Copy of Staff

Administration

Sue Johnson | Director

Sarah Day | Assistant Administrator

Danielle Kolb Neale | Development

Kindergarten Teaching Team

Danielle Kolb Neale | Lead Teacher

Judy Grimes | Assistant Teacher

Alex Vargas-Howard | Assistant Teacher

Pre-K Teaching Team

Estée Rosener | Lead Teacher

Ruby Portillo | Assistant Teacher

Lorena Murillo | Assistant teacher

3's Teaching Team

Martha Arroyo | Lead Teacher

Rosa Hernandez | Assistant Teacher

Geraldine Carrillo Davila | Assistant teacher

2's Teaching Team

Veronica Porcaro | Lead teacher

Xeo Ruiz | Assistant teacher

Karen Cortez | Assistant Teacher

Specialists

Jeffery Sadow - Music

Cindy Baker - Violin

Gina Suarez - Art

Janis Burg - Blocks

Victoria Dougherty - Gardening

Support Services

Excel Care Therapy | Speech and Occupational Therapy Melissa Lake, PsyD | Educational Evaluations

Linda Gray | Heartful Solutions for Families - Counseling and Play Therapy

Family School Staff

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The Family School's FAQs

Can you tell us more about The Family School?
We attend to the needs of the whole child, addressing academic, behavioral and social-emotional strengths and challenges for each child. If needed, children and families will find on-site, comprehensive special education and individualized programs. At The Family School all children benefit from seeing how adults help each individual student, and all students help and learn from each other.

Because we know that early childhood is a time to strengthen entire families, we say that we enroll not just children, but whole families. Family strengthening programs and family events are part of enrollment at The Family School. For those who wish it, individual meetings or consultations about parenting issues are also included.

Our Philosophy:
It is our purpose to provide each child and parent with a positive first experience with education outside the home. For the child, we assume this is a first experience with separation, other children, and the world of school. For the parents, we assume this is a first experience with family education and support outside their own family. In child and parent classrooms we provide a warm and flexible environment in which each person is considered unique and worthwhile. It is the teacher‘s job to identify and build on strengths and facilitate learning. Children are offered the opportunity and the right to grow at their own pace and to experience a variety of situations with various materials. Parents are offered guidance in parenting classes and through individual consultation to identify their priorities and find ways that are comfortable for them to achieve their parenting goals.

It is our purpose to support functional family systems and teach people how to maintain them through children’s developmental changes and the pressures of the modern world.

It is our practice to base our teaching and parenting methods on current research about child and parent development. We are also committed to a hands-on learning approach for children and a concrete, discussion based curriculum for adults.

We are committed to an individualized and therapeutic approach to working with children

Our Vision:
(what we hope will change the world)
1. A diverse group of families and children whose lives are transformed in ways that prevent future school and family problems; and
2. Staff trained in, and modeling for others, an approach to early childhood education that integrates education, prevention, intervention, and follow through with children and families.
Our Mission Statement:
The Family School's mission is to prepare a diverse population of young children and their families for success in school and the community by providing the highest quality preschool and kindergarten education and integrated early intervention services.
How can I donate to The Family School?

There are multiple ways in which you can donate to The Family School! You can, safely and securely, donate through our website by clicking on our “Donate” page.

If you’re interested in giving toward a specific avenue we have a scholarship fund as well as a wishlist, which you can contribute towards. This is an easy way to help young children achieve a successful and happy educational experience without leaving the comfort of your home.

We are a proud Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) eligible agency. Our United Way Number is 1089. If your employer participates in United Way, you can choose to have a monthly payroll deduction go directly toward The Family School by using our designated number.
Can you tell me more about the admissions process?

Note: We currently have a waitlist.

We recommend that all prospective families schedule a tour of the school before applying. Simply call 602-252-5866 and we will be happy to show you around our campus.

We accept applications year-round but, if possible, we do recommend applying by December 1st for the following school-year. We maintain wait lists so open positions can be filled throughout the year.

We try to notify all prospective parents by May 1 for placement beginning the next school year (September). When places are available, we offer children who are accepted for the fall placement in our summer program. New parent orientations are held before school begins in the summer and the fall and all teachers schedule home visits with every student’s family before school begins.

A registration fee of $125 for the first child and $62.50 for each additional child is due upon enrollment and is non-refundable. We are a licensed DES provider and DES registration is only $25 for the first child and $12.50 for the second. Summer registration for currently enrolled families is $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child. DES registration is $5 per child for the summer program.

We accept DES childcare subsidy and charge families only the copay.

We have some Quality First Scholarships which are awarded based on family size and family income. Our Board of Directors fundraises to provide Family School Scholarships as well. All kindergarten students are eligible for Private School Tax Credit scholarships through IBE.
What is your approach to discipline?

Specific discipline techniques will be discussed at the first parent meeting in the fall.

Here are some general principles that guide our discipline practices:

We believe that children do not want to misbehave or cause problems for others. Difficult behavior is usually an attempt on the part of a child to state a need.

Every attempt is made to figure out the need and tell the child about it. The adults at The Family School always try to state the desired behavior positively instead of negatively. For example, a child continually climbing on the chairs and tables, might be told “You need to climb. You want to move your arms and legs. Outside there is a climber.”

The school environment is set up so that, as far as possible, children may touch and use everything within reach. This helps limit conflicts between children and staff or among children. If a child is using a piece of equipment inappropriately, he or she is re-directed or confronted with the logical consequences of behavior. For instance, those who throw sand may not play with sand until they learn to pour and dig in it instead. The may, however, choose another activity.

A child may need to show his or her anger. The adults at The Family School will help children label their emotions and will assist children in controlling their behavior.

The Family School Director, certified by CPI, trains all staff in crisis prevention.

No child will be spanked or otherwise physically disciplined.

No child will be shamed or humiliated.
Do you have any resources for parents?

The staff and parents of The Family School recommend these resources:

The Family School is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nationally recognized association that accredits those preschools that meet their high standards. Their website (http://families.naeyc.org) offers much of interest to the families of young children.
Check it out!

Baby Care and Health Tips for New Parents

New parents need some guidance and assistance in raising a healthy and happy baby. Beau Coup offers some resources and a guide for raising a new baby.

10 Ideas to Get You and Your Child Exploring Outdoors

Family School parents recommend these web sites for more useful information:

Things to do with kids in Phoenix – from Yelp – great ideas for local events and activities for Phoenix families.

Berkeley Parents Network – a comprehensive message board that is open to the public. Founded by the Berkeley Parents Network.

WebMD Children’s Health – physician-reviewed medical information for children's symptoms and conditions.

Raising Arizona Kids – resources for Arizona families, including family events in Phoenix, things to do with kids, parenting, health and more.