Mossy Root Education Policies and Procedures
AUTHORIZED PICK UP
Upon enrollment, you must fill out your child’s contact information on Brightwheel whereby you list individuals who may pick up your child from school. We will release your child only to individuals you have listed on contact form. To add names to the list, you may personally add their names and numbers. If you have any questions, please contact mossyrooteducation@gmail.com.
BACK UP PLAN
Please have a back-up plan for unexpected situations whereby your child may have to be picked up early or you are unable to pick your child up on time. It is important that you designate another individual who can pick up your child and wait for you during these times. Their names must be listed on your child’s contact profile.
ABSENCES
Please send a message on Brightwheel or email the office to notify staff of any planned or unplanned absences. If done 2 weeks in advance of scheduled attendee date, you may receive a refund or credit to your Brightwheel account.
MAKE UP DAYS
Mossy Root will no longer be able to offer make up days due to the number of families we serve and limitations of staff.
LATE PICK UP
Children whose family has chosen a fixed monthly schedule picked up later then their scheduled hours will be billed for the additional time by the hour.
Any family picking their child up outside their allowed 4 hours (according to laws for license exempt preschools in Washington State) will be billed $30.
PARKING
Mossy Root is in a residential neighborhood. We want to be good neighbors! Drop-off and pick-up times can cause inconvenience to our neighbors. As a result, we ask you to park respectfully.
Please do not park in front of the driveways and be aware of "No Parking" signs and “Zoned” parking areas where you will get ticketed. We encourage carpooling and biking when possible!
FOOD
Families must provide an afternoon meal and water bottle for your child. Teachers will let you know if your child needs more food.
We recommend bento-style lunch boxes like Bentgo, Yumbox, and Planetbox. Children need a water bottle that is unbreakable. It is particularly important to label your child’s water bottle and lunch box; please be sure as the year goes on their name has not worn off.
Each child’s special needs are considered. If your child has allergies or dietary restrictions or there is a change with your child’s allergies or dietary restrictions, you must ensure this is clearly noted on the Allergy Section of your child’s contact profile on Brightwheel and please email the office of any new allergy restriction not originally noted upon child’s initial enrollment.
EXTRA CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
At Mossy Root Education, children spend time everyday playing outdoors. As a result, children can get messy, wear holes in their clothing, get wet or become cold. Therefore, it is essential to dress children in layers. Please ensure your child has adequate rain gear and boots that are properly labeled for identification.
FALL & WINTER CLOTHING:
Dress in layers of warm clothes. Natural fibers such as wool or silk insulate best. A warm hat and mittens keep in the warmth.
Provide extra two changes of clothes in backpack, reusable bag or gallon sized ziplock bag to be kept onsite in case your child needs a change of clothes. Replenish as needed. Please ensure your child’s coat is waterproof, and if it is not, provide a raincoat that is big enough to be worn on top of their warm coat.
Some good brands are Reima, Puddlegear, Oaki and Wheat Kids Clothing. Please keep in mind that rain bibs can be a challenge for younger children when going to the bathroom; rain pants are much easier to get on and off.
SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING:
A wide-brimmed sunhat helps provide added protection.
Apply sunscreen to your child before or at dropping off.
A variety of SPF or UV rated clothing is best to have on hand; short-sleeved shirts and shorts, as well as long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Provide back-up clothes of each category in your child’s backpack, reusable bag, or gallon sized ziplock bag to be stored onsite.
SHOES:
Provide shoes that your child can put on and take off with minimum or no help. Unless a child is able to tie their own shoes, please do not send your child in laced shoes.
ACCESSORIES:
We also discourage the wearing of jewelry, sunglasses, and other precious accessories as they will most likely get broken or lost.
PLEASE PROVIDE
A large backpack or reusable bag, labeled with child’s name, with a complete change of clothes (shirt, pants, two pairs of underwear, socks etc).These bags will be stored onsite and must be replenished as needed.
A water bottle with their name clearly labeled. We will refill throughout the day.
A packed meal daily.
PLEASE LABEL ALL OF YOUR CHILD’S BELONGINGS
LOST AND FOUND
There is a lost and found at each school. Please email the office if you are missing any items. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of each season, unless they have your child’s name written on the inside.
TOYS, LIBRARY BOOKS, & GIFTS
The only toy allowed from home is one small stuffy, as we see that it sometimes helps younger children transition smoothly to school.
Do not send Library Books to school with your child.
