Montessori School of Westfield
800 E. Sycamore St.
Westfield, IN 46074
(317) 867-0158
www.montessorischoolofwestfield.com
Parent Handbook
Table of Contents
Page:
21
8/4/2017
3. Mission Statement
4. History
4. Absences and Tardy
4-5. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
6. Carpools
6. Backpacks
6. Before and Aftercare
6. Behavior (Discipline Policy)
7. Birthday
8. Car Seats
9. Class Visitation /School Tours
9. Clothing
10. Communication
10. Community Service
10. Conferences
10. Criteria for Withdrawal and Dismissal
11. Emergency Contact Procedures
11. Employee Identification Number
11-12. Field trips
12. Grievances procedures
12. Holiday Recognition Guidelines
13. Illness
13. Lost and Found Items
14. Lunch
14. Medications
14. Objects from home
15. PTO Information
15. School Newsletter
15. School Pictures
15. Severe Weather, Delays, Closings
15. Snacks
15. Speed Limits
16. Suggested Reading
16. Three Year Cycle
17. Tuition
17. Volunteer Hours
17. Website
18. Before/After Care Policy
19. Middle School Addendum
31. Toddler Addendum
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Mission Statement
· To awaken the child's spirit
· To guide the child as they develop the kindness, courtesy, and self-discipline to become a leader in society
· To encourage and facilitate a child's internal desire for independence
· To guide the intellectual development as the child discovers how to be a lifelong independent learner
To Awaken the Child's Spirit
Montessori Children will be gifted with optimism, a sense of being able to take charge of anything, overcome adversity, and see the world with new eyes, forging the conscience of their time, place and culture. They become creative and cooperative agents of change for the better.
To Guide the child as they develop the kindness, courtesy, and self-discipline to become a leader in society
They will be joiners anddecision makers.
To Encourage and facilitate a child's internal desire for independence
They will be able to adapt to different kinds of challenges and find concentration and productiveness based in a strong independent work ethic.
To Guide the intellectual development as the child discovers how to be a lifelong independent learner
Theywill succeed in academics not because of the external motivation of grades and competition, but because they have in depth understanding of the keys to the disciplines, which mean they genuinely understand what they do. They can also work independently, budgeting their time because they are used to working in an open-ended learning situation.
(Excerpted from Dave Kahn)
History
In 1993, Mary Lyman completed her Montessori certification. She had a dream of opening a school that would follow the Montessori philosophy, nurture the whole child and be a safe place to learn. With her husband, Bill, she opened the Montessori School of Westfield with only twelve children. They had a goal of providing affordable education at the highest quality. The school resided in an old house that they made work for three and half years. They had a vision of owning their own building. In 1997, they built the current school, which serves over 140 children. Though the school has grown, the original ideal remains to have happy children who love to learn and treat each other with respect.
Absences/Tardy
Please report your child late or absent by calling the office at 317-867-0158, by e-mail at , or emailing your child’s classroom. When leaving amessage, pleaseinclude thedate of the absence, the student’s name,reason for the absence, and your child's class. Unexplained absences are marked unexcused.
Excused Absences
The following, with the exception of number seven, are considered by state statute to be excused absences.
1. Student illness
2. Death of an immediate family member
3. Exclusion because of exposure to contagious disease
4. Required religious observation
5. Medical, dental, or professional appointments
6. School sanctioned activities
7. Other educational activity*
*Other educational activity is defined as any other absence, approved by the building principal, resulting from an educational activity that is relevant to the child’s academic growth and equivalent to the child’s school activities/experiences. Such absence requires a written request submitted to the principal at least 30 calendar days in advance if the event is known or should have been known prior thereto. Upon the student’s return to school, he or she must make up work missed and submit a report to the principal about the MSW curriculum-relevant learning that took place during the absence. The principal shall have discretion to rescind prior approval of the excused absence status if the reporting is deemed insufficient. Principals will consider the proposed absence based on factors that include, but may not be limited to: the timeliness and quality of the parent’s/guardian’s written request, the student’s prior attendance record, the student’s academic standing, the nature of the proposed activity, and school curriculum/activities that the student would miss during the proposed other educational activity. Grave illness/impending death of a family member will be counted as an excused absence.
Arrivals and Dismissals Hours/Location
Children’s House 1 & 2
All Day Students - 8:30 am to 3:00 pm (Dismiss 2:55-3:15)
Morning Students - 8:30 am to 12:00 pm (Dismiss 12-12:15)
Front Canopy (Door#1) - For Children’s House 1 and 2
Back Canopy (Door#3) - For Elementary 1, 2, Middle School & Toddler
Elementary 1, 2, and Middle School
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Back Canopy (Door#3) - Elementary 1 & Middle School
Elementary 2 & Toddler (Door#4)
Arrival for EL1, EL2, & MS can begin as early as 7:30. Class starts at 8:00. Dismissal will be from 2:45-3:10.
Arrival and Dismissal Diagram
Arrival and Dismissal
CH 1 & 2
Classes begin promptly. Prompt arrival of all studentsenables classes tostart punctually and contributes to a successful, peaceful learning environment. To obtain the full benefit from aMontessori curriculum, students need to be on time. Respecting time is a way of showing respect to others.Morning arrival begins at 8:15 every morning. At this time, children are helped out of the car and into the building by a teacher, adult volunteer, or Elementary 2 & Middle School students. Please say your goodbyes in the car.Do not escort them into class.This eases the separation between parent and childfor the rest of the school year. It also allows an efficient flow of traffic forarrivals and dismissals. We do not wanttraffic to back up on the parking lot or into the street. If you are late, there will not be an adult to greet your child. If this is the case, please see your child into the building and quietly to theclassroom door. Thisminimizes disruptions for the rest of the students.
