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2015-2016

(Primary & Toddler)

studenthandbook

60 Calhoun Street, P.O. Box 2557, Bluffton, SC 29910T: 843.757.2312 F:843.757.4374

www.mayr ivermontes sor i .com

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Table of Contents

Our Philosophy 2Faculty & Staff 3Board of Trustees 4Parental Involvement 4Medical Policies 5Carpool Procedures 5Conduct 6Ground Rules 6Daily Schedule Sample 8Dress Code 9Admission & Financial Policies 9Birthday Celebrations 9 Lunch 10 Miscellaneous 10

Our Philosophy

May River Montessori offers many experiences of the young child. Knowledge of the typical development of children in this program provides a framework from which our teachers prepare the learning environment and help move children through cycles of work. This provides them with avenues through which their learning can travel for a lifetime.

The Montessori curriculum we use and develop and the adult interactions with the children are responsive to individual differences and sensitive periods. We believe that young children learn by doing.The work of Piaget, Montessori, Erickson and other child development theorists has demonstrated that children learn by doing, thinking and experiencing the world around them. Rudolf Stiener, another child development theorist wrote: “a child’s work is his play.” Children do not need to be forced to learn, they are motivated by their own desire to make sense of the world.

The trained Montessori Staff guides and facilitates learning for each child at the most appropriate time. The en-vironment reflects the order, respect and responsibility we work toward. Observation is the way we understand needs of the children and analysis of our observation helps bring forth the action. We dignify the child’s learning with the materials needed to lead them to higher and higher levels of thinking. We believe the development of self-control in children is accomplished by setting clear, consistent and fair limits for classroom behavior.

May River Montessori was established in 1987 to help the needs of Bluffton families. Our primary purpose is to provide a safe, nurturing, loving, Montessori environment in which periods of development are touched in such a sensitive way that great leaps of confidence will be promoted.It is our goal to build a meaningful relationship with Parents and their children and to work as a support system to the child’s total experience.

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Faculty & Staff

The cornerstone of May River Montessori is our committed and dedicated staff. Our faculty members are highly trained professionals. Both classroom directors and assistants hold a certification from the Association Montes-sori Society (AMS), recognizing the completion of eighteen months of training including a full year of intern-ship. The strength and stability of our staff allows children and families to develop solid and trusting relation-ships with the teachers.

Sharon Haag, Executive DirectorAlison Hoffman, Elementary DirectressJennifer Cauble, Elementary Directress

Peter Verbrick, Elementary DirectorCindy Steinmetz, Primary Directress

Lori Cadden, Primary DirectressDiane Prescott, Primary DirectressDeborah Urato, Primary DirectressBeatrice Lague, Toddler DirectressJoni Quigley, Elementary AssistantRosa Brown, Elementary AssistantErin Fedorko, Primary Assistant

Carolin Stelzer, Primary AssistantJennifer Barefield, Primary Assistant

Helen Yates, Primary AssistantJessica LeBlond, Toddler AssistantPaula Hawkes, Toddler Assistant

Other faculty members include:

Gail Daunt, Administrative Assistant, After School DirectressJill Diaz, Administrative Assistant

Beth Green, Elementary MusicKali Cooke, Primary/Toddler Music

Jeanne Fawcett, LibrarianAntoinette Skrak, Primary/Elementary Spanish

Jennifer Green, Primary/Elementary P.E.Janine Cole, Elementary Art

Amy Thompson, Primary/Elementary Master Gardener

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Board of Trustees

The Trustees of May River Montessori are entrusted with the history of the school, the present operation and the future of this grand idea. They each assume a role in the total life of the school. Positions are staggered so the membership of the Board has continuity.

2013-2014 May River Montessori Board of Trustees

Sharon HaagWalter NesterMary Vaux*Nancy Golson*Cally Heppner-TroupeMatthew Green Tiffany MikkelsonAllison Cobb-Hussey Jeff SmithBrandi Lowe Chris Burden

*denotes Founders and Permanent Board Members

Parental Involvement

Parent’s AssociationEach parent is asked to give 10 hours of volunteer time to the school. This sends a clear signal to the children that this is a family priority and the learning climate is greatly enhanced. The parents have a large fall event this year as well as special projects along the way. They add fun social events to our school life and also provide many use-ful materials and pieces of equipment and furniture for our children. We work hard to keep tuition at a manage-able level and volunteering your time and talents directly facilitates this.

Room MothersEach room has two Room Mothers. These volunteers help coordinate classroom needs and stays in close contact with the classroom staff.

