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N E W S L E T T E R NO. 122 August 24, 2009
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! It is with great enthusiasm that we bring this newsletter to inform you about the upcoming school year.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
All children from Casa “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E” who attended classes in June/09 and are returning this year, should come to school on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. The first day of school for all Elementary children will be the same.
2. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR NEW PRIMARY (CASA) CHILDREN
The new Primary children will begin classes in small groups between Monday, September 14, 2009 through Wednesday, September 23, 2009. To find out the starting date for your child, please call the office after September 1, 2009, or you may get this information on September 10, 2009 during our Parents Orientation Night. Our gentle approach of having a smaller number of new children start each day ensures your child has the best possible experience during those first very important days of school.
3. PARENTS ORIENTATION NIGHT – WINE & CHEESE
Parents of new and existing students are kindly invited to an Orientation Night on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Please come directly to the classroom your child is attending. There will be an introduction to the daily routine, work in each particular level, question and answer period, etc.
Afterwards, all parents are welcome to attend the wine and cheese reception in the gym.
4. CLASS AND STAFF CHANGES
Montessori Co-ordinator
Lydia Kunicki will be joining our school in a new position as a Montessori Co-ordinator. Lydia will be working with Felix in all aspects of school operations with primary focus on implementation of Montessori curriculum, child development, parents’ education, parents’ and staff relationships, and other matters pertaining to the school. Lydia is AMI Montessori teacher trained in both Casa and Elementary levels with many years of experience of working with Casa and Elementary children.
French in 6-9 Lower Elementary
To continue with the high intensity of French language that the children developed at the Casa level, we have decided to extend a similar Casa French approach to 6-9 Lower Elementary classes. We have created a new position for this goal: a French Lower Elementary Assistant for all three classes. This approach will give children an opportunity of being exposed to the French language throughout the entire day as there will be one French assistant in each 6-9 class.
Jamila Samaa will be joing Dara Hager in Elementary “A”. Lisa Barbosa will be joining Deirdre O’Brien in Elementary “B”. Valerie Ingram will be joining Aneta Kopinski in Elementary “D”
CASA “A” French Speaking Assistant
Erica De Smidt will be joining Casa “A” as a French Speaking Assistant, taking the place of Valerie Ingram who moved to Elementary “D”. Erica is known to many parents as she used to work with us in the position of French Speaking Assistant before she became AMI Montessori teacher.
Reception
We would also like to welcome Brenda Ranville who is joining our school as a new Receptionist. Brenda used to work for many years in Quebec high schools in similar positions.
5. SWINE FLU PREPAREDNESS
Swine flu preparedness and treatment are hot topics for our local, provincial and national authorities. There is an expectation that swine flu is to increase during the flu season in the fall and winter. I would like to ask all families to take the following precautions.
A. Make sure that your child is aware of flu symptoms and knows the importance of coughing or sneezing into their sleeve. B. Make sure that your child understands the importance of frequent hand washing and is using the school hand sanitizer and/or is provided with hand sanitizer.
We are asking all families to keep their children at home if they have a fever or cough. If your child is sick, please do not send him/her to school. Children who come to school coughing or with a fever will be isolated and will be asked to put on a mask until they can be collected by parents. Please review other flu prevention measures with your family doctor.
6. PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING
The first meeting of the Parents' Association is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
7. FRONT DOOR ENTRY CODE
The main entrance door in the school is equipped with a numeric combination lock. You need to know the new combination code in order to open the door. You may obtain the code from any staff member. Please remember that the code should not be shared with your child.
8. CHILDREN DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
Please remember not to park your car in front of the school and across from the school.
You may drop-off your child by stopping briefly in front of the school or you can park your car in the school parking lot, and bring your child to school yourself.
All Casa children begin their work in the classes at 8:45 a.m. All Elementary children begin their work in the classes at 8:30 a.m.
If you have any messages for anybody, please have them already written down. The staff member on duty in the main lobby will pass on your written message to the right person. WE HAVE INSTRUCTED STAFF MEMBERS NOT TO TAKE VERBAL MESSAGES!
Please make sure that you are not late as it disturbs the other children and may make your own child uncomfortable.
Please give your child at least 15 minutes to get changed, greet his/her friends, and get ready for work at 8:45 a.m. (Casa) and 8:30 a.m. (Elementary). If you are late, please make sure that you reduce your farewell to a minimum.
Please do not enter the classroom. Please allow your child the opportunity to enter the classroom independently. Please do not carry children upstairs and do not help them to change their clothes. To foster independence all ‘goodbyes” for elementary students should happen at the bottom of the stairways on the ground level.