Children will be dismissed up to15 minutes after the start of dismissal. Please pull up to the appropriate canopy.Then, place your car in park and your child will be escorted to you. If you must come into the school, please proceed to the parent parking area and enter into the school. Children will be released to designateddrivers on the enrollment form (see Carpools). If that person is not listed on the enrollment form, you must write a note to the school listing the person’s name, phone number and type of vehicle. Theindividualmust present photo identification and sign out your child.At 3:15 pm, the doors are locked. Your child will be sent to After Care (see Before and After Care policy). For morning dismissal, thelate arrival feeis $2.00 per minute for every minute you are tardy.
If any employee of MSW suspects that the person picking up is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or seems impaired in any way, we reserve the right to call the police department and make a report.
Carpools
If this is your child’s first experience away from home, you may delay carpooling until she/he is more comfortable with the new school routine. If you do share driving duties with another parent, babysitter, or friend, the school must be notified in writing in order to release your child. This is for your child’s safety, so please let us know the name of the person(s) and the kind of vehicle they will be driving.
Backpacks
Each child is required to bring a backpack (or similar tote) to school each day. Please make sure your child’s backpack is large enough to hold a 9”x12” folder, an extra change of clothes*, and lunch box. All backpacks should be clearly marked on the inside with your child’s name. A folder with your child’s work, teacher comments, and any school information is sent home on Mondays. Please return this folder in your child’s backpack by Wednesday of the same week. In addition, check your child’s backpack on a daily basis for information about school information, special events, or dirty clothing.
*All Children entering the Children’s House classroom (ages3-6) must be potty trained. Extra clothes are for all students: for accidents, spills, etc.
Before and After Care
*Full policy on page 18 of handbook.
Behavior
Students are expected to demonstrate behavior consistent with the values and principles of The Montessori School of Westfield. Guiding principles of MSW are to respect ones self, respect others and respect the environment. The school has a zero tolerance policy for certain behaviors like any type of bullying. Any incident will be handled immediately. If a student is involved in repeated occurrences, the student may be asked to leave the school. MSW behavioral expectations extend to computer usage, Internet, social networking sites, and personal websites.
Elementary Discipline Policy:
The following course of action will be applied to all students who cause intentional physical harm to another student or teacher. “Intentional physical harm” shall be defined as purposefully kicking, hitting, punching, pinching, biting, tackling, choking, pulling hair, and/or restraining in order to inflict pain. Each occurrence must be documented in writing by a teacher and reported to the school administrator. The teachers and administrator will take the following steps.
1. First occurrence: Student(s) involved will be immediately separated, counseled individually by a teacher, then counseled together. The teacher will document the occurrence and report to the administrator.
2. Second occurrence: Student(s) involved will be immediately separated, counseled individually by a teacher, then counseled together. The teacher will document the occurrence and report to the administrator. The administrator will notify the parents of involved students. At this point, the student who “inflicted physical harm” may be asked to go home for the remainder of the day. The student(s) will be placed on a two week probation in which the teacher will monitor and document behavior.
3. Third occurrence: Student(s) involved will be immediately separated, counseled individually by a teacher, then counseled together. The teacher will document the occurrence and report to the administrator. The administrator will notify the parents of involved students. At this point, the student(s) who “inflicted physical harm” will be asked to go home for the remainder of the day. Parents will be required to come to the school for a face-to-face meeting with the teacher and administrator. The student(s) will be placed on a two week probation in which the teacher will monitor and document behavior.
4. Fourth occurrence: Student(s) involved will be immediately separated, counseled individually by a teacher, then counseled together. The teacher will document the occurrence and report to the administrator. The administrator will notify the parents of all involved students. The student(s) will be sent home to serve a 3-day suspension. The parents and student(s) must write a plan of action for the resolving the discipline problem and present it to the teachers, other parents & student(s) involved, and the administrator before returning to school. Upon returning to school, the student will be placed on probation for the remainder of the semester. During the probationary period, the teacher will monitor and document behavior and report weekly to parents and the school administrator.
5. Fifth occurrence: The school administrator reserves the right to ask the child to leave the school.
Birthdays
Those children (Children’s House) who wish to celebrate their birthdays in class are encouraged to do so. However,it is not requirement. If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday, please schedule a date and time with your child’s teacher in advance. You may bring a healthy snack (see Snacks section) for the celebration. Last, Children’s Houseclasses celebrate by creating a timeline of your child' life. Thisrequires a set of pictures (3x5 or 4x6) documenting each year of your child’s life. For example, if your child is turning four, please send five pictures (age’s birth-4). The timeline goes home with the child.
We would like to discourage the distribution of party invitations within the school or the classroom. Unless the entire class is invited, this practice is at the expense of the children who are not invited. On the same topic, we would discourage the bringing of presents to school for an after school party or event. Remember, we are building a community within in our classroom.
Car seats
Please make sure the appropriate child or booster seats are left at school for field trips and/or if another party is picking your child (ren) up from school. If your child does not have the proper restraint, we will not allow them to go on the field trip. Please be advised that the Indiana State Law requires:
PROPER CHILD SAFETY SEAT USE
Car Seat Recommendations for Children
There are many car seat choices on the market. Use the information below to help you choose the type of car seat that best meets your child’s needs or print out this PDF (350 KB).
Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it every time.
Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions (check height and weight limits) and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or lower anchors and a tether, if available.
To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
Rear-Facing Car Seat
Birth – 12 Months
Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats:
1. Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing.