Q: What are the first day and last day of the school year?

A: The first day of the school year is the second Monday of September, one week after Labor Day. The last day of the school year is the Friday prior to Memorial Day in May. The dates could change prior to the start of the school year, so please call SPS if you need to know the start/end dates of the upcoming school year.

Q: If SPS cancels school due to snow, will a comparable number of make-up days be added at the end of the year?

A: SPS policy is that if school is canceled two days during the school year, there will be no make-up days at the end of the year. If there are more than two days canceled, then there will be make-up days added.

Q: I have a two-week family vacation planned during the school year. Will I be reimbursed for those two weeks that my child is not in attendance?

A: Unfortunately no. Our school calendar is based on the Auburn Union School District’s calendar. There is opportunity to plan vacations during scheduled breaks (winter break, spring break, summer). If you have a vacation already planned, have a great time and we’ll see you when you return.

Q: When are the mandatory meetings?

A: The mandatory General meetings are held throughout the year. The first mandatory meeting is scheduled for the last Monday in August. The second mandatory General Meeting is the last Monday in September. The MWF Class has a mandatory General Meeting the last Monday of February. And the last mandatory General Meeting of the year is usually scheduled to be held in April.

Q: Does SPS follow a local elementary school’s calendar? What are the recognized holidays?

A: SPS follows the Auburn Union School District’s holiday calendar. SPS recognizes Veterans Day, Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday and Friday in November), Winter Break, Martin Luther King Jr Day (third Monday in January), Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12), Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February) and Spring Break (the week prior to Easter Sunday). The school year typically starts one week after Labor Day and ends before Memorial Day.

Q: Can I buy seating for an entire table instead of selling auction tickets? Do I get a discount if I buy a table?

A: Yes! We encourage you to bring as many people as you’d like and we will seat you together. The type of seating may change from year to year, so the “table” may seat four, six, or sixteen, depending on the venue. We typically do not give discounts, but for specifics on the venue and the type of seating available, contact the auction representative.  

Q: The Handbook states that I need to sell four (4) auction tickets. If I buy two (2) tickets for my husband and me, does that mean I only have to sell two?

A: Yes. You are only required to buy four (4) tickets regardless of whether you attend the auction yourself. (Toddler families are required to sell only two tickets.) The auction is a fun-filled (child-free) event, and many parents come back year after year even though their own children graduated from SPS. You don’t want to miss it!

Q: Where can I find more information about scrip and escrip?

A: Information about the Sierra Preschool Scrip Program can be found in the Handbook, on this website or at www.escrip.com.

Q: Does SPS use the Scrip Program?

A: Yes, SPS uses scrip and escrip. It’s an easy way to “earn” money for the school. Each SPS family is required to purchase $100 per month of scrip/escrip goods, whether it be grocery items at Safeway, Bel Air or another participating grocery store or merchandise at any of the participating retailers. You can opt out of the Scrip Program requirements by paying $90 up front for the entire school year. If you’d like to participate in the scrip/escrip program but can’t meet the obligation for one month, you can pay $10 for the month. For more information, contact the Scrip Representative or read our Scrip Program webpage.

Q: What is Quarter-A-Dip?

A: Quarter-A-Dip is one of our fundraisers. They happen twice per year - once in the fall and once in the spring. They typically are held mid-week in the evening at a local park (Meadow Vista Park) and the entire family is invited to participate. The committee members hang a signup sheet at school, and parents are asked to provide the food and/or drinks. Each family member pays 25-cents for each “dip” or scoop of food they put on their plate. It’s low-key and fun for the entire family. Find out when the next Quarter-a-Dip is scheduled.

Q: My baby is with the babysitter when I work at SPS. My babysitter has to call me on my cell phone sometimes when she has a problem or question. I know SPS doesn’t allow working parents to use their cell phones while working, but what am I supposed to do?

A: Find someone responsible such as your spouse, a grandparent, or a friend who can answer the babysitter’s questions while you are working at SPS; however we do understand that emergencies do happen, so you may take a call on your cell phone or you may also give out the school’s phone number for emergencies.