Help Us Help Your Child By:• Making sure your child gets to bed early. He needs a consistent, regular routine.• He needs regular school attendance. Consistency is so important here. It not only gives continuity to hislearning, but it keeps the momentum of motivation for his work, teaches him responsibility, and lets him know that school in important.• Make sure your child gets to school on time.• Have a positive, supportive attitude. If school is important to you, it will be to your child.• Believe in your child. Don’t compare him with others. Have faith in him. He is on his own timetable. He knows if you are worried about his progress. Let his “inner teacher” guide him, and have faith in his teachers.

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• Encourage him. Go over his work each week. Praise finished work. Also raise him when he does his best. Say what you like about his work. Be specific. Be positive.• Read the notes that are sent from the school.• Please call if you have any questions or feel that there is something we should know. Good communication is vital so that we can work together for the good of your child.

Medical Policies

South Carolina immunization forms are required by law. We need them in our files before the start of the school. These forms are obtained at the South Carolina Health Department or at your doctor’s office. Your doc-tor can tax your child’s immunization record to MRM. Fax is 843-757-4374.

Sick ChildrenMay River Montessori is not equipped to care for ill children. Please help your child and their classmates by making sure that before returning to the classroom, children are temperature-free for at least 24 hours. A physi-cian must write a release to be brought in when any communicable disease is involved.

Medication PolicyIn compliance with DSS regulation #114-5-14, A (4), May River Montessori may administer prescription and non-prescription medication to children only after permission has been signed and dated by a parent or guard-ian. A dosage schedule of any prescription and non-prescription medication is to be supplied to the operator of the school and signed and signed and dated by the parent or guardian.Please send in a note if your child is taking medication for a few days, so your child’s teacher is aware.

Carpool Procedures

Arrival Procedure --- No cell phone zone!!Children arrive between 8:20 and 8:45am. Please pull to the front of the school where one of the staff will greet children and help them from the car. Please do not pass other cars in the driveway as this is a hazard for the chil-dren. Staff will walk your children to their classrooms until they are comfortable walking in by themselves. They love feeling big and independent. Toddlers, of course, will always be escorted.

Dismissal Procedure The end of the day procedure is the same as arrival except that teachers will walk your children to their cars and make sure they are belted in. Please wait for your turn as the line should move quickly after the first week. Do not park and walk up to get your child as it slows the process down for everyone.

Dismissal TimesToddlers & ½-Day 3’s: 11:30amPrimary & Elementary: 2:30pmAfter-school Program: 5:00pmEmergency Closings & Emergency TransportationPlease listen to FM Radio Stations 98.7, 106.9 or 107.9 for emergency closing information. If May River Montes-sori is to close during the day, you will be called and asked to come pick up your child.

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May River Montessori must have on file a signed and dated permission to transport a child or staff member by emergency vehicle if necessary. The child will be taken to the nearest hospital for medical emergency treatment. Physician and emergency numbers should be listed on the permission form. Alternative directive should be list-ed, signed and dated on this same sheet.

Carpools & Substitute Drivers Children must have written confirmation to ride in any car other than their parents. You will be given a form to fill out during the beginning of the year with acceptable substitute drivers for your child. Please keep these forms updated and add to them as the need arises. Any note approving a substitute driver should contain the child’s first and last name, date and time of pick-up, name of person picking up and a description of the car. If the sub-stitute driver is not known to the staff as a regular driver, a picture ID must be shown. Please no phone calls with carpool changes – written notes only.

*Please NoteTown Officials have asked that drivers not back up on Calhoun Street, particularly in the morning with the traffic going to the elementary school. If you come down Calhoun Street and the driveway is full of waiting cars, please circle the block and line up on Green Street.1. Take Boundary Street to Green Street. 2. Turn onto Green Street and stop at Calhoun Street. 3. Cross Calhoun from Green Street into the driveway of May River Montessori.

ConductWe believe the development of self-control in children is accomplished by teaching children with dignity. They are to be guided by setting clear, consistent and fair limits for classroom behavior. We value mistakes as learning opportunities. We redirect children to more acceptable behavior or activities. We listen when children talk about their feelings and frustrations. We guide children to resolve conflicts and we model skills that help children solve their own problems. We patiently remind children of rules and their rationale as needed. We do not use corporal punishment. Note: The staff is required to report suspected child abuse and neglect to Social Services for investigation.

