., which students may easily misplace. 

PICTURES

The family educational rights and privacy act (FERPA) allows parents and guardians the right to prevent their children from having their photographs/videos taken and/or published while engaged in certain school activities at which there is an expectation of privacy. As such, parents are afforded the opportunity to express annually through a section on AACPS' emergency card their preference on this issue. Such preferences are recorded in PowerSchool to allow staff to easily know whether a student can be photographed or videotaped.

STAYING CONNECTED (AACPS APP and X/TWITTER)

You can receive notifications about Ferndale and AACPS with the AACPS Mobile app (Links Here).  You can also follow us on X/Twitter @FerndaleEarlyEd

VISITING THE SCHOOL 

Visitors are encouraged when there is an identified and approved purpose and should be arranged through the teacher with notification made to the principal. The principal reserves the right to limit or schedule the visit in such a way to diminish or avoid disruption to the normal operations of the class and the school.

For the safety of all students and staff, all visitors and volunteers must report directly to the office prior to visiting any area of the school, register using a driver’s license or other approved identification, and wear a Visitor's Pass while in the building. 

VOLUNTEERING AT SCHOOL

Volunteers contribute their time and talents toward the enrichment and support of our educational program. They may work with children, assist a staff member, or help to prepare instructional materials (running off papers, laminating materials, etc.). There is an orientation held in late September. In order to fully devote your time and support to the teacher, no siblings are allowed while volunteering, during classroom visits, or on a field trip. For more information, you may contact the Volunteer Coordinator or the school. 

ALL VOLUNTEERS (INCLUDING FIELD TRIP CHAPERONES) ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FERNDALE VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM, VIEW THE VIDEO ON SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARRASSMENT, AND SUBMIT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK AT LEAST THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO VOLUNTEERING.  Online Commercial Background checks are free and are good for two years.  Fingerprint-supported background checks currently cost $63. You must go to the AACPS Central Office in Annapolis for the fingerprinting, but this background check is good until your children leave AACPS schools.

SUBSTITUTING

Often our community parents wish to help us out at Ferndale by substituting. This is a very valuable service. Parents need to go through the Board of Education for processing, but then can designate Ferndale as a choice school. Please consider this opportunity. You can apply here.

When a parent in the community substitutes, it is highly important that confidentiality is maintained. It would never be appropriate to discuss confidential student information within the community as a result of the substitute’s experience. If the administration and/or teachers feel this confidentiality is being breached, the parent(s) will no longer be able to substitute at Ferndale.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are a valuable part of the instructional program for our PreK 4 classes. Student attendance on field trips is strongly encouraged. Students are reminded that while on field trips they are representatives of Ferndale EEC. 

Parents will be notified in advance of field trips. You must grant permission in writing for your child to go. You will also be asked to share in the cost of transportation and/or other related fees. No refunds will be given.  If field trips pose a financial hardship, parents are asked to request financial assistance. Board policy ensures that no student is denied a field trip experience due to the lack of finances. 

Usually, parents are asked to help chaperone field trips. Siblings are NOT permitted on field trips. 

No smoking is permitted on field trips. Cellular phones are not to be used on field trips, except in the case of an emergency.  

ALL VOLUNTEERS (INCLUDING FIELD TRIP CHAPERONES) ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FERNDALE VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM, VIEW THE VIDEO ON SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARRASSMENT, AND SUBMIT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK AT LEAST THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO VOLUNTEERING.  Online Commercial Background checks are free and are good for two years.  Fingerprint-supported background checks currently cost $63. You must go to the AACPS Central Office in Annapolis for the fingerprinting, but this background check is good until your children leave AACPS schools.

MONEY COLLECTION AT SCHOOL

When your child brings money to the school for field trips, pictures, etc., please put the money in a sealed envelope with your child’s name, grade and teacher’s name on it, as well as the amount and purpose of the money. Students should not bring large sums of money to school unless it is for one of the above purposes. Students should not give money to other students for ice cream, etc. 

IMMUNIZATIONS

The State of Maryland Immunization Regulation requires students enrolled in school to show proof of immunizations.

A student whose immunizations are not up to date or whose parent/guardian has not provided proof of having received required immunizations will not be permitted to attend school until proper documentation has been provided to the school.

See: Vaccination/Immunization requirements

INSURANCE

Parents may purchase accident insurance for children, covering them during their time in school and while coming to school and returning home. When paying for insurance, checks are to be made out to the current insurance company. An enrollment period is established during September of each year. Persons having such insurance and making a claim must secure proper forms from the school office before seeing a doctor, if possible.

GRADING, PROGRESS REPORTS, AND INTERIMS

In Prekindergarten, progress reports are sent home twice a year.  These progress reports use grading codes to indicate consistently demonstrating (CD), progressing in the development of skill (PR), or needs development (ND) for specific skills in listening/speaking, reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, and expected student behaviors. 

• Consistently demonstrates (CD) means that the student exhibits the skills independently with minimal teacher intervention. 

• Progressing in the development of skill (PR) means that the student exhibits the skills with teacher guidance and support. 

• Needs development (ND) means that the student has exhibited the skills in isolated or rare instances, or with a great deal of support. The performance is inconsistent and below the normal range of expectancy for a student at that grade level.

Interims might also be sent home for any child when the teacher is concerned about progress or if the child is in danger of receiving an ND halfway between progress reports.  

LOST AND FOUND

If your child is missing an article of clothing, we suggest you check with us, as it may be in our Lost and Found. To help avoid lost clothing, please label your children’s outer garments such as coats and sweaters with their name. PLEASE label lunch boxes! Articles not claimed within a reasonable amount of time will be donated to charity.

CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL ELECTRONICS

Students may not use any personal electronic devices in school.  This includes cell phones, tablets, smart watches, etc.  If your child brings any of these devices to school, they must be “off and away.”  School staff will not be asked to be responsible for these devices if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.

ATTIRE & PERSONAL APPEARANCE 

Students are prohibited from wearing clothing, hats, jewelry, backpacks, or other articles of personal appearance which: 

• Depict profanity, vulgarity, obscenity or violence. 

• Promote use or abuse of tobacco, drugs or alcohol.

• May create a health or safety hazard.

• May create a significant risk of a material and substantial disruption to the educational 

process or the operation of the school. 

In addition, except in individual cases as approved by the principal, the following specific items are not permitted:

• Bare feet or flip-flops.

• Hats, caps, hoods or other headwear except as required for health, safety or religious purposes.

• Clothing worn in such a manner so as to reveal underwear or bare skin between the upper chest and mid-thigh. 

When there is evidence that a student's attire or personal appearance violates this policy, the principal or principal's designee shall intervene and take corrective actions, including but not limited to, requiring that the student remove or change the item, taking reasonable steps to notify the student's parents of the violation, and, for repeated violations, initiating progressive discipline for insubordination, as appropriate. 

CHILD SAFETY 

The local public-school system is committed to providing the best possible and most appropriate learning experiences for all children. Occasionally, there are factors in a student's appearance and behavior that lead to suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Maryland Law requires that all educators and other school employees including volunteers, report suspected abuse or neglect to the proper authorities in order that children may be protected from harm and the family may be helped.