Montessori school handbook

Breakfast — A good wholesome breakfast is important. If you arrive before am you may bring a nutritious breakfast and we will serve it, or pay an extra fee for our breakfast.

Please try to avoid donuts, cookies and high sugar items. If you are to arrive after that time please feed your child breakfast before you bring them to school. Morning Snack — We provide a morning and afternoon snack.

Lunch — is equally as important as breakfast. Hot lunches may be purchased for an additional fee. Our menu is designed to meet or exceed the state required nutrition guidelines and to appeal to children. Items on our lunch menu are made of chicken or turkey. You may have your child bring a toothbrush labeled with permanent marker and a brush holder and they may brush their teeth after lunch. Some children love this practice and some do not want to brush.

We will encourage them but they will not be forced to brush. Let your teacher know if this is important to you. You may bring a sack lunch, instead of purchasing our lunch, but we do ask that you send a nutritious lunch and refrain from sending high sugar foods. It has been our experience that those children who eat empty nutrient foods and sweets are those who have a more difficult day.

If you do send lunch please:. Afternoon Snack — is served shortly after the children awake from nap around p. A second afternoon snack may be served around p. The second snack is something light to hold them until dinnertime. Usually it is a few pretzels or crackers.

Nap Time. Younger children who are at school after p. Primary children who are old enough not to require a nap and who function well in the afternoon class will be allowed to attend extended day class.

Extended day class is very important because it is a crucial learning time for children in their Kindergarten year; therefore, we do not allow children in the class who disrupt curriculum. Children still sleeping at p. Outside Time Children will have playtime outside daily in the morning and the afternoon.

Houston weather is so varied from morning to afternoon; dressing in layers is the best solution for the changes. Please send a sweater, coat or jacket and a hat so that your child may play comfortably outside in cool weather.

Be sure to label all of these items. Some parents would prefer that their children be kept inside if the weather is too hot or too cold. We will try to accommodate this request; however, we are required to give children outside time and we are required to maintain ratios and may not always be able to honor your request.

Departure — Short day students will be picked up between p. If your child is on a short-day program and they are still at the school at p. All students must be picked up by p.

Release Procedures Parents must sign their child out on the computer in the hallway. If the staff person in charge or teacher does not personally know the parent, they will be asked to show identification. At different times we have to have substitutes or schedule changes.

The Montessori Classroom Dr. The Montessori approach is designed to help the child build within themselves the foundations for a lifetime of creative learning. A love of learning and confidence as an independent learner are prerequisites in a world of constant change. The Montessori Program is based on self-directed, non-competitive activities that help the child develop self-esteem, confidence, and decision-making and problem-solving skills.

The multi-age grouping promotes an atmosphere for helping and learning together. The Montessori teacher prepares the environment and guides the children so that they may progress at their own pace. The Montessori materials will guide your child not only to read and write, but to think creatively and abstractly when faced with challenges.

During work time children receive lessons with the whole class, in small groups and one on one. Children practice lessons that the teacher has given to them. The Montessori method is implemented through the prepared environment and lesson presentations are delivered in a sequence that leads to optimum success for each individual child. If you enter the classroom during work time, please understand that it may appear very casual; however, the children are very busy working.

Emphasis of Growth. Classroom Areas The environment and atmosphere are designed to be conducive to learning and development. Montessori materials are arranged to be attractive and accessible to the children.

Practical Life — This area promotes care of self and environment, as well as orderliness, fine motor coordination, and self-confidence and concentration. Sensorial — Your child will utilize their five senses and develop skills in sequencing, color discrimination, and gradation of various sizes, shapes, and colors.

Language — Your child will have an increase in vocabulary with the many enrichment activities available in the classrooms. Reading is introduced phonetically and many exercises encourage handwriting skills. Math — The math experience begins with concrete activities in order to build a solid foundation in the basics of math. They will progress to more complex and abstract work. Geography — Children will learn about the diverse world around them.

