Montessori Academy

Classrooms are open to parents beginning in mid-October. Parents are asked to schedule any in-class observations in advance and this should be done through the office. There are procedures for these observations that need to be followed. Teachers give their full attention to the children during class time and will be unable to talk with you during your observation. If you have questions please call your child's teacher, or make an appointment to meet with her.

MAB holds regularly scheduled conferences twice a year, in the fall and in the spring. This gives the parents an opportunity to meet with the teachers to discuss their child's activities and progress. A written report of each conference is maintained in the child's records and a copy of the report is sent home prior to the conference. All conferences are confidential conversations between the parents and staff. Both parents are urged to attend the conferences. Conferences are scheduled after daily school dismissal.

Parents are encouraged to call the teachers if they need to speak to them. Except in emergencies, all calls to teachers should be made at lunchtime or before or after school hours.

A list of each carpool, including signed parental authorizations, must be submitted to the office before carpooling begins. If someone other than a carpool member or an authorized pick-up person is to get your child at school, a written authorization must be sent to your child's teacher. Please be sure that an adult is responsible for getting the note to your child's teacher at the beginning of the session. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL CHILDREN BE RELEASED TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON.

Children need to have access to a nutritious snack daily.

Suggested snacks: vegetables, fruits (bite-sized), crackers, crackers with peanut butter, nutritious breads, mini muffins, etc.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND: Candy or other very sweet foods. Chocolate is strongly discouraged. Sheet cakes and other high sugar content foods are not appropriate.

If your child is eating lunch at school, please pack a well-balanced meal, excluding candy and other highly sugared foods or food containing excessive quantities of additives and preservatives (i.e. Lunchables and other pre-packaged, processed foods). Such foods do not sustain a child throughout the day and often cause adverse side-effects in attention and behavior.

Suggested lunch foods: milk or 100% fruit juice, whole grain bread, high protein sandwich filling (meat, fish, bean, peanut butter, or cheese), and a fruit and/or vegetable. Refrigeration for individual lunch boxes and microwaves are not available. Children are not allowed to share their lunches.

MAB children may celebrate their birthdays by bringing in a birthday treat. Since we at MAB are concerned with nutritional awareness by the children, we ask that you please keep the sugar content to a minimum and keep the servings small. Choose your child's favorite from the suggested snack list found above. (Fruit Kabobs are always a hit!) Parents are asked to inform the teachers in advance whenever they intend to provide a birthday treat.

Birthdays' celebration are done once a month for all of the children in the specific classroom, as scheduled with the room teacher. Schedule the date with the teacher and bring one cupcake for the Birthday child.

If you are planning a home party for your child, please consider the other children and do not distribute invitations in school. We also ask that children do not bring gifts for after-school parties.

The following holidays are celebrated by the children at school:

• Fall Fest in October,
  
• Thanksgiving in November,
  
• Winter Celebrations in December [Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa],
  
• Friendship Celebration in February, Earth Day in April, and
  
• Family Day in May.
  

Most other holidays are not formally celebrated in the classroom, that is, children do not wear costumes to school at Halloween, nor are there classroom parties to celebrate religious holidays. However, holidays are recognized within the social, seasonal, educational, and community environment in which they occur. The children may do craft projects, listen to music, or read books pertaining to all aspects of the holiday occurring at the time.

ALL CLOTHING SHOULD BE CLEARLY LABELED. All children must wear school Polo shirts, sweatshirts, or jackets, and kahki shorts or skorts [for girls].  Shoes that are appropriate for outdoor play are recommended. In cold days the school’s sweatshirt or jacket is suggested.

Please provide a complete change of clothing for your child including underwear and socks. The clothing should be labeled with your child's name and packed along with a plastic bag in a plastic box. The extra clothing must be brought on the first day of class and must be replaced as used; if not used, it will be returned on Fridays.

• Notices that are posted in the lobby must first be approved by the Director and should relate to entertainment, educational programs, etc., for MAB aged children.
   
• No advertising or demonstrations of products or books is permitted in the classrooms or on or about the school premises, unless specificaly approved in writing by the administration.
   
• No notice may go in the children's school bags without prior approval by the Director.
   
• Parents may use the newsletter to inform others of services or goods they offer.
   
• All correspondence with people or organizations in MAB's name must first be approved by the Director.

1. A parent should first approach the teacher regarding concerns about his or her child, the classroom environment, or the teacher or assistant.
    
2. With problems requiring further study, the teacher or parents should consult the Director for help with a resolution.
    
3. If the parents, teacher and Director agree, an outside clinician may be asked to observe the situation.