SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN
PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN
Purpose & Philosophy
Our church operates an outstanding Preschool and Kindergarten as a mission to our congregation and community. Our Preschool has been in operation since 1985.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School is dedicated to assisting parents in teaching children a saving faith in Christ as their Savior and extending family relations through parenting classes. Our program provides quality Christian care in a loving and caring environment. Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School provides an opportunity for each child to grow and develop spiritually, socially & emotionally, physically and intellectually at his/her own pace. An atmosphere conducive to the growth and nurturing of a positive self-image is provided for each child.
Our goals are to help each child achieve success within his/her own capabilities by combining the following:
Spirituality: A daily Devotion (Jesus) time with songs and Bible stories, giving each child an awareness of God’s (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) love for them and to instill a love for God and others.
Socially and Emotionally: Encouraging participation in group activities, developing a feeling of security and belonging, promoting sharing with others, encouraging courtesy, kindness and helpfulness.
Physically: Encouraging experiences, which will develop large and small motor muscle coordination and motor skills and to promote good health habits.
Intellectually: Encourage an enthusiasm for learning and exploring, to help develop a feeling of satisfaction and competence in mastering new skills, to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and imagination, to involve the child in a basic readiness program for their future academic learning.
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me.
Mark 9:37 NIV
SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY SCHOOL
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Shepherd of the Valley School has enjoyed a solid reputation for being not only a place where children can grow developmentally and academically, but also spiritually. Shepherd of the Valley is a Christian school. We teach Bible stories to the children. We worship together once a week in chapel. And generally we integrate Christian beliefs and morality into all lessons and activities. While we do not promote any one specific Christian denomination, the foundation of our belief is that of the Lutheran denomination in Christianity. We offer the services and resources of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church to our school families, but do not push either our church or Lutheran confession upon anyone. It is our desire and mission to assist our young children in developing a Christian foundation upon which to grow and build.
We Believe and Teach That:
- The Bible is the source and basis for our teachings and beliefs. (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
- God is the Author of the Bible who inspired men to write as He directed (2 Tim. 3:16)
- The only way people can be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16 and Mark 16:16)
We Believe and Teach About God That:
- There is only one God, the Triune God (Father, Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit). (Matt. 28:19)
- God is the Almighty creator of everything and everyone. (Genesis 1:1)
- God, our Savior, namely Jesus, died on the cross to pay for our sins and arose from the dead on the third day. (2 Tim. 1:10 and 2 Cor. 5:21)
- God, the Holy Spirit, creates and sustains faith in us through the Word (Bible) and the Sacraments (Baptism and Holy Communion). (2 Thess. 2:14 and Romans 10:17)
- God is love. God loves all people! (1 John 4:8)
We Believe and Teach About People That:
- People are created by God. (Psalm 139:13)
- People are loved by their Creator, God. (John 3:16)
- People are expected to obey God and His Law perfectly. (Matthew 5:48 and James 2:10)
- People cannot obey God perfectly. (Psalm 13:3 and Eccl. 7:20)
- People, therefore, are lost and cannot save themselves by keeping the Law. (Gal. 3:10-11)
- People are saved, however, by Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. (Gal. 3:13)
- People cannot earn God’s favor or forgiveness in Christ. It is a gift. (Eph. 2:8-9)
- People are brought to saving faith by the Holy Spirit and given the gift of eternal life in the work and merit of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
- People are expected by God to love all other people and serve Him; they are motivated by His love and service – to follow His example. (John 13:15-17 and John 14:23)
We Believe and Teach About Children That:
- Children were especially received by Jesus and He blessed them. (Matthew 19:14)
- Child – like faith was extolled by Jesus! (Matthew 18:3)
- Children are included in the blessing and promises of Baptism. (Acts 2:38-39)
- Children are expected by God to obey parents and others in authority. (Eph. 6:2-3)
- Children are to be loved and trained and instructed about God. (Eph. 6:4)
Children dare not be misled into sin or away from the Lord. (Matthew 18:6)
PHILOSOPHY
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School is dedicated to assisting parents in teaching children a saving faith and extending family relations. Our program provides quality Christian care in a loving and caring environment. Our school provides an opportunity for each child to grow and develop spiritually, socially and emotionally, physically, and intellectually at his/her own pace in an atmosphere conducive to growth and nurturing for each child.
HOURS AND COST
Our Kindergarten follows a modified traditional school year and our school follows the MVUSDs calendar for legal holidays. The school opens at 6:30 am and closes at 6:00 pm with a variety of program choices.
*Kindergarten - $4200 annually or 10 monthly payments of $420 with an annual non-refundable registration, supply and book fee of $230. Our kindergarten hours are from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm Monday thru Friday with before and after school care available at an additional cost of $165 per month.
*Preschool –Weekly Tuition Rate Choices include:
Full Day (6:30am – 6:00pm)
Monday thru Friday - $150
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3 days - $110
Tuesday Thursday 2 days - $80
Half Day (8:15am – 12:15pm)
Monday thru Friday - $120
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3 days - $80
Tuesday Thursday 2 days - $65
Registration fees - There is a non-refundable annual registration and supply fee of $100. Member and second child discounts are also available.
CURRICULUM
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten uses a developmental approach to teaching, in that all children are given the opportunity to grow & develop physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially & intellectually at his/her own level & pace. An atmosphere conducive to the growth and nurturing of a positive self-image is provided. A balance of age appropriate curriculum, materials & activities are provided that include language, math, science, social studies, devotions, crafts, cooking, music & movement, outdoor playtime & physical fitness. Our kindergarten class uses the A-Beka curriculum in conjunction with the previously mentioned activities.
STAFF
We are licensed by the State of California Department of Social Services (Facility #330907996). Our school is staffed by dedicated Christian teachers, who are well educated and qualified in the field of early childhood education. They understand and appreciate child development and provide for children’s individual needs and interests.
ELIGIBILITY
Our school is operated on a non-discriminatory basis and is open to all families in the community. Children enrolling in our preschool should be 2 years old and fully potty-trained. We accept children ages 2 years through kindergarten. Arrangements to visit our school can be made by calling the school office.
SIGN IN AND OUT
By law, each child must be signed in each morning by the responsible adult and signed out when leaving. The person signing the child in/out must be 18 years or older and must use their full legal signature as this is a legal document. Only those listed on the child’s emergency card/information sheet will be allowed to take the child from the premises.
HEALTH CHECK
A morning health check is required and will take place before any child is admitted to the school. The person bringing the child must stay with the child until a staff member has completed a morning health inspection and accepted the child.
NAPTIME
The law also requires a rest period be provided for all full day preschoolers. Parents need to supply a fitted crib size (not cradle) sheet, small blanket and a backpack or plastic box with lid. We supply the nap cot. The bedding goes home on the child’s last day of attendance for the week to be laundered and returned on the first day of attendance the following week.
SNACKS AND LUNCH
A morning and afternoon snack is provided. All children should bring a lunch. Small refrigerators and microwaves are available in each classroom. Children eat lunch at 11:30 am.
MARK 10:14 (NIV)
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
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