The VillageSchoolhouseAcademy
Elementary/Middle School Parent Handbook
Kindness Connectedness Wisdom
Mission
The VillageSchoolhouseAcademyis a small, multi-age learning community for students from 1st through 8th grade. We will call forth and instill in our students, kindness to all, connectedness between ideas and people, and the deep understanding of wisdom. We will adhere to our motto, “Learning to Love Learning”, encouraging and respecting the Child’s inner call to question, seek and obtain knowledge. We will do this by providing a safe and intellectually rich environment that affords each child the opportunity to develop at their own unique rate. The Village Schoolhouse Academy will prepare students for success, wherever their paths lead.
Values
We value intellectual freedom and independence; open minds are strong minds. We value critical thinking and logic. We value creativity and artistic expression in all of its forms. We value tradition and routine, but are likely to break with it when an excellent opportunity presents itself. We value laughter. We value hard work. A strong work ethic is crucial to instill in our children, for without it we limit their potential. We value personal goal setting and accountability. We value reflection and quiet. We value structure and high expectations. We value good manners and thoughtfulness. We value feelings. We value all life forms and the earth. We value each family as a partner in the school community, and their own values. We value the world outside the classroom, as a classroom.
Philosophy
The VillageSchoolhouseAcademywas founded on the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori. Over the years we have found the basic principles of Dr. Montessori to be an excellent foundation to build upon. However, as constant seekers of information and continuing students ourselves, we have discovered that a blend of several teaching methods is more dynamic and useful for us personally. Not every child can be taught the same way. At VSHA we bring more than 20 years each of experience teaching children of various age levels. We know that small learning communities are the best environment for character building, and maximizing individual potential. When teachers know their students deeply, educational decision making is much more effective. We know that an intentional multi-age setting is likely to bring out the best qualities of the older students, and provide role models and mentor relationships to the younger students. We believe that each learner is unique, and that diversity is a source of beauty and strength. We believe that connections to the world outside the classroom, and nature, are essential to the preparation of students for citizenship.
Multi-age
Multi-age learning environments are supported by extensive educational research. Why aren’t there more of them?... a good question for policy makers and educational leadership. As our philosophy describes, a multi-age environment brings out the best qualities of all ages. Who doesn’t remember wanting to impress the “big kids”? What big kid, has ever forgotten the first time that a smaller child looked to them for leadership and help? The older and the younger all have important lessons to teach, and opportunities for each other. It’s one of the most simple, yet elegant, and powerful, of human dynamics. Unfortunately, it is very rarely used to drive learning. We are committed to multi-age because it yields better results.
Professor Barbara Pavan reviewed 64 research studies on nongraded (multiage) schools. Pavan found that 58% of those students in multiage classes performed better than their peers on measures of academic achievement. 33% performed as well as their peers, and only 9% did worse than their peers. Pavan also found that students in multiage settings were more likely than their peers to have positive self-concepts, high self-esteem, and good attitudes toward school. Her review of the research also indicates that benefits to students increase the longer they are in a nongraded setting, and that "underachieving" students also benefit from being in multiage classrooms. (This research summary can be found in the October 1992 issue of Educational Leadership, pp. 22-24.)
The One-RoomSchoolhouse. (EJ615535) Wilgoren, Jodi New York Times Education Life, Sec4A p24-27,36 Aug 6 2000
The Modern Multi-Age Classroom (EJ725901Carter, Paula Educational Leadership, v63 n1 p54-58 Sep 2005
Multi-Age Teaming: A Real-Life Approach to the Middle School. (EJ619599) Hopping, Linda Phi Delta Kappan, v82 n4 p270-72 Dec 2000
Individualization
One of the incredible strengths of a small group is the ability to individualize instruction. Each student is unique in their gifts and their areas for growth. The Village Schoolhouse recognizes this fact, and has structured a learning environment where we are able to take the student from where they are, to where they could be, as an individual. Connectedness to the class community is a huge part of the path to learning, yet many other decisions are made to maximize individual potential. Aside from yearly standardized assessment, individualization is possible in most other aspects of the curriculum.
Integration
Whenever possible, or logical, social and academic curriculum goals will be integrated across content areas. This means many subjects may be addressed in one unit, lesson, or activity. Treating each subject in isolation is not only inefficient, but unrealistic when you look at the world around you. It is possible to teach towards many content area objectives within the context of one themed unit, over a period of two or three weeks.
