Frequently Asked Questions

How old does my child need to be to attend Good Shepherd Preschool?
We will offer two classes, preschool (3 & 4 year olds) and Pre-K (4 & 5 year olds). Class size is limited to 12 students for each class. Children at Good Shepherd Preschool are grouped according to age. In order for your child to be admitted to one of our classes he/she must have reached the age of 3 by September 1st.

Does my child need to be potty trained?
Yes! All children attending preschool must be potty trained before they can attend.
There are strict guidelines for changing and disposing of diapers when children are being changed in a classroom and we aren’t equipped to take on that task. When an adult is changing a child’s diaper, it is taking away from learning time from all students.
Children must be wearing underwear with very few accidents. A child having accidents daily would not be considered potty trained. Please note that wearing pull ups isn’t considered being potty trained.

What time does class start?
The classroom will be open for children to enter at 8:30 AM. Before that time our teachers will be busy preparing for the day.
State law requires that your child be signed in and out each day. Therefore, we ask that you (or the designated person bringing your child to school) walk your child into the classroom and sign the daily Sign In/Sign Out form.

What should my child wear?
Children should be dressed in comfortable, washable play clothes appropriate for the season. This includes shoes suitable for running and jumping.
We ask that each child have an extra set of clothing to be kept at school.
All clothing items must be labeled with your child’s name. Good Shepherd Preschool is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Can my child bring toys from home?
We ask that personal toys or treasures be kept at home since we cannot insure their safety while at school. On designated sharing days your child may bring one special sharing item, such as a personal or family photo, a special science find, a favorite book or other item of interest.

What if my child wants to celebrate their birthday in class?
Your child’s special day is important and we want to celebrate with you. On this day your child may bring a special item to show how much they’ve grown such as a baby picture, baby boots, favorite toy, etc. They may also bring a special snack for the class if they would like.

Do we bring our own snacks?
Yes. Please pack a snack for your child each school day and a water bottle.
**We have a no nut policy for snacks. Please check packages.**

What if my child has a food allergy?
If your child has food allergies, please let us know immediately so that we can take extra caution checking other student’s snacks.

What time does Preschool get out?
Dismissal time from our Preschool morning is 11:45 AM. We can only release children to a pre-authorized adult. This means either you, someone on your authorized list or someone that you have notified us about in writing before the time of pick-up. Authorized persons will be required to show a picture I.D. before the child will be released. It would be a good idea for you to let anyone who may need to pick up your child know of this necessity so that they will be prepared with their I.D.
Your child must be signed out in the daily attendance book each day. It is also a good idea to make quick contact with the teacher to acknowledge you’re leaving each day.

What about Weather Related Closure?
During severe weather warnings or conditions, Good Shepherd Preschool will follow the lead of the Gresham/Barlow School District.

What if my child is sick?
It is the policy of Good Shepherd Preschool to maintain the highest standards of health and wellness for our children and to exercise the utmost caution in the prevention and spread of communicable disease. Therefore, we want you to know and understand the well-child guidelines that we have established and that will be implemented with regard to sick children at our school. It is MOST IMPORTANT that you make every effort to follow these guidelines!

Children with one or more of the following symptoms should not be brought to school:

• A fever of 100 degrees or higher, (taken by auxiliary method), within the past 24 hours
• A skin rash that has not been identified either through a phone call or in writing from a physician who has seen the rash
• Vomiting/diarrhea within the past 24 hours
• Evidence of head lice or other parasite infestation
• Severe coughing
• Persistent sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• Nose congestion that produces a thick mucus
• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Conjunctivitis – inflammation of the eye
• Excessive fatigue or feeling uncomfortable
• Untreated and infected skin patches

Sick Child Procedure
Any child who appears mildly ill while at school will be cared for in the child’s classroom and will be closely observed. A child who is suspected of having any symptoms of communicable disease will be removed from the classroom and supervised while a parent or emergency contact is called for pick up.

Re-admittance after illness
Children may return to Good Shepherd Preschool one full day after symptoms have disappeared, for example:

• Child feels well enough to participate in routine activities
• Temperature returns to normal without the use of non-prescriptive medications such as Tylenol and decongestants. Typically, temperatures rise in the afternoon. The “one full day” rule ensures the child is without a temperature for 24 hours
• Bowel movements are normal. When a child returns after a diarrhea bout, it is a provisional return. If a child experiences another bout of diarrhea, he or she must be picked up
• Child has kept down solid foods and has not vomited for 24 hours
• Rash or skin infection is dry, completely scabbed over and no longer draining. All evidence of lice or other parasites is gone
• Prescribed medication (i.e. antibiotics) have been administered for one full day
• Eyes are dry, clear and not swollen or puffy

What if my child needs to take medications?
It is preferable that medications be given at home. Medication will only be given at school when absolutely necessary. When medications must be administered at school, they may be given to a child only with both a physician’s written permission and the parent’s written permission on the school medication form that is supplied by the school. Medications must have a prescription label indicating the child’s name and date.
Your cooperation in carrying out the above health policy will insure a healthy and happy environment for all our children.