They will make these discoveries using maps, land forms, and many other exciting avenues. Science — Studies will include the world of botany, zoology, geology, and astronomy. Art — Montessori classrooms give children the power to create through many different mediums. The children will create with paint, collages, salt dough, and other things that encourage individuality and creativity.

We always stress the beauty of the process used by the child, rather than the finished product. Children may bring objects from nature such as: rocks, shells, leaves, twigs, plants, flowers, dead insects, etc. Please do not send any toys or play items. They may also bring books, photographs, postcards, or other pictures. The children really enjoy sharing and it builds their confidence as they gain the ability to speak in front of the group. Guidance and Discipline — Our goal is to help the child develop self-discipline.

First, we must differentiate between discipline and punishment. Punishment is short-term, brings some satisfaction to the adult, but has no long-range educational goals for the child. Discipline on the other hand, is designed to alter behavior and has as its goal long range effects through education of the child.

We want eventually for the child to display self—discipline. Our classrooms have certain rules. Physical means of handling anger or disagreement are inappropriate, and discussions of feelings are encouraged. If a child clearly understands these rules and refuses to cooperate, that is their prerogative. However, certain consequences will follow.

The teacher may first try to distract the child from the negative behavior and direct them to a productive activity.

If they persist in the behavior the teacher may have them move around the room holding their hand and restricting freedom. They observe other children doing lessons and they often become interested in an activity. Once a child understands how cooperative behavior will benefit them, he can begin to move toward self-discipline. Positive behavior is reinforced as a means of discouraging inappropriate behavior.

Physical punishment is not used under any circumstances. Rest, food, or toilet training is never associated with punishment or reward. Removal from a situation and loss of privileges, are methods we use for disciplinary purposes as each situation dictate. We use natural and logical consequences. Enough emphasis cannot be placed on the importance of consistency in discipline. Rules must be reasonable and agreed upon by the adults.

A rule cannot exist one day and be unimportant the next. Adults lose credibility and the child is confused. It is also important to follow through when a statement is made; otherwise nothing is taken seriously. It is a violation of state minimum standards to allow physical punishment on school premises.

We must insist that parents refrain from physical punishment or disciplining in a manner which is inconsistent with our policies while on the school property.

If you need help in redirecting your child, please ask a staff member to assist you. The school reserves the right to refuse the enrollment of any child or to ask parents to make alternative arrangements for the care of a child enrolled if we are unable to provide the environment that the child needs, or are unable to manage their behavior. We will also ask for other arrangements if parents do not work with us in a positive manner.

We want your child to feel safe and secure here, and we want you to feel welcome at any time as long as it does not interfere with the classrooms. Parents may observe classrooms and activities on the monitors in the office at any time and they may inspect the building, premise or equipment at any time without having to secure prior approval. Teachers coordinate special events and activities. They will be held semi-annually for the older classrooms or as the parent, teacher or Director requests.

We do ask that you refrain from discussing any problems related to your child in their presence unless the teacher or Director requests it. The Director has an open-door policy and welcomes your comments and suggestions. We maintain a bulletin board in the entrance hallway, any news or changes to policy will be posted there as well as being available on our website and in the parent Handbook. Contact the office at any time to discuss or review any concerns or questions about the policies and procedures of our school.

We have a special way of celebrating Birthdays at Five Star. It is much different than a traditional American Birthday, but that is what makes it so special. This celebration is much more conducive to the classroom environment and sharing with our friends. We appreciate your thoughtfulness in this celebration. Suspension and Expulsion In general, the school is very open to working with parents regarding behaviors and needs of a child.

We require that parents work with us in a positive manner and take time to meet with us if it is requested. We will take all reasonable steps to move a child in a positive direction.

A child may be expelled by the School without prior notice, if in the sole opinion of the school, it is in the best interest of the child or in the best interest of the School to expel the child. Parent Discord — The school is a safe haven for your child. If parents are going through a custody battle or any legal proceedings they will not involve the school or allow their attorney to subpoena any staff.

