About Us

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=3 height=1 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Joy of Learning</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="id1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="home"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Teachers Home Page"><U>Teachers Home Page</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=140 BGCOLOR="#FF0000" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="3998cc00dvlddx.png"> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#top_of_the_page" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>Top of the Page</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#vision" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>Vision</I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#mission_statement" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>Mission Statement</I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#goals" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>Goals</I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#our_philosophy" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>Our Philosophy</I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#reggio_emilia" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>Reggio Emilia:</I></U></A></div> <div> <I>"The One Hundred</I></div> <div> <I>Languages of Children"</I></div> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#school_policy" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>School Policy</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id29_m.htm#navegation_links_1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="About Us "><U><I>Navigation Links</I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="home"><U><I>Back to Home</I></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=478 BGCOLOR="#FF0000" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="27100c00dvlddx.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="482" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 87 WIDTH="476"><div> <B><IMG SRC="1c008430.jpg" border=0 width="264" height="67" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="top_of_the_page"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 3329 WIDTH="476"><div> Welcome to “The Joy of Learning” </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Dear Parents:</div> <bR> <div> We thank you for considering our center for the care and development of your child. Deciding where to place your child is not an easy decision.  As a parent, you want to know that your child will be safe and happy, loved and cared for, and will learn while having fun. “The Joy of Learning” was founded with these concerns and needs in mind.</div> <bR> <div> We are committed to defending and promoting the rights and potential of all children.  In order to accomplish this goal, our job is to ensure a safe and pleasant environment where children are invited to explore their world through play.  We take children's play seriously.  It is through play that children unfold their own learning potential and their way to express themselves.</div> <bR> <div> It is our goal to provide your children with learning opportunities that engage them in meaningful and pleasant activities in order to give them room to grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Through age-appropriate activities, children are challenged to move forward in all areas of their development. </div> <bR> <div> Our program, inspired on the “Reggio Emilia approach,” places emphasis on documenting children's experience and work because it contributes to a deep understanding of the way each child learns.  In addition, documentation makes it possible for parents to become intimately and deeply aware of their children's experience in the school. Children's work is carefully and aesthetically displayed in order to give children the message that their efforts, intentions and ideas are taken seriously. </div> <bR> <div> Our well-prepared and certified staff is always ready to meet the emotional and intellectual needs of your children. We have small children per adult ratio, this is important because it assures that each child will get the attention he/she needs.</div> <bR> <div> Parents, you are welcome to visit our center. We encourage your participation and involvement. Furthermore, when you are unable to visit us in person, you can always access our center via Internet, as all rooms are equipped with web cams.</div> <bR> <div> Please take the time to read the handbook that follows, as it will give you a better understanding of our program.  We value any suggestion that will help us meet your needs and improve our services.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="vision"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>Vision</B></I></div> <div> Our vision is to be a leading quality pre-school providing a developmentally appropriate, loving, caring and fun environment for all children, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="mission_statement"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>Mission Statement</B></I></div> <div> It is our mission to defend and promote the potential of all children by providing them with developmentally appropriate and caring environment that supports children's emotional, social, cognitive and physical development, while responding to the needs of families.  We are committed to establish a community where, children, parents, teachers and staff will be engaged in a challenging and joyful environment that encourages children to learn and grow confidently. With a child-initiated play and inquiry, we will be able to negotiate our curriculum on an on-going basis. We will learn from children through documentation (observations and extensive record keeping). The use of high-quality documentation of children's work will be displayed to enhance their learning through constant observation and sharing. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="goals"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>Goals</B></I></div> <div> Our program is designed to broaden children's intellectual horizons from a developmentally appropriate perspective. We will do so by:</div> <bR> <div> Providing a risk free, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment.</div> <div> Promoting children's emotional, social, cognitive and physical development.</div> <div> Providing children with meaningful learning experiences.</div> <div> Respecting each child's unique way of learning.</div> <div> Maintaining children, parents, teachers and staff constantly informed of children's learning through high quality observation, documentation and record keeping.</div> <div> Involving our staff in professional development on an ongoing basis.</div> <div> Encouraging parent participation in their children's learning process.</div> <div> Increasing independence by encouraging children to tackle and solve problems.</div> <div> Guiding the children as they learn through discovery.</div> <div> Strengthening inner emotional control and growth through self-discipline.</div> <div> Highlighting children's cultural backgrounds and languages.