SDSU Laboratory Preschool       SDSU Kindergarten Laboratory       SDSU OST Program

Family Open Door Policy

Families have the right to observe in the observation booths, to spend time in the classroom, and to contribute to their children's experience at any time.  In addition, parents may discuss their children's experience with the mentor teachers, kindergarten teacher, or director at anytime.

Family Involvement

     Providing information about your child at arrival time.  Please tell us how your child’s day is going so far.  What kind of night did she/he have?

     Observe your child at play.  Families are encouraged to observe their child in the classroom as often as possible.  We feel that our observation booths provide families with a unique opportunity to see their child interacting with others outside the family.  Please plan to observe at least once a semester.  We do ask that all children who accompany you into the observation booths remain under your supervision at all times.

     Visit your child’s classroom.  We love to have family members visit our classrooms.  Family members may help with classroom activities, such as face painting, sharing a talent during group time, or discussing with the children what you do in your occupation.  You are always welcome.  If you have an idea of something you would like to share with your child’s class, please talk with your child’s mentor teacher.

     Assist with Field Trips.  We plan approximately three field trips per class per semester.  They include walking field trips where we need parents to help us by holding children’s hands and walking with the children.  On field trips that involve transportation, we often ask families to drop off and pick up their children at the field trip site.  On riding field trips, we need parents to help us by staying with the class during the field trip.  We always solicit family members’ help in advance.

     Parent Advisory Committee.  The Parent Advisory Committee has two representatives from each school class. The Parent Advisory Board’s functions include reviewing the Parent Handbook, providing formal feedback, and developing ideas and projects for improvement.  In addition, the board will work to involve families in the program by planning center-wide and community ctivities.

Participating in Committees.  Each year there are committees in need of parent and family members’ input.  If interested in serving on a committee, please consult the family involvement information handout and questionnaire and please inform your mentor teacher.

     Project Book Share.  Families have the opportunity to support classroom activities by providing books (library or own home books) to be used in the library corner throughout the year.  When participating, the teachers will ask you and your child to select a few books your child enjoys and which may or may not go along with the theme that week.  The teachers will make the books available to the class during the week.

     Library Donations.  Because of heavy usage of the children’s books from our resource library, we are always in need of quality, gently used or new children’s books to add to our collection.  You may bring in book donations at any time.  If you desire, you can make a note inside the front cover of donated books.

     Family Recipes for Snacks.  We are looking for help in expanding our snack menu to include recipes of foods you typically eat at home, recipes that are family traditions or from your family culture.  We are seeking recipes that are moderate to easy in complexity and that could be eaten in snack portions.  If you have a recipe that you would like to share, please contact Deb Schaefer, our cook.

     Beautiful Junque Suppliers.  From time to time classrooms will be seeking recyclable items and found objects that can be used in classroom activities.  Think of us before tossing out:  Roll-on deodorant bottles, large Styrofoam packing forms, small paper rolls (toilet, towels), cardboard boxes, plastic lids and rings of milk bottles, wrapping paper & ribbon scraps, wood scraps, detergent bottles and other plastic bottles, egg cartons, coffee cans with plastic lids, juice cans, berry baskets, unique containers, unique food containers, old necklaces, fabric, yarn, lace, old keys, and any other odd objects that children may find intriguing.