Q: Why do I need to show up 15 minutes early on my scheduled SPS workday?

A: The day is chock full of activities and as soon as it‘s 9:00 am the day is busy with children arriving. By arriving 15 minutes early, it gives the teacher time to let the working parents know what is planned for the day, set up the classroom for art projects, put the paints out at the easels, and any other things that need to be done prior to children arriving.

Q: I work at a full time job. Does that mean my child cannot attend Sierra Preschool?

A: Although we do not offer childcare in addition to the school day, many of our parents work full time.  Parents can have a family member or another parent work for them if a non-participation spot is not available.

Many of the committee positions can be done before or after work. The meetings are scheduled for after typical workday hours. And maintenance days (which are really not full “days”; only three hours per semester are required) can be done on a weekend day (and usually are). It’s acceptable that a family member (uncle, aunt, grandparent, etc.) joins a committee or performs a maintenance day instead of the parent.

Q: Something came up and I can’t work as a working parent when I am scheduled. I need to find a substitute. Who do I call?

A: If you are scheduled to work, call another parent on the list and ask if they are able to switch days with you. If it’s an emergency (such as a child gets sick the night before or the morning of a scheduled workday), you may call the ‘emergency parent’ on the work schedule and ask them to work.

Q: What is the exact time commitment required for an SPS parent?

A: There is no set amount of hours required. Each family is required to join a committee at the beginning of the year, sign up for two maintenance days (i.e., three hours each day, for a total of six hours) which are completed over the course of the school year, participate in an auction committee in some capacity, and attend the mandatory general meetings. In addition, parents are asked to help in the classroom, but up to two families may opt out if the class is full or nearly full.

Committees: Depending on the committee position chosen, a person may spend a few hours in one day on their committee responsibilities, or 15 hours or more over the course of the school year.

Auction:The auction is held in the fall and requires that all the SPS families help to make it a success. The tasks range from letter writing to setup and cleanup.

General Meetings: The mandatory meetings are held in the evening, typically on a Monday. They usually last between one to two hours. If your child is enrolled in the TuTh program, there are three mandatory meetings during the school year - August, September, and April.  If your child is enrolled in the MWF program, there are four mandatory meetings - August, September, February and April.  Parent/tot families are not required to attend, but are encouraged to go.

Participating Parent: A parent working in the classroom may work as little as one day per month up to three days per month.

Q: Can I pay the entire school year’s tuition at the beginning of the year?

A: Yes! You may pay the entire year’s tuition at one time if it’s easier for you; however, there is no discount for paying the entire amount at one time.

Q: When is the tuition due?

A: Tuition is due on the first day of every month. There is a grace period of 10 days. A late fee of $5 is incurred if tuition is received by the SPS office after the tenth day of the month.

Q: What is the tuition?

A: The tuition varies depending on the program. The monthly tuition for working parents (i.e., parents that participate in the classroom one to three days per month) can be found on the following pages:

Parent/Tot Class

TuTh Class

MWF Class

If the preschool class is full (18 students), there are two non-participation slots. One non-participation slot is available when class enrollment exceeds 80 percent but is less than 100 percent. That is, a total class enrollment of 15 students, which includes the one non-participating parent. A monthly fee of $40 is added onto the tuition if a parent opts out as a working parent.

Q: Should I bring my child on the tour?

A: Yes, absolutely! Your child is encouraged to explore the school along with you!

Q: How can I schedule a tour of the school?

A: Please contact us to schedule a convenient time for a tour.  Call us directly or email us. For a tour of the TuTh or MWF classes, usually the best time is during the first hour of the school day from 9:00-10:00.  Tour anytime during the Parent/Tot Class on Tuesdays from 12:00-1:30p. We do have an "open door” policy at SPS, and new families are welcome to stop by at any time!  (Note that we do schedule class field trips from time to time, so check in with us to make sure we are at school when you want to come visit.)

Q: As an SPS parent, can I visit the classroom anytime I want to?

A: Of course. We encourage parents to participate with the children and in the classroom.

Q: Why is a parent-cooperative a good choice?