Ground Rules of the ClassroomResponsibilities that go with FreedomWORK TIME: These are rules we use in our classrooms!• You may choose any work you would like from the orientation shelves. You may choose other work only if the teacher has given you a lesson on it.• Be careful with your work. You may not harm your work, yourself, or anyone else. You may not use it to disturb the activities of others.• Choose your own work; do not go over to work with someone else’s work.• When you’re finished, put your work away on the shelf “where it lives.” Make sure it touches the edge of the shelf.• You may work at a table or a rug, but not at the shelf.• Work quietly, no talking. If you do need to talk, use a whisper (indoor) voice.• Walk indoors using walking feet. Running feet are for outside.• Always clean up a spill. If you spill beans, pick them up. If you spill water on a tray, table, or floor, then wipe it up with a paper towel.• If you get a crayon or pencil mark on the table or chair, tell the teacher, and then scrub it off.

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• Roll the rug carefully—only straight edges.• Always place your rug carefully in the rug bin so that it doesn’t unroll.• Always walk around rugs that are on the floor. You could step on someone’s work.• Do not step on your own rug—keep it clean. (You can kneel on it.)• Always push in your chair—even if you’re coming right back.• Always carry a chair sideways with two hands.• Raise your hand if you need help with your work. Do not go over to the teacher. The teacher will see your hand and come to you.• Do not interrupt other people’s work. Wait until someone puts away before talking to him.• Do not interrupt a teacher giving a lesson to someone else. Wait until the teacher finishes, then you can ask a question.• Always stop, look, and listen when the bell rings.

Circle Time• Sit nicely (and still) on the “red ellipse”: Sit on your seat (bottom), Sit cross-legged (Indian style), Put your hands in your lap, Listen!• Always keep your hands in your own lap. Do not touch others during Circle Time.• Do not talk to your neighbor on the line. Listen quietly to the teacher.• Raise your hand if you have something to say and wait quietly until the teacher calls on you.• Only one person can talk at a time.• Always use good manners: “Please, May I? Thank you, You’re welcome, Excuse me, I’m sorry,” etc.• Always ask permission to go to the bathroom when you’re sitting at Circle (or at any group time). Otherwise, you may go to the bathroom anytime during the work period.• Always walk around the “red ellipse” when you leave the group, never walk through the middle.• Stack your mat nicely on the mat pile when Circle Time is finished.

Transition Times• Use “outdoor feet/running feet” only on the playground.• Always “come right now” when the bell rings at recess.• Always line up nicely. Wait patiently when you are standing in line. No one likes to be pushed.• Always keep your hands to your sides and zip your lips when you walk in line, especially down the hall indoors.• Always use walking feet in the line.• Always stay behind the leader. Follow the leader of the line.

Bathroom Rules• Always knock at the bathroom door when it is closed. If no one is there then you can use it.• Only one person at a time can use the bathroom.• Always shut the bathroom door when you go in. Turn on the light and you will hear the fan in the ceiling.• Always remember to use just a little bit of toilet paper (3 squares) to the toilet won’t get stopped up and over-flow with water.• Please flush the toilet and turn out the light when you’re through in the bathroom. Leave the door open just a little bit so the next person knows that no one is in there.• If the toilet doesn’t flush or it overflows with water, get a teacher quick!• If you see any wetness on the floor, wipe it up with a paper towel and throw it in the trash can, or, get a teacher. Wash your hands right afterward.• Don’t put anything in the toilet except toilet paper. If you see too much toilet paper, get a teacher.• Please remember to wash your hands at the sink after you go to the bathroom. Do that every time!

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Playground RulesThe playground is monitored at all times. We have major responsibility on the playground. Make it a safe, and also a meaningful time of the children’s day. “Monster” play is not permitted. It is also an excellent time to learn a lot about a child’s social development. (Who does the child play with? Is the child older or younger? What role does the child assume in the relationship—leader, follower? What type of play does the child enjoy? How is his large motor coordination?)

On the slide• Come down the slides one at a time.• Go down on seat, frontward.• Wait until it is clear at the bottom of the slide before the next person starts down.• No sand on slide.• No climbing up and hanging on slide.• The only way to slide is to go up the stairs and come down.• Do not throw rubber mulch.

General• Don’t stand in front of swings—sit on white tubing to wait turn.• No climbing on fence.• No playing with sticks.• No throwing sand or transporting it out of sand area.• No cartoon characters, this leads to aggressive play.• No kissing.

We do not tolerate bullying, biting, or physical aggression. We work hard teaching our children to negotiate conflicts peacefully. Parents will be notified and asked to work with us if their child repeatedly exhibits unac-ceptable behavior. We are here to teach and help, but cannot have our children hurt or bullied. These behaviors are grounds for dismissal from our school.

Daily Schedule (a sample)While every day is always a little bit different at Montessori, we do follow guidelines so our children have a sense of order. Following is a general schedule of student activities for a 3-6 classroom.

