COUNTRY VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL HANDBOOK

In this revised edition of the Parent Handbook you will find information pertaining to our school policies and procedures and many answers to questions you may still have!Please take the time to read and become very familiar with the contents of this, YOUR handbook.We have been very diligent to try to include information for reference when in doubt. Knowing what we are about will save you time and trouble.Be an active member of our community. We welcome your comments, support, and suggestions. Please return the last sheet in this handbook as acknowledgement of receipt and your reading and agreeing to comply with the contents herein.

Orientation

While we cannot predict the exact reaction and adjustment your child will have to school, we DO know it is always an experience to get into the swing of things and begin to establish some normal patterns to the rhythm and flow of the school day. By the first day of school, the children should have had the opportunity to see the school, the playground and meet the teacher and assistant. We provide this opportunity through the meet the teacher day before the beginning of the school year, please refer to the calendar for the exact times and date. The semblance of “strange” may even be fading if you discuss what confidence you have in them AND their teachers AND their classmates and that you know that you have picked out a very special place for them. The point is, even if you are torn up inside about leaving your little one in our care – do not show them your hesitancy or displeasure. If you show them you are confident and happy right from the start – chances are they will have a better opportunity to get off on the right foot.

A staff member will cheerfully greet your child at the car and bring them into the classroom or playground depending on what is planned and the weather conditions. We ask that you stay in your car and allow the staff to assist if separation does become an issue. Separation IS an issue for some children. We encourage parents to take a positive attitude and reassure your child that you will return when school is over, leave quickly, cheerfully and let the staff handle it. Our experience has been that children recover quite quickly in our experienced hands. Promising treats or bribing children to stay at school is not encouraged.

Children manage best when a parent truthfully lets the child know that he/she is leaving and will return at the scheduled time. It is best to plan to leave and leave as planned so as not to confuse the child. The tug of war, returning for more hugs, or hanging around sends confusing and mixed messages to the child. When you leave confidently you are sending a message that says I trust this environment and the care that will be provided for you. All teaching staff is trained in reassuring your child as needed, and helping them engage in an activity that will absorb their attention. You can be assured that ALL staff will be on hand to assist children and gently ease them into this new situation.

Parent Observations / Teacher Conferences

While you are welcome to visit your child’s class at will, we generally expect you to wait till we establish our patterns of arrival, work time, lunch and/or dismissal before you would do so. In addition to unannounced visits, we request that you come in for a formal observation two times a year, once in October and once in March. These would preclude a parent / teacher conference scheduled as noted on the calendar. More information will be given regarding conferences and observations via the newsletter.

Driving to School and our Parking Lot

When making either the right or the left hand turn from 101A to Overlook Drive please exercise extreme caution and obey all traffic rules. Never be in a rush when heading to or leaving from school. We want to be in as safe a state of mind as possible when traveling with the little ones.

The uppermost driveway in our circular drive is designed as an “IN” drive and the lower drive is the “OUT”. This helps the traffic maintain an even coordinated flow.

If you are enrolled in before school care and drop off before , please park your car in the parking lot and escort your child to the door.You must hold your child’s hand when outside the school building.

Morning drop off is between and . Pull up in the carpool line and move as far as you can to a staff member.This will generally be as close to the side stairs to the upstairs class as possible. Stay in your car. We will come out to the cars to retrieve your child.

Late arrivals, after , will have to park in the parking lot and escort your child to their teacher in their classroom or on the playground. You must hold your child’s hand when outside the building. Make sure a teacher is aware that you have dropped your child off.

You may not get out of your car in the carpool line.If you must get out of your car you are expected to PARK in the parking lot to take care of your needs. Our intention is to keep Overlook Drive open to traffic and the best way to do that is to keep the carpool flowing. So if you need to stop and get out of your car do so – but from a parking spot!

Arrival time is not the time to stop and talk to the staff. If you have information you need to convey to us, such as a change in time or person to pick up your child – it is required that you provide it for us in a hand written note. Arrival time has the potential of making us not very nice neighbors to the condominium offices to our left and right if traffic does not keep flowing. We ask politely but firmly for strict adherence to our requests!

Dismissal time is from to and . The procedures work the same as arrival. Pull as far forward in the carpool line as you can and a staff member will bring your child to your car. Please do not come into the building. If you need to talk to staff member, call and make an appointment. If it is urgent please park your car and wait until we have completed getting the children to their cars before approaching the building.

