Welcome to Laker Early Learning!
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools
Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year!
Play is a child’s most important work!
Families are partners in learning & are key to bridging home and school
Children learn through hands-on engagement with their environment.
Children’s learning is a cooperative effort within their community.
Children grow in self-awareness through interactions with others.
Children develop a positive attitude toward lifelong learning by trying new things.
Children are unique and deserve the respect of an individualized education.
THE MISSION OF THE PRIOR LAKE - SAVAGE SCHOOLS
Our mission is to educate all learners to reach their full potential as contributing and productive members of our ever-changing global community.
Keeping in Touch
Early Childhood Office
Edgewood School, 5304 Westwood Dr. SE; Prior Lake, MN 55372
ATTENDANCE: 952.226.0958
FAX: 952.226.0949
Early Childhood (ECFE/CoF)
Erin Metoxen, EC Coordinator
emetoxen@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
952.226.0908
Julie Miller, EC Secretary
jumiller@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
952.226.0952
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Lori Parker, ECSE Coordinator
lparker@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
952.226.0986
Mel Owens, ECSE Secretary
mowens@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
952.226.0980
All staff can receive communication via e-mail. District e-mail addresses consist of the staff member’s first initial, last name @priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us. (Example: tbirch@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us.)
Voice/E-Mail
If voice/e-mail messages are not answered on the day you leave them for our teachers, they will be answered on the staff member’s next scheduled work day. In the event of an emergency call our office directly and we will contact your child’s teacher: 952-226-0950
Back to School Safe Learning Plan 2021-2022
Indoor masking is required for all children in the early childhood (ages 2 years and older) through grade 8 school settings.
Indoor masking is required for all adults (staff and visitors) in the school setting when working with or around children in grades E-8, regardless of vaccination status.
Indoor masking is required for grades E-8 during the school day and during school-sponsored activities and events, including Community Education classes and Kids’ Company.
Indoor masking is recommended for all people in the high school setting including teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Masks are required on all district-provided transportation. This is a CDC requirement, regardless of vaccination status.
In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. According to the CDC, in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
The PLSAS COVID-19 Incident Command Team will continue to meet with Scott County Public Health on a weekly basis to make adjustments to the Safe Learning Plan, if needed. To guide decision-making, the district will monitor several data points, including:
Scott County case rate data
COVID-19 and Influenza-like Illness case rates in our schools
operational logistics including staffing
future vaccine availability for children under the age of 12
any updated masking guidance from public health officials
Early Childhood Screening
Early Childhood Screening is a FREE developmental screening required for all preschool-age children by the State of Minnesota prior to entry in kindergarten and some early childhood programs. The optimum age to screen is 3 ½ but children can be screened between ages 3 and 5. Screening benefits both children and their families.
3 Reasons to Screen at Age 3:
Early screening can help set your child up for success in school.
Any health or learning concerns can be identified early so intervention can be provided before the start of kindergarten.
Because screening is FREE and provides a snapshot of your child’s health and development.
You can find additional information and schedule a screening appointment HERE or by contacting Deb Tribby at dtribby@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us or 952.226.0975.
Early Learning Advisory Council
According to Minnesota Statute 121.882, (1984) the school board of any district establishing or expanding an early childhood family education program "shall appoint an advisory council for the area in which the program is provided. A majority of the council shall be parents participating in the program. The council shall assist the board in developing, planning and monitoring the early childhood family education program. The council shall report to the school board and the community education advisory council."
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of the council is to advise and support the Early Childhood Family Center staff and Building Principal in identifying, developing, planning and evaluating programs and services to meet the early education needs of families of children birth to kindergarten. To support, promote and advocate for the early childhood programs and functions within and outside of the facility.
Celebrations
Throughout the school year, Early Learning Programs, along with all PLSAS elementary schools will celebrate student learning, the seasons, ESTEM, and special school events. While we will not hold classroom parties for Halloween, Winter Holidays and Valentine's Day, individual classrooms will provide various learning and ESTEM opportunities related to seasons. These plans will be communicated via SeeSaw by your child's teacher.
We will celebrate our learning throughout the school year and appreciate your support and understanding as we strive to fulfill our district mission to be inclusive of all students and maintain an academic focus.
