News & Info

Physical or verbal abuse will not be allowed at St. Sarkis Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool. No child will be denied food, rest, or bathroom use as a consequence of inappropriate behavior. We as that parents respect our discipline policy while in the school so that no child will be subjected to negative, punishing forms of discipline while at Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool.

Discipline at our school is not for punishment but for behavioral change. The ultimate goal is for children to become self-disciplined. With guidance and facilitation by teachers, the children are helped to solve discipline challenges, using their words and problem solving skills with each other to come up with mutually acceptable choices. Children are helped to redirect their inappropriate behavior by encouraging them to be part of the solution. In this way, it becomes a learning tool and gives children a sense of empowerment. By providing a “can do” environment and a positive verbal guidance, we teach young children what “to do” not just what “not to do”.

The school reserves the right to search and inspect all school owned property, premises and items located on school premises, including but not limited to child belongings and cubbies. Such inspections may occur at any time, with or without advance notice or consent. Students and parents should not have any expectations of privacy in such items or locations.

The school also reserves the right to search all students if the school Director or designee has a reasonable suspicion, the student is violating or has violated a School rule, or regulation, including but not limited to pockets, purses and backpacks.

School programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, with respect to the actual or percieved ethnic group, religion, gender, color, race, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The School prohibits the harassment of any student by the administration, including faculty or staff, another student or person at the School or any other School related activity. 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 but are not limited to racial slurs, ethnic jokes, posting of offensive statements, posters or cartoons.

According to the state licencing, parents are responsible for signing in and signing out on the attendance sheet at the time of their child’s entrance and exit.

Under no circumstances will a child be released to a person, not even a staff member, who is not listed on the Child Release Form in the application packet without written or verbal authorization from the Parent/Guardian.

The school must be notified in writing immediately if there is a permanent change in your pick-up authorization form or Emergency Release Form.

The person whom you have your authorization to pick-up your child (on the Child release form in application packet) must be 18 or older and will be asked to show a proper picture identification (i.e. driver’s license or equivalent) and must be identified on the appropriate School form.

Your child must be signed in and out of the class each day. A full signature is required by law.

A non refundable registration Fee and Field Trip/ In-House Fee are required at the time your application is submitted. Kindergarten Book Fee is paid in the beginning of the School Year. There will be a fee for educational supplies, library books, art supplies, a copy of the yearbook, 3 days supply of the emergency kits, and BOR annual student fee due in the beginning of the school year. Tuition is due on the first day of each month, based on a 10 months School calendar. If tuition is not received by the 5th of the month, a late fee specified in the contract will be assessed. After 3 penalties the late fee charge will be increased. Persistent failure to timely pay tuition may result in your child’s dis-enrollment from the School.

Open communication between parents and staff is the key to operating a harmonious school. On a yearly basis, families are requested to respond to a family questionnaire / Survey for program improvements. The results are discussed in a formal parent and staff meeting: goals are set and used for ongoing program planning and operations.

Teachers will provide parents with following information.

• The purpose and the use of assessment.
• The condition that the child will be assessed.
• How the results are interpreted and will be used to provide future learning opportunities for children.
• Request a list of individuals who can have access to the child’s file and to the assessment results.
• Each child’s file and portfolio are kept in a locked cabinet and are only accessible to the child’s teacher and the administration.

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

1. Direct their questions or concerns to a teacher.
2. Consult with the school board.

Memos, Handouts and Monthly Calendar.

It is our mission to keep parents informed of the school’s ongoing programs. Every Monday Kindergarten parents will receive memos and bulletins in English and Armenian Via Email, the school website, or hard copies.

First day of the month Pre-k will send a monthly newsletter in the same way. We advise parents to check their email and website at least every Monday/Thursday for memos, flyers and bulletins. It is extremely important that parents read all the letters and bulletins sent by the school.

Copies of notices, memos and forms are available at the office.

Parents should enter the School from the School’s main entrance/gate. We ask the parents to consider our neighbors and honor the City of Pasadena traffic rules by not blocking or turning in to any of the driveways or making unlawful U-Turns in front of the School. Also to assure parent and child safety on campus grounds and to avoid unnecessary traffic problems, we request immediate departure after signing your child out.

All students are required to wear the school uniform daily, beginning with the first day of school.  Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Pre school and Kindergarten uniforms are unisex and consist of the class T-shirt and any Navy/Black Pants, Skirts or shorts.  For their own safety, children should wear sturdy and closed toe shoes.  Sandals are not recommended.  For information regarding the uniform orders, please refer toRegistration information in the child’s enrollment packet.  Uniforms must be clean and tidy.