Communication

Communication is a two-way street. I will inform you of anything that needs your attention promptly and would hope that you would do the same with me. This list includes but is not limited to
- Illnesses
- Absences
- Needing a change of clothes
- Snack needs
- School closure
- Late arrival
- Late pick-up
- Behavioral issues

We will also publish newsletters full of information as to the goings on in the classroom, birthdays, and special units of study and so on and so forth. Once a class list is published, you have the names, addresses and phone numbers of all of your child’s classmates. In addition, you are allowed and encouraged to call me at home in the evening, should you have a question, problem, concern or compliment. You can always leave a message at the school number or my home phone.
School: 672 – 3882; Home: 249 – 9949; E-mail: cedbasket@aol.com
School Website: countryvillagemontessori.com

Your emergency information form MUST be on file in the office before the first day of school. This form reflects all necessary information about whom to contact in the case of an emergency. If your emergency contact information should change after the start of the school year please contact the office and update your form to keep us current.

Transportation Information

Your transportation form MUST be on file in the office before the first day of school.
This form indicates how your child will be picked up from school and who does (or does not) have permission to pick up your child. If your information changes; please contact the office. If a person is going to pick up occasionally but you do not wish to add them to your transportation form, a written note must be provided to the school. Any person the staff does not know will be asked to show their ID to be compared to the transportation form or a note from you.

School Closure for Weather

When storms are forecasted, parents are advised to use their own best judgment in the safe transportation of their children to and from school. For delays, cancellations and early closures please check our website, WMUR.com or channel 9 WMUR on your TV. We follow Amherst Public School delayed opening or closed schedules.If Amherst is closed or delayed then Country Village is also closed or delayed. Likewise, if Amherst closes early due to weather we will also close early and you will be required to come pick up your child. There is no before care on delayed opening days and there is no after care on early closing days. In the case of a two hour delay school would begin at

Fire drills

Fire drills will be conducted on a monthly basis throughout the school year. We will vary the time and weather conditions so as to afford the children a full and complete experience in this necessary task. We will record them as prescribed by New Hampshire state laws. We will have an in-school visit by our local firefighter to help familiarize the children with what a firefighter looks like when he is on the job.

School Pictures

School pictures will be taken sometime in October. There is no obligation to purchase them. Advance notification of time and date will be given via the newsletters.

Scholastic Book Clubs

For as long as I have been a Montessori parent I have always enjoyed the participation in Scholastic Book Clubs. I will be sending out monthly order forms and a more detailed description of the program in September. There is NEVER an obligation to participate.

Parent Involvement

I welcome your enthusiastic support in making Country Village Montessori School a place for parents as well as for children. If you have a special talent, interest, foreign language or culture you would consider sharing with the children – we need to talk! We also encourage (and NEED) extra hands for special craft days, field trips, special events and playground time. We also have a need for materials which can be made at home. We will have a sign-up sheet at our first parent meeting. Let us know if you have any additional ideas.*A word of caution regarding siblings: Nursing infants are generally invited to join us for any and all school-related events. But a toddler is a different matter. Our environment is designed for the 3 to 6 year old child and is first and foremost not SAFE for a curious toddler. Secondly, a toddler is not developmentally available to be able to negotiate our classroom. I feel it is cruel and unusual punishment to keep restraining a child from touching our beautiful materials. At the same time it is not responsible to let a toddler abuse, bite, or destroy the materials in our classroom that your children so lovingly work with. It is inconsistent to let them see other family members being able to disrespect our environment. Therefore we humbly submit to you to enjoy our school solely with the child that is enrolled here. Their time will come! We welcome your suggestions for an all-family back-to-school and/or end-of-year picnic. “To let the child do as he likes when he has not yet developed any powers of control is to betray the idea of freedom.” -Maria Montessori

Necessary Things to Know

Arrival

We will collect your child from the car from to . If you arrive past this time you MUST park in the parking lot and walk your child to his or her teacher either on the playground or in the classroom. Please be considerate if there are lessons or group activities taking place as you arrive and understand that the teachers must be focused on the safety of the children when on the playground.

Change of clothes

Each child needs to have a complete set of LABELED seasonally appropriate spare clothes, including socks, to be left at school. Accidents happen with water works, crafts, snacks, lunches and toileting. It is always best to be prepared.

