Prekindergarten Parent Handbook
Early Childhood Student Handbook
2024-2025
Table Of Contents
- Overview of Early Childhood Programs in Comal ISD
- Staffing
- State-Mandated Prekindergarten
- Qualification Criteria & Documentation
- Program Location
- Campus Redirection
- Enrollment Process
- Tuition-Based Prekindergarten
- Qualification & Tuition
- Registration Documentation
- Enrollment Process
- Getting Ready for Prekindergarten
- Home Schedule & Meals
- Potty Training & Rest Time
- Student Supply List
- Attendance & Dress Code
- Communication
- Class Schedule - sample
- Transportation
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
- Prekindergarten Curriculum & Units of Study
- Learning Centers
- Progress Monitoring & Parent Teacher Conference
- Parent Engagement
- Ready Rosie
- Family Engagement Plan
- Parent Volunteers/Parent Advisory
Comal ISD Vision
Comal ISD believes that every child deserves equitable access to high-quality education and we know the earlier the opportunity, the stronger the foundation is for future success. Participation in a quality prekindergarten/early childhood program can change the trajectory of a child’s life and future success.
I - Overview of CISD Early Childhood Programs
Staffing
State-Mandated Prekindergarten
Comal ISD offers full-day prekindergarten through a state-mandated (no charge) program for qualifying students residing in the Comal ISD boundaries. We offer bilingual classrooms at select campuses for those who qualify based on a language proficiency qualification.
Qualification Criteria State Mandated Prekindergarten (no charge)
To be eligible for enrollment in a state-mandated prekindergarten class, a child must be at least four years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year and meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Is unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or
- Is educationally disadvantaged (which means a student is eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program); or
- Is homeless; or
- Is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces; or
- Is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or
- Currently or ever been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services in Texas or any state (foster care); or
- Is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award
Documentation for state-mandated registration:
- Official birth certificate
- Social Security number
- Parent/guardian photo identification
- Proof of residency such as a deed, lease, mortgage agreement, or utility bill
- Current immunization record signed by physician
AND one of the following:
- Unable to speak and/or comprehend English- Based on the Home Language Survey and proof of a qualifying score on an approved oral language proficiency test. OR
- Economically disadvantaged- 1 month of current (within the last 2 months) paystubs, tax return, TANF or SNAP eligibility number OR
- Homeless- At-Risk Services approval OR
- Foster Care- Letter from DFPS or CPS OR
- Military- Military ID, Statement of Service, copy of Death Certificate, copy of Purple Heart Orders, or Official Letter from commander OR
- Star of Texas Award- Resolution Certificate
Campus Redirection
Please note that due to the limited number of spaces in each classroom, campus placement is determined by availability at the time of your completed registration process. In the event that a student’s zoned campus is full, the student may be redirected to a campus outside of their attendance zone. Each student’s campus of attendance will be confirmed once the registration process is complete.
Tuition-Based Prekindergarten
- Garden Ridge Elementary
- Kinder Ranch Elementary
- Rebecca Creek Elementary
- Specht Elementary
Tuition Rates
- Credit/Debit card payments are due on the first day of each month.
- There is a $628 registration fee per child that is applied to your August tuition payment.
- Registration fees and tuition are non-refundable and non-transferable to another student or program.
- Tuition is charged monthly regardless of the number of days of attendance or school days.
- There is no tuition reimbursement if the child is out of school for any reason or if the student withdraws from the program before the end of the month.
- Parents must notify the Prekindergarten Department in writing if they withdraw the student from a tuition-based program 2 weeks before the withdrawal. Direct communication to [email protected] or call the Teaching & Learning Department at (830) 221-2163.
- A $25 late fee will be added to the account after the 5th day of the month.
- The campus registrar will contact parents for past-due payments. If payments are not received by the 15th of the month, the student will be withdrawn from the tuition-based program.
Documentation for Tuition Based Registration:
- Official birth certificate
- Social Security number
- Parent/guardian photo identification
- Proof of residency such as a deed, lease, mortgage agreement, or utility bill
- Current immunization record signed by physician
II. Getting Ready for Prekindergarten
Entering public school for the first time is exciting for many families and their children. This section will provide information on how to prepare and support your child’s transition to a prekindergarten classroom.
Home Schedule
Creating a home routine is one of the best ways to prepare your child to enter prekindergarten. If you don’t already, consider making your child a daily schedule at home. This will help with classroom routines. A daily routine may include song, clean-up, dance, free play, storytime, letters and math, meals, outdoor playtime, personal care, and bedtime.
Meals
Students can either bring lunch from home or purchase lunch from the school cafeteria. Each student will have a lunch account that parents can deposit money using this website:
Prekindergarteners are not offered chocolate milk, keeping in line with the USDA guidelines.
Families are encouraged to apply for Free and Reduced lunch using this link:
Application for Free/Reduced Lunch
Potty Training
Children are not required to be fully potty trained to enroll in prekindergarten. However, our classrooms are not equipped for diaper-changing routines. Students will need to wear pull-ups instead of diapers. Children are preferred to be fully potty trained before enrolling in prekindergarten. Please send your child to school in loose clothing that is easy for them to pull up/down or take on/off for unaided or minimal help for the restroom. If your child is still in the process of mastering potty training, please follow these guidelines:
- Communicate your child's potty-training status to the school administrator and classroom teacher
- Share with the teacher your child’s potty-training schedule at home
- Send your child to school in underwear or pull-ups only. Wearing diapers slows the potty training process. Our staff is not trained or equipped for diaper changing unless your child participates in the Special Education Program
- Send wet wipes and an extra set of clothes in case of an accident.
- Our staff will guide your child to clean and change themselves in case of an accident. In some cases, staff will contact the parent/guardian to pick up their child if needed.