Each child should bring his/her own bedding, an extra pair of underwear and clothing.  Please label all his/her belongigns and bring them to school in a sturdy plastic zipped bag. The School will not take any responsibility for any lost clothing or item. Children’s bedding will be returned to parents at the end of each week to be washed. The bedding should be returned to school on the first school day of the following week.

Because each child is special and needs time to feel very important, we do recognize and celebrate Birthdays. Birthdays are usually celebrated on the 4th Thursday of each month. For this special day, as a classroom project, children prepare their own cakes / cupcakes. Parents may not bring any treats for children for any occasion; including birthdays and any of the Holidays such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day, etc. If parents wish for their child to share any joyful occasion with his/her friends, they may bring cards made by the children or stickers, instead of sweet treats or presents.

Children may bring a special sleeping toy or “security blanket” for nap time. On sharing days, children may bring one additional special toy to school to share with their friends. However, please note that these toys are subject to being damaged or lost. No guns or weapon toys of any kind are permitted in the School. Other than sharing toys children are not allowed to bring items from home.  The school will not assume responsibility for lost or broken items. Jewelry, knives, war toys, nail polish, lipstick, money (paper & coin), vitamins, pills and other items deemed dangerous by school administration are prohibited and may not be possessed by students in School.

Child assessment plan and Parent/Staff conferences.

To support children’s learning and to identify their needs and interests, Tavlian preschool uses the Creative Curriculum / Teaching Strategies Child Assessment portfolio. The Assessment Method.

• Aligns with the curriculum goals and philosophy.
• Provides an accurate picture of all children’s abilities and the program.
• Provides valid and meaningful results for all learners.
• Is useful in daily curriculum
• Is sensitive to child’s culture, Language and is meaningful to each child’s setting.
• Obtain information in all areas of development – cognitive, language arts, social-emotional and physical development. After child’s enrollment, the teacher will attempt to interact with children using the child’s own language. Through individual interaction or during small group settings, teachers will observe each child using following tools:
  1. Daily Anecdotal records
  2. Photographs
  3. Developmental learning assessment records
  4. Child observation records.
  5. Obtain information from parents.
     1. Within 3 months of child’s enrollment the formal findings will be shared with parents during a parent teacher conference.
     2. At the end of the initial conference, an Individual educational plan / Family partnership plan will be devised by the teacher and parent.
     3. In some cases in order to serve children bette, the program will make necessary referrals for testing or evaluation by a professional.
     4. In addition, teachers, families and relevant specialists will have regular opportunities to participate in a two way communication to discuss child’s progress, difficulties and accomplishments to plan learning activities.
     5. The information obtained from this process will be used in improving curriculum, adapting teaching practices and planning Program improvement.
     6. The information gathered will assisst teachers to identify child’s interests and needs and supports individualizes learning.
     7. within six months of the child’s enrollment and on an as needed basis parents will have another opportunity for a second conference.
     8. An individual child’s records will be kept confidential, in secured cabinets in the classrooms or office accessible only to the child’s parents, child’s teachers and administration.
     9. For additional services, the administration will provide information to the designated professional with parent authorization. NOTE: When interpreting assessment data, teachers should refer to curriculum goals abd developmental expectations.

Children need protection because they are vulnerable and often unable to speak for themselves. The California Child Abuse and Neglect reporting Act provides the legal basis for action to protect children and to allow intervention by public agencies if a child is maltreated. All staff members are legally mandated to report any suspected cases of child abuse.

To minimize the spread of ailments among students, teachers and staff, please promptly notify school office if your child is contracts a communicable disease. “Communicable Diseases” include but are not limited to lice, chicken pox, flu and colds. If a student becomes ill during a regular school day, he or she will be sent by the teacher to the School Office. Parents will be contacted at the telephone number on the file to pick up their child, if necessary. At the school’s discretion School administration will determine that, due to illness, parents must pick up the child before the end of the school day.

The State of California licensing department forbids any sick child to attend the program. Parents are asked to exercise good judgment and keep children at home while ill, seeking medical/dental attention as appropriate.

Examples of symptoms that are signs of possible infection or disease are as follows:

• Fever over 101 F.
• Excessive irritability or unusual passivity.
• Signs of a new cold, cough, sore throat, watery eyes, etc.
• Vomiting / Diarrhea
• Inflammation of eye.
• Abscess or draining sores.
• Rash, unless the cause is determined to be non-contagious.

