Parent Information

Campus Safety

At Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool and Kindergarten, ensuring student safety is our highest priority. Our campus is securely enclosed, featuring a locked gate and comprehensive camera surveillance throughout the facility. A security guard is always present on-site during regular school hours.

All visitors are required to check in with the security guard before entering the campus. This includes parents and guests who must provide their names, addresses, and reasons for visiting. They will then be escorted to the main office to complete the visitor check-in process. Additionally, all guests must schedule an appointment before their visit.

Loading, Parking, and Traffic

Parents are required to enter the school through the main entrance/gate located on Sinaloa Avenue. We kindly ask that parents respect our neighbors and adhere to the City of Pasadena traffic regulations by not blocking or turning into driveways or making illegal u-turns in front of the school. To ensure the safety of both parents and children on campus and to minimize traffic congestion, we request that parents depart immediately after signing in their child during drop-off and signing them out during pick-up.

School Uniform and Personal Items Policy

All students must wear the school uniform daily, starting from the first day of school. Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool and Kindergarten uniforms are unisex, consisting of the class t-shirt, paired with navy or black pants, skirts, or shorts. For safety reasons, children should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes; sandals and open-toe shoes are not permitted. For uniform orders, please refer to the registration information in your child's enrollment packet. Uniforms should be kept clean and tidy.

For children in purple, red, and green classes, each child should bring their bedding, an extra pair of underwear, and a change of clothing. Please label all belongings and bring them in a sturdy, zippered plastic bag. The school will not be responsible for any lost items. Children’s bedding will be sent home at the end of each week for washing and should be returned on the first school day of the following week.

School Attendance and Child Release Policy

Per state licensing requirements, parents are responsible for signing their children in and out on the attendance sheet upon arrival and departure. A child will only be released to individuals listed on the Child Release Form in the application packet. If someone not listed needs to pick up your child, written authorization from the parent or guardian is required. Any permanent changes to the Pick-up Authorization Form or Emergency Release Form must be communicated to the school in writing immediately. Anyone authorized to pick up your child must be 18 years or older, provide proper photo identification (such as a driver’s license), and be listed on the appropriate school form.

Toys, Books, and Accessories Policy

Children are not allowed to bring toys to school. Fridays are designated as book-sharing days. The first Friday of each month is Armenian book-sharing day, when your child must bring an Armenian book to share with the class. On the remaining Fridays, they can bring either an Armenian or English book. We want to remind you that while students are welcome to bring their books to school, the school cannot be held responsible for any lost or misplaced items.

Prohibited Items:

No guns or weapon-like toys are allowed at school.
Except for sharing days, children should not bring any books from home.
The following items are strictly prohibited: jewelry, knives, war toys, nail polish, lipsticks, money (both paper and coin), vitamins, pills, and any items deemed dangerous by the school administration.

Family-School Communication / Memos, Handouts, and Monthly Calendar

Open communication between parents and staff is essential for maintaining a harmonious school environment. Each year, families are asked to complete a questionnaire or survey to help us improve our programs. The results are discussed in a formal parent and staff meeting, during which goals are set and used for ongoing program planning and operations.

To address any school-related issues or concerns, parents are encouraged to:

Direct their questions or concerns to the teacher.
Consult with the Director.
Consult with the School Board.

It is our mission to keep parents informed about the school’s ongoing programs. Every Monday, kindergarten parents will receive memos and bulletins in English and Armenian via email. On the first day of each month, pre-kindergarten parents will receive a monthly newsletter in the same way. We advise parents to check their email and our website for memos, reminders, flyers, and bulletins. It is extremely important that parents read all the communications sent by the school. Copies of notices, memos, and forms are available at the office.

Child Assessment and Parent-Teacher Conferences

To support children's learning and identify their needs and interests, Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool and Kindergarten uses the Creative Curriculum / Teaching Strategies Child Assessment Portfolio.

Assessment Method:

Aligns with curriculum goals and philosophy.
Provides an accurate picture of all children’s abilities and the program.
Delivers valid and meaningful results for all learners.
Is useful in daily curriculum planning.
Is sensitive to each child’s culture and language, and meaningful to their specific setting.
Gathers information in all areas of development: cognitive, language arts, social-emotional, and physical.

Teacher Interactions and Observations: After a child enrolls, teachers will attempt to interact with the student using their language. Teachers will observe each child individually or in small groups using the following tools:

Daily anecdotal records
Photographs
Developmental learning assessment records
Child observation records

Parental Involvement: Teachers will also gather information from parents. Within three months of a child’s enrollment, formal findings will be shared with parents during a parent-teacher conference. At the end of this initial conference, an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or Family Partnership Plan will be developed by the teacher and parent.

