Fruita Montessori

Handbook

Table of Contents

Mission Statement………………………………...... 2

The Purpose of Montessori Education ………………………………...... 2

Goals and Objectives……………………...... 3

Primary Curriculum & Class Structure...... 3

Program…………………………………………………………………………………..4

Tuition…………………………………………………………………………………….5

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures………………………………...... 5

Attendance………………………………...... 5

Snacks and Lunch……………………………………………………………………….5

Illness………………………………...... 6

Some Common Childhood Diseases…………………………………………………….6

Orientation Period………………………………...... 7

Clothing ……………..……………………...... 7

Personal Belongings……………….…...... 8

Observations ………………………………...... 8

Conferences..………………………………...... 8

Classroom Responsibilities ……………………...... 8

Expectations………………………………………………………………………………9

Parent/Teacher Communication……………...... 9

Discipline Policy ………………………………...... 10

Montessori Teachers…………………………...... 10

Parent Volunteers ………………………………...... 10

Field Trips………………………………...... 11

Parent Signature Page………………………………...... 11

Mission Statement

Fruita Montessori’s mission is to nurture and preserve each child’s natural

curiosity for learning, thereby providing an “education for life” in which students

develop socially and academically to their fullest potential.

The Purpose of Montessori Education

The Montessori Method of teaching young children is based on the methods and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator (1870-1953). Dr. Montessori’s work extended over many years and over three continents. It includes specially designed materials, which were refined through observation of children. She has written numerous books, which are available through bookstores and libraries. A Montessori school provides a secure, orderly, stimulating environment based on the basic concepts discovered by Dr. Maria Montessori. It is more than just a method of learning; it is a way of life. A Montessori school begins with love and respect for the child. Dr. Montessori believed that no human being is educated by another person. He must do it himself or it will never be done. A truly educated individual continues learning long after the hours and years he spends in the classroom because he is motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love for knowledge. Dr. Montessori felt, therefore, that the goal of the early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his own natural desire to learn. In the Montessori classroom this objective is approached in two ways. First, the child is allowed to experience the excitement of learning by his own choice rather than by being forced. Second, the teacher helps the child to perfect all his natural tools for learning so that his ability will be at a maximum in future situations. The Montessori materials have this dual long-range purpose in addition to their immediate purpose of giving specific information to the child.

We believe that:

  • Developmental needs of children are universal and transcend culturaldifferences.
  • Children have within them a natural urge to explore and discover the worldaround them and find joy in learning when they are actively engaged in thelearning process.
  • Children learn best when competencies are fostered through repetitive,successful experiences and failures are de-emphasized.
  • Children internalize concepts and skills at their own pace.
  • Children learn best in an environment of mutual respect and one thatprovides opportunities for cognitive, social, emotional, moral and physicalgrowth.
  • Children need opportunities to make choices. These choices fosterindependence, self-esteem and self-discipline.
  • Heterogeneous and multi-aged grouping provides opportunities for peerteaching, sharing and natural social development.
  • A multi-sensory approach maximizes learning because it provides forindividual learning styles.

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Our Goals and Objectives

  • To guide children in theirnatural development.
  • To provide rich experiences.
  • To stimulate growth and socialization.
  • To provide tools to help acquire skills.
  • To foster independence.
  • To encourage creativity.
  • To create a love of learning.
  • To develop the child’s potentialto the fullest.

Primary Curriculum & Class Structure

The goal of the primary curriculum (for children ages 3 to 6) is to help the childdevelop mastery of self and environment, self-discipline and social competence. At this period in a child’s development, rather than force him to follow a pre-selectedcourse of study, our curriculum allows him to cultivate his natural desireto learn. To facilitate this goal, the role of the Montessori teacher is to provide a

multi-sensory environment filled with hands-on experiences. Before the age of 7, children have a sensorial relationship with their environment. Bearing this in mind, Dr. Montessori prescribed an enriched classroom where achild could handle materials to educate himself in math, language, geography,science, art and music. Using methods and materials developed by Dr. Montessori, the teacher providesa sequence of tasks sufficiently challenging and interesting to engage the child.

To follow the child’s natural curiosity and allow him to progress at his own pace,tasks are not forced upon a child in school. There is a balance of mental and physical activity with emphasis on theprocess of learning rather than the product of learning.

Practical Life

The exercises of practical life are those daily activities that help the child acquireindependence, coordination of movement, concentration, and lessons of graceand courtesy. Activities include elementary movements needed for independence,care of one’s self, care of the environment and social relations. In the Montessoriclassroom, materials used for daily living skills are child-sized and easy to handle, and the activities are interesting for the children to perform. The exercises of practical life lay the basic foundation for all other areas and provideindirect preparation for sensory integration, logic and language.