The ideal time to arrive for Casa children in the morning is between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. Full-day children can be brought into the school for before-school supervision as early as 7:30 a.m., to be supervised by the French Speaking morning assistants in the before-school area (second floor) between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.
Please note that the French Speaking Assistants have been instructed to speak French only in the presence of children.
At 8:15 a.m., all Casa children who are coming for before-school supervision will be moved to their own classes. They will be able to start working with the materials earlier in a regular fashion.
Around 8:15 a.m., all Elementary children will return to their appropriate environments. Elementary children arriving between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. will go directly to their own classes.
Half-day children should arrive at school anytime between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Please note that half-day classes will be ending at 11:45 a.m. Parents who are collecting their children at 11:45 a.m., should wait in the main lobby (ground floor). We will be bringing all half-day children there.
Full-day Casa children who are not enrolled in the after-school program should be collected either from the second front lobby at 3:30 p.m., but no later than 4:00 p.m. CHILDREN NOT ATTENDING THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM MUST BE COLLECTED BY 4:00 P.M.
Elementary children who are not enrolled in the after-school program will group together in the front lobby for pick-up at 3:30 p.m. Parents who come to the school between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. should pull up to the front of the school driving northbound on Kennedy Avenue, so their child can see them. The children will be dismissed by the adult on duty.
Please remember that this 30-minute time period is not an extension of school hours.
9. SCHOOL BUS HOME PICK-UP AND DELIVERY SERVICE
We would like to begin home school bus delivery service as of Tuesday, September 8, 2009. The regular home pick-up will begin on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Please call us ASAP if you are interested in this program. The program is available for a monthly fee. However, if space and time permit, single trips will be available at the cost of $7.50 per trip. Please pay this single fee in advance.
10. SCHOOL BUS ZONE AND PARKING AREA
Please do not park your car in the school bus zone during the following hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can stop you car in the school bus zone only for a quick drop off or pick-up. Please use the parking area to avoid a parking ticket!
11. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
All children who will be staying in the school after 4:00 p.m. must be enrolled in the after-school program on a monthly basis. Please call us ASAP if you are interested in this program. There will be a fee of $10.00 per day for the after-school program if your child is not collected by 4:00 p.m. and is not enrolled on a monthly basis. Please pay the single day fee in advance.
12. SCHOOL CALENDAR
Attached is the calendar for the upcoming school year. This calendar lists the dates that the school is open plus all workshops and conferences.
13. MONTHLY TUITION FEE
The monthly tuition fee is due on the first of each month. Please bring your postdated cheques covering the period from September 2009 to June 2010 on the first day of attendance. Please see attached fee schedules.
14. CHILDREN CLASS LIST
Your child’s class list with parents’ names and home telephone numbers will be available soon to all parents. Please submit to us ASAP, the attached Student Information Form 2009-2010. If you do not wish to have your home telephone number published, please let Felix know. The class list is used for quick passage of information or reminders of important events at the school. It may also come in handy around birthday times!
15. TELEPHONE SYSTEM
The school is equipped with a telephone system including Star Talk. You will be able to leave a voice message for your child’s teacher. Please ask your child’s teacher for her/his telephone extension number.
PRIMARY CLASSES
1. WHAT TO BRING ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Please bring to school a complete change of clothes for your child, including a pair of indoor shoes. The child’s indoor shoes should be kept in the school. Slippers are not suitable for school. Please mark your child’s name on all his/her clothes and belongings.
2. PARENT DOs AND DON’Ts
1. In keeping with our goals of nurturing the child's growth in independence, we kindly ask that parents drop their children off in the corridor (or the front foyer) and say their goodbyes outside the children's class environment. This will allow the children to enter into the classroom on their own, taking responsibility for themselves and their belongings.
If they require assistance, someone within the environment will offer help. This simple act will encourage grace and courtesy among the children for each other and will also raise your child's self-esteem and self-reliance.
2. As we strive to preserve the quality of the daily work periods, we would appreciate it if you could ensure that your child is in his/her classroom no later than 8:45 a.m. (Casa) and 8:30 a.m. (Elementary). In the event that your child will be absent or will need to arrive late (i.e. doctor's appointment, etc.) please leave a voice message for your child’s teacher. In this way, we can be prepared to greet your child properly upon his/her arrival and also minimize the disruption of work to other children. Likewise, if you need to collect your child earlier than his/her regular dismissal time, please notify us so that we can make arrangements to say goodbye and have your child ready to be picked up by you. We would kindly ask that you refrain from opening the classroom door and calling out to your child or the teacher, as this causes a tremendous disruption to the peace and concentration in the class, thus disturbing the work of the children and the teacher.