</div> <div> Facilitating learning through a variety of media.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="our_philosophy"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>Our Philosophy</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I tried to teach my child with books,</I></div> <div> <I>He gave me puzzled looks.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I tried to teach my child with words,</I></div> <div> <I>they passed him by, often unheard.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Despairingly, I turned aside,</I></div> <div> <I>“How shall I teach this child?” I cried!</I></div> <div> <I>Into my hands he put the key,</I></div> <div> <I>“Come”, he said, “play with me!</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>   Anonymous author</I></div> <bR> <div> Our philosophy stems from the legacy of constructivist visionaries of learning such as John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget and Howard Gardner upon whose teachings the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education is founded.  The Reggio Approach envisions children as active protagonists of their own learning; teachers as co-authors of children's learning process as well as authors of their own professional development; and families who co-participate in and are co-responsible for the development; of their children.</div> <bR> <div> We foresee a learning environment where life long learning, critical thinking, joy and high self-esteem are honored as capabilities of every child. The joy of learning is fundamental to our philosophy of preschool education where the experience of learning is carried out in a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere.  </div> <bR> <div> Our child-centered program builds upon children's prior experience and knowledge. We believe that children are better at constructing their own knowledge, than we are at teaching them. For this reason, play is highly valued in our program.  </div> <bR> <div> We believe that play provides children with opportunities to explore the world and use their multiple ways of learning to make decisions in a risk free environment.  We celebrate each child's uniqueness and respect each child's cultural diversity and perspective of the world. We take advantage of every child's uniqueness to teach and learn from one another and thus, build a strong community of learners.  Our understanding of the human brain in the process of learning leads us to believe that learning should be relaxed and fun.  Through a variety of activities, we intend to facilitate the integration of both hemispheres of the brain. Our program helps children expand their curiosity and imagination.</div> <bR> <div> A child's emotional state is a powerful learning influence.  Therefore we believe that each has the right to experience success from the beginning of his/her life. The best way to achieve this is by highlighting children's strengths, which will consequently promote the development of unexplored areas. Our program builds on children's self esteem and emphasizes creating a positive emotional impact to create life-long well-adjusted learners.</div> <bR> <div> As adults, we view ourselves as lifelong learners as well. Therefore, the best way to teach children is when children teach us how they learn.  In other words, there is not  “one right way” to teach all children. Because each child learns differently, our staff will work as a team to approach each child's learning style individually.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="reggio_emilia"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>Reggio Emilia</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>“The One Hundred Languages of Children”</B></I></div> <div> Another characteristic of the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education is that children can express themselves in one hundred one hundred ways (Carla Rinaldi, 2001).  This means that every child is respected in its own way of learning.  Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia preschools, was inspired by constructivists theories that reflect that knowledge is gradually constructed by people becoming each other's student. For this reason, in Reggio preschools, each individual in the school community (students, parents, teachers and staff) is a valuable resource.  A remarkable heritage of Malaguzzi was his dedication to establish an educational community. </div> <bR> <div> Reggio leaders state that Reggio preschools are only in Reggio Emilia, Italy.  In other words, each school is shaped with the values and traditions of its community.  “The Joy of Learning”, inspired in the principles of Reggio, is committed to build a strong community that celebrates its cultural diversity as well as cultivating and guiding each child's intellectual, emotional, social and moral potentials.  We value children's hundred ways of learning and hundred languages that they use to talk about the world.  </div> <bR> <div> Children's activities and development are professionally and carefully documented with pictures, videos and collection of their work.  The pedagogic team analyzes each situation and the materials that go along with it and write the whole story behind it.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2416 WIDTH="476"><div> <I><B> <A NAME="school_policy"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>School Policy</B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Discipline</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Discipline is important for the child's physical safety and emotional welfare. Teachers facilitate the development of self-control in children by using positive guidance techniques such as modeling and encouraging expected behavior, redirecting children to a more acceptable activity, and setting clear limits. </div> <bR> <div> The teachers along with the children set their classroom rules and talk about them on a regular basis.  Teachers enhance the value of being a respectful and responsible class member for the benefit of the community.</div> <bR> <div> In the event of a non-acceptable situation, a staff member will help the child understand his behavior.  If there is a persistent behavior problem, the teacher will meet with the parents to discuss possible factors that  may be causing this situation and together find alternative solutions. </div> <bR> <div> In addition, research has demonstrated that when children are engaged in pleasant activities, there are no discipline problems.  Our program is attractive and provides intrinsic motivation for the children.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Health and Safety</B></I></div> <div> Children who have exhibited any symptoms of infectious illnesses within the preceding 24-hour period are likely to be contagious and should remain at home.  Examples of associated symptoms include, but are likely to be contagious and should remain at home.  Examples of associated symptoms include, but are not limited to:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fever above 99 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >°</FONT>F measured orally or 100 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >°</FONT> measured rectally.