Sensorial Exercises

Sensorial education is central to the Montessori method. In all areas of the curriculum,the child learns concepts through a multi-sensory approach. Impressions absorbed by the young child need to be categorized, distinguishedand compared. To achieve these goals, we introduce materials to sharpen

visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, stereognostic and chromatic senses.

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Mathematics

In a Montessori class, math is first presented to the child in concrete form. Perception of similarities and differences, seriation, functioning of the decimalsystem and the four arithmetical operations are taught using concrete mathmaterials. The vocabulary and symbols are introduced as the child is ready for

them at each stage of learning. Memorization of facts is done by manipulationof materials rather than by rote learning. As the child begins to understanda mathematical concept, he discards the materials and moves into abstractwork.

Language

Language is of the utmost importance in a Montessori class. From “I Spy”word games to word and sentence analysis, various aspects of language aremade available to the young child. The Montessori Reading Scheme is basedon phonics and is introduced to the child through the use of concrete materials

such as the sandpaper letters and movable alphabet. Story time and musicalgames enhance the child’s language experience.

Cultural Subjects

Since the Montessori primary curriculum is interdisciplinary, art, music andnature are integrated into the cultural studies area.Art and music complement the daily exploration by the child. Various media

are available to the children for all forms of self-expression. Chalk, crayons,paint, clay and a variety of paper are at the children’s disposal. The sensorial curriculum offers indirect preparation for form, space and sound. Movement activities on the line, listening exercises, the Montessori Bells andgroup singing provide many opportunities to enhance children’s natural abilityin music. Botany and zoology are explored regularly. Classification of livingthings is introduced in the primary class through natural materials and preparednomenclature activities.

Programs

Primary Preschool ages 3 - 6

August 17 2015 - May 19 2016

Half Day8:15 - 12:15

5 days a week Annual tuition:$4250 (monthly payment: $425)

4 days a weekAnnual tuition: $3750 (monthly payment:$375)

Full Day8:15 - 1:45

5 days a weekAnnual tuition: $5500 (monthly payment: $550)

4 days a weekAnnual tuition: $5000 (monthly payment: $500)

5 days a week is required for kindergarten.

Our school is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am- 6:00 pm. We offer extended care before and after school for $4.00 per hour.

Tuition

Tuition is based on a ten month school year; it does not cover the summer program. You may pay your tuition in 10 payments, 3 payments or 1 payment. The monthly tuition is the 10 payment plan. We do not give discounts for missed days or for scheduled calendar days where the school is closed. Tuition is due on the 17th of each month. Payments received after the 22nd will have a $20 late fee. There is a 10% discount for siblings. A 30 day withdrawal notice is required.

Arrival/Dismissal Procedure

School begins at 8:30 A.M.

Preschool: Please drop your child off at the front door between 8:15 and 8:30. The sign-in sheet is located next to the front door. It is an important part of building independence to allow your child to carry his/her own belongings into the school each morning. Students who habitually arrive late miss integral morning instruction as well as creating a disruption to the rest of the class.The use of cell phones is prohibited inside the school.

Attendance

Every effort should be made to be at school every day because absences disrupt the sense of order of the child and individual lessons are missed. Try to plan family vacations during school closures. If your child will not be at school, please call and let us know.

Snacks and Lunch

Please be sure that your child has a balanced breakfast before school each day. We will offer a snack that will include such foods as fruit, vegetables, crackers, and pretzels to our students in class. Your child will need to bring a lunch each day. There are a few things you can do to help your child have a pleasant lunch experience and aide his/her independence.

Pack food that can be eaten in any order

Caffeinated drinks, candy and gum are prohibited.

Use easy to open containers that your child can open on his own.

Have your child choose his food from options you give and pack his own lunch.

 Let your child carry his own lunch into the school and put it away himself.

Every child must have a water bottle with their name on it that can be left at school.

Meals are a social time as well as eating time for our culture and your child is just learning this.

Because of all that goes into the mealtime at school, your child may not eat as much as you think he should. We will send home any uneaten food when possible. Please be aware that your child has many opportunities to eat throughout the day; snack times, food preparation work and lunch.

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Illness

If your child has contracted a contagious illness, please keep your child at home and call the school. Certain situations may demand that other parents need to be alerted. If your child is found to have head lice, he or she will be sent home for treatment and will not be allowed to return to school until all nits and live lice have been removed. If a teacher suspects that a child is ill, a parent will be called to come for the child. In order to keep the spread of illness in check, please keep your child home if he or she is displaying any of the following symptoms:

  • An above normal temperature(99.1 F or higher) in the last 24 hours. Children must be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of medication before returning to school.
  • A cold or illness with sore throat, cough, runny nose, or earache.
  • A rash or discharge from the nose and eyes.
  • Vomiting or diarrhea in the morning or on the way to school.
  • Any open sore around the nose or mouth. Sores must be completely healed or a doctor’s note must be present to return to school.
  • Any type of contagious illness.
  • Not well enough to go outside. No child may be left unattended in a building.
  • Dropping off a “sick” child while you go purchase medicine is not allowed.