If you are unsure whether your child is sick, we urge you to contact a medical professional. The school reserves the right to request parents to provide written information by a physician licensed by the Medical Board of California about the status of their child’s health and whether the child may safely return to school after the child has experienced a communicable disease.

Our policies and procedures are as follows:

• Sick Children must be excluded from school until they are no longer contagious, so as not to expose other children. A Physician’s note will be requested upon your child’s return to school.
• If your child arrives at the school with symptoms of possible illness or tooth-ache, you will be contacted immediately. If we are unable to contact you or you can not pick up your child, we will phone the persons listed in the emergency list.
• If your child contracts a contagious illness, please notify the school immediately.
• Please do not send any medications to school with your child. The staff is not authorized to give medication to the children. Exceptions will be made to children who have life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, asthma and epilepsy. (In such cases a medical consent form from the parent and physician will be required). When medications are to be administered for prolonged periods of time, it is the parent’s responsibility to maintain an adequate supply of medication, and to inform the school of changes in dosage, frequency of administration, or discontinuance of medication. Any changes in dosage or frequency of administration must be accompanied by a medical doctor’s note setting forth the changes. The School assumes no liability for injury or death to a student in the event that parent(s) elect to have a School official administer medication to a student. Nothing in this policy shall prevent the School from declining to administer medication to a student.
• All children will be inspected for lice as needed. This is very common practice and parents will be informed and advised immediately if treatment is needed.
• Children’s nails need to be clipped regularly and hair to be clean and well groomed. Tattoo and nail polish are not allowed in the center.

Earthquake / disaster preparedness is an important aspect of Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Preschool program operation. To save lives and minimize disruption, all school staff and students must be prepared to respond quickly and responsibly to emergencies and disasters, such as earthquakes and fires. The entire school campus is equipped with emergency disaster provisions. The School has an emergency plan and the procedures are to be followed at the time of an earthquake or other emergency. Written emergency procedures are posted in each classroom an on the school’s parent board. Fire and earthquake drill are practiced on an ongoing basis so that in the event of an emergency, students, faculty and staff will be prepared to react prompltly and correctly to ensure everyone’s safety. All of our teachers are trained CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Preparedness procedures by the Glendale Fire Department (CERT). We are prepared to care for our students for up to 72 hours after an earthquake.

To further assure the safety of our students, we would like to ask the cooperation and assistance in the following areas:

• please do not call the school. We must have the phone lines to communicate with the fire department, police and other governmental or emergency agencies.
• Anticipate delays on your ways to the school due to cluttered streets or traffic.
• Turn your radio to the local AM dial. Information and directions will be given over the radio.
• Please do not block driveways.

The school will follow these procedures at the time of student release:

• All school entries will be closed after an earthquake and emergency.
• A temporary Student Release station will be set up next to the main gate at Sinaloa Ave.
• Children will be release only to a parent or an individual designated by a parent, whose name is listed on the child’s Emergency Release Information Form. With this in mind, please make sure your child’s emergency form is up to date.
• Parents or their designated parties who come for children should approach child release station by the School’s Main Gate for verification of their identification. (picture I.D. will be requested)
• Upon verification of the Identification, parents or their designated parties will be given a Release Form to sign the children out
• If evacuating the school becomes necessary, signs will be posted on the main gate advising parents of the children’s new location.

Our school provides children with 3 well balanced meals.

• Breakfast – Served between the hours of 8:30a.m. to 9:00a.m.
• Lunch – Served between the hours of 11:30a.m. to 12:30p.m.
• Snack – Served between the hours of 2:30p.m. to 3:00p.m.

The food menu is designed, prepared served and stored in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

***The school has a nutritionist advisor***

Children who stay after 4:00p.m. may bring additional nutritional snack. Please avoid sending perishable food, potato chips, cookies or other unhealthy snacks.

Please keep the following guidelines in mind when sending snacks to the school.

• Foods brought from home should meet the USDA’s and CACFP food guidelines.
• Food and beverages brought from home are labeled the child’s name.
• School Staff makes sure that the food requiring refrigeration stays cold until served.
• Foods that come from home for after school snacks or for class activities, must be either whole fruits or commercially prepared foods in factory sealed containers or packages.

A sample of a 4 week cycle menu is posted on the parent board. If your child has any food allergies, please notify the teacher and the director. On a daily basis, preschool children will have a specific time for rest.

All new and returning students are required to annually submit health forms, including Immunization Records, Pre Admission Health History – Parents and Physician’s Reports & Parent permission for Tylenol Administration. These health forms and documents must be completed and returned to the school before each school year begins. Children age 6 and under must have a physical exam each year. An annual dental exam is also recommended.