Canvas tote

We will provide your child with a canvas tote to bring his or her folder and other things to and from school. We ask that you refrain from sending your child with cumbersome backpacks that are hard for them to carry and for us to store.

Slippers or indoor shoes

A pair of indoor shoes or slippers must be provided and kept at school.Your child needs to able to put them on and take them off easily, they should have backs, be free of adornment and bulk. Most of all they should be comfortable.

School Clothing

The key is the weather. Remember you can always take off a sweater but you can’t put on what you don’t have. While it is great to have your child look like they just stepped off a GAP advertisement, they may not be comfortable in a binding belt. This can affect their ability to concentrate or even their mood for the day. Clothes that the child can easily put on, fasten and remove are especially important. Overalls, although very cute, can be extremely difficult for a child to manipulate when rushing to the bathroom. We have a policy of peace and non-violence and our aim is to improve each child’s ability to concentrate and focus on the beautiful materials of our classrooms. For these reasons we ask that you not send your child dressed in character clothing, especially those that depict violence. Jewelry, sandals and dress-up shoes are not allowed as they pose a safety risk on our playground. Sneakers and well soled shoes that your child can fasten are the recommendation. Please clearly label all of your child’s clothing.

Toys

Toys from home are expressly forbidden at school. We cannot be responsible for the loss or destruction of their treasured objects. They can be a terrible distraction for a child. Make sure they leave their special things at home or in the car waiting for them at pick up time.

Snacks

Parents will be called on in a rotating basis to provide snack for the classroom, monthly calendars are sent home assigning the dates. Snack must contain at least two food groups.We also request that the snacks be as healthy as possible. Avoid preservatives, artificial colors, sugar, Trans fat and overly processed foods. Snacks must also be NUT FREE! On Fridays we have international snack. When your turn comes up, we challenge you to be creative, inventive and resourceful. Create a snack that is a bit out of the ordinary, hailing from another country and share as much as you can about the snack and its origin. The children love to look at the wonderful maps in our classroom and learn about other places and cultures. Don’t worry if you think your child won’t eat the snack, sometimes children will try things at school that they wouldn’t try at home. A list of suggested snacks is the back of this handbook as well as a sample international snack form.

Lunch

All day children need to bring their lunch to school.You need to pack all of the utensils your child will need to eat lunch successfully as well as a placemat and a napkin. As in our guidelines for snack, we request that you keep their lunch as healthy as possible.Lunchables are not allowed; drinkable and squeezable yogurts are not allowed. Sugary sweets and chocolate milk are not allowed. We cannot refrigerate or microwave so pack the appropriate cooling devise or thermos, as needed. A water bottle should be provided with lunch. In an effort to be a little more “green” we ask that you use re-usable containers and cloth napkins whenever possible. We can generate a remarkable amount of trash from a typical lunch. Every little bit helps!

Quiet Time

Full day children will have a quiet time of cooling down activities for 30 minutes after lunch. Children younger than four years old are not permitted to stay all day as we do not have napping facilities available.

Toileting

My licensing for the state of New Hampshire requires that all children are potty trained and I have no facilities for diapering. However, we understand that accidents do happen. This is one of the reasons we ask you to be VIGILANT in having a change of seasonal clothing available for your child AT ALL TIMES.

Outdoor Play

Fresh air and an opportunity to run, play and use the large muscle group is an important part of the child’s day and their physical development. Children will go outdoors two times a day unless the weather prohibits it. Outside time is as important as inside time for the child to:
Work large motor skills and balancing
Work out social situations with minimal help
Let imagination run free
Make individual choices
Learn how to wait turns

Please be sure your child is prepared for outside time everyday. A water bottle is needed in the warmer weather and proper winter clothes and boots for winter. If your child is too ill to play outside, you child is too ill to be at school.

Please be prompt with pickup time. No child likes to be left waiting, emergency circumstances notwithstanding. At and we have many transitions occurring and the smoother and more seamless we can make these transitions for the children and the adults, the better. Also, our staff cannot be expected to wait for your arrival as they have multitudinous other duties and responsibilities apart from waiting for you. While this may seem harsh, experience has taught me it is better to be up front and honest than to sit and simmer quietly. So please be responsible for the sake of your child and us, be on time for pickup.
The charge for late pickup is $1.00 per minute after and . No exceptions.

