2011/12 Parent Handbook
Programs
Primary (Ages 3-6)
The Montessori primary classroom is a “house” for children. Children choose their work from among the self-correcting materials displayed on the shelves. Over a period of time, the children develop into a “normalized community,” working with high concentration and few interruptions. Normalization is the process whereby a child moves from being undisciplined to self-disciplined, from disordered to ordered, from distracted to focused, through work in the environment. The process occurs through repeated work with materials that captivate the child’s attention. For some children this inner change may take place quite suddenly, leading to deep concentration. In the Montessori children’s house, academic competency is a means to an end, and the manipulative materials are viewed as “materials for development.”
In the Montessori preschool, five distinct areas constitute the prepared environment:
· Practical Life enhances the development of task organization and cognitive order through care of self, care of the environment, exercises of grace and courtesy, and coordination of physical movement.
· The sensorial area enables the child to order, classify, and describe sensory impressions in relation to length, width, temperature, mass, color, pitch etc.
· Mathematics makes use of manipulative materials to enable the child to internalize concepts of number, symbol, sequence, operations, and memorization of basic facts.
· Language arts include oral language development, written expression, reading, the study of grammar, creative dramatics, and children’s literature. Basic skills in writing and reading are developed through the use of sandpaper letters and various presentations allowing children to link sounds with letter symbols effortlessly and to express their thoughts through writing.
· Cultural activities expose the child to basics in geography, history and life sciences. Music, art and movement education are part of the integrated cultural curriculum.
The preschool environment unifies the psychosocial, physical and academic functioning of the child. The primary objective of the classroom is to provide students with an early and general foundation that includes a positive attitude toward school, inner security, a snse of order, pride in the physical environment, abiding curiosity, habit of concentration, habits of initiative and persistence, the ability to make decisions, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility to other members of the class, school and community. This foundation will enable them to acquire more specialized knowledge and skills throughout their school career.
Elementary (Ages 6-12)
The elementary program offers a continuum built on the preschool experience. The environment reflects a new stage of development and offers the following:
· Integration of the arts, sciences, geography, history, and language that evokes the imagination and abstraction of the elementary child.
· Presentation of knowledge as part of a large scale narrative that unfolds the origins of the earth, life, human communities, and modern history, always in the context of the wholeness of life.
· Presentation of the formal scientific language of zoology, botany, anthropology, geography, geology, etc., exposing the child to accurate, organized information and respecting the child’s intelligence and interests.
· The use of timelines, pictures, charts, and other visual aids to provide a linguistic and visual overview of the first principles of each discipline.
· A mathematics curriculum presented with concrete materials that simultaneously reveal arithmetic, geometric, and algebraic correlation.
· Montessori trained adults who are “enlightened generalists” (teachers who are able to integrate the teaching of all subjects, not as isolated disciplines, but as part of a whole intellectual tradition).
· Emphasis on open-ended research and in-depth study using primary and secondary sources as well as other materials.
· Community-building through regular class meetings where children help each other solve problems, individually and collectively.
· Regular guidance and structure in resolving conflict in a peaceful and effective manner.
· “Going out” to make use of community resources beyond the four walls of the classroom.
As in the primary program, the Montessori materials are a means to an end. They are intended to evoke the imagination, to aid abstraction, to generate a worldview about the human task and purpose. The child works within a philosophical system asking questions about the origins of the universe, the nature of life, people and their differences, and so on.
Activity Club
The Activity Club is our extended day program for those children who remain at school outside of classroom hours. The hours of this program are as follows:
· Morning – 7:30-8:30
· Afternoons – Monday – Thursday 2:30-5pm/Fridays 12-5
Parents may contract this service at the beginning of the year or use it on a per day basis. All requests for per diem morning care or after care must be approved by the director. Please call ahead to sign up for care.
Late Pickup
Children must be picked up at their scheduled time (11:45 am for morning students, 2:30 for full day students, 2:45 for elementary students, 5:00 for Activity Club). A charge of $1 per minute will be required from parents for pick-up after the scheduled time. (i.e. for pickup at 5:12 - $12 charge)
Admissions and Enrollment
Admissions
Children three to twelve years of age may be considered for admission. Admission shall be determined after consultation between the administrator and the teacher of the appropriate class. Families wishing to be considered for admission are requested to come in for an interview and classroom observation. The first visit is adults only. Parents who choose to enroll their child will submit an application form with fee.
Upon receipt of the application, a classroom visit will be scheduled for the child.
