Non-Tuition/Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

The Meramec Valley School District also provides an early childhood program for children ages 3-5 who meet eligibility criteria. Eligibility is determined by a review of results from the developmental screenings conducted by Meramec Valley PAT and/or referral from the First Steps Program. Two half-day sessions are offered at 8:15 AM-11:15 AM and 12:45 PM-3:30 PM. Services for students eligible under ECSE are determined by the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team.

Requirements for ECSE/Non-Tuition Programs

1. Backpacks – Children should bring a school-size backpack to school each day.

Students will have projects and notes that are very important and need to be transported to and from school. Please check your child’s backpack each day.

Folders are sent home on Thursdays. Other pertinent information may be sent home daily via your child’s backpack.

1. Extra Clothing – Children need to have an extra set of clothes at school (shirt, pants, socks, and underwear). Please send a weather-appropriate change of clothing. Please mark your child’s name on all pieces and put them in a Ziploc bag. If your child has an accident and does not have extra clothes or diapers, you may be contacted to pick up your child. If your child wears diapers or pull-ups, you are required to supply them.

2. Snacks –Students will have a snack time each day. Teachers will send home a monthly sign-up list for parents to donate snacks for the class. Each family is required to provide snacks for the class. If your child has any allergies, please include this information on his/her enrollment form. All snacks must comply with the district food protocol. Per Policy JHCF – Prepackaged items used in concessions, fundraisers, and classroom activities must include a list of ingredients on the package. The food service director will create an ingredient list for all foods provided by the district as part of the district’s nutrition program, including food provided during the school day and in before- and after-school programs. This list will be available upon request.

3. Supplies-Teachers will send home a supply list for students. Please remember as the year progresses, supplies may need to be replenished.

Student Schedule and Transportation
The morning session begins at 8:15 AM and ends at 11:15 AM. The afternoon session begins at 12:45 PM and ends at 3:30 PM. Transportation to and from school will be provided to a designated location which will determine which session the child will attend. Please have your child ready before the bus is scheduled to arrive. A parent or responsible adult MUST be present when the child is picked up and dropped off. If a responsible adult is not waiting for the child at drop-off, the bus drivers will NOT let the child off the bus. The student will be returned to the building and the parent will be responsible for picking up the child at school.

Parents choosing to transport students should arrive no earlier than 8:15 AM for the morning session and 12:45 PM for the afternoon session. Pick-up time is promptly at 11:15 AM for the morning session and 3:30 PM for the afternoon session. Parents who bring students after the starting time for each session must sign the child in at the main office. Parents who need to pick up students prior to the ending time for each session should come to the main office and sign out their child. Please do not expect your child to share this information. A parent must call or write a note.

Parent Pick-Up/Drop-Off: Parents who bring their children must drop them off at the (South) 2nd set of doors. Please share this information with anyone who will drop off or pick up your child.

Student Performance Evaluation
Student performance will be available to parents quarterly. Parent/Teacher conferences will be scheduled for ECSE students at the end of the first and third quarters. Teachers will review academic summaries with each family during those conferences held in October and March. Conferences are a means of informing parents/guardians of the student’s progress in each developmental area. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher at any time for any questions, concerns, or information.

Tuition Based Programs

The Meramec Valley School District offers tuition-based child care for children ages 3-5. These services are available for a fee.

Arrival and Departure Procedures – Tuition-Based Program

Arrival Procedures

Children enrolled in the preschool program should not arrive before 8:00 AM unless they are enrolled in the SACC (Before and After Care) Program.

When you arrive at school:

You must announce your arrival via intercom/monitor and wait for a staff member to let you in. DO NOT allow others to enter as you leave.

Departure Procedures

Children will be released only to their parents/guardians unless other arrangements have been made in advance. Anyone authorized to pick up your child must be listed on the child’s enrollment form. If it is necessary for another authorized adult to pick up your child, please inform the office staff in writing that morning or call the office during the day. Any new pick-up person, authorized or not, will be asked to show identification before a child is released to him/her. Adults authorized to pick up your child must have a copy of photo I.D. on file and should be listed on the enrollment form. We cannot deny a parent access to his/her child unless we have a copy of a current court order stating so. Children will not be released to older brothers or sisters under the age of 16. We will not release a child to a parent if we believe the parent is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and we reserve the right to notify the police of the situation.

Tuition Rates & Procedures

Tuition-Based Classes

If you would like your child to attend one of our tuition-based classes, please contact the office for the appropriate enrollment forms. Children must be 3 years old and potty trained to attend the tuition program. A non-refundable registration fee (listed below) and a non-refundable $100 deposit are required at the time of registration. If space is not available at the time of registration, completion of the enrollment forms places your child on a waitlist. You will be notified as soon as space becomes available and the registration fee is due to secure your child’s placement. The preschool/daycare program is a five-day, full-time program.

Summer Registration Fee - $25.00

Fall Registration Fee - $50.00

Tuition and Payment Procedures

Tuition costs are set by the Meramec Valley Board of Education and are subject to change. Three tuition-based programs are offered for children 3 through 5 years old that are completely potty-trained. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are included in full-day tuition. There is a discount of $3.00 per day for additional children.

Tuition Rates

All-day Preschool (8:00 AM-4:00 PM) $36.00 per day

AM Preschool Only (8:00 am -11:00 am) - $22.00 per day

Extended Half Day – $28.00 per day. This program is available for families whose children qualify for district services.

Tuition is due on the first day of attendance each week.

• Make all checks payable to DHELC.

• All cash payments will be applied to student accounts; therefore, change will not be given.

• Tuition payments should be dropped into the tuition payment box located on the wall behind the reception area. Cash payments should be placed in a sealed envelope with the child’s name on the front. A $25 late fee will be added if payment is not received by Wednesday of each week. If late fees occur more than twice, your child will be dismissed or suspended from the center. If services are suspended, a re-enrollment fee will apply, and the child may be placed on the center’s waiting list before he/she can be reinstated. Children will not be permitted to start a new session until the current account is up-to-date.

• Tuition will be credited on the days that the district is closed all day due to inclement weather.

• Payments will be posted to your account. You will receive a weekly invoice via email.

RegWerks Online Registration

As a convenience to parents, Meramec Valley R-3 now provides an easy way to register and pay for the tuition-based program. You may pay with Discover, VISA or MasterCard credit or debit cards online 24/7. Please visit www.mvr3.k12.mo.us and click on Web Store for more information.