In case of true emergency, the following steps will be taken.

1. After assessing the situation, the paramedics may be notified immediately. (while waiting for the emergency crew to arrive, one staff member will follow directions given over the phone by the emergency dispatch personnel.
2. The person(s) listed in the emergency release form will be notified.
3. Upon arrival of the emergency crew, the emergency release form will be presented to them.
4. One staff member will accompany the child to the nearest hospital chosen by the emergency personnel (in Los Angeles county, patients are transported by emergency crew to the nearest hospital that is available at that specific time.

The school assumes no liability for injury or death to a student in the event the school must administer reasonable treatment to a student without the consent of the parent(s) when the child is ill or injured during the school hours and needs reasonable medical treatment and the parent(s) can not be reached, unless the parent(s) have previously filed a written objection to any treatment other than first aid. If you have any questions or concerns related to your child’s health policy, please do not hesitate to consult with the School’s Administration.

Tooth Brushing

• In order for children to brush their theeth Parent authorization is required.
• If authorized, children will brush their teeth at least once daily using a toothbrush provided by parents with no toothpaste.
• Toothbrushes will be replaced every two months or as needed basis.
• Toothbrushes will be kept in special preventing cross contamination labled with the childs name.
• Every Friday, the program will send toothbrushes and the containers home to be sanitized and returned to the school the next day.
• Parents must notify the office if there are any changes regarding their child’s oral health.

Video Surveillance may occur on school property. Video Surveillance shall be limited to preschool classrooms, hallways, stairwells, entrances, school grounds and other areas deemed appropriate by the School Director. The School reserves the right to place cameras in a location known to require a greater need for surveillance. Video surveillance shall not occur in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms.

Under no circumstances shall the school’s video surveillance cameras be equipped to record audio or other sound(s). Any audio capability shall be permanently deactivated prior to use by the School. Audio shall not be part of video recordings made, reviewed or stored by the School.

The Video Surveillance system and all resulting recordings shall be located in a secure area and access to the system and recordings shall be strictly limited by the director or designee. Video images obtained by the School shall be viewed by authorized School personnel as necessary. The School may rely on the images obtained by the video surveillance cameras in connection with the enforcement of School policy and other applicable law, including, but not limited to, student and staff discipline proceedings and matters referred to local law enforcement agancies in accordance with applicable law.

Video images may become part of a students educational record in accordance with applicable law. Video images or recordings may become subject to disclosure in response to a lawfully issued subpoena or court order. In the case video surveillance is used for discipline proceedings or becomes a part of your child’s educational record, you, the parent, may request to view the video subject to laws and regulations governing privacy of student records if implicated for students other than your own child. the video recordings may be erased as necessary or recorded over at the discretion of the School.

T secure the health and safety of children and adults, video surveillance is installed throughout School premises. (see video Surveillance Policy above). The school’s main gate and the office entrance door are operated through the intercom system and all activities are monitored and recorded. The entry is closed between the hours of 9:00am to 2:30pm and after 3:30pm.

• To enter the school, please ring the bell in Sinaloa Ave. and the gate / door will be opened by a staff member using the intercom system.
• Persons unknown to the staff will be asked to go to the office, will be required to show a picture I.D. and will be questioned.

During school related activities, children may be photographed or videotaped. To respect the privacy of students, parents, teaching staff and administration, we strongly discourange parents from posting School related pictures or videos on any social networking sites.

Please be advised that the program is not and can not be held responsible for photographs posted on any social networking site by a parent / guardian or any other person.

We believe that young children grow and learn better in school when their parents become active participants in the school. It is the program’s mission to encourage all families, regardless of family structure: racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds; gender; abilities; or preferred language to volunteer in all aspects of the program such as:

1. Parents Support Committee – A voluntary commitee consisting of dedicated and commited parents who play an integral role in the overall operation of the School and financial matters. Each year these parents take leadership roles in organizing fundraising events for the School. They also serve as advisors to the Administration.
2. Volunteering in classrooms, kitchen and student supervision, etc.
3. Parents also have the option of assisting the school by paying an annual fee, predetermined by the School Board/PSC instead of volunteering their time.
4. Participating in an annual program evaluation and volunteering their expertise and assisting the school in reaching the set goals.
5. The school administration has the sole discretion in determining all aspects of volunteer opportunities at the school and may at its sole discretion grant, deny, or change volunteer opportunities and assignments.