Parent Involvement
The VillageSchoolhouseAcademy has a volunteer program which is designed to encourage and aid parents in becoming more involved in their children’s education. Each family is responsible for volunteering 25 hours per school year. Research indicates that children do better in school when parents are involved. Not only does your student benefit by your involvement, but tuition is kept lower because of it.
Social
The VillageSchoolhouseAcademy will maintain a safe, supportive and nurturing community for learning. Daily interactions between students will be kind and respectful. Daily interactions between teachers and students will always be conducted similarly. Students need continuous support, encouragement, and direct instruction towards social graces and courtesy. Deeper still, the daily environment will be structured to teach and reward kindness and empathy. From “Please” and “Thank you”, introducing oneself, polite, inquisitive conversation, all the way to writing thank you notes. School is a place where crucial socialization training takes place, and with rising maturity, more sophisticated practice of social graces should follow. We will teach and model for students, kindness and civility. Written and oral communication along social lines will be integrated into the language arts curriculum through 8th grade.
A sampling of concepts on a multi-age spectrum: taking turns, listening to friends, using your words, inclusion, emotional empathy, being a good friend, respecting other peoples’ personal boundaries, receiving and returning compliments, conflict resolution, active listening, disagreeing agreeably, thank you notes and invitations, and polite written and oral correspondence.
Many of the same important socialization concepts would be introduced, or taught each year, but in different forms for individuals of different ages and abilities. Individuals who already demonstrate high competency in social graces, would naturally advance into more sophisticated forms. These students would be called upon in a leadership capacity as ambassadors of “grace and courtesy”.
Policies and Procedures
Hours Of Operation: The office opens at 8:30 am for teacher prep. Children enter school at 9:00 am. Please wait outside if you arrive early. Teachers need time to prepare the classroom without students inside. School closes at 3:00pm. Please do not solicit conferences with teachers to discuss your child during school hours. The teacher’s attention is needed for students during school hours and any distraction from them is unfair to the class. Please do not hesitate to e-mail the teachers at with any questions or concerns. E-mail is the easiest form of communication for us; however, we will make every effort to be available by phone after business hours if you prefer.
Holidays and Vacations: The VillageSchoolhouseAcademyfollows a fairly typical school district schedule for closures and vacations. VSHA vacations may not mirror your public school schedule exactly. A school calendar is provided prior to the start of each school year.
Tuition: The VillageSchoolhouseAcademy charges an annual tuition based on a ten-month school year. The tuition payment obligation remains the same each month regardless of the number of days of school in the month, attendance, vacations, family emergencies, school closure, holidays, student illness, and any other reason that your child does not attend school. School closure days due to weather or power outages are not made up. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the annual tuition is due in ten equal installments. The first tuition payment must be submitted as a deposit with the application for admission. For new applicants to the program, this payment will be deposited only after a final approval of the admission application. The second tuition payment is due on or before May 1. These two tuition payments are non-refundable. Tuition payments 3 through 10 are due on the first school day of each month September through April. Monthly tuition is due on or before the first school day of the month. A $20.00 late fee will be added for tuition received after the fifth of the month. A $30.00 handling fee is due for any returned check. Interest on past due balances will accrue at the rate of 1.5% per month.
Weather: In the event of inclement weather you will be notified via phone or email, as to closures or delays. In general, we follow Issaquah School District #411. There may be occasions when we are forced to follow Riverview School District’s closure decisions. As the seasons change be sure to update your child’s backpack with weather appropriate items. We will play outside everyday with the exception of rainy days. Please send your child with warm clothes in fall and winter. Include mittens and a hat or hood. It is a good idea to send an extra pair of socks in case of wet feet!
Lunch: Please send your child with a lunch box. Include in their lunch a napkin and any utensils necessary to eat their lunch. Please do not ask teachers to enforce any personal order you wish your child to eat their food. Lunch is a busy time, and while teachers will suggest to the group that they eat their healthy food first, they will not demand it. If you want your child to eat dessert last, it is a good idea to save it at home for after school. There will be occasions where the class will be cooking their own lunch. There will be occasions for order out lunches. We will notify you in advance of changes in our lunch schedule.