If we believe that a child is in danger we will call Child Protective Services, as is required by law. The center keeps medicine on the top shelf by the entrance to the kitchen. We maintain dated records with the name of the staff person who administered the medication.

Please pick up your medicine after it is no longer required. We routinely give medications at am and pm. If a different time is required please speak with someone in Administration. All over the counter medication such as Tylenol, Dimetapp, etc. Most contain a disclaimer to consult a physician for children under 2 years old. We will not administer more than the recommended dosage on the label for children over 2 years old unless prescribed by a physician. Inhalators and Breathing Machines — We strongly encourage parents to administer inhalators and breathing machines themselves.

However, if you need our staff to do it you must sign a complete waiver of liability and explain the procedure in detail to the administrative staff person who is to administer the treatment.

Policies Regarding Sick Children — Health Check — Illness and Exclusion Criteria While we take precautions to protect your child against illnesses, most children experience a normal number of infections and illnesses throughout the year. We follow all the state guidelines regarding sick children. If a child has a sign or symptom of illness or injury or change in behavior the teacher or assistant will call the office for health check. A child with contagious disease or an undiagnosed rash will be sent home and parents are asked to consult a physician before having the child return to school.

Please call the school to let us know of any contagious disease so we can be cautious and observant of others that may display similar symptoms. Your child should not come to school if they have a temperature, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, undiagnosed rash or contagious disease.

Please call the school to inform us that your child is ill. Fever — A child who has a fever is probably contagious and should not come to school or be medicated to lower or mask their fever. Parents will be asked to take a child home if the child has a fever of degrees under the arm temperature. If your child becomes ill at school we will call you to pick up your child. A child may be sent home because of any of the aforementioned symptoms or if they have symptoms that prevent the child from participating comfortably in school activities.

We cannot emphasize too strongly the need for parents to inform the office in writing of any change of telephone numbers during the year. We must be able to contact someone at all times in case of an emergency. Chickenpox — all lesions are dry and crusted.

Hand, Foot and Mouth — Fever is gone and sores healed. Impetigo — at least 24 hours after the start of medication. If there is no improvement in 48 hours, the child should be reassessed by a physician. Lice and Scabies — following medical treatment and removal of all eggs. Procedures for Handling Medical Emergencies As a general rule, we will call and ask for help whenever someone is severely ill or hurt, and then contact the parent.

If a child is ill or is injured, but not in imminent danger, we will get them comfortable and contact the parents or one of the emergency contacts if a parent cannot be reached. It is very important to keep all contact numbers we have on file current.

Hearing and Vision Screening Requirements The state requires that all children 4 years old and over have hearing and vision screening annually. Safety and Security Safety is a responsibility that we take very seriously. Please, always accompany your child inside their classroom unless a staff member is available and offers to do so. If the class is outside, do not leave your child unattended in the classroom. Take them outside to their teacher. The staff requires proper identification from any unfamiliar persons authorized to pick up a child.

Written notification is required for the addition of authorized persons. If there is a last-minute change, you may call and you will be asked your family code word so that we can identify you. We will not release a child to anyone who appears to be impaired by alcohol or any other substance.

We have an access control system for entry into the center. We have electronically monitored fire alarm and security systems. The playground is completely fenced in and has two exits.

Fire Drills and Evacuation Procedures are done in accordance with State requirements, we have monthly fire drills and lock down drills. While this may be inconvenient and unsettling for some children, it is crucial for the safety of the children that they learn proper emergency evacuation procedures.

Evacuation plans are posted in each classroom. We have a severe weather radio and scanner in the office and are able to keep abreast of developing situations. If the children need to be relocated due to an emergency the relocation site will be posted at our building.

We recommend that you practice fire drills at home. Emergency Dismissal Occasionally Houston has flash flood warnings and other severe weather conditions. Five Star will be closed on any day that the local school district has cancelled school because of weather conditions; or if public school is not in session the school will be closed if city employees are excused from work.

As with any missed days, tuition cannot be refunded for missed days due to weather. Emergency Preparedness Plan Staff Responsibilities Every staff person has the moral, ethical and legal responsibility to care for and protect the children in which we have been entrusted.

