Parent HandbookMission and Values

Our mission at One Forest Montessori School is to create a space where children can learn naturally. We aim to have an environment where children and adults can learn together and from each other. We provide a safe, clean, accepting environment where children can be themselves. Our hands-on materials support self-directed learning. We incorporate mindfulness and nature connection by our daily visits to the nearby forest.

We value: Curiosity – following each child’s own desire to learn Connection – promoting connection between children and with the

adults/teachers. Connection promotes learning. Core skills – teachers help children learn core skills at their own pace. Respect for self and others Courage and determination Inclusion of diverse perspectives and cultures Environmental responsibility. Compassion and kindness.

Our Program and Curriculum

We use the Ontario curriculum as a roadmap, not a benchmark. Our learning space is filled with an ever-changing display of enticing hands-on materials that invite exploration. Lessons from the teacher are offered to each child based on their interests and individual learning plan.

Our Philosophy

“Follow the child, but follow the child as his leader.” Maria Montessori

At One forest, we believe that all children know how to learn. We do not follow a one-size-fits all approach to teaching. Each child’s needs are at the centre of our program, which allows us to offer a flexible, custom designed program for each student.

What happens in a Montessori Classroom?

Our classrooms are set up with three year mixed age groupings. Freedom of movement within the classroom is encouraged. The Montessori classroom is filled with materials that support inquiry. A child’s day consists of individual and small group lessons combined with freedom to explore and choose activities. There are 5 main areas of the classroom:

Sensorial These materials encourage children to explore all of their 5 senses through hands-on activities. These include visual grading of size or colour, tactile explorations of textures and weight, as well as pattern recognition.

Practical Life This area has materials that help children develop independence in caring for themselves and their environment such as learning to sweep the floor or button a shirt. The real life experiences that come from the practical life area such as pouring, transferring and dressing, help children with their daily routines.

MathThe Math activities include recognition of numerals and their corresponding quantities, the decimal system, operations, and geometry. Children are introduced to these concepts as they are individually ready. All of our early math materials are concrete in nature and the coloured beads remain consistent throughout the grades to assist memorization.

Language Language skills are acquired in steps. These include: oral language development, learning the phonetic sounds of letters, word building and recognition, writing and reading. The sounds of the alphabet are taught using the Sandpaper Letters and a complimentary phonics program called Jolly Phonics.

CultureThis area encompasses Art, History, Science, Cultural and Physical Geography, Music and Languages. The curriculum is tied together through what Montessori called “Cosmic Education”. These lessons teach children about the interconnectedness of all living things and they provide a framework for understanding the world around them and their place in it. Through stories and hands-on materials, children start to understand the cycles of the natural world, their own culture and cultures of those around the world.

French

The Casa children receive 40 minutes of French instruction each week. They learn vocabulary through songs, stories and movement games. The Elementary program provides 1 hour of French language instruction each week and children work on comprehension as well as writing and speaking French.

Music, Drama and ArtA variety of art materials are available for students to explore in our program. Music and movement are also a part of the child’s daily experience, enjoyed during circle time, listening centers and during outdoor games. The Casa children receive 45mins of music instruction each week. The Elementary program provides up to 1 hour of music instruction each week.

Outdoor Education ProgramOur program includes daily time spent in the parks or the forest within walking distance from our school. The focus of our outdoor program is on community building, free play and nature connection. Please see our information sheet: How to Dress for Forest School for suggestions on what clothing to bring.

Nature Connection

The goal of Forest School is to provide children with regular and repeated access to a natural space for child-directed, emergent and inquiry-based learning. In addition, teachers provide students with information and concepts that spark imagination and launch investigations. We encourage open curiosity, a sense of wonder, a slow pace, questioning, environmental advocacy, and a peaceful, grateful spirit.

To this end, children at Forest School engage in various routines and practices.

Wander Consists of moving through a natural landscape without any specific agenda or purpose. Children’s inquiries direct learning, and teachers support and stretch the edges of knowledge.

Sit spot Find a place where you can sit quietly most days and simply observe, using your full suite of senses. This cultivates mindfulness and stillness. Children sometimes journal.

Story of the Day

Tell stories about outdoor adventures. The teacher or other children ask questions about what was seen/heard/smelled today. Feedback may be in oral, written or artistic forms.

Nature TableAn interactive place in the classroom where students bring natural items of interest for ongoing observation.

StorytellingEmbraces oral tradition of storytelling. The teacher relates a narrative aloud.

Games with a Purpose – mentor-directedStretch awareness, physical strength, compassion, cooperation.

Free Play – child-directedSymbolic, exploratory, socio-dramatic, dramatic, social, communicative, creative, deep, imaginative, fantasy, locomotor, mastery, recapitulative, and rough and tumble play. Children learn safety and supported risk taking.

Primitive skills and self-sufficiencyFocuses on developing ancient skills and abilities. Increases independence and self-esteem.

School Hours

Half-Day Casa 9:00 am – 12:00 pm or12 pm to 3:30 pm

Full Day 9:00 am – 3:30 pmAfter School Care 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Weekly Schedule

Monday – Thursday (September to December and April to June)

Morning work period 9 am – 12 pmLunch 12 pm – 12:40 pmOutdoor Exploration at Morgan Park 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Elementary Class)Afternoon work period 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm (Elementary Class)Outdoor Exploration in our play space 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Casa Class)Yoga, French or Music 2:30 pm – 3:10 pm (Casa Class)

Friday Forest Days

Drop off and pick up at Chicopee Tube Park.

9 am – 3:00 pm(Sept. – Dec. and April – June)

Drop off at One Forest School and Pick up at Chicopee Tube Park.

1 am – 3:00 pm * (Dec. – March)*Cancelled if temperature goes below -15 c9 am - 12 pm afternoon work period indoors

Attendance

We take attendance each day and keep a record of attendance. Please let us know as soon as possible if your child will be absent from school. If we do not receive a message by 9:30 am, we will call home.

Holidays and Birthdays

One Forest is a non-sectarian school. Holidays and other diverse cultural and religious events are included in our discussions with the children from a historical and cultural perspective. There are no classroom celebrations to mark specific holidays. If families would like to include their children’s classmates in a cultural holiday or birthday, please speak to our staff and we can provide you with a contact list for you to use for your invitations.

School Calendar and Holidays

The school calendar is published and distributed to all parents at the beginning of school. There will also be a copy posted on our website. Please note that One Forest will be closed on all Statutory Holidays that are observed in Ontario, along with all P.D. days that coincide with the ones listed for the Waterloo Region District School Board. We are also closed for two weeks in the winter for Winter Holiday and two weeks in March for Spring Break.

Parent Communication

Regular communication between One Forest staff and parents is essential to students’ success in our program. We encourage daily communication with parents during drop-off and pick-up times. Especially during the first month, parents are contacted often to establish a strong foundation for good communication that will set the pattern for the rest of the year. Ample time is taken to answer questions and reassure parents that there is a strong parent/school partnership that will be essential in their child’s success at One Forest.

We are unable to answer longer questions during the day when we are working with the children. If you have questions or concerns please contact us by email or

leave us a voicemail and we will try to answer you within 24 hours.

One Forest Parent Involvement

We would like parents to have an opportunity to be involved in the One Forest community. Parent volunteers are welcome as long as they have a vulnerable sector screening done. Please see our website for details as they become available.

ASSESSMENT OF PROGRESS

A child’s progress is monitored and assessed in a number of ways:Self-Correcting Materials: The self-correcting nature of most of the Montessori materials aids the children to self-monitor their progress.Peer Teaching: Children who have mastered an activity are encouraged to support the work of younger classmates.Teacher Assessment: Teachers observe student’s progress and keep daily anecdotal records. Weekly lesson plans record presentations given, practiced and mastered.

Parent EngagementReport cards and parent conferences are held three times a year. Parent conferences may be held at other times at either the request of the parent or staff.

Teacher QualificationsTeachers are Ontario Certified or have Montessori teacher training.

Confidentiality and Student RecordThe school maintains a file for each student currently and previously enrolled at the school. The file contains required admission and enrollment forms, attendance records, progress reports, health information forms, and any other information regarding the student. Student records and school-parent communications are confidential. Student information is held in confidence, and will not be disclosed without the written consent of a parent or guardian, with the exception of information regarding a health or safety emergency.

Access to Student RecordsParents/legal guardians have the right to inspect the records of their children. Parents/legal guardians may schedule an appointment with the Directors to review the students’ files in the school office and may obtain a copy of the information. Parents may request that their child’s records be amended to correct inaccuracies or provide clarification.

Release of Student RecordsStudent records will be released to another educational institution when we receive a request from that institution. We ask that all financial obligations to the school be fulfilled. Records will not be released if these conditions are not met.

Admissions and Enrollment

One Forest has a non-discriminatory policy with respect to race, religion and national origin. This applies to admission of students and employment of staff.

We encourage prospective parents to come in for a tour and speak with our director about the enrolment of your child. Interested parents are asked to submit an application to indicate their intention to enrol. Once a family has decided to complete the enrolment process, the full registration form must be filled out and submitted, along with a deposit and an agreement indicating how the tuition will be paid.

Tuition Deposit

Tuition FeesPlease refer to the Tuition Fee Schedule that you have received in your enrolment package or on our website for current fees.