Birthdays
We ask that students do not bring birthday invitations to school for the respect of the feelings of students who have not been invited to the party. You may contact your child’s classroom teacher to support connecting with other families who may elect to share their contact information.
District Communication
Opt-in to receive text messages
We are excited to deliver important school information to parents via text messaging! This service is not intended to replace existing communications, but enhance them. This is a one-way text messaging solution in which you must first opt in before you can start to receive future text messages from the school or district. There is no charge for the text messages, however, your wireless provider may charge for individual text messages depending on your wireless plan.
Anyone who would like to receive text messages regarding school-related news, closures or emergencies, should text "Y" to 67587.
If the messaging system finds a match for your number in our database, you will receive a confirmation message.
If you do not wish to receive these messages, do nothing.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
You may create a contact on your phone such as PLSAS, or another meaningful name, for the phone number 67587. Then, when you receive a text from this number in the future, you know who is sending it.
Curriculum
Our preschool staff utilizes Creative Curriculum, which includes Social Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, Language, Literacy, Math, & Science. Curriculum takes place in investigations, or studies, including children’s interest areas. Most importantly, we follow a consistent, predictable routine and learn through PLAY!
Assessment
The preschool staff utilizes TS Gold, which is tied to our 4 Star Parent Aware rating. Results are shared with families at parent-teacher conferences in the fall and spring of each year. We do, however, welcome your questions or concerns at any time. Please feel free to consult with staff whenever you wish. Our staff will work hard to keep you informed of your child’s progress throughout the year.
Early Childhood staff are ALL IN for the Pyramid Model
All staff trained in promoting positive social-emotional competence in young children.
Pyramid Rules posted and used building wide
Family Involvement
Parenting – Love, safety, discipline, healthy food and a good night’s sleep are all things that you have done from the very first moment with your child. These are important but also difficult! That’s why we will be providing parent education and support together with all of our preschool sections.
Communicating – One of the benefits of families and teachers working together is the extra set of eyes by which to see each child. We see things in a classroom situation that you would not witness at home. You have information about your child that we don’t know. When we each share what we know we will have a more complete picture of how your child learns. We utilize the following technologies to share information:
SeeSaw, Email, Facebook, Twitter, Photo sharing sites
Attendance - 952.226.0958
Regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work and benefits students socially. The school board recognizes that class attendance is a joint responsibility to be shared by the student, parent or guardian, teacher and administrators.
Dismissal during the day: Parents/guardians are asked to call the attendance line prior to appointments and vacations, etc. For your child’s safety please include the first and last name of the person picking up your child if it is someone other than the parent/guardian. They will be asked to show a photo ID. Whoever picks up the child will be required to sign them out at the office.
Family Activity: We understand that students may need to be absent from school occasionally to participate in family activities or vacations. Please notify your child’s classroom teacher and the attendance line well ahead of time when you know your child will be absent due to a planned family activity/vacation. Tuition is charged as usual; there are no vacation days from tuition.
Chronic Absence: The majority of our classes have a wait list. Should a student become chronically absent as determined by the program for any reason, their spot may be forfeit to the next family on the list in order to maximize the benefit of the spot. You will receive notification in writing of this possibility and the opportunity to improve attendance before the slot is given to another child.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities:
Accountable for regular attendance and for following the attendance policy.
Limit absences by scheduling appointments, vacations, etc. after school or on non-school days.
Notify the office before an extended absence occurs by calling the attendance line (952-226-0958), emailing your child’s teacher, or writing a note for your child’s teacher.
Preschool tuition is still required during absences.
Contact the office and/or teacher if you have any concerns about your child's attendance.
General Health Guidance
Absence & Illness Policy - Circle of Friends Attendance Line: 952-226-0958
Many students and parents are concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. The following information is intended to help with this decision. If the student has:
Had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without medication.
Vomited or had diarrhea, he/she should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
A rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your health care provider before sending him/her to school.
Open/draining skin sores, or inflamed/draining eyes or ears the student should stay home until seen by your health care provider.
Information regarding specific communicable diseases can be found by following the Health Services link under General Info tab on Edgewood School’s webpage. If you require a hard copy, please call the building office at 952-226-0950.