In addition, please do not bring gifts for other children to school unless you bring enough
for each member of the class. If your child has a special gift for another child at school,
please have your child share this outside of school.If your child wants to share a special item at school, please bring the item(s) directly to
Teacher(s) and they will assist your child with sharing it with the class.
SCHOOL CALENDAR, CLOSURES, & EXTREME WEATHER
Our school calendar matches Evergreen Garden School is roughly designed to mimic the Seattle Public School holiday schedule with perhaps a few exceptions. Parents can find the calendar on the website. Updates to the calendar will be provided through email or monthly newsletters. We encourage families to add all school calendar dates to their personal calendar at the beginning of the school year. Please note Mossy Root Education will have no school on Federal Holidays, three days for Thanksgiving Break (Wednesday-Friday), Two weeks for December Break, one week in February for Midwinter Break, one week in April for Spring Break. Summer Programs will not have school on Juneteenth or the week of July 4th.
EXTREME WEATHER: In the event of extreme weather conditions, please tune into KING 5 television for school closure information — Mossy Root Education will follow Seattle Public School closure decisions for their Preschool and Headstart programs.
If Seattle Public School’s Preschool and Headstart programs are closed due to extreme weather, Mossy Root Education will be closed.
If Seattle Public Schools are delayed 2 hours, their Preschool and Headstart programs are closed; Mossy Root Education will be open.
In the event of school closure due to extreme weather conditions, there will be no make-up days for the first 5 CANCELLED snow school days.
GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE POLICY
In the first years of life, young children are learning how to manage their behaviors and emotions to meet societal expectations. During this time, challenging behaviors often arise as children learn how to communicate and interact with others and their environment. At Mossy Root Education, we view challenging behaviors as any behavior that interferes with learning, development, and play, is harmful to the child or others, or puts a child at risk for later social or academic struggles.
Challenging behaviors can be considered direct, such as hitting, pushing, biting or kicking; or they can be considered indirect, such as teasing, not following rules, excluding others, name calling, destroying objects, or having temper tantrums.
At Mossy Root Education, our goal is to guide children’s behavior while understanding that acting out is age appropriate as children learn how to express themselves and meet expectations. Some of the most important lessons learned at school arise during conflict and behavioral resolutions.
Teachers will guide children through conflicts using age-appropriate strategies, but there are common elements that all Mossy Root Education teachers use:
Teachers model positive behavior. Teachers model how to accept, control, and express their emotions in non-aggressive ways; teachers let children know that they are there to help guide them through their strong feelings and that they will not punish, threaten, or withdraw from children in need.
Teachers design the environment to minimize conflict. Teachers provide enough materials and toys for children. Teachers create areas for quiet play and active play, and teachers will always strive to create an environment of calm.
Teachers establish simple rules and expectations for the classroom. Classroom rules may be created with children at the start of year and will be simple such as: be kind to yourself, be kind to others, and be kind to your environment.
Teachers observe and supervise children’s activities and interactions. By observing children, teachers are often able to intervene before challenging behaviors arise.
Adults help children share their feelings, frustrations, and concerns. Teachers will help children verbalize their feeling and problems, while also helping them think through their actions and develop solutions, which helps create cooperative learning.
Children whose behaviors endanger others will temporarily work one-on-one with teachers. Teachers will help child move away from group activity to quietly work through issues with teacher and other concerned parties. Teacher will stay close to any child who is emotionally out of control and needs time to privately regain composure.
All discipline/guidance will be positive, productive, and immediate when behavior is inappropriate. No child will be humiliated, frightened, or subjected to physical punishment or verbal or physical abuse by anyone at Mossy Root Education. Every member of Mossy Root Education understands and follows our disciplinary approach.
When a pattern of behavior persists that endangers self, others, or property, or significantly disrupts the program, teachers will work with a child’s family to find solutions, including referral for outside services or eventual exclusion from the program. Exclusion will always be the last resort, after other interventions have been exhausted, or there is agreement that a different setting may work better for child and family.
ACCIDENTS & INCIDENT
It is normal for children to get bumped or bruised in a day of play. Although we will not report every bump, if a child has a minor accident or incident at school, staff will help the child. If they feel the injury warrants your attention, staff will notify the parent in person (if possible) and in writing by sending home a parent notification on the school's minor incident report form.
If a child has a serious accident or incident at school, the school will notify the parent as soon as possible by phone and a course of action will be taken. In the event of an emergency, the school will call 911. Teachers are certified in First Aid/CPR to assist a child in need.