In the case of an emergency large or small, staff may not leave the children in their time of need. Director or Administrative person in charge: 1. Verify information 2. Call if necessary 3. Seal off high-risk area 4. Notify staff using the all-page button on phone system or proceed to verbally notify each classroom 5. Notify the Executive Director 6. Keep detailed notes of crisis event Staff assigned to a classroom: 1.

Lock classroom exterior doors, unless evacuation orders are issued 3. Account for all students 4. Warn students if it is appropriate and reassure them. If evacuation is required follow procedures as practiced in fire drills.

Keep your class together, ensure all students are accounted for and are in your group, take the classroom binder with you. Kitchen staff and floaters: Report to the office to be assigned a task or if the school is in process of being evacuated go immediately to the infant room to help with evacuation.

Tornado — 1. Monitor Emergency Alert Station, or local weather stations via internet, radio. Bring all persons inside building. Close windows and blinds.

Review Tornado drill procedures and location of safe areas. Tornado safe areas are under desks and in hallways away from windows and large rooms. Tornado watch has been issued near school or Tornado has been spotted. Move students and staff to safe area.

Remind teachers to take class rosters. Account for all students. If the door is locked when you arrive, please call the school office or Please do not ask church staff or volunteers to let you in for our safety, they have been instructed not to let anyone into the school.

Toddler Classes: Pick up between and If you have a child in both the toddler and class, first pick up the toddler, then your child. Staff will bring the preschool children to the seating area of the covered walkway.

Drivers should pull up in the line, turn off the car, and wait on the sidewalk by the car for the child, who will be walked to the driver by a staff member. Please do not walk up to the seating area to pick up your child. It is important that your child be picked up on time, as it is distressing for the child to be left after the other children have been picked up. The staff has other duties at noon, it is unfair to leave them waiting. If you are running late, please call the school office or school cell phone so that arrangements can be made for the care of your child.

Everyone runs late sometime, but if a parent is repeatedly late picking up, we will have to come up with a strategy for timeliness. Parking on Church Street is reserved for church staff and members. An elevator is available only for those with a physical handicap, those with babies in strollers, or other special circumstances.

Please use the stairs in all other circumstances. Snack time will be a natural part of our Practical Life curriculum. Children will be involved based on their developmental level in preparing and serving snack.

For an month-old, that may mean helping the teacher peel a Mandarin orange. A five-year-old may slice carrots or use the apple corer to section an apple. Children of all ages will be involved in setting the table and washing the dishes.

Children in the Younger Toddler Class will have group snack, with teachers and children eating snack together at the same time. The Older Toddler Class and the year old classes will have small group snack, with children coming to the snack table during the morning work time in groups of three or four.

Snack food will be chosen for good taste and good health. A typical snack might beapple slices, rice cakes, and Sunbutter peanut butter alternative. Careful consideration will be given to those children with food allergies. As much as possible, we will purchase organic produce. Please send a full, re-useable water bottle for your child each day.

Bottles that children can open by themselves are best twist-off caps are difficult for children. These will be used in the classroom and on the playground. The bottles will be sent home each day to be washed and refilled. A tote bag, provided by the school, should be sent each day with your child, containing a bottle filled with water.

Please use this bag rather than backpacks. A change of clothing, including socks and underwear if applicable, should be sent on the first day of school in a large, labeled Ziploc bag to be kept in the classroom in case of accidents.

These should be exchanged several times during the year, as needed, to suit the weather and your growing child. Please label all clothing. Children should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for active, involved experiences. Outdoor play and art experiences are potentially messy, so older clothing is recommended. Although aprons are worn during painting and messy activities, there is always the possibility of stained clothing.

Your child will get dirty! This fosters independence when going to the bathroom or changing clothes. Athletic shoes with Velcro closures or slip-ons — no shoelaces, please, unless the child can tie them independently worn with socks are recommended as the safest and most comfortable shoes for active play.

