The Pearson Early Learning Center Advisory Council (PELCAC) is made up of parents, staff members and community members. The Parent Advisory Council is a great way to give back to our district's early childhood programs, families and the community. 

The Advisory Council works to support early childhood programs and services for families. The Council addresses policy, program fees, program services, and parents’ perspectives on ways to improve quality and accessibility.

The Council has been involved in organizing and sponsoring the Kids Stuff Sale, Community Baby Fair, Open Houses, Pearson Early Learning Center Diaper Bank, Rally Day at the Capitol and Week of the Young Child. 

Fundraising for the early childhood programs and families who participate in the district early childhood programs is the responsibility of the Council. In the past, the Council raised money for the playground, shared equipment and center-wide embedded curriculum.

The Council serves as a liaison to inform other parents, legislators and community members about early education, school district issues and other community concerns that affect children and families.

The Council meetings are held at the Pearson Early Learning Center. Meeting times are determined by the members each year. For more information, contact the Pearson Administrator. 

Stepping Stones Preschool uses Teaching Strategies GOLD for assessment of student development and learning. TS GOLD is an MDE, Parent-Aware approved assessment tool. Assessment information is shared with parents during parent/teacher conferences and at other times by parent/guardian request.

TS GOLD is an authentic assessment tool, meaning that assessment is done in “real” time and through observations of students and is not meant to be a stand-alone “test” of student achievement. TS GOLD provides teachers with the information they need to ensure the learning activities they are creating meet the students’ learning needs. 

Regular attendance is expected as it allows your child to get the most out of the class. However, we know that emergencies come up.

Please call the attendance line when your child will be absent from class. State the child’s name, date of absence and return date, reason for the absence, parent/ guardian name and contact phone number.

If your child attends YMCA Extended Care programming, please contact them as well. If your family is planning an extended absence or withdrawing from the program, please notify the office. 

Behavior Expectations: Staff

All of the staff are trained in positive behavior intervention support. We believe that positive reinforcement, encouragement, offering of choices, redirection, limit settings and joint problem solving are the most effective tools of discipline. 

Staff will:  

• Establish behavior expectations in a positive manner.  

• Make adjustments to the classroom to accommodate the unique needs of each child.

• Teach, practice, model and reinforce the behavior expectation matrix throughout the building.

• Communicate with parents via newsletters, phone, email and the Seesaw app. 

• Staff will follow the appropriate steps in response to harmful or inappropriate behavior (see In the case of harmful/inappropriate behavior appendix).  

Behavior Expectations: Parents/Guardians

The partnership between parents/guardians and program staff is fundamental to children’s current and future success and readiness for school. When parents/guardians and professionals work together as a team, children do better. While our staff  have expertise in working with young children and child development, you are the expert on your own child. We encourage you to share your observations and ideas in order to create a positive behavioral plan that will best support your child while in school and at home.  We are here to support you.

Parents/Guardians will: 

• Call the attendance line any time your child will be absent.

• Avoid absences for reasons other than illness. 

• Keep your preschooler home when sick.  

• Arrive on time for school drop off and pick up.  

• Please communicate appropriately and respectfully with teachers, assistants, administrative staff, other school personnel and other program parents/guardians. 

Behavior Expectations: Children

It is our goal to promote a positive approach to all children and the management of behavior issues to create a safe learning environment. 

• Building wide we use a school-wide behavior expectation matrix (see above) while also using tools and strategies to promote a positive learning experience.  

• We proactively teach preventative behavior measures throughout the building using the Solution Toolkit from our Pyramid Model that promotes social and emotional awareness and problem solving.

Challenging Behaviors

Sometimes a child may exhibit challenging behaviors in a group setting.  We define challenging behaviors as an action that is harmful to self or others, is persistent, disruptive or destructive and interferes with the child’s and/or peer’s learning or safety.

Behavior Considered Harmful and/or Inappropriate 

• Behavior which threatens a person’s right to be safe.  

• Any form of aggression including verbal, physical, or lack of self-control

• Inappropriate touching of a person’s body or belongings.  

• Inappropriate gestures.  

• Bullying or bullying-like behavior (See bullying policy link below)

• Leaving the group or program area without staff permission.  

• Complete disregard for building-wide or classroom expectations.

• Behavior which intentionally causes destruction of property and physical or verbal harm to others. 

If a child shows challenging behaviors in the classroom, we will use the following steps:

1. Inform and communicate any inappropriate behavior to the parents/guardians.

2. Work with parents/guardians and staff to develop a positive behavior plan.

3. If the behavior warrants, the building’s Behavior and Crisis Response Team will be consulted. 

4. If the interventions created and implemented are not working for the child, we will refer to other supports such as Early Childhood Special Education or mental health resources.

5. In rare cases, the child may be removed from the program.

Separation anxiety is a normal and natural experience for children and parents. To help children through separation, it’s helpful to: 

• Believe in your child’s ability to separate from you. 

• Let your child see where you will be when you are gone. 

• Talk about the feelings he/she/they is having. Reassure your child that fear, sadness, anger or loneliness are normal and predict a happy outcome. 

• Always tell your child that you are leaving and that you will be back. 

• Be consistent, once you say that you are leaving do not linger and do not attempt to “peek" through windows and doors. 

• Allow your child to bring a comfort item to stay in their backpack.

Due to allergies, socioeconomic status and nutritional concerns, we ask that families refrain from bringing in treats on their child’s birthday; however we also recognize that birthdays are very special events for most students.

Please consult with your child’s teacher.  If you choose to celebrate a child’s birthday with their class, please do not bring food items. Alternative choices could be pencils, stickers, etc. 

Connect & Celebrate days are scheduled two days prior to the start of school for elementary students each year.  Connect & Celebrate is an opportunity for our teachers to meet and connect with each student in their class and conduct a short assessment with each child to best meet their needs. The link for families is sent via email to each family at the end of August.  

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Parent/Guardian -Teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the school year. Dates and times for each school are posted on the district calendar. Additional conferences may be scheduled whenever a parent/guardian or teacher feels it is necessary. Please contact the teacher to arrange for before/after school or Google Meet appointments.

Children should come to school dressed for play. We encourage students to wear tennis shoes, no flip flops or sandals please. Students will be painting, gluing, running, jumping, etc. We will be as careful as we can, but accidents can and do happen.

Students go outside unless the wind chill is below the district guidelines. Rain and snow gear should be worn to school when the weather is inclement. Please be sure to label boots, hats, mittens, coats, etc. with your child’s name.

Shoes must be worn at all times for health and safety reasons.

Please refer to Policy 504 for Student Dress and Appearance for additional details.

The large playground located at Pearson is rated for children ages 5-12. This playground will not be used by programs at Pearson.

The small playground inside the fenced area is suitable for the ages of our students and is the playground we will use at Pearson.

If you wish to access any of the playgrounds or green spaces at Pearson, please note that these are only accessible when there is not a class in those areas and that parent/guardian supervision is required. Please do not leave children unattended. 

Preschool students are required to be independently toilet trained before their first day of class. 

We understand that accidents do sometimes occur. It is very helpful to have extra sets of clothing in your child’s backpack or locker. When accidents occur, children will be guided by staff to change their clothing independently. Toilet training resources are available at the main office upon request.  Accommodations are made for our students with identified special needs. 

Please note: If a child requires a pull-up or diaper to attend class, it is an indication they may not be independently toilet trained.