“Only the child himself can teach us to know him, and that is by his behaviors”

Maria Montessori

The Snack Program

Thank you for participating in our snack program. A monthly calendar will go home with your child stating which days you are responsible for providing snack for the class. A list of possible snacks is provided on the next page in case you are looking for ideas. We do not allow peanuts or nuts of any kind in school. We appreciate you sending in napkins, plates, bowls and utensils when needed. Please know that it is our school’s belief that children get plenty of sugar in their diets – therefore we are requiring you send wholesome snacks as sugar free as possible. As a general rule, look for the least over-processed foods available. Fresh fruits, raw vegetables, natural breads and homemade goods are always preferred over store bought. Become a consummate reader of labels.

In addition there are several additives to avoid:
- Artificial colorings and flavors
- Additives and preservatives, especially BHA, BHT, TBHQ
- Trans fats
Our Class Friend

Every year the class has a new friend (stuffed animal) with a journal. This class friend will go home with a child on Friday and return on Monday morning with snack. The journal is an opportunity for the child to share how he/she spent the weekend. Pictures or drawings are welcome along with a brief narrative about how the weekend was spent. This is a favorite activity for all of the children and gives each child their separate moment to share with the class and have a special day. We do this instead of a traditional “show and tell” which can be hard for children to sit through and can also put their special objects at risk for being broken or lost. ALL of the children look forward to their special weekend and ALL of the children LOVE hearing about the exploits of their classmates on Mondays.

International Snack

Friday is international snack day. When you draw a Friday please use your imagination and your cookbooks with a dash of adventure. Prepare a snack with international origin or flair. Please send in the snack with information about it so we can incorporate a mini geography lesson with it. The point is not to stress you out but to have fun with your child deciding on what kind of snack from what part of the world to send in.

Birthdays

Birthdays are a glorious celebration! Parents are welcome to share in the celebration at school with their child and share a favorite snack with your child’s classmates. We do not allow cake and frosting but your child can share any healthy snack that they love.We have had everything from black olives to fruit kabobs to cereal.

Switching Snacks

Should a snack day assigned to you not work out, please call a class member to arrange a swap using the provided class list.

Conflict / Behavior Issues

As the need arises, children will be guided in a “conflict resolution” with a trained staff member using our peace rose which will assist the process.The children are given a lesson on how to use the peace rose at the beginning of the school year. It has been shown to be an effective means of problem solving and is concretely connected to our curriculum of peace.

All behavior issues are initially handled in the classroom. If a child’s misbehavior persists, another staff member may offer assistance to the teacher so the classroom is not disturbed and we focus on helping the child. Discipline is always offered with a solid understanding of the child’s developmental abilities with a view towards helping the child regain control while raising his/her awareness to the needs of the other members of our classroom community. We follow the basis rules of “helping everyone” and “hurting nothing” – this usually covers any intentional or non-intentional infraction. Behavior guidance is accomplished in an unobtrusive, quiet, and constructive manner. Positive redirection is used to move a child to a more acceptable alternative behavior. “Grace and Courtesy” lessons, part of the practical life curriculum, offer the child appropriate ways of treating others and the environment while having individual needs met. Occasionally, a child may be asked to sit a bit away from the group until he/she has “quieted their body” and can rejoin the group or classroom activity. We will never use the words: Time out- with your child. Taking on the accepted ways of social behavior is one of the tasks of the young child.
All staff follows the guidelines of reminding children in a positive tone of what the ground rules for the classroom are and consistently call upon the child to uphold these rules. Parents will be contacted if a child’s behavior necessitates a call.

Termination of Enrollment

The staff of placename Country Village Montessori School is dedicated to providing the best education possible for EVERY CHILD in a safe, loving and beautiful environment. Every effort will be made to avoid terminating a child’s enrollment in the school. However, termination of enrollment will be effected under the following circumstances:
Failure of the parents to cooperate with the school’s policies
Failure of the parents to provide health forms and other paperwork required for enrollment
Failure by the parents to pay tuition by the tenth of every month
Physical or emotional problems that require excessive one-on-one attention
Behavioral problems that are disruptive to the classroom atmosphere and other students
Parent’s refusal to seek professional help when suggested as being in the child’s best interests
Inability of the school to meet the apparent needs of the child, as determined by teaching staff consensus
Parent’s disrespectful behavior toward other parents, children, teachers, administration, or any other staff.