If your child has an allergy or other condition which causes a runny nose or cough, please inform us so that it will not be confused with a contagious disease. If your child has been diagnosed with a contagious disease, a phone call would be appreciated so that we may be alerted to any symptoms in other students.

Some Common Childhood Diseases

Following are a few facts about the common communicable diseases ofchildhood for your information from the Department of Health and MentalHygiene.

Chicken Pox - Incubation period 14 to 21 days. Symptoms include slightfever, pimples, blisters and/or crusts in different stages. Excluded from schooluntil lesions are scabbed over. Period of communicability: not more than 1day before or 6 days after appearance of rash.

Fifth Disease - Incubation period is 4 to 14 days. Symptoms are “slappedcheek” appearance with red, raised area on face - may have sore rash elsewhere. Excluded from school until seen and diagnosed by a physician.

German Measles- Incubation period is 14 to 21 days. Mild rash withenlarged glands on back of neck. Permitted to return to school 5 days afteronset of rash. Period of communicability: after start of rash and catarrhalsymptoms to 4 days.

Head Lice - Symptoms: persistent itching in the scalp. An insect about1/8” long in the hair around the ears and the back of the neck. The lice, whichmultiply fast, are almost always found in layers of hair underneath the top layer.White round nits (eggs) are firmly attached to the hair shaft in the same area.

A nit is about the size of a head on a straight pin, perfectly round and very hard. The child must be nit-free before returning to school or they will be sent home.

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Measles - Incubation period is 10 to 14 days. First symptoms include fever,runny eyes and nose, cough, extensive rash occurring first on the face. Periodof communicability: from cough, runny nose to 9 days; after rash appears to5 days. Student may return to school with doctor’s permission.

Mumps - Incubation period is 12 to 26 days. Symptoms include fever, swellingand tenderness of salivary glands below and in front of ears. Permitted toreturn to school 14 days after onset of swelling. Period of communicability:before symptoms to 7 days; after symptoms to 9 days.

Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) - Very contagious condition with redness andwatering of eyes; pus may be present. Student is excluded until the eye isclear or until released by a physician to return to school.

Strep Throat - Incubation period is 2 to 7 days. Symptoms may includefever, chills, body aches, painful swallowing, swollen glands and loss of appetite. The throat may become red, swollen or dotted with whitish or yellowishspecks of pus.

Orientation Period

The first few weeks of school may be somewhat tearful and your child may have misgivings about going to school. This is a natural response to the change of a new school situation. Because the child will already have met the teacher and visited the classroom with the security of the parent’s presence, we ask that you smile assuredly, say good-bye, and leave quickly. Prolonged good-byes usually increase, rather than alleviate, a child’s anxiety. If you trust that you are leaving your child in a safe environment then your child will feel good about coming to school. If you have anxiety, so will they. The teachers greeting at the door will help your child. The children soon become accustomed to the morning ritual. During this orientation period your child will gradually be introduced to the classroom environment. The children learn where the bathroom is located, where to hang coats, general classroom procedures and ground rules. It is possible that during these first few weeks of school adjustment your child may seem unusually tired or irritable, or may temporarily regress in certain areas. This is normal behavior.

Clothing

Please dress your child in comfortable clothes, appropriate for the weather; we try to let the children experience all kinds of weather.

All children should be dressed in clothes and shoes that he/she can take off and put on themselves. No overalls. This will help them be successful and independent.

Rubber soled shoes are preferred; flip-flops, crocs, clogs, high-heels are not appropriate for safe play.

Keep in mind that we allow the children to experience many materials, some of which may stain fabric. We make every effort to keep them covered with a smock or apron but accidents do happen.

All children should keep a change of clothes at school. Please label clothing and put in a cloth bag with their name.

All children need to have a cloth bag with their name on it for carrying items to and from school. These can be purchased at City Market for $1:00.

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Personal Belongings

We ask that toys and similar “play” items, lip balm, jewelry, vitamins, cough drops, and medicines be left at home. If your child has items of special interest which he or she wishes to share with the class, they can bring it in to share on their sharing day. If your child should come home with an unfamiliar object, please return it to the school, as it may be an important part of the school equipment.

Observations

Fruita Montessori encourages parents to observe their child at work throughout the year. Please call the school to schedule your observation time. When you come to observe your child in the Montessori classroom, you will see a joy of learning as children work purposefully at their own pace with the Montessori materials. You will be aware of the respect the children have for one another and for the materials. You will notice the beautiful environment with everything that is the child’s size, developmentally appropriate, and multi-sensorial so that each child can experience success and develop at their own pace. Observations will help expand your knowledge of the Montessori philosophy and curriculum. Please respect the children by sitting quietly while you observe. We hope you enjoy your visits. Please respect the teachers and the children by using your cell phones outside of the school.