3. Here are a few helpful suggestions for parents of Primary children to help make your child's growth and experience more wholesome and consistent.
* Allow your children to walk on their own when taking them places (particularly into and out of the school!). Maria Montessori stated that children under two can walk a mile -- we need only to walk beside them at their pace. This will allow your child to cultivate self-esteem and a healthy physical development. (Hugs and kisses can be shared at this level!)
* Encourage them to give up items and habits that encourage dependence rather than independence (i.e. pacifiers, baby bottles, diapers, stuffed toys, blankets, thumb sucking, etc.). Children who are able to soothe themselves and can function as independent individuals are on the right path to living a life of self-sufficiency, pride and confidence.
* Attend as many lectures and workshops as possible, and continue to read Dr. Montessori's works regarding child development and the Montessori philosophy. This will aid in presenting a harmonious approach to raising your child as well as help you to understand the goals and objectives of the Montessori Method of Education as an "Aid to Life".
* The children are welcome to bring in interesting and unusual items from time to time (e.g. shells, souvenirs or ornaments from a vacation, foreign objects that illustrate different customs or traditions, etc.) to contribute to the children's cultural awareness of the world in which they live. Toys, stickers, body tattoos, jewellery and cosmetics are not appropriate articles for school as they are highly distracting to the children and are often the cause of arguments.
4. Please remember that if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions related to your child's daily activities or well-being, please address them directly to your child's teacher. Assistants and other supporting staff are not pedagogically responsible for answering inquiries of this nature.
5. Ensure that your child has a seasonal change of clean clothes available in his/her cubby at all times while at school.
Most importantly, please dress your children in clothes that they are functionally able to manage on their own. Overalls, belts, suspenders and pants that are difficult to fasten and unfasten only serve to slow down your children in their efforts to toilet themselves successfully, as well as cause unnecessary frustration and discouragement when having to depend upon others for constant assistance.
6. Help your children to help themselves by allowing them to do as much as they can without offering unnecessary assistance. Dr. Montessori writes, "...listening does not make a man...only practical work and experience lead the young to maturity..." and, "the most favourable time for a child to learn is when she wants to do it herself."
7. In an effort to keep all the children in our care safe, happy and healthy, we need to advise parents about the importance of allowing children who are suffering from an illness to remain at home until such time as they have fully recovered. Children who are not well enough to play outdoors are not well enough to be in attendance at the school. Please understand that we cannot detain a needed staff member for one sick child. If your child becomes ill while at school, you will be contacted to make arrangements to collect your child as soon as possible.
Your promptness will ease your child's discomfort and enable your child to receive the care he/she needs ASAP, as well as prevent the illness from spreading to the other children and adults in the close environment.
8. Your children's journey through life begins with you, the parent, and must continue to be guided by you throughout their early years, as the road to adulthood is a challenging and lengthy one. While you have chosen to have your children's wholesome growth and development supported by a Montessori Education, this task cannot be assumed without the parents involvement in the children's learning experience. It is imperative that parents "get on board" and support the Montessori philosophy by continuing to educate themselves regarding the way that Montessori is offering your child education as an “Aid to Life”. Parents are strongly encouraged to read the works of Dr. Maria Montessori, which are available in our school's Parent Library, as well as to attend and participate in all meetings, lectures and workshops scheduled throughout the school year as part of our commitment to Parent Education.
The task of educating a child is a momentous one and therefore has little chance of being successful if the principles of the philosophy of the parents and their chosen method of education are not in harmony.
9. A Montessori environment is a "prepared environment". Its main function is to offer the children everything they need to aid in their task of self-creation. The adults in the environment have a unique role in that we act as the child’s “guide on the side". Children are their own master teachers and in an effort to support their personal and individual growth to the maximum, while creating a special place that encourages independence and self-confidence, the adults must maintain a marginal position in the learning experience with the child. The only way to accomplish this is to preserve a professional relationship among the children, their parents and their teachers (teachers and assistants) at all times.
It is our school policy that all staff members follow the Staff Handbook which provides guidelines regarding relationships with parents and children outside school hours. The Conflict of Interest Policy which is a part of the Staff Handbook guides a staff member into not engaging in employment relationship with parents, as well as not engaging in intimate social activities in after-school hours involving parents and children. If you have any questions please speak to the school principal.
ABC PARENT GUIDE
1. The children need to walk (not carried) into school by themselves and come upstairs to put their own things away. This may take a few extra minutes of your time but we assure you it's time well spent. They must learn the importance of walking up/down the stairs properly. The child's movement is a paramount element of his/her development. The children must have "liberty of movement" in order to "exercise themselves to learn to coordinate their movements".
2. Please do not change the clothing of your children or hang their clothes up for them. Although this saves you time, your child is left not knowing where his/her belongings have been placed. Encourage the right habits and independence. You may not hear it, but this is what your child is saying to you: "Please help me to do it myself!"
3. We refer to everything that the child does at school as "work", rather than "play". It is only we, the adults, who do not give a positive connotation to the word "work". Although this may seem trivial, this distinction should be respected and carried on at home.
4. Any questions regarding your child's progress at school should be directed to their her/his. Assistants have been instructed not to give out this type of information.
5. Throughout the year, we will be holding Parent Education Evenings, when we will introduce you to the Montessori materials. It is important that all parents attend these sessions as they will help you to understand how your child is learning and how you can help to foster learning experiences outside the school environment.
6. Once the class has begun, the teachers will not be available to speak to any parents in the hall. Please relay your messages to the assistants or leave a message at the office.
7. Please call and leave a voice mail with your child’s teacher if your child is not coming to school.
8. Please dress your child in comfortable and practical clothing. Remember that your child has to use the washroom independently.
10. Please dress your child for the outdoors according to the weather conditions. On the colder/winter days, children who do not have hats, gloves, and warm coats will be kept inside. Label all of your child's belongings -- especially the winter clothes.
11. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN DO NOT BRING TOYS TO SCHOOL. They cause endless confusion and unhappiness, especially when some beloved toy is broken or disappears.
HEALTH POLICY
For the health protection of your child and your family, please follow this health policy when your child is ill. Your child should not be at school if suffering from any of the following:
- Vomiting - Fever - Persistent cough - Severe rash - Diarrhea - Contagious diseases - Pink Eye (conjunctivitis) - A cold that indicates infection
If your child is off sick with anything contagious, please consult with your doctor as to when your child can return to school. We would like to thank you for your co-operation in helping us to stop the spread of unnecessary ailments and to keep your family healthy!! For a detailed list of communicable diseases, please check the parents' board in the lobby.
A copy of your child’s immunization record must be submitted to the office not later than September 30, 2009.
ELEMENTARY CLASSES
1. WHAT TO BRING ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
- gym shoes - separate pair of indoor shoes - water bottle - small pencil case that will hold a pencil, eraser, coloured pencils, sharpener
2. WHAT NOT TO BRING TO SCHOOL
- comics, magazines - hockey cards or cards of any kind - stickers - toys of any kind, including digital pets - gum, candy, pop - in general, any other distracting material
3. CHILDREN AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
The Elementary children will group together in the front lobby for pick-up at 3:30 p.m. Parents should pull up to the front of the school so your child can see you, or you may come to the front lobby in person to collect your child. The children will be dismissed by the adult on duty.
4. LUNCH ROUTINE
All Elementary children will begin eating their lunches in the classroom at 11:30 a.m. The children who have finished eating will go outside until 12:45 p.m. We encourage the children to make or help to make their own lunches. Include nutritious items such as fruit, vegetables, sandwiches, milk or fruit juice. Avoid sugary foods. Please do not send any products to school that contain peanuts, as some children are allergic to nuts. Also, please pack the lunch in reusable containers. Any leftover lunch should be taken home. Please help us to encourage the children to recycle as much as possible.
5. PHYSICAL EDUCATION - MUSIC - ART – FRENCH – SPECIAL EDUCATION
The children will continue participating in physical education, music and art as part of the daily work cycle. The French program for 6-9 classes will be provided this year by three teachers: Jamila Samaa, Lisa Barbosa and Valerie Ingram. Yves Bernard will continue working with 9-12 students as a French Teacher. Jane Lautens, AMI trained Montessori teacher will continue working as a Special Education Educator. Children who are in need of extra enrichment and remedial work will be joining this program on a regular basis. The Special Education Program will be available to all elementary students in need and will begin in mid September.
6. OBSERVATIONS & WORKSHOPS
We believe that parent education is very important. In order to facilitate this, we offer parents the opportunity to observe the Elementary classes. This will take place two times a year. The times for these observations will be posted in November and May. We strongly encourage parents to attend the Elementary workshops. Please see the attached School Calendar.
7. INTERVIEWS
Parental interviews will be held twice a year in December and May. If you participate in observations, class visits, workshops and interviews, you will have a better understanding of the Montessori Elementary program. Progress reports are issued towards the end of the year, reflecting the development of your child.
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