About Laurel Heights Weekday School

Laurel Heights Weekday School is fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and maintains the highest standards of operation. The accreditation is unique in that only a very few preschools choose to undergo this intense review. This exemplifies our true commitment to provide the best environment for your child to develop cognitively, socially, and physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually.

Laurel Heights Weekday School was developed in 1952 as an outreach to the community. For over sixty years we have continued to reinforce basic Christian principles through developmentally appropriate activities in each classroom. Children in the three-year-old classes and up attend chapel services twice a week. As a school, Christian holidays are celebrated throughout the year. We value religious activities and include them as part of the total curriculum. It is our hope that each child experiences the unique love and care provided by all teachers.

“The Social and emotional well being of every child is of the utmost importance”

Our History

Children of the Laurel Heights Weekday School have been growing in mind, body, and spirit for over 60 years. When Laurel Heights Weekday School opened in 1952 as a community outreach program, the Laurel Heights Weekday Kindergarten had four teachers and forty-eight 4 and 5 year-old children. By the spring of 1953, 3 year-olds were welcome to enroll in the program, which cost parents $10 per month.

In the second year of operation, the school was in session from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. A notice in the Sept. 4, 1953 issue of “The Laurel Heights Messenger” noted that “This is a school in Christian living where everything – play, worship, singing, activities – is conducted as a unit in an atmosphere of Christian influence under the guidance of well-trained workers.”

Mrs. McDavid served as the first volunteer director of the school upon its founding. In 1957, Aleene Block became the church’s Director of Christian Education. One of her responsibilities was to supervise the Weekday School, which was still directed by Mary McDavid.

By 1960, five teachers worked with the children, who were divided by age into the “Butterflies,” “Squirrels,” “Teddy Bears,” and “Birds.” By this time, tuition had increased to $12 per month for children ages 3 to 6, and the school day lasted from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. In the Laurel Heights Messenger, Aleene Block wrote about the myriad benefits of a solid preschool program. She stated, “A good nursery school or kindergarten helps children grow. It helps them face life with keener minds and better understanding through learning to share, to observe, and to develop their initiative in a happy, natural atmosphere.”

The laughter and learning of children carried on from one decade to the next. Archived photos have been saved and show smiling children playing outside on playgrounds. Although the playgrounds have been renovated and remodeled, children are creating memories at Laurel Heights as they are loved, nurtured, learning, and discovering God’s love daily.

In 1970, the age range of the school expanded with the addition of a Mother’s Day Out program for children younger than 3. Kindergarten was offered through the 1994-95 school year. Since then, the school has provided care and education for children from 3 month olds through prekindergarteners. In 1975, the school hired the first full-time director, Betty Thomas and 100 children attended LHWS. Dr. Anne Wier, joined the staff as a teacher in 1983 and she became director in January 1985 and retired in 2013. Laurie Miracle now serves as the Executive Director of LHWS.

 

Safety & Security

Health & Safety

Our primary goal at Laurel Heights UMC Weekday School is to foster positive growth in each of the developmental domains, while we keep your child and school staff safe, secure, and free from injury. We follow the guidelines and standards set forth by Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (TDFPS), The National Association of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Metropolitan Health District.

Building Access and Security

Parents and visitors are welcome to visit Laurel Heights Weekday School at any time during school hours. Each family is issued a keyless entry device and has keyless access to enter during the school day at either the Belknap or Woodlawn entrance. The Woodlawn entrance is either locked and/or monitored by the church receptionist at all times. The Belknap entrance is either locked and/or monitored by a Weekday School employee during school hours. All other entrances are locked and may only be used by teaching staff when a teacher is taking a class for outdoor walks, learning, or play. Parents and staff are not allowed to use any gate entrance to enter or exit the school at anytime. All visitors must enter the school using one of the previously mentioned keyless entrances and be seen by the office staff. Under the Texas Penal Code, any area within 100 feet of LHWS is considered a gang-free zone.

Release of a Child

Parents must add to brightwheel individuals who are Approved Pick-ups, or Family. If you need assistance with this the office can also enter this information. Approved persons must come to the school office and check in before going to the child’s classroom. Tell this individual to expect us to ask for his or her identification with a picture on it verifying his or her identity. Please notify the school either through a brightwheel message or phone call with the number where you can be reached if you will not be at any of the numbers kept in your child’s file. Please understand we will not release your child to a friend or family member if that person has not been authorized and added to brightwheel ahead of time. This is for the safety of all children who attend LHWS.

Safety Drills & Plans

Fire drills occur once a month and tornado/inclement weather drills, Earthquake, and Active Shooter drills occur 4 times yearly. In the case of an emergency, such as a chemical spill in the area, we will re-locate to the city-designated location. Please listen to the radio and TV to determine where we will be. If the reason to relocate is not a city emergency, we will re-locate to Christ Episcopal Church or Alamo Heights United Methodist Church.

 

LHWS uses the brightwheel software system for communication with families, billing, checking students in/out of the program, and so much more!  


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