Jenison Public Schools

Serving the community population by providing quality educational, recreational, and social programs for all elementary age groups.  Students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade have the opportunity to participate in wholesome enrichment activities that are not part of the regular instructional, curricular, athletic or fine arts performance programs.  To do so, we believe that a program consisting of a wide variety of activities should be made available during extended school hours, using school facilities and equipment, and under the direction of a outstanding building Extended Day Supervisor.

For information on the program, click here.

JPS Before and After School Care is located at:

• Bauerwood
• Bursley (2009-2010 Bursley is bussed to Sandy Hill for Before and After School Care)
• Early Childhood Center
• Pinewood
• Rosewood
• Sandy Hill

Early childhood education begins with great teachers!

Names like Mr. Harig, Mrs. Healey, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Vig and lots of support staff are here to make a difference. Providing high quality pre-kindergarten is a commitment to our children’s future. According to Pre-K Now, a national educational organization:    

• Pre-k increases high school graduation rates.                 
• Pre-k helps children do better on standardized tests. Michigan fourth graders who had attended pre-k passed the state's literacy and math assessment tests at higher rates than their peers who had no pre-k.                             
• Pre-k reduces grade repetition.                           
• Pre-k reduces the number of children placed in special education.

Full day pre-k goes hand in hand with our kindergarten program and beyond!   

Specials

• Art
• Music
• Physical Education
• Library/Computers

Gross motor exercise, fine motor, reading readiness, snack, large group, song time, lunch, recess, quiet time, learning stations, specials, mathematics, playtime, hands on science, health,  independence, greenhouse and community garden, concept boards, themes, small group instruction, free exploration, creating crafts, leadership, sharing, and many other concepts are part of our new and improved program .  More information? Call 457-1406!

Jenison three and four year old preschool is a combination of structured and nonstructured activities for three and four year olds. During "free play," children select their own activities from a variety of planned projects. Within the limits of safety and courtesy to classmates, we allow them to explore, improve motor skills, create an imaginary world and prepare themselves for future schooling. In small and large groups, our staff provides more structured opportunities for each child's involvement, however, it is not our intent to provide an academic program that will duplicate the kindergarten experience. Our program will afford your preschooler the opportunity to explore, create, and interact while learning to feel comfortable in a school environment. Tuition paid by parents pays for student instruction, supplies, and a daily nutritious snack. Low income families may quality for reduced rate or free preschool as determined by the State of Michigan Great Start Grant. The ECC preschool works as a research site for Michigan State University so assessments and video taping for college classes is performed by MSU graduate students. The ECC also provides substantial inclusion opportunities for students with developmental delays. 

To visit the Preschool Teachers Websites, click below:

Mrs. Conrad

Mrs. Dutton                                                                                                           

Mrs. Hetfield                                                                            

Ms. Dieterle

Mrs. Lewis (At Bursley)

For additional information, please call the Early Childhood Center at 457-1406.  

Effective October 15, 2006, our school district will provide accident coverage for all students.  Outlined below is important information regarding this coverage.  It is intended as a brief description for reference only, and is not the policy.

Only ACCIDENTS that occur in school-sponsored and supervised activities including participants in interscholastic sports are covered.

DEFINITION OF ACCIDENT:

 An unexpected, sudden and definable event which is the direct cause of a bodily injury, independent of any illness, prior injury or congenital predisposition.

 Conditions that result from participating in an activity do not necessarily constitute accidents.  For example, illnesses, diseases, degeneration, conditions caused by continued stress to a particular area of the body, and existing conditions aggravated by an accident are not covered.

A.    This plan of insurance is EXCESS ONLY.  It will not duplicate benefits paid or payable by any other insurance or plan including HMO's or PPO's.

B.    The policy will not cover expenses payable under the insured's HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), or PPO (Preferred Provider Organization).  If the insured chooses not to use an authorized medical vendor (under HMO or PPO), the policy will only cover expenses incurred that it would have honored had the insured used the proper medical vendor.

C.    Medical treatment for a covered accident must begin within 60 days of that accident.  Only expenses incurred within 52 weeks are considered.  Benefits are determined on the basis of REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY for the geographic location where services are performed.

D.    Specific exclusions of the policy include, but are not limited to, sickness, disease, or hernia in any form; non-prescription drugs; fighting; and orthotics not prescribed exclusively for rehabilitation (e.g., playing brace, mouth guard).

E.    Any person who knowingly presents a fraudulent claim containing any false or misleading information is guilty of insurance fraud and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

Accidents must be reported to the school within 20 days.  Proof of loss must be submitted to First Agency, Inc. within 90 days after medical treatment ends.  Questions regarding claim procedures may be directed to First Agency, Inc. at 5071 West H Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009 or 269-381-6630 or Fax 269-381-3055.

HOW TO FILE YOUR ACCIDENT CLAIM FORM:

1.    Pick-up claim form from your school office.

2.    Complete ALL blanks.  If information is not applicable, indicate the reason it is not (e.g., deceased, unknown).

3.    Attach all ITEMIZED bills (not balance due statements) for MEDICAL EXPENSES ONLY.

4.    Include all worksheets, denials, and/or statements of benefits from your primary insurer.  (Each charge must be processed by all other insurances/plans before they can be processed by First Agency, Inc.)

5.    If you are employed and no coverage is provided by your employer, A LETTER OF VERIFICATION FROM YOUR EMPLOYER STATING THAT NO COVERAGE IS PROVIDED MUST BE SUBMITTED.

6.    Mail within 90 days of the accident to:   First Agency, Inc.
                                                                        5071 West H Avenue
                                                                        Kalamazoo, MI  49009-8501

Jenison Public Schools / MI

Early Childhood, those weeks, months, years in the life of a child from birth through age eight, are crucial to intellectual, physical, social and emotional development.

Scientifically-based research has provided both parents and educators with a new understanding of children's rapid brain development from the beginning.  Researchers have proven that children who experience just one year in a high-quality learning environment experience significant positive developmental gains compared to children who may not have the advantage of quality care.

The Jenison Public Schools Early Childhood Center and its educational partner, Michigan State University, are on the forefront of using research to support the implementation of high quality child care and educational programs for young children.  Parents are recognized as their children's first and most important teachers.  Parent programs are provided which support research driven, developmentally appropriate, practices for children.

This handbook is intended for school age students at the ECC. Please take a few minutes to review it with your child.

The Jenison Public Schools Early Childhood Center Preschool is a child centered program. We will attempt to follow the K-12 calendar as much as possible. Exceptions will be made pertaining for half-days, etc., and your child’s teacher will keep you informed regarding any deviations in scheduling. Preschool provides a safe, nurturing environment of a social and play experience for your child.

Your child will have guidance by a certified teacher and assistant. He or she will gain an awareness and enjoyment of the world around him or her through a variety of child scaled equipment, expressive material, and experiences not always available at home. Our philosophy is to provide a nurturing environment in which the children can develop their intellectual and social skills through structured and non structured play.

Our program is experientially oriented. Our program offers an interesting and rewarding learning environment. We are teaming with Michigan State University to insure that our Preschool is “State of the Art” in terms of Early Childhood Philosophy.

Welcome!

On behalf of the entire Jenison Public Schools Early Childhood staff , I would like to welcome you to the JPS ECC and say we look forward to working along side parents to ensure that each child receives state of the art programs. We consider children our future, and everyone who has a role in caring for children has the greatest responsibility and joy in the world.

Jenison Public Schools Early Childhood Center works together with Michigan State University and the families in our community to provide a world class developmentally challenging program for the "whole child." The center serves as a powerful resource for families. Central to our mission is to nurture children's innate joy, creativity and curiousity.