Parent Handbook

Parent Handbook 2009-2010
WELCOME TO MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE
We are very excited about this upcoming school year. We would like
to welcome all of our new families as well as our returning students.
We know your child will love all the new "jobs" we have
put together for them.
Enclosed with this letter, you will find a copy of the class rules
and procedures as well as some helpful hints. We know that children
excel when the school and the home are a partnership. We will be having
a training meeting for those "Little School" parents who
would like to help in the class. This can be parents, grandparents,
etc. Big School Helpers see Paula.
Even if you can only come once it will mean the world to your child.
We will be sending home a monthly newsletter to keep you informed
of upcoming events and helpful tips. PLEASE READ THIS LETTERH
Many people are missing out on important information. We also have
a book list you may wish to order from such as_ "MONTESSORI IN
THE HOME".
Thanks
Montessori Children's House Rules and Regulations
Arrivals and Dismissals: The AM Class begins at 8:30. Teachers will
come to your car and escort your child into the building between 8:20-8:30.
We will follow the same procedure between 11:20-11:30 for dismissal.
We will dismiss between 2:35-2:45. Please put a sign in your car window with
your child's name to help us get to
know you.
"Big School" students: Park on 4th and WATCH your child
walk up into the building. DO NOT let your child cross the street
alone!
WHEN A CHILD IS LATE HE MISSES A LOT! DO COME ON TIME. If a circumstance
arises that makes you late you must park your car and walk your child
to the back door. This keeps his entry from disturbing the group.
SAYING GOOD-BYE:
We have found that a quick good-bye helps the child adjust to separation
much better than "hanging around". Talk with your child
about how much fun he will have and how much you will have to talk
about later. DO NOT imply that you will be lonely or upset without
your child. He will be worried about you.
TALKING WITH TEACHERS:
Effective teachers must be alert to the children--hence we ask that
you do not engage the teachers in conversation when dropping off or
picking up children. The order or disorder for the whole day can be
set in the first few minutes of arrival time. Teachers need to concentrate
fully on the students.
If you need to speak to a teacher, please send in a note or call
to arrange an appointment before or after school; but please, help
the teachers start the day well by giving them a calm beginning. Keep
in mind that we will also be having two conferences so you can see
how your child is doing. A teacher will let you know if there is a
problem that needs to be addressed.
Thanks!
DRIVING AND PARKING:
We are fortunate to have a zoning variance, which allows us to operate
in a residential area. We need to keep our neighbors friendly.
Please treat 4th street and the alley behind us as one way going
north. Enter both the street and the alley from Churchman Avenue only.
If you have children in the Big School, drive to the front of the
school on 4th to deliver and pick up. Never park right in front to
stay or Double Park. We want everyone to be safe. We now own the lot
next to our school and you may park in front of it if you are coming
in as a helper or for conferences.
Little School (3-6 class) should deliver and pick up in the alley
that runs between 4th and 5th streets. Remember that it is one way
going north.
NEVER PARK IN THE ALLEY AND LEAVE YOUR CAR. If there is space in
our lot you may park there otherwise park on 4th.
CLOTHING:
Please have your child dress in comfortable (weather appropriate)
clothes. Do not send in "fancy" duds unless it is picture
day. We tend to get a bit messy as we work and play. The children
should not have to worry about messing up their nice clothes. Little
School students MUST have a spare change of clothes with them each
day. We do use aprons, but accidents will happen. ALLOW YOUR CHILD
TO DRESS HIMSELF or HERSELF. Even a three-year old can do this if
you show him or her how. If he can't put on and take off his own clothes,
he will have a hard time getting to the bathroom on time.
WHAT TO BRING:
Every child should have a change of clothes (3-7yrs), lunch (for all
day students), and his folder (we will provide). If weather is 50°
or below, he will need a jacket that fastens and a hat and gloves.
He may not be permitted outside for play if he is not properly attired.
If your child can not go outside, please send a note explaining why
and for how long. Big backpacks and lunchboxes do not fit well in
the coat cubbies. PLEASE SEND SMALL LUNCHBOXES & BAGS WITH YOUR
CHILDREN.
