Education is our #1 Priority here at Chief Leschi!

Our school has established the Teen Parenting Program, which is specifically designed to meet the needs of young teen mothers and their children. A student/parent who is in this program has to be enrolled as a student at Chief Leschi School and attending classes in good standing. They are expected to assist in the care of their child throughout the day by checking with the nursery staff 2 to 3 times a day. This check up is done during breaks and lunch time, not during class time so as not to disrupt the education of the student.

A requirements of this program is that a participating child must be at least six weeks of age, in good health and have all required immunizations. Each student-parent is expected to provide for the daily needs such as diapers, formula, bottles, etc. When a student parent is in the nursery she is expected to help out with her child and with other children in the nursery. Chief Leschi School provides for daily snacks and appropriate school menu meals. Junk food is not allowed in the nursery except for special occasions such as birthday parties, where goodies are served.

This program also implements learning for the young child by having structured activities and story time. But it is not all work and no play, as children have nap time, free play time, meal time, quiet time and outdoor time. The structured activities are designed to stimulate child development and outdoor time helps them to develop their muscles and coordination.

We feel that it is important to have a stable structured schedule to meet the needs of children to provide a sense of security.The safety and health of children in this program is top priority. Here are some examples: We try to make sure that children don’t spread illnesses to each other by following strict guidelines. During fire drills the children are placed into a single crib with wheels and wheeled out of the building. They are carefully provided for with blankets and other necessary things while out of the building. All student/parents are required to provide an approved car seat for transportation. Separate play areas are provided for the children in order to protect them, for example, toddlers are separated from infants.

DISCIPLINE MEANS TO TEACH

Our primary disciplinary tool is re-direction, which means that little children have short attention spans and can be easily diverted from unwanted behavior. Student parents who use inappropriate disciplinary methods are required to take extra classes on appropriate parenting.

Our programs greatest accomplishment is seeing one our teen parents make that final walk and accept their diploma!