Admission priorities are in accord with the following school policy:
Primary:
1. Siblings of older students at Meadowbrook.
2. Three year old children.
3. Montessori transfer students.
Elementary
1. Students graduating from the primary classroom.
2. Montessori transfer students.
3. Siblings of Meadowbrook students.
Because a complete Montessori education is built on a series of three-year cycles from preschool through the elementary program, admission to the primary program for students older than three, or to the elementary program after age 6, without prior Montessori experience is considered only after careful discussion with parents.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Meadowbrook Montessori School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs and other school-administered programs.
Application Procedure
School Visit
This is the first step in our enrollment process. We request that the first visit be an “adults only” visit. This allows you, as a parent, to assess the school, our classrooms, and the Montessori Method for the right fit for the family and the child. The meeting is typically about 45 minutes long.
Application
After visiting the school, an application, along with a one time application fee must be submitted to the school in order to be considered for enrollment. Applications for all programs are accepted year round. Applications should be mailed directly to the school or hand delivered.
School Visit
After receiving an application, the school will contact you to schedule a classroom visit for your child. The visit will last approximately one hour and it will allow your child to experience the classroom, meet future classmates and get to know his/her teacher.
Enrollment and Re-enrollment
Re-enrollment for currently enrolled students begins on February 1st of each school year and ends on February 28th. During this period returning families have first priority in securing a space for their children. Parents must return an enrollment agreement and deposit to the school to secure enrollment for the fall. Open enrollment begins on March 1st of each school year.
During open enrollment the school will consider all spaces for which it does not have an enrollment agreement as open and will begin filling these openings with new applicants. If extenuating circumstances do not allow a returning family to secure enrollment for the fall during the re-enrollment period please contact the Head of School.
Administrative and Financial Policies
Tuition Policy
Enrollment Agreement
The school year is considered to be continuous from September through June. Parents enroll their children for that period of time. The September to June tuition is divided into equal payments according to a plan (annual, quarterly, monthly) agreed upon and committed to through the school’s enrollment agreement. Allowances or refunds will not be made for phasing-in, illness, vacations, withdrawal and dismissal or otherwise. Early withdrawal from the year’s program, prior to or during the school year, does not terminate the parent’s tuition responsibility. Enrollment in the program entails responsibility for the entire year’s tuition.
Parents assume responsibility for the school year’s tuition when a signed enrollment agreement is turned in to and accepted by the school with the applicable deposit. Meadowbrook Montessori School makes its admissions decisions and financial commitments based upon these tuition obligations assumed by the families of its students. Accounts must be up-to-date to be considered for re-enrollment.
Payment Plans
Annual payments are due on July 1st.
The following plans are subject to an annual administrative fee of $100:
· Quarterly payments are due on July 1st, October 1st, January 1st, and April 1st.
· Monthly payments are due on the 1st of every month July through April.
Late Payments
In order for us to meet our financial obligations, we depend upon prompt payment of tuition. A late fee of $25 will be assessed for payments made after the 20th of the month in which the payment is due.
If tuition becomes more than 90 days delinquent, the school will consider any payment arrangement breached, and will declare the entire balance of charges immediately due and payable. In the event of a default of payment of any installment provided for in the enrollment contract, the student may not be allowed to continue classes.
Extenuating Circumstances
The Meadowbrook Montessori School administration understands that circumstances may arise that prevent parents from meeting their tuition obligations. Please notify the director immediately of any such circumstances, so that alternate arrangements can be made.
Tuition Rates
Tuition and fees are adjusted annually by a percentage to meet increasing “cost of living” expenses. The school strives to maintain reasonable and affordable tuition rates in order that our school community can be reflective of our broader surrounding community.
Withdrawal
Any withdrawal from the school must be requested in writing 30 days in advance of the final date the child(ren) will attend.
Daily School Routines
Arrivals and Departures
Arrivals
Children may begin arriving at 8:30am. Children enrolled in Activity Club may begin arriving at 7:30am. If your child is not enrolled in Activity Club and you would like to drop them off early, you must call the school before dropping off. The morning greeting and routine are a valuable part of your child’s day. Tardiness is very disruptive to the children and the teachers. If your child will be tardy, please call the school so that we can prepare for his/her arrival.
During the morning arrival, primary students will be dropped off at the porch on the red building. A teacher will greet them on the porch and lead them through the Lodge.
Departures
· Primary
Dismissal for the morning program is 11:45am. Dismissal for the full day program is at 2:30pm Monday through Thursday. Dismissal for all Primary students is at 11:45 on Friday. Students enrolled in Activity Club may stay until 2:30pm or 5:00pm. Primary students will be picked up on the porch of the red building.
· Elementary
Dismissal for the elementary classroom begins at 2:40 and ends at 2:45.