Tuition can be paid by post-dated cheques or by e-transfers done on the first of each month. All post-dated cheques must be submitted to the school prior to the start of your child’s school year. All returned cheques will be charged an N.S.F. fee of $40.

Welcome Week

A Welcome Visit provides prospective students an opportunity to experience daily life in our community and is required for enrolment. Upon completion of the visit week, prospective families and One Forest staff will discuss the visit week experience and assess the prospect of enrolment. For students registering for September, this will be a Welcome Month, and the discussion will take place at the end of September.

Limited Spaces

We are not always able to accommodate all applicants. Once classrooms reach capacity, any new applications are placed in a wait pool. It is our practice to keep your application on file for one year, in the event that we are able to offer your child admission. Priority in the wait pool is given to applicants who have a sibling

currently enrolled in the school or if the applicant is transferring from another Montessori school.

Discharge and Withdrawal Policies

Providing a safe, welcoming environment is very important to us. The provision of our services is conditional on appropriate and respectful behavior both of the student and the parents. One Forest Montessori School reserves the right to suspend, dismiss or withdraw service if these conditions are not met to their satisfaction.

If it is necessary to withdraw a student, parents must give the school one month’s written notice.

Prohibited Practices

We will not permit the following: Corporal punishment Physical restraint of the child unless it is for his/her safety or the safety of

others. Locking the child in a room The use of harsh, degrading measures or threats or use of derogatory

language at any time Any actions that would shame, humiliate or frighten the child or undermine

his or her self-worth or dignity. Depriving a child of basic needs including food, drink, shelter, sleep, toilet

use, clothing or bedding Inflicting any bodily harm on children including making them eat or drink

against their will.

Arrival and Dismissal Times

Our parking lot is a busy place during arrival and dismissal times. Please follow the instructions below so that everyone can stay safe.

Early Pick-Up

If a Student must leave school early, a note, email or telephone call from the student’s parent/guardian is required. Please indicate the time and who will be picking up your child.

Transitions

Please speak to our Director if you think that your child might have some anxiety about leaving you on the first day that he attends our program. We are supportive of gradual transitions for children who face anxiety. If we work together and make a plan, the transition will happen much more smoothly.

Releasing Students

We want to make sure your child goes home with someone we recognize. Please send a signed note or email stating the person’s name if someone unfamiliar to our staff is picking up your child. We will ask them to provide photo identification, even when they are listed on your emergency contacts or pick-up list.

School Closures

If the Waterloo Region School Board cancels buses for the Kitchener area because of inclement weather, One Forest will be closed for the day. We will make every effort to inform parents as early as possible. A message will be sent out via email, Twitter and Facebook.

Allergies and Anaphylaxis Policy

Please inform the school of ANY allergies that your child has. While we strive to take every effort to reduce risk of exposure, we cannot guarantee that our school will be free of all potential life-threatening allergens.

We have a policy in place to identify all anaphylactic children. While it is impossible to create a risk-free environment, we take the following steps to minimize the risk of exposure.

All allergies will be listed in the registration form. Prior to enrolment, the family will provide us with an allergy information

sheet and an individual plan with input from both parents and the child’s physician. Please include detailed emergency procedures.

All staff at One Forest will be trained to recognize signs of anaphylactic reactions and how to use an epi-pen.

All children who have an anaphylactic allergy will be identified to the staff/volunteers verbally and the child’s Individual Plan will be reviewed.

Parents will provide a recent photo of the child so that it can be posted in our kitchen. This method of identification is used for all children having a serious allergy or medical condition.

Parents will provide us with 2 epi-pens prior to enrolment. One will be stored in the first-aid kit that will go outside with the children. The other will be kept in the classroom, in an area out of the reach of children. Consent by the child’s physician is required for any children carrying their own Epi-pen.

Strategies to Reduce the Risk of ExposureOur staff will also take reasonable steps to create a safe program by:

Monitoring food brought into school Disinfecting tables before and after eating Having children with severe allergies eat lunch at separate tables Proper hand washing procedures

Not providing the food item that causes the allergy Other measures as indicated by the allergy plan submitted by the

parent Staff are trained on Epi-Pen usage and anaphylactic reactions

during their First Aid/CPR certification

Emergency Procedures Follow the emergency precedures as outlined in the child’s individual plan. Administer the Epi-Pen and stay with the child Get someone to get the second Epi-Pen as a precaution. One person calls 911. Have the child transported to the hospital whenever there is an

administration of the Epi-Pen. Have someone to go to the hospital with the child if available.

Nut-Aware School Policy

Peanut/nut products are a common fatal allergen for many individuals. Even the residue of nut oil on furniture or utensils can cause a life-threatening reaction. As a result, One Forest strives to be a nut-aware school. No nuts of any kind or any products containing trace amounts of peanuts or tree-nuts are to be brought to school.