A: A parent co-op is a family experience. The child gains the ability to relate to and communicate with other children, as well as adults. The child experiences a variety of play equipment, expressive materials, and media, resulting in a positive attitude towards learning. The child also gains self-esteem. The parents gain an opportunity to learn and develop with their child as well as an increased awareness of the role of education in developing an effective and satisfying family life. The community gains children who are learning respect for others, and families with a sense of community responsibility. [Excerpts from the CCPPNS website]

Q: What is a parent-cooperative?

A: Parent cooperative (“parent co-op”) preschools are founded on the principle that the best education will result from an active partnership among parents, teachers, and children. A parent co-op preschool (aka parent participation preschool) is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, democratic organization where each family shares in the planning and operation of the school. Parents participate in the program on a rotating basis, serving as assistants to a professional nursery school teacher and staff. The efforts of parents and their direct involvement during the school day make parent participation nursery schools a unique educational endeavor. [Excerpt from CCPPNS website]

Q: My child has food allergies. How do you prevent children from exchanging food in the classroom?

A: If your child has a serious allergy the school will prohibit that food item from being brought to school.  For example, the school is often peanut free. During lunch and snack the children are instructed not to share their food.  The teachers are extremely vigilant if a known allergy is present.

Q: Is my child going to be prepared for kindergarten if s/he attends SPS?

A: The MWF Class is designed to ready your child for kindergarten. It has more literacy, arts, crafts and sensory motor activities than the TuTh program to prepare your 4 or 5 year old for his next great adventure - kindergarten!

Q: What if my child has special needs?

A: All children are welcome at Sierra Preschool! Our Director/Teacher has a special education background and experience working with special needs children. We recognize that each child and situation is unique, and we are open to discuss options and opportunities at any time. A parent may be required to accompany their child in class for safety reasons. Placer County services may be initiated based on Director/Teacher recommendation.

Q: Does my child need to be potty-trained?

A: Not necessarily. While it is helpful to be fully trained, it is not an absolute requirement. We realize that during the potty-training process, accidents happen, so we ask parents to keep an extra set of clothes at the school for emergencies. Should your child “poop” in his pants (defecate), State licensing regulations state that the school is required to call the parent so that the s/he changes the child’s clothing.

Q: Is the Parent/Tot Class “drop-in”?

A: No. Tuition is due monthly, and the school year is from Sept-May. If you need to drop the class, a two-week notice is required.

Q: How do I know my child will be safe?  

A: Licensing laws require that every child is within the line of sight of an adult at all times.  The backyard is fenced and there is an additional fence that separates the school from the parking lot.  Children are not allowed in the kitchen or the stairs that lead to the office upstairs.  There are baby gates that block off the restricted areas.

Q: How is bad behavior dealt with?

A: Sierra Preschool teachers use "re-direction of behavior." The teacher will remove a child from a situation, and then gauge if the child needs some time to calm down. The teacher and child will talk about the choices the child had and what s/he could have done instead. If more than one child is involved in an altercation, we bring them all together to give each child a chance to voice what happened and how it made them feel. The teacher will give the child (or children) "words" to say and use for the future and alternative choices for their actions.

Q: What are the class sizes?

A: The Parent/Tot Class is limited to 12 children. The TuTh and MWF classes are each limited to 18 students. The student to teacher ratio is 6:1 or less at all times.

Q: What is a play-based curriculum?

A: A play-based curriculum uses the five senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell, and feeling) in various forms of play such as finger painting, snack time, outdoor play, play dough, music and singing, sharing, building blocks, and story time among other things. Play-based learning encourages each child to develop at his or her own rate. A child can learn from other children, experience and observe different emotions, and simply have fun in a creative and safe environment.

Q: Who are the Board members and how do I contact them?

A: The names of the current members of the Board of Directors are on the wall at SPS to the left of the area where the class calendars are hanging. To contact a Board member, you can find his or her name on the class roster, which is online on the Parent Login page, and either email or call them directly. You could also leave a note in their family folder near the front door.

Q: Where can I find a copy of the current SPS Handbook?

A: You can pick up a copy of the Handbook from the SPS office at school, or here: SPS Handbook.