When your child is ill, please call the attendance line daily to report the illness. The attendance line is open 24 hours a day. If a child becomes ill at school, the parent or authorized person will be called to take the child home.
It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that they have a pick up plan in place in the event their child is ill in school. This plan must ensure that they or someone designated by them can pick up their child within 30 minutes. Medical care is the responsibility of the parent/guardian except in cases of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, we will call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance and then notify you or an emergency contact person(s).
Immunization State Law
Minnesota Statutes chapter121A requires that all children who are enrolled in a Minnesota school be immunized before starting school. These requirements can be waived only for medical reasons or if you are conscientiously opposed to a particular immunization. For more information, contact Minnesota Immunization Hotline @ 1-800-657-6970 or the MDH website: www.health.state.mn.us/immunize. Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools adheres to a “No Shot (or proof of exemption), No School” Policy. All students must have the required immunizations or a signed and notarized conscientiously opposed form to begin the school year.
Medical - Emergency Action Plans
If your student has a chronic or potentially life-threatening health condition (i.e., asthma, severe allergy, bee sting allergy, diabetes, seizures) please bring in a copy of your child’s physician ordered emergency action plan. If you do not have an action plan, please work with the district nurse to develop one.
Administration of Medication/Treatments in School
Students are permitted to take medication (including over-the-counter) in school only when:
- The frequency of dosage makes it necessary for a dose or treatment to be given during school hours.
- A written medication or treatment order from a licensed prescriber is on file for the student.
- A written parent/guardian authorization for a delegate to administer the medication or treatment is on file for the student.
- Written licensed prescriber’s orders are required for all changes in medications.
- The medication is supplied by the family in a fully labeled original container. For safety reasons, we would appreciate all medications being delivered to the health office by a parent or designated adult during school hours.
Please complete the Medication Authorization Form if your child will need medications while at school.
Circle of Friends Hours
Edgewood
Morning Class: 9-11:30 AM Start to line up to drop off at 8:50 and to pick up at 11:20
Afternoon Class: 1-3:30 PM Start to line up to drop off at 12:40 and pick up at 3:20
Jeffers Pond
Morning Class: 8:30-11 AM Start to line up to drop off at 8:20 and to pick up at 10:50
Afternoon Class: 12-3 PM Start to line up to drop off at 11:50 and to pick up at 2:50
Arrival/Dismissal: Half-Day Preschool
CURBSIDE DROP-OFF PROCEDURES
Pull as far forward along the sidewalk as possible but DO NOT pull around other cars in line.
Please use caution when entering school property. There may be young children in the parking lot.
Display your assigned number sign in the front passenger visor so it is visible from the school entrance. You will receive the sign before school.
Ensure that your car seat is on the rear passenger side of the vehicle.
Students are only released on the curb side.
Parents unbuckle child if they are unable to do so themselves.
Staff will open car door and walk child into the building.
For the safety of our preschoolers, they can ONLY be released from their vehicle by staff. Do not let children enter the building by themselves.
CURBSIDE PICK-UP PROCEDURES
Display your assigned number sign in the front passenger visor window so it is visible from the school entrance. You will receive the sign before school.
Staff will open the curb side door and assist your child into their seat and close the door. If your child is unable to buckle independently, please follow the listed Buckle Zone procedure.
BUCKLE ZONE
If your child needs assistance buckling after they have been brought to your vehicle, pull forward to the designated area next to the playground to assist them, indicated by the “Buckle Zone” sign.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Display your assigned number sign in the front passenger visor window so it is visible from the school entrance. You will receive the sign before school.
At this time, parents/guests will not be allowed to accompany their child to the classroom for health and safety purposes.
Please make every effort to arrive before the drop off/pick up time ends. Half-day families, if you do arrive late, please remain in your vehicle and call the main office. We will send a staff member out to your car as soon as we are able to. If late arrivals become chronic, we may need to make alternative enrollment plans.
Authorized Pick-Up: If someone other than a guardian or emergency contact is picking up your child, send the preschool office and your teacher an email with the person’s full name and phone number. This new adult should be prepared to show a photo ID.
Outdoor Learning
We encourage students to dress for the weather. Students will always go outdoors for recess unless the “Feels Like” temperature falls below a -5 degrees F or it is steadily raining. All early childhood/elementary schools will check the local weather forecast using weather.com or similar website to determine the “Feels Like” temperature.