Please no clogs, cowboy boots, Crocs or flip-flops. Please dress your child for the weather, with rain jackets and rain boots for rainy days and warm coats, hats, and mittens for cold days. Toys from home should be left at home or in the car. Explain to your child that there will be plenty of new things to do at school and toys from home often get lost or broken. Holding firm on this issue will help alleviate distractions in the classroom and the potential for stressful situations. Special items, such as objects found in nature, quality literature, and items of educational interest may be brought in and shown to the group at circle time.

Lunch Bunch is from each day. You will receive a monthly statement for any Lunch Bunch days utilized. Statements are sent out at the end of the month and payment is due by the 10th of the following month. Pick-up will be the same procedure as the noon pick-up. It is imperative that children are picked up by , as we must legally close at that time.

Please send a lunch box for your child which includes food in re-useable containers the Bento style lunch boxes, such as the Yumbox, are easy for the child to open, have compartments for different food, and eliminate food waste and plastic bag waste , eating utensils, and a cloth napkin. Please send a cold pack in the lunchbox if the food needs to remain cold the Packit Freeze and Go brand of lunchbox freezes overnight and can then be packed with perishable food , or a Thermos if the food needs to remain hot.

Because we have several children with nut allergies, our school is nut-free. The SunButter brand is a sunflower seed spread that is a good alternative to peanut butter. There are also several soy butter products available. Lunchtime will be treated like other aspects of the Montessori program with an emphasis on grace, courtesy, and independence.

Skills such as setting the table and cleaning up will be taught and reinforced. After lunch, the children will participate in a variety of activities, including working in the garden or playing on the playground or in the classroom. SMS will require all children to be vaccinated according to General Statutes A, but will also honor any properly submitted medical or religious exemptions as outlined in General Statutes A and A Child Illness: If your child is sick, please call or email the school to let us know that he or she will be absent.

Children should be kept at home if they lack the energy to participate in classroom activities or you are concerned that your child may be contagious to other children. Children should particularly be kept at home for the following reasons:.

If you cannot be reached, the person designated on the emergency form will be contacted. Your child should be fever free and feeling better! If your child has a contagious illness i. Teachers are unable to administer medications, including diaper cream, with the exception of an Epi-pen in the case of allergy emergencies. If your child requires sunscreen, please apply it before school, as the staff is not able to apply it at school.

Children in the preschool classes years old should either be using the toilet independentlyor actively in the process of learning to use the toilet.

Clothing worn to school should be suitable for quick and easy bathroom visits. If your child is in the process learning to use the toilet, please let the teacher know so that a plan can be worked out to encourage the process while the child is at school. A potty chair is in the toddler rooms is available for those children who use thetoilet or in the process.

Diapers are changed at least once daily and as needed. Our goal is to have classrooms that are thriving communities where children are treated with respect and dignity and want to treat others with the same respect and dignity.

Young children must be given the tools they need to live and communicate with the people around them. Teachers help by modeling and instructing children in appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Ground rules are established and reinforced, defining respectful behavior toward self, others, and property. We understand that mistakes are opportunities for learning.

We do not expect perfection from children or adults. If a student has difficulty following the rules of the community, the response will be age appropriate. Students may experience the logical consequences of their actions i. If a child continues to have difficulty being a respectful member of the community, the teacher will seek to find out the underlying reasons for the behavior.

This involves talking with the parents, asking questions, and coming up with a cooperative strategy to address the behavior. If the teacher and school head believe that the child and family would benefit from assistance outside of the school, a recommendation for a referral will be made. The School Head can suggest possible places for referrals. If progress is not made, the School Head may suggest that the parents find another school situation for the child during the school year or for the following school year.

This policy and the related procedures aretoensure the physical and emotional safety of all SMS students. Criminal background checks will be obtained for all SMS staff members. These checks include criminal history and sex offender registry. Classroom door rule — The top part of each classroom door remainsopen while children are present.

The classroom remains in full view. Parents or other staff members are welcome to observe the classroom.