Late Pick-Up: We depend on your cooperation in picking up your child promptly. Please notify us if your are going to be unavoidably late. A late fee of $3.00 for every five minutes past your schedule will be charged.
Discipline: It is our philosophy that by creating a nurturing environment and empowering the child with the skills to communicate, children will succeed in relating without constant adult interference. Helping your child develop the vocabulary that is required to express their feelings is essential. It is our experience that children given the tools to communicate verbally will rarely act out physically.
At VSHA our students are taught one word that is the foundation of our program, RESPECT. Respect for ourselves, for our friends, adults, neighbors, our community, our classroom, for plants and pets … for all of the things that bring us love and peace. Children are taught to listen by the phrase, ‘please respect…’ my words, my body, my work, my space. We encourage the children to expect respect by teaching them that it is their right. We pay close attention to the words of our students, and will help them find the kind of words to communicate their needs and desires with respect. By watching and listening and guiding, the children will know that it is their responsibility to treat everyone with kindness, and we feel it works. We firmly believe in the importance of creating peace in this world by teaching it in the classroom.
Children will occasionally display behavior that is inappropriate, and that needs to be addressed. We will intervene when children need reminding to respect each other or property by simply speaking to them about the particular issue. It is our policy that all staff or adults helping in the classroom get down to the child’s level when speaking to them, in any situation. This makes the children feel that what they have to say is important to us, and insures that they never feel intimidated by having to look up to a hovering teacher.
* Students will NEVER be purposefully made to feel bad or inferior to another child.
* Students needing a break from the group will have an opportunity to go to a quiet space, until they feel ready to join their friends respectfully. The teacher will encourage the student towards reconciliation with the group and help facilitate the resumption of purposeful activity.
* Students severely endangering others will be separated and parents notified.
It is our opinion that as parents and educators we have entered as a team to ensure your child has a positive experience in school and continued success in all areas. Children will go through many phases as they develop and grow, it is important that we work together to provide a consistent and nurturing approach as we guide them together. Please understand that we are all working toward the mutual goal to create a school experience that will continue to teach your child to learn to love learning.
**Please note: We are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Religious Policy: We are a school based on the belief that family and beliefs are valid and respected. We will celebrate holidays that may have a religious base. We will look at these holidays from a cultural perspective, with the main idea of celebrating the traditions of ALL of the families at our school. We invite families from different backgrounds to share individual traditions, but not from a purely religious standpoint. A good example would be, “In our family we celebrate Christmas. Something special we do is making our own wreath each year.” We will always be sensitive to anyone’s feelings or concerns; please do not hesitate to speak to us regarding any questions you may have about our religious policy.
Non-Discrimination Policy: The VillageSchoolhouseAcademy 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 administration of its educational policies and admissions policies.
Sick Policy: The VillageSchoolhouseAcademy is a WELL school. Please do not send your child to school if there is any question regarding his/her health. Children exhibiting the following symptoms will not be admitted to class;
1. Green, yellow or creamy runny noses.
2. A persistent cough.
3. A sore throat.
4. Diarrhea.
5. Pink eye, or the appearance of Conjunctivitis. (No wet runny eyes.)
6. If child has vomited within the last 24 hours.
7. A fever.
8. If child has been taking antibiotics for less than 24 hours.
Children who exhibit the above symptoms during the school day will be sent home. If your child has an ill sibling at home, please consider him/her contagious and consider keeping him/her home. We all are healthier if we follow these guidelines.
*Note: Over the years we have had repeated experience with children who have come to school and stated that they were ‘sick last night’ or ‘sick this morning’. Inevitably they end up needing to be sent home, and often end up becoming ill in school. Please trust your child if they tell you that they are sick, error on the side of caution.
Allergies: Information regarding children’s allergies will bekept on file and posted in the classroom.
Medications: Children receiving prescription medication due to illness will be admitted according to doctor recommendation, provided that they are not contagious and feel well enough to participate. Any child that is not well enough to go outside for recess is not well enough to attend school. Medication will only be administered if it is provided in the original prescription bottle, and only as indicated on the label.
No over the counter medications will be administered at school. Children needing over the counter medication are considered not well enough to attend class. * Exception: Seasonal allergy medication may be brought to school with a signed consent form.