Elementary School Policies

Rose Hill Montessori School

Parent Handbook / Elementary School Policies

Revised January, 2007

Hours of Facility

· The facility is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Please check the calendar for early dismissal days.

· A fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged for students picked up after 5:45 p.m. or after indicated early dismissal times. This late pick-up charge will be paid directly and immediately to the child care provider on duty.

· School-day students picked up after 3:15 pm will be charged an hourly rate in ¼ hr. increments or part of. A bill for these fees will be sent out at the end of the month.

Tuition and Fees

• The registration fee and the tuition/fees deposit are due at the time of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable. The tuition/fees deposit may be rolled over from one year to the next for families that are re-registering their child.

• The material and supply fee is due August 1^st.

• The annual tuition payment is due August 1^st in order to qualify for the discount.

• The semi-annual tuition payments are due August 1^st and December 8^th in order to qualify for the discount.

• Monthly tuition payments are divided into 10 equal installments. The first installment is due August 1^st. All subsequent payments are due on the first of the month starting with September 1^st. No statements will be sent out unless there are some additional fees or credits. Checks or money orders are to be left in one of the payment boxes. There is a box in each classroom. Cash must be given to a teacher, and a receipt will be issued to you.

• A statement is sent out to all parents having child care expenses at the end of the year along with the school’s EIN number for tax purposes, but if you need a monthly receipt in addition to this, please contact the office.

• Late Charges: Monthly payments arriving in the office later than the 5th of each month, will be assessed a late fee of 5% of the tuition due or any outstanding balance. Should full tuition payment plus late-payment charges not be in the office by the 10^th of the month it may result in the student’s dismissal.

• Delinquent or overdue tuition is ultimately the responsibility of the child’s parents or legal guardians.

• There is no tuition credit for days not attended.

• No student records will be forwarded to another school as long as there is a balance for school tuition or fees.

Refund Policy and Early Withdrawal:

• Notification of withdrawal must be given to the office 30 days in advance; otherwise a full month’s tuition is due.

• Upon early withdrawal, tuition will be prorated based on the daily rate. The tuition/fees deposit will not be refunded.

• 50% of the supply fee will be refunded upon withdrawal prior to September 1^st. No refund after August 30^th withdrawals.

• The tuition/fees deposit will be refunded in full upon the student’s completion of the entire school year provided there are no outstanding charges. Any unpaid charges will be deducted from the refunded amount. The refunds will be made within 30 days after the last school day. These deposits may also be rolled over should the student re-register for the following school year.

• Should a registered student be unable to attend, the school administration must receive notification prior to May 20^th in order to receive a full refund of the deposit. No refund will be given for notification after May 19^th.

School Hours

Instruction starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Students may arrive as early as 8:15 a.m. and parents have until 3:l5 to pick up without being charged extra. If students occasionally need to leave earlier than 3:00 please let the teacher know in advance.

Attendance

Regular attendance is crucial to the success of your child’s education. Long and/or frequent absences are disruptive to the educational process as key lessons can be missed and study habits are often broken and require time to re-establish. Please try to schedule extended family and personal trips during school vacations or summer breaks.

Just as it is important to be in attendance, it is equally important to arrive on time. School starts promptly at 8:30. Your child may arrive by 8:15 to give him time to hang up his coat, sign in, hand in any paperwork, and socialize before class. It is disruptive to have children coming in the door after class has started. Please be mindful of the work we do and start your child with a lifelong habit of punctuality. If for some reason you arrive after 8:30, please drop your child off and allow him to enter school by himself for minimal disruption.

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Sign in/out

Each child is to sign in upon arrival and sign out at departure. There is a clipboard for each class near the doors. This is a great reinforcement for time skills each day. Use the opportunity as a teachable moment for practice in reading the clock. If your child does not tell time, please sign in/out for her. The time should be legibly written.

Child’s Release

For your child’s safety and protection, no child will be released to anyone other than a parent or person whose name appears on the registration release form or on the Emergency Information card unless arrangements have been made by a parent stating the name of the person to whom the child will be released. This person must be at least 18 years old and will need to present picture identification.

Holidays, Closures, Early Dismissals

· Please check the School Calendar for days the facility is closed, and days the school closes at 11:45 am. Children picked up after 11:45 am on early dismissal days will be charged $1.00/minute late pick-up fee.

· Should the public schools in Boise be closed for snow, Rose Hill Montessori will also be closed. Closures are announced early on most local radio stations.

Traffic Pattern - Car & Foot Traffic

· For a safe and efficient flow of traffic, please enter the driveway on the west and exit on the east. At no time should you wait or park in front of the asphalt pathway to the building other than dropping your child off in the morning. If you wait in your car or wish to come in, please park on the street, in a parking space, or in the east driveway. If you arrive before 3:00 p.m. do not stop to wait for your child in front of the walkway. You are blocking the exit and causing an inconvenience to others. Car watchers will inform your child when you have arrived. You are very visible parked in the street or in the driveway. If we all consider others, traffic will flow smoothly.