LUNCH:
The children who stay all day wilt need to bring their own lunches.
We prefer to see lunches come in sacks or lunchboxes with THEIR NAME
ON IT. We do have a refrigerator and can put perishable items in it.
We cannot possibly microwave everyone's meals in the short time we
have for lunch (30 minutes). Please preheat your child's warm dishes
and instruct them not to refrigerate.
Now is the time our children are learning nutrition habits for a
lifetime. Send food that is well balanced. Allow your child to choose
which healthy things he brings, such as, "Which would you like
grapes or an apple in your lunch? Please do not send dessert as they
always eat this first and don't have room for their healthy food.
Keep in mind they get snack at school. GUM, CANDY AND SODA WILL NOT
BE PERMITTED.
SNACKS:
Each day, a healthy snack is provided to the students in both the
morning and the afternoon. We ask each family to send in a week’s
worth of healthy snacks once a year to help. Cookies or cupcakes may
be sent for your child's birthday if you wish.
LITTLE SCHOOL ONLY
Please send your child to school with one box of Kleenex and one box
of flushable wipes. These will help keep everyone healthy. We will
also gladly accept hand sanitizer. You may be asked sometime during
the year to send in flowers for the children to arrange or to take
a small load of laundry home to do with your child. We will send home
a paper when it is your turn. The children feel very proud when they
do these things!
ALLERGIES AND ILLNESS:
If your child has allergies, please write us a note that we can post
along with emergency instructions and phone numbers. If your child
has severe food allergies, you may provide him his own snack to have
at school.
If your child has:
Head Lice: You must treat at home (contact pharmacist or physician
for instructions) and child must be nit free to return to school.
Fever: Child must stay home if his temperature is 99 or above and
may not return to school until he has been free of fever for 24 hours.
Vomiting: Child may return to school 24 hours after vomiting stops.
Chicken Pox: Child must stay home until pox have scabbed over and
are healing.
Diarrhea: Child may return 24 hours after last bout of diarrhea.
Coughing and Sneezing: Child may be at school. Please instruct him
to cover his whole mouth and nose and wash hands afterward.
DISCIPLINE POLICY:
An atmosphere of quiet order is necessary in a Montessori classroom.
Individual freedom is defined and determined by the environment and
interplay of the individuals present. Freedom thus ends, when it enters
and inhibits another's activity. No child is "bad," he or
she is only redirected. It is the responsibility of the teachers to
define the boundaries and to guide the child to purposeful activity.
Corporal punishment will not be administered to any child.
SCHOOL GROUND RULES:
The school operates on the assumption that everyone in the school
will take good care of every person in our environment. The following
ground rules should foster the healthy developmental growth of both
the individual child and the group.
1. No child or adult will hurt another in any way.
2. No child or adult may disturb the work of another.
3. All materials in the school are for the child's use. In some cases
a material may be used freely, and at other times only after it has
been presented. At all times the must be treated with respect.
4. All work must be returned to the same place it was found and in
the same condition.
5. A child may join another child who is using a specific piece of
equipment only if he is invited by the child.
6. No child is ever forced to share with another the materials which
he has first chosen.
7. The children are never coerced into joining a group activity unless
they desire to participate.
Lunch:
If your child stays at school all day (8:30-2:30) he/she will need
to bring lunch. Lunch should be in a paper bag or standard size lunch
box with your child's name on it. Your child should be responsible
for helping pack and put away his lunch. This will encourage him to
eat as well as allowing him to know what he has brought and where
to find it. (You'd be amazed how many children cannot find their lunch!)
If your child forgets his lunch, he will be given a cheese sandwich
and a drink. This will be a 40cz: charge to be paid upon pick up that
day.
Teachers cannot leave school to get lunch for your child.
We are no longer able to heat your child's meal for them as this
takes the teachers attention away from the group as well as taking
away her lunch time.
If you send a warm lunch in a thermos, it should still be warm when
they sit down to eat. They may use the refrigerator when needed.
Big School lunch: 12:00
Little School lunch: 11:30