My child has special dietary needs and food allergies, should I notify the school?
Yes. If your child has special dietary needs or food allergies, please notify the child’s teacher at the time of enrollment and note this on the medical information section of the application form.

Do you provide Progress reports or report cards?
You will receive a written “Progress Report” for your child in September and April.  Each child will be assessed by his/her teacher in all areas of development.  This aids both the teacher and the parent to see what the child has achieved and which areas need improvement.  The two year old classes will receive one assessment in April.  Kindergarten and First Grade Classes will receive their report cards every 12 weeks, four times per year.

Do you require parent-teacher conferences?
Parent-teacher conferences are not required for preschool classes.  However, they may be scheduled at any time during the school year.  Please speak to your child’s teacher for a convenient time.  Kindergarten and First Grade teachers will schedule conferences.

What is your policy on child abuse?
The State of Georgia requires that all child care provides be aware of suspected child abuse (emotional, physical, or verbal) and/or neglect.  We are, therefore, mandated by the state to report any cases of child abuse.  Once the report takes place, it will be further handled by the DFACS (Department of Family and Child Services) and BFTS (Bright From The Start).

Do you follow the Corporal Punishment Policy?
Yes. The State of Georgia requires that under no circumstances shall any physical correction, such as spanking, be allowed at Messiah Christian Academy or on the grounds of Church of the Messiah.

Does my child need to be potty trained before entering your program?
All children attending our 3 year old program must be completely potty trained.
This means the following:
1. Underwear must be worn, no pull-ups allowed.
2. Child must be able to verbalize their need to go to the bathroom.
3. Child must be able to wipe himself/herself.
4. A child who has accidents consistently at school will have the parents notified.
5. A plan will then be established between the teacher, parent and Director.

How do you correspond or communicate with parents?
Communication to our school staff can be handled in several ways.  Teachers and parents communicate daily through your child’s folder.  Each teacher will establish his or her preferred method of communications via email or phone.  Please have the school’s phone number (770) 479–5280 and Jill’s cell phone number (770) 324–2244 in your phones.

Do you provide lunch?
We do not provide lunch.  The parents of every child must provide their child’s lunch.  When packing a lunch for your child, please include all eating utensils necessary.  Please label all lunch boxes and containers.  Please pack a healthy lunch which should include 3 things: a protein, fruit, and a veggie.  Please do not send candy or gum; if we see candy it will be removed and placed in their book bags.

What is your policy on snacks?
Parents are asked to supply healthy snacks for your child’s class on your calendar week.  A snack calendar will be sent home each month.  We request that you do not send sugary snacks, except for special parties.  Please refer to the snack suggestion list on the last page.  The children will drink water with their snacks.

Does my child need to be immunized before attending school?
In compliance with Georgia State Law, children must have current medical immunizations before school starts.  Immunization Form 3231 must be on file by the first day of school  The form must be obtained from your doctor or the public health department.  If parents have chosen not to immunize their child, a signed affidavit must be given to the school and kept with the student’s records.  This signed affidavit must be notarized.
Kindergarten and First Grade students are required to have the following on file:

What if a student comes to school sick?
Sick children belong at home.  We reserve the right not to accept a child who is obviously ill.  There is a 24 hour waiting period before your child may attend school after an illness with VOMITING, DIARRHEA OR FEVER.  If your child has a green nasal discharge, we will need a doctor’s note for them to return to school.  This is especially true of a chronic allergy condition.

Please inform us if your child has a contagious disease/illness (like chicken pox, strep throat, etc.) so we might advise parents of children who have been exposed.  Please administer all medications before bringing your child to school.  The law prohibits our staff from dispensing medicine.

What happens at dismissal?
At the close of school, children will be dismissed from rear parking lot.  All children will be escorted to the cars in the car pool line.  Please have your carpool plate(s) in place and visible.  Please remain in your car. If you need to pick up your child early, please inform your teacher via a note on that day or call the school.

Staff will not buckle your child into their car seats.  Drivers must pull forward and buckle the child in.

Your child will be released only to those who are authorized to pick them up from school. If anyone different from the parents is picking up your child, the school must have either received a note or phone call.  All new faces will be asked to produce a Driver’s License to match the name you have given us.

What happens if I pick up my child late?
A late fee of $10.00 will be charged if you have not picked up your child by 1:15 p.m. for half day and 2:25 for full day classes.