Please call the school if you will be late for pick-up so we have adequate staff available for supervision. We begin sending students to Activity Club 5 minutes after the end of dismissal.
No child will be allowed to leave the school with someone other than the parent or those listed on the authorization form. Parent must provide written permission for their child to be picked up by someone not listed on the form. Teachers will require a photo ID to release a child to someone they have not met.
We appreciate your understanding of this policy. However inconvenient it may seem, it safeguards your child against an unexpected or confusing incident.
Early Dismissal
Parents are requested to call the school in advance if they plan to pick up their child prior to his or her scheduled dismissal time. This will help the teacher to prepare the child in a timely way without disturbing the classroom.
Parking Lot
· During arrival and dismissal, parents may park in the school lot or the lot on the south side of the red building.
· Children may not play in the parking lot or on the sides of the buildings at anytime during drop off or pick up. Children must go directly to their cars once they have been picked up.
· Do not leave children unattended in cars.
Attendance and Tardiness
Regular and punctual attendance is critical to ensuring a positive experience for your child. Consistency and routine are essential elements in a child’s Montessori experience. Erratic attendance can lead to missed lessons and interruptions in the child’s natural learning process, a sense of alienation from the classroom activities and routine as well as a feeling of social isolation. Please notify your child’s teacher of extended absence of your child (more than two days).
Punctual attendance is expected of all children, for reasons other than illness. Consistent tardiness disrupts the classroom and shows disrespect for the teacher and other students. It is not uncommon for children who regularly arrive late to school or miss school frequently to exhibit negative behavior. If you and your child are consistently arriving late, you will be asked to come in for a conference to talk about how to rectify the situation.
Snow Days
Meadowbrook Montessori School would like all families to put safety first when it comes to inclement weather. Many families and staff members travel from many miles away to reach school. Please check the local tv/radio before heading out when the weather looks questionable. WCSH6 & WGME announce school closings. Meadowbrook will close for inclement weather when RSU 5 announces a closure.
On rare occasions, Meadowbrook may close when surrounding schools remain open. This is unusual and will only happen in the event of a power outage during the winter or some other unforeseen circumstance. If this happens, the director will email and call families immediately and leave an announcement on the school answering machine. Please call the school if you are unsure about a closure.
Holidays
Holidays and celebrations can be a challenge for young children. All the distractions and pressures can leave a child feeling out of sorts. Montessori’s approach to holidays is to honor and respect the celebrations of all cultures, but to keep holiday activities to a minimum while in the classroom. While it is appropriate to study religious and cultural events from an historical and cultural perspective, the school discourages celebrations that cannot be enjoyed by the whole school community.
Social Arrangements and Party Protocol
As a community we must be sensitive to each of the children’s feelings, putting our own convenience aside. Please do not send party invitations or gifts to school.
Observation of the Classroom
After the first month of the school year, parents are invited to schedule a time to observe their child’s classroom. One observer is welcome in the classroom at a time, so it is necessary to call ahead for an appointment. An observation is different than a volunteer experience and involves watching the activity of the classroom. Each family is required to observe the classroom twice each year. An observation sheet will be given to you with guidelines for your stay.
Snack Program
Families take turns providing simple, nutritious snacks for their child’s class. A snack basket is sent home with the child who is responsible for the snack the following week. A laminated list of suggested snacks is kept in the basket. Food that is wholesome, sugar and trans-fat free, and non-processed is appropriate. Snacks, which expose our children to interesting and appealing foods originating from other countries are welcomed! Please bring food items in original packaging, so that we can check the ingredients. Please see the snack list for suggestions and amounts to send.
Do not send foods containing high quantities of salt, food coloring, sugars, trans fats or preservatives. Inappropriate foods will be returned.
Lunches
Children bring their own lunches to school. Lunch boxes should be clearly marked with your child’s name. Please send a nutritious, balanced lunch for your child each day. Teachers will call parents if they notice a pattern of eating which they feel does not support the student’s learning and physical activity throughout the course of the day.
· Please exclude the following from your child’s lunch:
1. Gogurt (or any yogurt in a tube)
2. Lunchables
3. Highly sugared foods
4. Any candy or gum.
The above items will be sent home to be enjoyed once school is over.
· Children may not share or trade lunches.
· Most children prefer small quantities of a variety of foods, rather than a large quantity of one or two items.
· If your child cannot finish his or her lunch, the remaining food will be sent home in the lunch box. This will help parents gauge the amount of food needed for lunch.
· Please pack yogurt in a re-sealable container. Pre-packaged yogurts spill easily and are often wasted.
