At COTI Community Christian School (CCCS) we believe that children are unique, precious and unrepeatable and so should be their experience at school. We believe children learn/absorb abstract concepts such as gratitude for God’s gifts, joy, awe, wonder, love, and tolerance from their daily interactions with people who show forth these qualities. We believe that education builds not only for the present, but for the future; not merely for self, but for the society as well.
Research has shown that the most important and formative years are the first six, and our goal is to support and further children’s development by providing novelty, purpose and challenges, instilling in them a lifelong love, desire, and curiosity for learning.
At CCCS, we see every child with great potential and with an individual way of growing. Each child’s learning style is respected as his/her own pathway to achieving that potential. Our program is designed to allow children to develop habits of observation, questioning, and listening skills. Learning experiences will allow children to further their thinking, gain independence, build self-confidence, foster creativity, and prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.
Parent Involvement
At CCCS we believe parent and family involvement and cooperation are essential to a positive learning experience. As a demonstration of your commitment to this belief, CCCS families volunteer their time and talents to the school and/or church during the school year. Participation in the volunteer program from each family is mandatory and necessary to help maintain the excellence in education and safety that we strive for. Fifteen hours per school year are required and need to be completed by the last day of school. In the event you are unable to complete your hours, $10.00 per uncompleted hours must be paid directly to the school; although your time and talents are very much more desired. Detailed opportunities for volunteering will be provided to you throughout the school year.
OUR BASIC BELIEFS
- We believe children are our most precious resource..
- We respect and work with people of all faiths and people with no faith.
- We are a group of churches that are united and we seek to promote cooperation between churches and denominations [uniting].
- We believe that faith is a relationship and a journey with God, not a set of beliefs one must profess.
- We believe in God’s grace over God’s judgment.
- We believe in the freedom of conscience in matters of faith.
- We believe in the Trinity: God being a community of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
- We believe the Holy Spirit is God’s continuing presence in the world.
- We believe God is love and cherishes every single person.
- We believe we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
- We believe the Bible is our authority for life and faith.
- We believe that the clearest expression of faith is found in Christ’s great commandment to love God and neighbor.
- We believe our faith calls us to serve others as we seek to establish God’s justice and kingdom in the world.
- We believe all Christians are a part of the body of Christ.
- We believe there are two sacraments: communion and baptism.
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CCCS’s policies and practices in early childhood education are linked to our image of the child as well as to our expectations for each child. We view the child as competent, active, and critical, capable of expressing his/her thoughts, feelings, and understandings through many modalities and media. Our curriculum emerges as a natural consequence of this and is formulated along with a set of skills that each child should master according to their age. Making discoveries, asking questions, and testing those discoveries are a part of every day. Children are encouraged to become real thinkers, problem solvers, to see multiple ways of finding solutions, and to apply and test these. Children are encouraged to use different medium such as visual arts, music, drama, and movement as a way to express themselves and learn about the world and themselves.
Voluntary Pre Kindergarten Education Program
Voluntary Pre Kindergarten Education Program (VPK) is a program designed to prepare four year old children for kindergarten and to help build the foundation for their educational success. Any child who is four years old by September 1, 2007 is eligible for the program. The hours of the program are from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon Monday through Friday. Daily attendance is necessary for your child to fully benefit from the experience. A written excuse is required for your child’s absence for any reason.
Open Door Policy
The school does have an open door policy meaning parents and/or adult caregivers/family members are welcome to join in the classroom at any time. We insist that the parent or caregiver/family member speak to the teacher about how to blend in with the activity at hand. This will ensure fairness to all children in attendance and not cause any disruption in the class. It is our belief that visitors should not stand out but blend in.
Our Christian History and Background
The Church of the Isles belongs to the United Church of Christ, a Protestant Christian denomination.
Being Christian, we affirm the ancient creeds of the Church [Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed] and use the early writing and traditions of the Church to strengthen our faith. We also look to the saints and leaders of the historical church as guides in our faith journey.
Being Protestant, we affirm the basic tenets of the Protestant Reformation. First and foremost is our belief in the absolute authority of the Bible. Luther’s sola scriptora places scripture above tradition and experience as the primary authority in understanding Christian faith and practice. We also affirm the importance of everyone learning about and studying the Word in order for their faith to be informed. Secondly, we strongly affirm that we are saved by grace through faith [Romans] and put our salvation squarely at the cross of Jesus Christ and His power of love and forgiveness. Finally, we affirm the two sacraments of baptism and communion. We believe that communion is a meal where Christ’s last supper with the disciples is remembered and Christ’s Spirit is made manifest.
The United Church of Christ is an incredibly unique Protestant denomination. In 1931, the Congregational Churches from the Puritan tradition merged with the Christian Churches from one of our country’s Great Awakenings to form a new denomination known as the Congregational Christian Churches. In 1934, the German immigrants who made up both the German Reformed Church and the Evangelical Synod of America joined to become the Evangelical and Reformed Church. In 1957, these two denominations representing four completely different traditions merged because they believed in the unity of Christ’s Church and mission. They created a brand new denomination known as the United Church of Christ.
The Church of the Isles was founded in 1952 to meet the needs of the growing population of folks moving to South Florida. In 1957, as a member of the Congregational Christian, they voted to join the united Church of Christ. As one of two congregations in Indian Rocks Beach, they have been a civic and religious leader in the community from the beginning. |
Documentation is a daily practice woven into all activities at COTI Community Christian School. Children are observed and listened to. Children’s processes, inquiries and theories are followed closely and documented in different ways (work notes, audio recordings, photographs). This documentation is used to assess children’s different abilities, what children understand and know, and also how they come to know.
Periodic reports on children’s cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual and social growth and development are shared with parents through two formal parent/teacher conferences per year as well as informally through telephone conversations and daily contacts.
School Documentation and Child(ren) Assessments
Documentation is a daily practice woven into all activities at COTI Community Christian School. Children are observed and listened to. Children’s processes, inquiries and theories are followed closely and documented in different ways (work notes, audio recordings, photographs). This documentation is used to assess children’s different abilities, what children understand and know, and also how they come to know. Periodic reports on children’s cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual and social growth and development are shared with parents through two formal parent/teacher conferences per year as well as informally through telephone conversations and daily contacts.
Discipline Policy
COTI Community Christian School sees each child as an individual with specific needs and interests. It is important for teachers to develop with their students a general understanding of what is acceptable behavior. Our staff uses positive reinforcement as well as redirection, offering the child an opportunity to direct his/her attention to another activity. Creative problem solving though discussion is another effective technique that we use with our older preschoolers and elementary students. This method is effective in teaching our children to find socially appropriate ways of resolving conflicts. It is very important that parents take part in this process by notifying the school of any situation that may arise at home affecting their child’s behavior.
CCCS After Care Clubs:
CCCS offers several After Care Clubs for the elementary children. Two clubs per week is included in the After Care Fee. Parents may choose additional clubs for their child for a nominal fee depending upon the club. Please check with the school office for details.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Periodic assessments on your child’s cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual and social growth and development are shared with parents through two formal parent/teacher conferences as well as informally through telephone conversations and daily contacts. Teachers and the director are available for conferences with parents anytime throughout the school year. |