If a parent is aware of or concerned about an incident or accident at school involving their child that went unreported, please contact your child’s teacher to inform them of the incident.
COMMUNICATION
As a school built on community, communication is critical. We are committed to clear, timely and open communication regarding school business. To minimize meetings, mailings and phone calls, School communication is directed mainly in person or via email/Brightwheel. Parents are expected to read all email notices, as well as any other notes sent home. Please check your child’s backpack daily as teachers often place a child's artwork in their backpack.
Staff will communicate with parents personally about issues of individual concern. Please discuss with your child’s teacher any changes in your child’s routine, such as moving, changes in the family, major trips, family crises, etc. Communication between staff and parents is a vital part of the continuity and care we provide children.
If you are interested in talking with the staff about your child’s activities at the school, please arrange a time to meet with your child’s teacher. Due to the nature of the school day, it is best to minimize demand on the teacher’s time during the school day.
TEACHER OFFICE HOURS
Teachers are available at pick-up time to have conversations with parents. For lengthier conversations, teachers are available to meet in person or phone call. Please let them know if you want a meeting, and you can arrange a time that works best for you.
HEALTH CONSIDERATION
HEATH RECORD: Health information is required for each child upon admission. This includes an immunization history (please see immunization policy below), allergies, conditions which require special attention, name and phone numbers of your family physician, and name and phone number of persons to be contacted in case of emergency.
ALLERGIES: If your child has allergies, ensure this information is entered in the Allergy Section of the Registration Form, as well as their student Contact Profile. Please fully inform the School Administration of any protocol involving your child’s allergies, possible reactions, and the steps the school must follow if your child comes in contact with the allergen. If there are any changes to your child’s allergies, sensitivities, or dietary restrictions, you must update the Allergy section of their student contact profile, and promptly inform office that you have done so. This is our only method of ensuring all staff are made aware of changes. Comments made in passing to a teacher will not be considered an adequate form of
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: Please distinguish between an allergy, a food or substance sensitivity, and a dietary restriction on the Allergy Section of the Registration Form and Student Profile. It is important for staff to know health risks for a child.
MEDICATIONS FROM HOME: Please administer medication to your child prior to bringing them to school. For medications to be administered at school, please provide a permission slip and instructions from your child’s doctor. All medicines must be in their original containers and Epi-pens must have the child’s name on them.
SICK CHILDREN: As parents, you know best how your child appears and acts when they are ill. The lively environment of school is not a good environment for a child who is not well. Please have a backup plan in place in the event your child is ill. If the teacher feels your child is coming down with an illness, the school will call you.
Childhood illnesses are inconsistent in their presentation. One moment your child may seem fine, a few hours later, your child may be feverish and uncomfortable.
In order, to minimize transfer of illnesses to classmates and staff and to keep sick children in an environment better suited to healing, we ask that you observe the following guidelines for keeping your child at home:
Diagnosed Strep Throat or Bacterial Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - child must stay home 24
hours after first dose of antibiotics
Diarrhea — three or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if child looks or acts ill. Your child they may not return to school until a full 24 hours has passed since the last diarrhea episode.
Eyes — thick mucus or pus draining from eye, or unusual redness or pink eye
Fatigue —unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite or is difficult to wake, confused, or unusually irritable
Fever — If your child has a fever of 100, please keep them at home; they may not return to school until a full 48 hours has passed fever free WITHOUT any acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your child develops a temperature of 99 while at school, we will notify you and, depending upon other symptoms, we will decide whether you should pick your child up from school. If the fever is 100 or higher, we will contact you to pick up your child from school.
Lice, scabies — must be treated for lice and nits before returning to school; after scabies is treated, children may return to school & parents must monitor children for the next 3 weeks.
Persistent coughing — unable to participate in activities due to persistent coughing
Rash — unknown origin or those known to be contagious such as ringworm, impetigo, or scabies or any draining rash or sore especially with fever or itching
Vomiting — one or more times within the past 48 hours period. Your child may not return to school until a full 48 hours has passed since the last vomiting episode.
If your child shows any of the above symptoms at school, the School will call you to pick up your child. We recommend that you also consult with your healthcare provider.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
If your child has been diagnosed with or is exhibiting symptoms of a communicable disease (see list below), please keep your child out of school until you are certain they are no longer contagious.