If a child cannot go outdoors due to a health condition, please send a note to the classroom teacher or office so that arrangements can be made for the student to go elsewhere during recess.
Dress Code
Please keep an extra set of clothing (including underpants and socks), in your child’s backpack each day. Dress your child for mess and movement! Appropriate or recommended attire includes:
Tennis shoes (Flip-flops & open back shoes present a safety concern. Dress in tennis shoes when possible.)
Pants that your child is able to independently snap and buckle
Shorts under dresses and skirts
Avoid Belts
Label Everything with Your Child’s First and Last Name
Visitors
If you see an adult in the building without either a district employee badge or a visitor badge, please direct them to the office or notify a staff member.
Emergency Procedures
Edgewood School has specific procedures in place for emergencies. Maps noting secure areas or exits for all emergencies are located near the doorway of all rooms at Edgewood.
In Early Learning Programs, we practice “Stop, Look, Listen, & Do.” We strongly believe that it is pivotal to avoid inflicting any emotional trauma in a practice or real emergency situation by focusing on what is most important for staff and student safety. Classrooms teach this method for all emergency situations in all settings:
Fire Emergency Procedures
EVERYONE, unless asked to remain, must leave the building when a fire alarm sounds. A fire emergency evacuation plan is posted in each room. As a building visitor, please refer to these maps for your safety. Students will have a practice drill before the first fire drill. When the fire alarm sounds, students follow these general procedures (please review these expectations with your child):
Students leave everything and WALK with staff to the nearest exit.
Students should not be talking and should walk with their hands at their sides following their teacher to the designated zone outdoors.
Lock Down Procedures
If a crisis or lock-down situation arises in the building or on the school grounds, staff will immediately implement district crisis procedures. Lock-down with options procedures will also be practiced with students 3 times per school year per state law.
Tornado Procedures
Tornado warnings/drills at Edgewood School will be issued over the public address system. When the signal is given, staff and students take cover in the areas designated by the map located near each room’s doorway. If possible, students will be on their knees and covering their heads.
Program and District Policies
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Registration fees and first month's tuition are not refundable.
Withdrawals (before the school year begins)
If we are notified of a student withdrawal prior to May 1st, the first month's tuition will not be charged. After May 1st, refunds will be based on the program's ability to fill the vacancy. If we are able to fill the spot before the first day of preschool, a full refund will be issued for the first month's tuition. If the spot is still empty once school begins, the first month's tuition will be forfeited in order to cover program operating costs.
Withdrawals (during the school year)
A 30-day written notice to the preschool office at Edgewood School is required. Families are responsible to pay full tuition for the month of withdrawal.
LATE PICK-UP POLICY
It is extremely important that you pick up your child at the time stated for your class. We reserve the right to charge a $15.00 late fee for each five minute increment that a child is not picked up. We do understand that the curb-side pick up process may be delayed, and reserve the right to waive the late fee for circumstances deemed outside of your control.
Prior Lake - Savage Area Schools Early Childhood Programs
Website: https://www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us/our-schools/edgewood
Location: Edgewood School, 5304 Westwood Dr. SE; Prior Lake, MN 55372
Phone: 952.226.0950
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PLSASEarlyLearning/?hc_ref=ARSnWM-XmiBe3soDzlXMMbjxe5vJwUR14nMBYJIQ1Ja0sLAeE0HazxURx8GL-njCbd8&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARCd8wG98TxwHPpRUskX8sYLg8eeGXzqF1z-C602Sr3LRrWuH1WyxUTU62rpd3I7ZCHkJcO9sg1SkPkIDelWU0h_N_JF980Rt80T9lnzNCDOOafru1cX2-To5A9W99BG0Ich4CEbN3BhafMGfpi36Agp99QVR-lBEDO0nCW_mZMACNhdTcPLVfqJxTUSTwLPFloM5cequIW13z3w78U-IQY9E485OUllDPf0Lql2nJqOa2fYEai106pEX830pGZbhlrBbr08_T6MDBx2w3Nb2ioid1o0UWu6RLRyK-sxMe5A8jAxo5uxWg&__tn__=kC-R