When preparing your child’s packed lunches, please do not send anything that is made with nuts or contains nuts. Please keep in mind that products that have a “may contain nuts” label, or any homemade or store bought products that may have come into contact with nuts may not be brought to school. This requires a bit of added time checking labels and giving extra thought as to how you prepare any homemade item for your child’s lunch. We thank you in advance for helping us make One Forest as safe as possible for families with nut allergies.

Lunches and Snacks

Please send a healthy, nut-free lunch and at least two snacks if your child is enrolled in our full-time program. If your child stays half-day, one nut-free snack and a drink is all that is required. We have spring water available for the children at all times. A catered lunch program is available for our Friday Forest Days for families who would like that option. More details will be available to families in September.

Health and Illness PolicyGerms spread fast at school so please keep your child at home if they are sick. This would include:

A fever. Please do not bring your child back to school until he has been fever-free without medication for 24 hours.

An infection/antibiotic use. Please do not bring your child back to school until they have been on antibiotics for a minimum of 24 hours and they are not requiring any pain relief medication.

Rashes or discharges from the eyes or nose. A stomachache. Vomiting/diarrhea. Please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after

his symptoms clear up. Lice. If we find a case of head lice at school, we will ask the parent or

caregiver to come and pick up the child. Please ensure that the appropriate treatment is used and that your child is free of head lice before coming back to school. Periodic head checks are encouraged as a precaution.

If your child becomes ill during the course of the school day, a parent or someone on your emergency contact list will be asked to come and pick up your child as soon as possible.

Contagious DiseasesIf your child is infected with a contagious disease such as chicken pox, measles, hand, foot and mouth disease etc, please notify the school right away.

MedicationOne Forest staff will only administer prescription medication when a parent fills out a Medication Authorization Form. Non-prescription medication will only be administered to children with anaphylaxis or other life threatening conditions, if it has been recommended in writing by your doctor and you have signed the appropriate form. All medication will be stored in a locked area of the school, unless it is an Epi-pen or an inhaler that is needed in case of emergency. Such medications will be stored in the classroom first-aid kit, in a location out of the reach of children. Any medication that needs refrigeration will be stored in the fridge in a locked container.

ImmunizationsAll children must have their current immunizations and One Forest keeps a copy of these in their file. This does not apply where a parent of the child objects in writing to the immunization. If any infectious disease appears at school, an unimmunized child, staff or volunteer may have to stay home until the outbreak is declared over to minimize the risk of spreading the disease.

AccidentsOne Forest works to prevent student injuries by carefully selecting all activities and by ensuring diligent supervision. If your child gets hurt at school, we will administer the appropriate first-aid and call 911 if needed. Every attempt will be made to contact the parents at home or work for any child receiving a head injury or other serious injuries requiring further medical attention.

All accidents will be entered into a written log and kept on file. A copy of the accident report will be sent home as well. We will review accident reports to ensure appropriate preventative measures were in place and the follow up has been handled correctly.

FireA Fire Escape Plan is posted in every room. In the event of a fire, students will follow the teacher out of the classroom to the designated meeting spot. The Director will check all rooms, then follow the classes out and check attendance, accounting for every person. If we are unable to return to the school building, staff will escort the students to the designated place of shelter where parents will be contacted.

As part of our commitment to safety, One Forest has a detailed plan for fire procedures. We practice fire drills once a term. Parents in the building during a fire drill are asked to follow staff directions.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities are an important part of each day at One Forest. Ratios for children to teachers that are set out by the Ministry of Education are the same ratios maintained during regular classroom time. Below are a few considerations when preparing for the day:

Students must have appropriate footwear, outerwear and accessories for the day’s weather.

Children who attend full day programs go outside for at least an hour each day. On Fridays, children are outside all day in the milder seasons. Please check the weather forecast before sending your child to school and dress them appropriately.

During the winter we will keep the children inside if the weather reaches -15 C or colder.

Clothing for School

Children should be dressed comfortably and in clothing appropriate for the weather. We ask that a second set of clothing be kept at school in case of accidents. We require you to send an extra pair of:

Underwear (2) Socks (2 pairs) Shirt Long pants/shorts

Indoor shoes that will be left at the school.All clothing must be labeled with your child’s name. We highly recommend using Mabel’s Labels or some other label that sticks to clothing through the wash.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Parent Handbook. We are so happy to have you as part of our One Forest family and we wish you all a wonderful school year!

One Forest Montessori School Parent Handbook Agreement Form

I, ______________________________________________________________, have reviewed the Parent Handbook and have discussed them with my family. In doing so, I acknowledge that our family is aware of all school policies and we agree to follow them.

Signature____________________________________

Date__________________