Communication
To Families from School
Wednesday Communication Folder
Every Wednesday your child will bring a communication folder home. This folder will contain communication from the staff to the parents (field trip permission slips and other announcements). Please return the folder on Thursday or, at the latest, by Tuesday of the following week.
Classroom Blogs
All classrooms have a weekly blog that provides parents with information about the goings on in the classroom and around campus.
Web Site/Facebook
Please check the wed site and school facebook page for updates on events, school closures and other information.
Message Board
The message board in the Lodge provides a monthly calendar as well as announcements about community events.
To School from Families
By Phone
Teachers are not able to answer the phone during classroom hours, but messages will be checked frequently and calls will be returned during lunch or after 2:30. Messages left after 2:45pm will be returned on the next school day unless they are directly related to Activity Club pick up. Messages left Friday afternoon will be returned on the following Monday. Teachers will not return phone calls during the weekend.
Email
You are always welcome to send email to the administration and teaching staff. Teachers do their best to return emails promptly. Emails will be returned within 48 hours.
Contact Information
Meadowbrook Montessori Phone: 207-865-9404
Notes
You may feel free to send a note with your child or to hand it directly to a teacher or staff member. Notes can be a helpful way of conveying information about your child without stating it aloud. We do not speak about children in front of them (i.e. ‘he is having a bad morning’ or ‘he didn’t eat any breakfast’). You may also send a note to request a meeting with the teacher.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are held three times annually (fall, winter, spring) and are typically scheduled outside of school hours. Parents will receive a written report at the conference. Special meetings may be scheduled at any time during the year as desired by the school or family.
Please be respectful of the fact that the teachers’ responsibility during school hours is to the children. During school hours their attention is to be focused on the children. Please understand that teachers will excuse themselves from conversation to rejoin classroom activities. Teachers will be glad to conference by phone or in person at school if you leave a request for them to schedule an appointment.
Other Policies
School Supplies
The school will provide all supplies for the children. Please do not send special notebooks, workbooks, pencils or pens.
Field Trips
The educational program at Meadowbrook may be expanded by participation in purposeful, informative field trips. All field trips are organized by the teacher and are supervised by at least the regular ratio of students to staff. Parents are often requested to accompany the class to provide additional supervision, depending on the type of field trip. If a parent volunteers to help, the parent must be prepared to assume the responsibility of supervising the number of children just as if he or she were another staff member. Field trips will be scheduled as far in advance as possible and notices will be sent home. Field trip expenses are covered by the Activity Fee paid by families.
Field trip transportation is provided by parents. Car seats are required as per Maine State Law. During field trip transportation, the following guidelines must be followed:
· All children must be in car seats and seatbelts in compliance with state regulations.
· A first aid kit will be available for children being transported.
· Emergency contact forms will be available for each child being transported.
· Children riding in vehicles need to maintain a quiet atmosphere for the safety of all. The driver should pull over in the event that the noise level is too high and the children are not responding to directions.
· Drivers must have a valid drivers’ license
· Drivers must have up-to-date automobile insurance.
· Staff members may not transport children to and from field trips as most insurance carriers do not cover employees using their personal vehicles for their employers needs.
· Drivers may not use a cell phone while driving.
Toys and Equipment
Please check with your child’s teacher before sending in sporting equipment. All equipment brought to school will be available for community use. Children should not bring toys to school. Such items can easily be lost or broken. Parents are asked to carefully monitor what their children bring to school. Primary students have opportunities to bring in items to share. Information about weekly share will be provided by your child’s teacher.
Transfer of Belongings
Please be sensitive to your child and to the faculty. If your child is involved in a regular transitional schedule between homes, please remember that how and when items and transferred can make a big difference in a child’s day. Items should be carefully packed and contained to minimize bulk and confusion. If at all possible, changes of clothing and toys should take place outside of school. This avoids confusion and loss of precious items.
Marking of all Belongings
Parents are advised to mark clearly all of their child’s belongings including sweaters, jackets, extra clothing and personal supplies. Each child must keep track of his or her own possessions as the school is not responsible for lost items. A lost and found is located in the Lodge. The lost and found is emptied every month.
Change of Clothing
Each student must bring a complete change of clothing on the first day of school. Parents will be provided with a bag marked with their child’s name to send clothing in. The change of clothing will be kept in the child’s classroom. If the child uses the clothing, it will be sent home and it must be replaced by the following day. It is the parents’ responsibility to replace the change of clothing as the child grows into a new size.
School Dress
Clothing worn should allow for independence, art projects and outdoor play. Stains cannot be avoided without limiting your child’s participation. Children wear slippers inside the school. When purchasing slippers, please opt for plain and simple designs, as this helps minimize classroom distractions.