Do you accept children with disabilities?
We will make every effort to make a place in our school for a child with disabilities.  However, we may not be equipped to handle certain disabilities (psychological and/or physical).  We may ask a parent or guardian to withdraw a child from our program if we cannot provide a suitable environment, but will seek to provide resources for a new location or their child.

What if a child exhibits very disruptive behavior?
If a child is exhibiting undesirable behavior, which cannot be managed after intervention of parents, teachers and the Director, the school reserves the right to ask parents to withdraw their child.  The school will try to make the termination of enrollment transition as smooth as possible for all concerned.

What are the school hours?
7:45 a.m. Full Day Kindergarten & First Grade Classes Begin
9:00 a.m. Half Day Preschool & Kindergarten Classes Begin
1:00 p.m. Dismissal of Half Day Classes
2:10 p.m. Dismissal of Full Day Classes

What is your policy on late arrival?
To avoid classroom disruption, we ask that you arrive on time for the day to begin.  If you have to arrive late to school due to an appointment such as dental or medical, please let us know in advance and you may arrive late on that day only, this is called an excused absence.  Only an excused absence is acceptable for late arrivals in Kindergarten/First Grade classes.  In Kindergarten/First Grade, 5 tardies equals one absence.  Only a reasonable excuse for tardiness will be allowed for late daily entry for Preschool classes.

Do you have a carpool line?
Yes. Every family will receive a name plate with each child’s name on it.  Please have your plate(s) displayed in the passenger side dashboard as you drive around the circle.  Please have your child’s car seat on the right hand side of your vehicle if possible.

During morning drop-off, a staff person will meet each car at the rear school sidewalk and will help your child out of the vehicle and walk them in the building.  Do not unbuckle them while waiting in line.  Please allow us to unbuckle them.

If your child is having an emotional difficulty getting out of the car, carpool drivers need to pull out of the line, park in front of the building and escort the child into the school.  This will keep the carpool service operating smoothly and efficiently.

What if my child becomes sick at school?
If your child becomes ill during the day, he/she will be cared for and isolated from the other children.  The parents or the emergency contact person will be called to pick up the child.

What happens if there is a medical emergency with my child?
In the event of a medical emergency or accident, we will contact the parents or emergency contact person.  If we are unable to reach either, and emergency treatment is required, the child will be taken to the nearest emergency medical center.  The school may contact your child’s physician to advise on whatever medical procedures are deemed necessary.

Do you recommend bug spray for when kids are on the playgrounds or outside?
Due to the West Nile virus, we do suggest that parents apply bug repellent to your child prior to the start of each school day.  Our playgrounds are in a natural setting and mosquitoes are present.  Keep this as a part of your daily routine until the first good frost, and then resume applications in the Spring.

Car Safety
Georgia law requires that all children 6 years old and younger be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat, and that all children 6 years and older be buckled in a seat belt.  We are firmly committed to your children’s safety and therefore insist that you observe this law when bringing or pickup up your children to and from our school.

Do you allow field trips?
Field trips and nature walks are considered an important part of the educational program.  The school will provide the same highly responsible adult supervision for these excursions as it does while your child is at school.  There will be sign-ups for parents to drive us on the field trips.  No siblings are allowed to attend field trips.  Only children in our 4 year old, Kindergarten and 1st Grade classes will have field trips off our campus.  Parents must sign a permission slip for each field trip.

What is your policy on tuition?
Tuition is due one month in advance and payable from the 1st-10th of each month.  There will be no deduction for absences, snow days, holidays or school cancellations.  If tuition is not paid by the tenth day of the month, we will charge your credit card for the tuition with a  $20.00 service charge.  If a credit card is not on file, a late fee charge of $50.00 shall be due and payable with tuition when it is paid.  Delinquent tuition payment will require us to terminate your child’s enrollment in our program.  However, if your family is experiencing financial difficulty, please speak to the Director so that we are aware of your situation.  There is a $20.00 fee for any returned check to the school.

What happens if I need to withdraw my child from your school?
A 30-day written notice must be given to the Director when a student leaves our program.  You are obligated for tuition only for that 30-day period.  Partial month tuition will not be refunded.

Please refer to your student handbook or call MCA wtih any additional questions that you may have.