If any member of your household is ill with a communicable disease, your child must remain at home until the contagion period is over. If a child comes down with the communicable disease, Mossy Root Ed may require a doctor’s clearance for the child to return to school.
In the event of an outbreak of a contagious disease, all children who are not vaccinated will be required to stay at home until the incubation period is over. Information on other options is available from Seattle King County Public Health Department, Communicable Disease Section.
Any outbreaks of the following must be reported to all parents, and to Seattle King County Public Health Department, Communicable Disease Section:
German Measles (rubella, 3 days measles) Hepatitis
Measles (rubella, 10 days measles) Mumps
Meningitis (bacterial and viral) Salmonella
Whooping Cough (pertussis)
Tuberculosis
Parents will also be notified in cases of:
Chicken Pox
Scarlet Fever
Strep Throat
Pink Eye (conjunctivitis) Lice and Scabies Impetigo
COVID-19: If your child, or a member of your family has been diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform the school. Staff members will follow the same protocol. Evergreen Garden will then follow the current King County Health guidelines for COVID transmission protocol.
CHICKEN POX: If you choose to intentionally expose your child to chicken pox (share lollipops, play with a child known to be infected), you are required to keep you child home from school Day 12 – 14 after exposure (exposure is Day 1). If a rash does develop, you must stay home until all lesions are crusted over. Chicken Pox rash usually occurs on Day 14 – Day 16, but the child is most contagious 2 days BEFORE rash and until all lesions are crusted over. (Window of developing illness is anytime from Day 10 – Day 21 post exposure.) Please use your personal judgment and err on the side of caution when deciding whether it’s time to return to school.
IMMUNIZATION POLICY
Mossy Root the Seattle Public School’s Immunization Policy which complies with Washington State’s Vaccine Requirements. Washington State law requires that children must be immunized or have an exemption before attending school.
For a child to attend Mossy Root parents and guardians must submit a completed “Certificate of Immunization Status:”
By September 1st for children entering the beginning of each new school year. By the beginning of the 2nd week of attendance for children entering mid-year. Parents must update forms on file prior to the beginning of each new school year
Children whose forms are not on file by the required timeline noted above will be sent home.
Immunization Requirements for Students to Attend:
Hepatitis B – 3 doses
DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) – 4 doses
Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B) – 4 doses
IPV (Polio) – 3 doses
PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate) – 4 doses
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 1 dose
Varicella (Chickenpox) – 1 dose or verification child had disease
EXEMPTIONS FROM IMMUNIZATION: If parents or guardians choose to exempt their child from one or more required vaccines, they must fill out the “Certificate of Exemption.” Evergreen Garden School will allow for exemptions from immunization requirements only as allowed for by Washington State Law:
1. Mossy Root Education does not allow Personal/Philosophical exemptions for the MMR vaccine.
2. Mossy Root Education requires that a licensed health care provider sign the “Certificate of Exemption” for a parent or guardian to exempt their child from school and childcare immunization requirements. The signature verifies that the provider gave the parent or guardian information about the benefits and risks of immunization.
3. A parent or guardian can also turn in a signed letter from a health care provider stating the same information.
4. A health care provider doesn't need to sign the form for parents or guardians who demonstrate membership in a church or religious group that does not allow a health care provider to provide medical treatment to a child.
Children with exemptions on file may be sent home during an outbreak. They can only return to school once the outbreak is over or get vaccinated. Evergreen Garden School will notify all parents of an outbreak.
ABUSE
We are required by the Department of Social and Health Services to immediately report to Child Protective Services any suspicion of child abuse.
TUITION AND FEES
PAYMENTS: All tuition will be billed through Brightwheel.
For questions about billing, contact mossyrooteducation@gmailcom
LATE PAYMENTS FEE: A late fee penalty of $25.00 for all payments received after the 10th of the month.
BOUNCED CHECK FEE: There is a $40.00 fee for insufficient funds.
CHANGES TO SCHEDULE OR CANCELLATIONS: PLEASE PROVIDE TWO WEEKS NOTICE FOR CANCELLATIONS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A REFUND TO YOUR BRIGHTWHEEL ACCOUNT.
NON-DISCRIMATION POLICY
Mossy Root Education admits children of any race, color, religion and national or ethnic origin. It does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or national or ethnic origin or the presence of any physical, mental or sensory handicap in the administration of its hiring policies, educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance programs, and other school administered programs. Acceptance will be made with consideration of gender and age-balanced goals.