· All students arriving before 8:15 should enter the school through the lower elementary classroom door on the east side. Upper elementary students arriving after 8:15 should enter their own classroom through door at the end of the driveway on the east side.

· Students staying for extended care will be in the lower elementary classroom after 3:15 or outside on the playground.

· In the interest of maintaining an attractive lawn in front of the school, please use the driveway and walkways to walk to and from your parked car.

· For safety reasons encourage your child to walk to and from the school building. A running child is usually oblivious to moving traffic.

Take Home Folders

Each child has a take home folder near the door of his classroom. This folder needs to be checked and emptied each day for school work, homework, and school correspondence. If you don’t come in to pick your child up, ask him if there was anything in the folder for you to see.

Nutritious Lunches

Other than nourishing the body, we feel there is a direct correlation between the food a child eats and her ability to focus and better manage her behavior. Therefore, it is important that you provide a nutritious lunch and drink.

Please supply eating utensils and a cloth napkin or place-mat as well to ease the clean up procedure.

It is best to send cold lunches, but microwaves are provided should foods need re-heating. Please avoid frozen foods or Cup-a-Soup type items as they take longer and others are expecting to use the microwave in a limited time period. Foods that can be warmed in less than 1½ minutes are ideal.

Please use cold packs in your child’s lunch box if items need to be kept cold. Because of limited space, lunch boxes should not be placed in the refrigerator.

Snacks

If your child stays in the afternoon you may want to provide an after school snack. For reasons stated above, the snack must be nutritious (fruits, veggies, nuts, cheese, crackers, yogurt, etc. No chips or cookies.)

Please check with your child’s teacher if there is a period each morning where your child may also take a nutritious snack break.

Parent Volunteers

Many of you have special gifts and interests that would be beneficial and interesting to the students. Please consider sharing your talents, hobbies, or work with us, either as a one-time event or on-going. We are very much aware of the valuable nature of time, so know that any and all volunteer contributions are deeply appreciated. Some of the ways volunteers have shared in the past include: art projects, singing, yoga, computers, book club organizers, teaching

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chess or other games, calligraphy, Chinese writing, sharing musical instruments, helping with reading/language skills, providing a special group snack, listening to readers, helping to make classroom material, etc. As you can see, there are so many ways you can enhance the educational experience of the students. We welcome your time and talent. Just let us know how you’d like to help. This includes grandparents, friends, neighbors, and other family members who have a talent to share.

On the occasion of a class field trip, car-poolers are needed. There is usually a sign-up sheet near the door in your child’s classroom. This is also a great way to help out. Whatever way you help, know that your child takes a special pride in knowing you are there. Your time and talents are appreciated by all, so consider taking part in at least one activity this year.

PTO

Rose Hill has a very active Parent Teacher Organization that offers yet another avenue for you to be involved in your child’s school and education. The PTO is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the school by building community and raising funds to enhance your child’s educational experience. Annual events include a Picnic, Chili Feed, Ice Cream Social, and Silent Auction.

It has also sponsored the Yearbook Committee, School T-shirts, and various fund-raisers. In the past the PTO has provided support to send teachers to Montessori conferences, covered the cost to provide each student with his own yearbook, purchased classroom materials to support the Montessori equipment, provided the fabulous climbing structures you see on the playground, and supported extra-curricular programs such as Creative Writing, Storytelling, MOSS Camp, Dance classes, and some field trips. As you see, the school and your child benefit directly by the work of the PTO. Please plan to be involved in some way. The PTO meets once a month at the school from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Child care is provided during the meeting.

Parent Visitors

Montessori provides a unique setting for your child’s educational experiences. Because textbooks and daily worksheets are not the norm, it is difficult to know what your child works on each day, unless you are able to check his notebook. We encourage and welcome you to visit and observe the classroom in action. This allows your child to share his work with you, as well as give you an idea of how a Montessori Classroom works. The first few weeks of school are spent establishing a routine, but usually by the beginning of October visitors are welcome. We may ask for your input and/or observations during your visit to help us provide another perspective of the class. Mornings are usually the best for observing a work period, but contact your child’s teacher to set a specific time.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent conferences are held each fall and spring to provide a meeting to discuss and share the progress of your child. Sign up sheets are in each classroom previous to each conference time. Shared communication is an integral part of providing an optimal experience for your child.

Special meetings outside conferences may also be arranged should circumstances or issues deem necessary.

Should you need to address a teacher regarding a concern, please send a note or leave a message to have the teacher contact you at a convenient time. Please don’t be inconsiderate of the entire class by coming in at the start of the school day and expecting to have a discussion with a teacher.

Orientation / Education Evening

At the start of the school year an evening is set aside for teachers to explain the Elementary Montessori Method and apparatus. They also acquaint parents with some of their classroom policies. All families are expected to attend this evening. It will give you a better understanding of how and what your child learns and aspects crucial to his healthy development.