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Dress Code

Children should wear comfortable clothes that foster independence---particularly clothes that they can easily handle to use the bathroom. Toddlers should have shoes with Velcro closing and rain boots with handles. Please don’t send your children in with clothing that cannot be washed or easily cared for when dirty. Please no boots, thronged shoes, shoes with wheels in the heels, or dress shoes. Athletic shoes/sneakers are the safest shoes. Please label all clothing.Personal Belongings. Toys, jewelry and similar items should be left at home so they are not lost. Candy and gum may not be brought to school.

Admissions & Financial Policy

May River Montessori admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to the students of the school.. It does not discrim-inate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origins in administration of its educational policies, admis-sions policies and other school-administered programs.

May River Montessori is not designed for children with severe disabilities or emotional or psychological prob-lems which may require a smaller pupil-teacher ratio and more individual help to be successful.

Financial AssistanceFinancial assistance is given to make it possible for children to attend May River Montessori whose families need financial aid. If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please contact the executive director of the school.

TuitionWe know and appreciate the sacrifices and hard work required to pay for your child’s education. The skills and love of learning your children acquire here, will serve them well for a lifetime.Tuition pays our teachers’ salaries and we are dependent upon receiving your payment on time each month. Most of our parents are vigilant about this and we thank you. However, if tuition is not paid by the 15th of the month (it is due on the 1st of the month), your child will not be able to come to school until tuition is brought up to date.

Birthday Celebrations

The moment of birth, the beginning of your child’s own personal time line, is of great importance to him/her. Celebrating with friends at school is an especially meaningful event. At May River Montessori we have found several special activities to mark the occasion.

Personal Time LineHave the birthday child bring in a series of photos for each year of his growth. We show the class the child’spersonal time line—how he has grown from a baby to a toddler, etc., etc.

A “Class” GiftThe birthday child may wish to give a gift to the school or classroom in honor of his birthday. A “class” gift, such as book from our library wish list, is wrapped for the child to unwrap and present at their Life Celebration. These gifts enhance the entire school community and teach great lessons in gratitude and sharing. The classroom Directress has prepared a picture file box of their classroom wish list needs.

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Birthday Snack/TreatChildren may also bring in a special birthday snack for the Life Celebration—cheese crackers, fruit, popcorn, cookies, muffins are favorites. Please do not send frosted cake, candy, donuts or anything excessively sugary or crumbly. No juice is necessary. Birthday napkins are optional.

Notify the classroom Directress in advance of the day you wish to send in the special snack for your child’s birth-day celebration so she can plan accordingly. To insure each child has an opportunity to celebrate with his class, we suggest that children with summer birthdays celebrate their ½-year birthday with their class.

In order to keep Birthday Celebrations happy occasions we also ask that parents abide by the following guide-lines:Do not pass out birthday invitations for home partiesBe considerate if picking up party children at carpoolNo balloons or party favorsCall ahead to arrange a classroom party for your childDo not send gifts to school for another child

Lunch

At May River Montessori we encourage children to eat all of the lunch that is packed for them. We check their lunchboxes after lunch to see if they have eaten everything. Please pack an appropriate amount of food and only food the child will eat. We encourage the children to eat their sandwich or protein food first and then other items with dessert last. We do not insist that they eat the crust of the sandwich unless the parent has told them to do so.

RecyclingWe practice a tradition of recycling which helps both the school and our community environment. Please send reusable containers, napkins and lunch boxes. Everything goes home to be used again. No garbage is generated and we teach our children a beautiful lesson in respecting our environment.

We are not able to microwave food for the children at school, nor are we able to store lunches in our refrigerator. A cold pack helps keep lunches at a desirable temperature.We do not allow children to exchange or share lunches.

MAY RIVER FOOD REVOLUTION!!Good nutrition affects your child in every way. Please do not send your child in with juice boxes, soft drinks or tea for a drink and items such as Lunchables (or similarly packaged item) for lunch. We also request that you do not send candy for dessert.

Due to allergies, peanuts and other nuts or nut butters are not permitted!

Miscellaneous

ConferencesConferences are scheduled twice each year to discuss your child’s progress individually. We urge both parents to attend and be on time.

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PhotosSchool photos (both individual photos and class pictures) are taken at May River Montessori in late fall (i.e., before the holidays).

Take-Home BagsEach Friday your child’s work will come home with him/her in their May River Montessori Bag. Please go over it with the child. Think of how pleased he/she is with this work. Be positive and specific: “I like the way you finish your work…” or “I can tell you did your best…”

If your child doesn’t bring home large batches of papers, it does not mean they are not learning and working at school every day. A paper is often at the end of their work and their interaction with the materials is most im-portant. Please be diligent about reading the notes that are included in your child’s take home bags.