Referrals and Ongoing Communication: In some cases, the program may make necessary referrals for testing or evaluation by a professional to better serve the children. Additionally, teachers, families, and relevant specialists will have regular opportunities for two-way communication to discuss the child's progress, difficulties, and accomplishments, and to plan learning activities.

Use of Information: The information obtained from this process will be used to improve the curriculum, adapt teaching practices, and plan program improvements. It will also help teachers identify each child’s interests and needs, supporting individualized learning.

Follow-Up Conferences: Within six months of the child’s enrollment, and on an as-needed basis, parents will have another opportunity for a second conference.

Confidentiality: An individual child’s records will be kept confidential in secured cabinets in the classrooms or office, accessible only to the child’s parents, teachers, and administration. For additional services, the administration will provide information to designated professionals with parent authorization.

Note: When interpreting assessment data, teachers should refer to curriculum goals and developmental expectations.

Video Surveillance and Intercom

To ensure the health and safety of everyone on campus, video surveillance is used throughout our school premises, excluding areas where privacy is expected, such as restrooms. Cameras are not equipped with audio recording devices. Video recordings are securely stored, with access strictly controlled by the School Director or designee. Authorized school personnel may view footage as necessary for enforcing school policies, discipline, or in response to legal requirements. Recordings may be part of a student's educational record and subject to applicable privacy laws. Parents may request to view relevant footage under these laws.

During school-related activities, children may be photographed or videotaped. To respect privacy, we discourage parents from posting school-related pictures or videos on social networking sites. The school is not responsible for any photos posted by parents or guardians on such sites.

The school’s main gate and office entrance are operated through an intercom system and are monitored. The entry is closed between 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM and after 4:00 PM. To enter the school, please ring the bell on Sinaloa Avenue. A staff member will open the gate or door via the intercom. Visitors unknown to the staff will be directed to the office, required to show a photo ID, and questioned.

Discipline and Conflict Resolution Policy

At Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool, physical or verbal abuse is strictly prohibited. No child will ever be denied food, rest, or bathroom access because of inappropriate behavior.

Our approach to discipline focuses on behavioral change rather than punishment. Our goal is to help children develop self-discipline. With guidance from teachers, children are encouraged to use their words and problem-solving skills to address discipline challenges and come up with mutually acceptable solutions. This method helps children redirect inappropriate behavior by involving them in the resolution process, making it a learning experience that empowers them. By providing a supportive environment and positive verbal guidance, we teach young children what to do, not just what not to do.

Non-discrimination/Harassment

Our school is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We do not tolerate discrimination based on actual or perceived ethnicity, religion, gender, color, race, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Harassment of any student by administration, faculty, staff, other students, or anyone involved in school-related activities is strictly prohibited. Harassment includes verbal, physical, and visual conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment or that interferes with daily school activities. Examples of such harassment include racial slurs, ethnic jokes, and the posting of offensive statements, posters, or cartoons.

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Policy

Children need protection because they are vulnerable and often unable to advocate for themselves. The California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act provides the legal framework for protecting children and allows public agencies to intervene if a child is maltreated. All staff members at our school are legally required to report any suspected cases of child abuse.

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Plan

At Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool and Kindergarten, earthquake and disaster preparedness are a crucial part of our program operations. To save lives and minimize disruptions, all staff and students are trained to respond quickly and responsibly to emergencies, such as earthquakes and fires. Our campus is fully equipped with emergency disaster provisions, and we have a comprehensive emergency plan in place, with procedures posted in each classroom and on the parent board. Regular fire and earthquake drills are conducted to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are prepared to act promptly and correctly in the event of an emergency. All our teachers are trained in CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Preparedness by the Glendale Fire Department (CERT), enabling us to care for our students for up to 72 hours after an earthquake.

To ensure the safety of our students, we ask for your cooperation in the following areas:

Please do not call the school; we need phone lines to communicate with emergency services.
Anticipate delays to the school due to potential road obstructions or traffic.
Tune your radio to the local AM station for information and directions.
Avoid blocking driveways.

Student Release Procedures:

All school entries will be closed following an earthquake or emergency.
A temporary student release station will be set up next to the main gate on Sinaloa Avenue.
Children will only be released to a parent or an individual designated by a parent on the child’s Emergency Release Information Form. Please ensure this form is up to date.
Parents or designated individuals must approach the student release station at the main gate for ID verification (picture ID required).
After verification, parents or designated individuals will sign a release form to pick up the child.
If evacuation is necessary, signs will be posted on the main gate with the new location of the children.