Rest Time
The prekindergarten daily schedule includes a rest-time. Children this age need time to regain their energy level in order to concentrate on learning. Students are not expected to nap, but they will be expected to lie down quietly during the rest-time, so that children who are napping can rest.
Student Supply List
A general list of school supplies for the prekindergarten classroom will be made available on the district and school website.
*The tuition-based program covers the cost of student supplies.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential for children's success at all levels, from prekindergarten through higher education. Prekindergarten students regularly benefit from learning classroom routines and develop healthy friendships and social skills early in the school year. Frequent tardiness and absences interfere with a child’s ability to adjust to school, often leading to frustration and behavior problems.
The Texas compulsory attendance law, [TEC §25.085(c)] TEA Compulsory Attendance, applies to children who are enrolled in prekindergarten. Under this law, parent(s) and legal guardian(s) are required to ensure the child’s regular attendance in school. Prekindergarten is not mandatory in Texas, but attendance is compulsory once your child is enrolled in the prekindergarten program. Your child must be in class and on time daily to obtain the most significant benefit from prekindergarten instruction.
If your child is not in attendance due to illness, vacation, or other circumstances, please notify your teacher in writing or via email.
Comal ISD District Dress Code Policy
In order to promote self-care with our prekindergarteners, students are encouraged to wear clothing they can easily maneuver, especially during restroom time. Also, footwear is an important consideration. Boots and flip flops are discouraged as a possible hazard on playgrounds, when climbing and jumping.
Communication
Students will utilize a daily take-home folder for communication. There is also a weekly newsletter that informs the families of the learning happening that week and how you can continue the learning at home. All parents are invited by the teacher via email to join ReadyRosie which provides a wealth of resources to engage your child.
Prekindergarten Daily Schedule (sample)
The following schedule illustrates recommended times and instructional content. Times and order will vary from campus to campus.Regular School Day Hours: 7:35-3:10Transportation
Bus transportation is not provided for prekindergarten students. Parents or guardians must provide transportation to and from school, unless:- a student is attending the prekindergarten program at their home campus and the student's physical address is eligible for transportation, you may qualify for transportation service.
III. Curriculum & Instruction
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides Prekindergarten Guidelines as a means to align prekindergarten programs with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines offer detailed descriptions of expected behaviors across multiple skill domains that should be observed in four to five-year old children from the beginning to the end of their prekindergarten experience. These guidelines are organized into the following ten skills domains:
- Social & Emotional Development
- Language & Communication
- Emergent Reading
- Emergent Writing
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Fine Arts
- Physical Development
- Technology
Prekindergarten Curriculum
Prekindergarten uses a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that integrates instruction across developmental domains and early learning disciplines and is aligned to the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. It is intentionally designed to engage students in a joyful approach to learning with high interest material, activities and plenty of opportunities to laugh and play. Comal ISD curriculum utilized in the prekindergarten classroom is SAVVAS Three Cheers, available in English and Spanish.
Units of Study - SAVVAS Three Cheers
Prekindergarten Learning Centers
Learning Centers provide a playful setting where children socially engage with both teacher and peers as they practice skills and reinforce new concepts. Why We Have Centers:- Children learn by doing.
- Learning centers allow for multiple techniques and methods of exploration. All children can succeed – different levels of ability and experience can be easily accommodated.
- Learning centers provide opportunities for children to make choices. Choices allow individuals to match personal goals with instructional goals. Children develop decision-making ability.
- Learning centers support the social nature of a young child’s world. Children interact with one another, learn from each other, and discuss their experiences.
- Cooperation and collaboration are practiced. Children develop and enrich their oral language and vocabulary development.
- Learning centers allow for differentiated instruction. Match instruction to multiple intelligence profiles, learning styles, and developmental differences.
- Children apply what they have learned. They have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts, skills, and strategies learned in large and small groups.
- Learning centers support neurological timetables.
Progress Monitoring
Comal ISD monitors prekindergarten student progress using the Commissioner Approved prekindergarten assessment instrument, CLI Engage Circle Assessment. The Circle Assessment is given four times a year. The Circle progress monitoring system is a tool that requires one-on-one assessment and enables a teacher to quickly measure a child’s progress in a particular skill area.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parents will meet with their child’s teacher to discuss their first assessment, this occurs at the end of the first 9 weeks. Additional conferences may be requested as needed.
IV. Parent Engagement
ReadyRosie
ReadyRosie is a research-based, standards-aligned, comprehensive family engagement resource that builds on parents’ knowledge. ReadyRosie harnesses the power of video modeling and mobile technology combined with collaborative workshops and professional learning to empower families and schools to work together to close the opportunity gap. Through our partnership with ReadyRosie, you will have free access to their learning website and tools. Your child’s teacher will email an invitation to activate your Free ReadyRosie account.
Comal ISD welcomes parents, families and community members to be part of the educational experience for the benefit of all our students. Working together to improve our schools will allow all students to be successful learners. Comal ISD provides opportunities for parents and families to become partners with the school in promoting the education of their children both at home and at school.
Parent Volunteer
Parents are encouraged to volunteer at their child’s campus. This may be to create materials used in the classroom, chaperone on field trips, read to the class, become a Hallway Hero, along with other campus opportunities. Your involvement at your child’s campus is a great example to demonstrate teamwork in your child’s education.
All volunteers are required to complete a background check. Comal ISD Background Check
Early Childhood Parent Advisory
The Early Childhood Parent Advisory supports prekindergarten and Early Childhood Special Education parents and children in Comal ISD. Involvement provides opportunities for parents to learn about education and outreach resources, share strategies, and help plan and volunteer at campus and district events. Parents are invited to share feedback regarding program development and advocate for early childhood.