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Nausea or vomiting (one episode).</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Diarrhea (two bouts).</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sore throat, loss of voice.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hacking or continuous coughing.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Runny nose (other than clear).</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Draining eyes or ears.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Rash.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Lice.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Aria006c002d00dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Complaint by child of severe pain or discomfort.</div> <bR> <div> “The Joy of Learning” reserves the right to determine whether a child should remain at the center when illness is a consideration.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Illness at school</U></div> <bR> <div> If a child becomes ill at school, he/she will be removed from the classroom to our illness room. Parents of the child will be promptly notified.  Parents are to make arrangements to pick up or have their children picked up immediately. If parents cannot be reached, the person designated as the Emergency Contact will be notified. The parent or emergency contact person will be called to pick up the child.</div> <bR> <div> Children with acute non-infectious illnesses may only be brought to “The Joy of Learning” if fever is not present and they are able to participate in activities.</div> <bR> <div> In the event that your child shows any of the above symptoms, which are due to chronic, non-infectious conditions, a letter from the doctor stating the expected symptoms, the cause of the symptoms and expected duration of the condition must be provided to “The Joy of Learning” immediately.  Failure to provide such documentation may result in our turning away your child until such documentation is provided.</div> <bR> <div> We understand that it is difficult to find alternate childcare when children are ill, but we need your cooperation in this matter in order to keep your child and your child's classmates as healthy as possible.</div> <bR> <div> If the child had suffered of any injury at home, the parent should notify the teacher or the director.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Accidents</U></div> <bR> <div> In the event of accidental injuries, we will immediately call the parents or emergency contact person. If necessary, the child's doctor will also be called.  In the event that the child's condition requires immediate medical attention, he/she will be transported in ambulance to the hospital according to the parent's instruction on the emergency card.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Medication</U></div> <bR> <div> For your convenience, medication will be administered to children prior parent's approval and signature.  The medication must be prescribed by a physician, and must be accompanied by the pharmacy's original label with the child's name, doctor's name and dosage to be given.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Physical restriction</U></div> <bR> <div> Parents are responsible for informing the center in writing about any physical restriction that refrains the child from participating in any given activity.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Allergies</U></div> <bR> <div> Parents should notify the center about any allergy detected on the child and bring a doctor's notice.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Clothing</B></I></div> <div> As a means to facilitate your daily planning children will be required to wear uniforms. These uniforms will be on sale at the school for your convenience.</div> <bR> <div> Each child must have an extra set of uniform in the center.  Remember that at this age, children can easily wet or dirty their uniform while working on their projects.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Diapers and Formula</B></I></div> <div> Parents should provide diapers (minimum of 5 per day), bottles, formula, baby food, baby food, baby juices, wipes and ointments for their infant. Please make sure to label everything with your child's name.  Infant's food and formula will be kept refrigerated in the infant room.   </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Other items</B></I></div> <div> For your convenience, you can purchase it directly in the center. Children can bring a small bag pack to carry a sweater or his/her favorite toy. However, aggressive toys such as guns, swords or TV characters are not allowed in the center.</div> <bR> <div> Jewelry is not allowed in the center.  We are not responsible for the lost of any valuable item.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Toys & candy</B></I></div> <div> Children may bring a favorite toy for show and tell activities.  They may also bring a stuffed doll that helps them feel secure.  Aggressive toys such as guns, TV action figures and so on are not permitted in school. </div> <bR> <div> Junk food, candy and chewing gum are not permitted.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Birthdays</B></I></div> <div> You are welcome to bring cake and fruit juice to celebrate your child's birthday at school.  If you plan to celebrate your child's birthday, please make arrangements with the teacher in advance. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 133 ><NOBR><bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="450" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FF0000" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BELOW" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 47 WIDTH="450"><div>  <A NAME="navegation_links_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="1b108290.jpg" border=0 width="264" height="41" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Program"><U><B>Program</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our School"><U><B>Our School</B></U></A><A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our School"><U><B> </B></U></A><B> </B><A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Web Cams"><U><B>Web Cams</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Atelier"><U><B>Atelier</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="projects70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Library"><U><B>Library</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Parental Involvement"><U><B>Parental Involvement</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Childrens Gallery"><U><B>Children's Gallery</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Facilities"><U><B>Facilities</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News"><U><B>News</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Staff"><U><B>Staff</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>Contact Us</B></U></A></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=1 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=1 BGCOLOR="#FF0000" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>