FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.  What are the requirements to register my child at NHKS?

NHKS has two requirements of all children when enrolling into our school.  The first being a birth date cut off of September 30.  The youngest students we will accept must be three years old by that date.  The second requirement is that all students must being potty trained.  They must be able to take care of their our toileting functions without the any assistance from staff or toileting aids (i.e. Pull-Ups). 

2.  What are your teacher to student ratios?

It depends on the grade level.  There is a teacher and an aide in each of the preschool and prekindergarten classrooms.  In preschool we have a 1:10 ratio with 20 students total; in prekindergarten there is  a 1:12 with 24 in each class – the numbers for preschool and prekindergarten either meet or are under Navy requirements for their Child Care Centers.

In K-3, if we go over the numbers below, an aide may be added to the classroom at the Director’s discretion. In those instances where we have added an aide, the school has typically still limited the number of students to no more than 3 above the numbers listed below.  

Kindergarten - 20 students per teacher (at Director’s discretion 23 with an Aide)

First grade - 21 students per teacher (at Director’s discretion 24 with an Aide)

Second/Third grades - 23 per teacher (at Director’s discretion 26 with an Aide)

3.  What are the class times for each grade?

     School begins for all levels at 8:00 a.m. with drop-off time beginning at 7:30 a.m. Dismissal times are staggered mostly due to the amount of cars that can be safely a   accommodated at one time.

Preschool – 11:30 a.m.

Prekindergarten – 11:45 a.m.

Kindergarten – 12:00 noon

First, Second, and Third grade – 2:45 p.m.  

Each Wednesday, we have an early dismissal that affects only first and second grades.  Dismissal on Wednesdays for those levels is at 12:15 p.m.  Staff meetings are held following dismissal on Wednesday.  Two times during the year, there are  special early dismissals at 10:45 a.m.  Those days include the day before Christmas break, following the holiday program, and on the second Friday in May, following the Lei Day performance.

4.  What is the school’s approach to discipline?

We are currently working on a positive school-wide behavior program with graduated and consistent expectations among levels.  In general, teachers and students agree on rules dealing with respect, responsibility, safety, and being ready.  Students are reminded about the rule(s) when infractions occur.  If misbehavior isn’t rectified, students are given a time out.  Depending upon the severity, parents shall receive a note or a phone call.  When misbehavior is chronic, teachers may set up behavior plans with parent cooperation. For behavior that involves physically hurting another student or the destruction of property, children are sent to the office where they are counseled by administrative personnel and parents are notified.

5.  What are the age cut-offs for preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten?

Students must be:          3 by September 30 for preschool

 4 by September 30 for prekindergarten

 5 by September 30 for kindergarten

 *Children must also be potty trained.

6.  Are there formal art, P.E., computer or music programs?

NHKS has a Creative Arts class that incorporates visual arts, music appreciation, and singing. Each class goes to Art/Music once a week.  All grade levels also attend P.E. once a week.  In first, second, and third grade, computer instruction is added as a third specialty class once a week.

7.  Are Before School Care (BSC) and After School Care (ASC) available?  Are extracurricular activities available?

BSC is available from 6:00 a.m. until 7:30 a.m..  There is no “drop-in” care for BSC, but is only for those with a full time reservation.  If you are signed up, you will be charged for a complete month even if you are not using the program.  You must contact the office in writing to cancel your reservation.  NHKS has ASC for full time reservations, standing reservations (the same day reserved weekly, up to 3 days per week), or drop in care when space is available.

NHKS offers classroom space for independently contracted teachers for an after school Enrichment Program. Classes such as American Sign Language, Percussion Ballet, Art, Hula, Kids Invent (science), Taekwondo, and Japanese are some that have been offered in the past.

8.  How flexible are the Before School Care and After School Care programs?

When signing up for Early Before School Care (6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.) or Before School Care (7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.), parents must sign the child up for the entire month.  After School Care is a flexible program.  Parents may sign their child up for Full Time Care for the entire year or they may sign up for Standing Reservations which reserves up to 3 specific days every week.  Parent’s third option is to utilize the ASC on a Casual Care basis.  This may be signed up for in advance or parents may call in the day care is needed.  We do have limited spaces available, therefore there may be days that we are unable to accommodate your needs (this is rare).  Please be advised, if you do not call and cancel your reservation prior to the start of the school day, all fees will be charged to you account.

9.  What types of reading and math curriculum does the school use?

The foundation of phonics instruction is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach to phonics which is used in all grade levels.  Prekindergarten also utilizes the Lippincott Letterbooks; Open Court, trade books, Guided Reading, and the DRA are used throughout kindergarten through second grade..

Everyday Math has been adopted for all Prekindergarten through second grade classes

Simply Science curriculum is used in Kindergarten through second grade.

10.  What tuition payment options are available?  Are there discounts for multiple children or based on rank?

Tuition is accepted for the whole year, half year or typically, over 10 monthly installments beginning in July and ending in April.  There is an option for parents to have the tuition automatically deducted from their checking account

There is no sibling discount or rank discounts.

11.  Are snacks or lunch provided by the school?

NHKS provides morning snack including juice for all students.  If your child attends the After School Care program, they will also receive an afternoon snack.  All students in After School Care and those in 1st - 3rd grade must bring a home lunch.  We also ask for a tooth brush to be placed in the child’s lunch box.  The school does provide children’s tooth paste for after lunch.

12.  Do the students take naps?

Students preschool through kindergarten take naps during the After School Care.  1st - 3rd graders have a quiet time on Wednesdays only.  Kindergarteners through Third grade are given time during ASC to complete homework.

13.  Do you encourage parents to volunteer in the classrooms?

We love it when we can have parents volunteer in the classrooms.  This can be set up with your child’s teacher throughout the school year.  Our PTO is very active and does many fundraisers and hosts other special events that benefit the school.  All fundraisers are optional.

14.  Does NHKS have a library?

Over the past year, the NHKS PTO has spent countless hours of volunteer time creating a school library.  At the present time, the library contains approximately 1400 books with room to expand.  Plans are being developed to ensure the continued growth and success of the library.

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