Open House

Each year in the spring one evening is set aside for an Elementary Montessori Open House. This is a time for you and your family to come to school with your child and have her share with you the Montessori work she does in the classroom. It always proves to be a special moment for parent and child.

Illness and Medication

Children with a contagious disease, a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, severe vomiting, or severe diarrhea should not be sent to school.

Medication will only be administered when the conditions stated in the Medication Policy have been met and a release form has been filled out and signed.

Any children with head lice and/or nits will be sent home immediately, and may not return until TOTALLY LICE AND NIT FREE!

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Immunizations

All children enrolled at Rose Hill must provide proof of immunizations or provide a letter of exemption (for medical or religious reasons only) prior to attendance. It will be the parent’s responsibility to keep immunizations current according to the Central District Health Department schedule and to provide the school with all updated records. Failure to do so within 14 days of needing an update on a shot may result in the student’s dismissal.

Birthdays

Children who would like to bring a snack for their birthday celebration may do so. Please provide treats that are self-serving, such as muffins, cupcakes, cookies or bars. Please do not send full cakes.

Party invitations may NOT be handed out at school unless everyone in the class is invited. This may cause hard feelings and is best handled by mail or phone.

Dress

Children should be dressed appropriately for outside play and for the weather. Unless it rains, the children will go outside every day. P. E. is also usually held outside. Dressing in layers works well in the fall and spring.

When the weather starts to turn nasty and wet, “outside footwear” will be required for your child to play off the patio area. This can be boots or another pair of shoes. This footwear may be left at the school in the mud-room until the wet season is over.

School Supplies

All supplies are provided by the school. A book bag or small backpack is handy for carrying papers home. Small canvas bags are ideal. Be sure the bag is emptied each day so correspondence is not missed.

Toys and Personal Items

Personal items (radios, C.D. players, etc.) and non-educational material (such as toys) should remain at home unless games from home are invited to school for the extended-day program. Books are always welcome. Any items with a special value - financial or sentimental - should not be brought to school at any time.

Lost and Found

All unclaimed objects and clothes will be placed in a Lost and Found box in the office. Items left in there more than a month will be thrown away or donated.

First Year Probation

Not every school environment is a good match for every child or for every family. For this reason all students enrolled for their first year at Rose Hill Montessori, regardless of grade, are on a probationary period for that year. Re-admission the following year will be dependent on the family’s commitment to education and the Montessori principles, prompt and regular attendance, and on the child’s overall progress in the environment.

Attached are: Discipline Policy, Illness Policy, Medication/First Aid Policy, & Immunization Policy

We thank you for your cooperation with these school policies

Discipline Policy

The goal of a child’s behavior is to obtain recognition and a feeling of significance. When these cannot be gained through positive behavior, the child quickly learns to use any behavior that works.

Behavior is determined by its consequences. A consequence is what happens as the result of an action.

A “misbehaving” child needs to be redirected by consistently applying positive consequences for positive behavior and arranging predictable, logical, and undesirable consequences for undesirable behavior. Ways need to be found to meet the child’s need for significance and recognition at times when his behavior is acceptable.

At Rose Hill Montessori clear limits are set and consequences are defined. “We’re going to go outside to play now; you can either play on the equipment without fighting, or you can sit on the bench while the others play without fighting. You decide.”

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This eliminates a majority of behavior problems before they arise. It places responsibility for the child’s behavior in the child’s hands. He/She is the only one that can control it anyway.

At times limits need to be set on the spot. We….

Define the unacceptable behavior. “Don’t throw sand.”
Define the limit or consequences by offering the children an “either – or” choice.

“Play with the puzzle without throwing the pieces or it will be put on the shelf until tomorrow.” The choice is to “behave” or lose a privilege.

Implement consequences if the behavior still continues. Do not remind, nag, or threaten.

The consequences must be reasonable and respectful of the child. The verbal message must have no implications of anger, or punishment, or moral judgment. The adult’s attitude must be casual with mild regret.

Consistent application of logical consequences maintains a positive atmosphere between the adult and child. It trains through the reality of the situation. It teaches the child to be responsible for his/her own behavior. It trains the child to develop self control for the future. It develops inner discipline.

ILLNESS POLICY

The following illness policy is designated to protect the health of your child, the other children in the school, and the staff.

· It is important for the parent/guardian to have back-up child care or be able to leave work if her/his child is too ill to be in school.

· If a child should become ill while in school, and in the opinion of the teacher is too ill to remain, the child’s parent will be notified immediately to pick up the child within 1 hour.

· A child who becomes ill while in school will be separated form the other children and made as comfortable as possible.

· Please DO NOT bring your child to school if she/he had diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever of 100 (orally) within a 24 hour period.

· Please notify the school immediately if your child or a family member is diagnosed with or exposed to an infectious disease or head lice.

· You will be notified if a child attending this school has been diagnosed with an infectious disease or head lice.

GUIDELINES FOR EXCLUSION. A child will be sent home if any of the following apply: