2013-2014
Parent Handbook
“Education demands, then, only this:
Utilization of the inner powers of the child for his own instruction.”
Maria Montessori
Mission Statement
The Montessori Farmhouse School is an environmentally-based Montessori educational program whose purpose is to foster independence, critical thinking, respect and responsibility to self, to others and to the earth. We are dedicated to providing an enriching and challenging educational environment where each child is encouraged to grow to his or her fullest potential academically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. Through the dynamic partnership of child, parent and teacher, a consistent Montessori framework for learning is developed, offering an “education for life.”
This mission is accomplished by:
1) Adhering to Montessori theory and practice as defined by the Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI) and American Montessori Society (AMS).
2) Encouraging the appreciation of cultural and ethnic diversity.
3) Recognizing the value of a curriculum-based education, while balancing academic and social development to foster responsibility and cooperation within a supportive learning community.
4) Fostering involvement of parents, teachers, students and the larger community.
The children learn to view themselves as contributing members of a diverse global community. The staff, the parents and the children communicate clearly and openly and treat each other with honesty and mutual respect.
The Montessori Farmhouse School is not affiliated with any organized religion. We respect and honor the diversity of spiritual expression found in our community.
“Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole, which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”
Maria Montessori
Our Community
The Montessori Farmhouse School is nestled in 6 acres of wooded forest. It is located in the quaint town of Burley, Washington on the Bethel Burley Highway. Wildlife and nature are abundant throughout the grounds providing exploring and learning in an indoor and outdoor classroom environment. We offer a truly unique program based on authentic Montessori philosophy, bringing enrichment and challenge to your child’s education. The Montessori Farmhouse School was founded in June of 2006 with one small classroom and seven students. The school is growing and continues to provide a small child/adult ratio and maintains a community atmosphere.
Sara Lee Broback, Lower Elementary Teacher, grew up outside of Tacoma, Washington, and went to the University of Colorado where she earned a degree in Fine Arts. With her husband, Steve, she moved to New York City, where she lived for ten years and worked in the fashion industry after receiving a degree in Fashion Design. She returned to Washington to raise her three children, John, Hanna, and Peter, and worked extensively as a volunteer in their schools. Seven years ago she began working at Montessori Farmhouse as the Assistant teacher in the primary program. She completed her Montessori Elementary Training at Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest. She loves to garden, cook, read, and backpack in the Olympics, Cascades, and out at the ocean.
Lisa Derouin, Administrative Assistant, was born and raised in Tacoma, WA. She studied Fine Art and Child Growth and Development at Washington State University where she met her husband, Joe. After having their first child in 2000, Lisa decided to stay home to be a full-time mother. Lisa stumbled upon Montessori Farmhouse after moving to Olalla in 2009. She fell in love with the school and enrolled her daughter, Sunny. In her free time she loves to do almost every type of craft imaginable, bake, garden, explore, and play with her children.
Natasha McDonald, Primary Teacher Assistant, was born in the Philippines and moved to Kitsap County when she was 5 years old. She is currently pursuing a double major in Psychology and Child Development at Olympic College. She loves to spend time outdoors: hiking, camping, kayaking, and climbing anything to get up to the mountains. She also enjoys music, from hearing her favorite records pop on her record player, to pulling out sheet music and her flute to make a tune. Natasha found Montessori Farmhouse School last December and has loved becoming part of its family.
Elise Maupin, Primary Teacher Assistant, grew up in Seattle where she met her husband, Sam the Plant Man. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Ethno environmental Journalism with a Spanish minor at an interdisciplinary college within Western Washington University. She remained in Bellingham to teach Spanish at Montessori at Samish Woods and to be one of two Montessori Adolescent Guides helping to start Cascades Montessori Middle School. Elise completed her AMI Montessori Adolescent Training in Ohio with a global group of guides who are still sharing ideas and keeping students in contact. While working on an educational farm in Costa Rica for the fall of 2012, Elise was introduced to Montessori primary volunteering at a bilingual school called Color Minds. She moved to the Kitsap Peninsula in 2012 to continue the legacy of family farming. Some of her favorite things include photography, painting, cooking, reading, writing, music, edible gardening, and being active.
Christina Walker, Lower Elementary Assistant, has lived in Washington her whole life. Residing in Port Orchard since 2006, she considers it her spiritual hometown. Christina has always had a huge heart for children. She has dreamt of working with Montessori and was a good fit for Montessori Farmhouse, where she started working in August 2013. She is also working on her Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing. In her free time she writes songs, sings, plays guitar, paints, dances, creates, laughs a lot, reads, talks a lot, loves to learn, and loves life.
“The study of child psychology in the first years of life opens to our eyes such wonders that no one seeing them with understanding can fail to be deeply stirred.”
Maria Montessori
What is Montessori?
Her comprehensive research resulted in a concept of the “whole child” education through the use of self-correcting, manipulative materials. These materials invite the children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Under the guidance of a trained Montessori teacher, the children learn by making discoveries with the materials, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a life-long love of learning.
The Programs
The child is motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love of knowledge. Our goal is to cultivate the child’s natural desire to learn by allowing each child to experience the joy of learning by his/her own choice. The child will experience the joy of learning and perfect his/her own abilities through repetition and practice. The Montessori materials meet current developmental needs and challenges.
The Primary Curriculum
Practical Life Exercises: These are generally thought of in three main categories:
1. Care of Environment -cleaning, sweeping, washing clothes, gardening, etc.
2. Care of Person - dressing, cooking, setting the table, washing dishes, hand washing, etc.
3. Grace and Courtesy - walking carefully, carrying items, moving gracefully, offering food, saying “please” and “thank you” and so on. By means of these activities the child learns to make intelligent choices, to become physically, and then mentally, independent and responsible. The child learns to concentrate, to control muscles, to move and act with care, to focus, to analyze logical steps, and complete a work cycle of activity.
Sensorial Exercises: The sensorial materials are designed as tools that develop the young child’s concentration, order, coordination, independence and the ability to make finer and finer distinctions in observing the world. They are attractively presented to stimulate the developing senses of sight, sound, touch, and smell, which are all at work for the child.
Geometry & Math: Rods, cubes, and geometric solids allow the child to discover mathematical relationships through manipulation. Linear counting one to one hundred is introduced beginning the counting the quantity (number) and then associating the quantity with the symbol (numeral) that represents the quantity. The base ten system of organizing is introduced with units, tens, hundreds, and thousands in the quantity and in the numeral. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are introduced using these concrete materials.
Language: Language is considered to be one of the basic learning areas in a Montessori program. It spans every other area and is an integral part of each, as well as a special area in and of itself. The program materials follow a developmental sequence in which the child grows in language concepts and prepares the hand and eye for writing and reading
Music: Music appreciation is developed through song and folk, ethnic and classical music played on real instruments. Children join in when they please or make music whenever they feel like it.
Social Sciences: People, Geography, and History: Children are given concrete examples, stories and pictures of people all over the world in order to build a foundation in history and geography. History and geography lessons are given with the final understanding in mind of the interconnectedness of humans with the earth, the plants and animals, and with each other.
Life Sciences: Botany & Zoology: An atmosphere of love and respect for plants and animals is the best foundation for a lifetime of comfort and interest in nature. Nothing can substitute seeing and smelling flowers and watching the daily growth of a flower or vegetable in the garden.
Art: Art is a way of approaching life, of moving and speaking, of decorating a home and school, of selecting toys and books. It is integrated into every other element of life. We cannot “teach” an artist, but we can help one develop:
An Eye that Sees
A Hand that Obeys
The Elementary Curriculum
Students six years and older are provided the opportunities to use their imagination, moral conscience, cultural awareness, and capacity for hard work. Their previous experiences in early childhood education has developed their concentration, attention span, organizational skills, and self direction, and will be their foundation for the more intellectual work they are ready to do. At this age they transition from concrete to abstract thinking.
Cosmic Education is a series of five Great Lessons, which are stories that appeal to the child's imagination and serve as a springboard to the vast Montessori elementary curriculum.
The Birth of the Universe leads to the study of astrophysics, astronomy, chemistry, and cultural mythology.
The Coming of Life story leads to the study of botany, zoology, earth science, geology, paleontology, and time.
The Coming of Humans introduces anthropology, arts, political geography, history, early culture, and practical life skills.
The Coming of Language tells about the development of literature and grammar, word skills, foreign language, communication skills, and finally, the story
Coming of Math and Science, this leads to geometry, math operations, inventions, and scientific method. With the ingeniously designed Montessori math materials, children are able to develop a concrete understanding and skills of abstract concepts, which they apply to real-life situations.
Writing and the arts, are integrated into the entire curriculum to promote self expression and creativity. Children are also developing their language arts skills with extensive word study, grammar materials, and literature workshops
All the work the children will do springs from the Great Lessons, enhancing the child's awareness of where they fit into the universe and the interconnectedness of all things.
Enrollment and Admission Procedure
The Montessori Farmhouse does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, cultural heritage, political beliefs, marital status, or national and ethnic origin in employment or the administration of its admissions programs or policies.
Introduction and Tour
The first step in our admissions process is for parents to attend an informational meeting. This meeting provides an introduction to our program and the Montessori approach to education. A tour of the program is also included.
Observation and Meeting
Next, we ask families to schedule a time to observe during program hours. These observations are usually scheduled on Monday through Thursday between 9:15 and 11:00 a.m. If choose to observe first without your child, a second observation will be scheduled to include your child meeting the teacher.
Application
Applications for new students for the September to mid-June school year need to be completed and returned to the Montessori Farmhouse School with a $50 non-refundable application fee.
Acceptance
Families will be notified regarding acceptance to the program. Then for each new student, a parent completes and returns a registration packet which includes an enrollment agreement and other relevant information. Once this packet is returned with a first and last month payment for services, the child’s placement in the program is secured.
Program Cost and Payment Plan
Program costs are outlined on the Montessori Farmhouse School application form.
Program fees are billed monthly and based upon the annual school-year cost. A first and last month’s payment is due upon enrollment. The remaining monthly payments are due on the first day of each month, September through May.
Sibling discounts will be offered to families enrolling their additional children in the program.
A re-enrollment form and deposit, due in June, will ensure that your child’s place is held for the following school year.
Summer Sessions are available during the summer months for returning children, siblings and children enrolled for the upcoming school year.
Hours of Operation and Daily Schedule
Primary
Half-Day Program is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Full-Day Program is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Elementary
Child Care
Before-School Care is Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
After-School Care is Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Our school-year calendar is coordinated with the local school district schedule of holidays and school closures.
General Outline of Our Daily Schedules
Primary
8:30 - 9:00 Morning classroom preparation and group circle time
9:00 - 11:20 Individual work and small group activities to include:
× Individual presentations
× Indoor and Outdoor Activities
× Music and movement with “Walking on the Line”
× Snack/Food Preparation
× Small group lessons each day such as:
Grace and Courtesy lessons
Language-I Spy, Vocabulary Development, Oral story building
Math, Sciences, Geography, Cultural Studies
11:20 - 11:30 Clean-up - Prepare for lunch
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:00-12:30 Outdoor Environment
12:30 Half-Day dismissal
12:30-1:15 Quiet Rest Time
1:15 - 2:50 Individual work and group activities:
× Large group lessons each day to include: Language, Science, Math and Cultural Lessons
× Individual presentations
× Indoor and Outdoor Activities
Elementary
8:45 Arrival - Morning Preparations
9:00 Class Starts
9:00 - 9:30 Circle and group lessons
9:30 – 12:00 Work time:
× Small group and individual lessons
× Math, Language, and Cultural work
× Snack
× Practical Life, Peaceful Area, Art
× Silent reading
× Cooking
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and Outdoor Environment
1:00-1:20 Reading
1:20-1:50 Language Lesson or Writers Workshop
1:50 – 2:50 Group activities:
× Music
× Art
× Spanish
× Peace Education
× Community Service
× Health
× Physical Education & Yoga
× Environmental Education-Forest Exploration
2:50 - 3:10 Literature Circle
3:10-3:15 Clean Up
3:15 Dismissal
“Education should be a social and human endeavor of interest to all.”
Child Care
Before School
7:00-8:30 Morning meal, reading books, free play
After School
3:00-4:00 Outdoor Environment
4:00-4:15 Snack
4:15-6:00 Projects, free play, art, cooking, etc.
Child care is provided for a charge of $7.00 per hour. Your child needs to be scheduled to attend child care so that we can plan staffing accordingly. To schedule, contact the office by the Thursday prior to the week you will need care. In case of an emergency, call the office. It is necessary to speak to a staff member if you are requesting child care on the day needed or the following morning. Child care ends at 6:00 pm. Anybody arriving later than 6:00 p.m, will be charged $25.00 per hour.
Arrival and Departure
Your prompt arrival at the start and end of the day is important. Please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of class. For the Primary class, you may “drive through” and drop off your child between 8:20 and 8:40. All Elementary children may be dropped off at 8:40. For child care, please walk your child into the Primary class. You may walk Elementary students into their class to drop off their belongings before going to the Primary class if you choose. For your child's protection, we will only release a child to someone other than a parent with previous authorization; please advise them that they will need to show a valid driver’s license or legal identification. Parents/guardians of children in licensed facilities are required by state law to sign their complete signature when they drop off and pick up their children.
Attendance
Parents are asked to notify the MFS when a child will be absent. Any communicable diseases must be reported immediately, as mandated by Washington State Law. If there are any changes to the pickup routine, please notify us.
School Closures
The Montessori Farmhouse School follows local School District calendar for holidays and school closure. A staff member will notify you by telephone if school is delayed or closed.
Rest Time
Primary children who stay in the afternoon need to have a crib-size sheet and blanket. These need to be labeled with the child’s name. Bedding will be sent home every Friday for laundry to be returned clean on Monday.
Birthdays
The moment of birth, the measurement of height and weight, the developments of growing milestones are all of great importance to your child. Let us help celebrate their own personal timeline and share their joyful moments with one another. Celebrations are unique to the Primary and Elementary programs.
Holiday Celebrations
Maria Montessori celebrated the diversity of holidays around the world. The Montessori Farmhouse School attempts to incorporate art, cooking, and activities such as songs and dancing that pay tribute to all of our various cultures.
Sharing
Sharing Day helps children to demonstrate an understanding of listening and speaking skills for effective communication. They may describe people, places, things, and locations. The Primary Class invites children to bring books, science specimens, and other useful items of educational interest to the class on Wednesdays. The Elementary Class invites the Student of the Month to bring items from home throughout the month. They will be given an opportunity to share their items daily with the class and leave for display, on a special table, for the entire month.
Child Guidance and Behavior Management
It is our goal to gradually allow children to develop the ability for self-control and self-discipline. This ability includes joining others cooperatively in work and play, respecting the activities of others, and learning the basic guidelines for loving and peaceful interactions. We will provide a structure and framework that allows children to work and play in a cooperative community.
The teachers and adults are the example of the behavior the children will imitate and acquire.
The environment is prepared to invite and allow children to be fully engaged in activities that are enjoyable and absorbing. Children respond naturally and easily to the environment of our program and appreciate the structure, guidelines, limits, and high expectations for their behavior. Most children do not continue to have discipline concerns when given respect and individual attention, which enables them to try new ways to behave, supporting new social skills.
If a child does not respond easily to our environment, we work with him/her to find alternative ways of expressing their needs that are not harmful or hurtful to others. Since hitting, biting, pushing, scratching, and throwing items are not acceptable, children are guided to learn that they are more successful with the use of words. When a child is having continued difficulties, we consult with parents to discover together ways in which we might be helpful. When appropriate, we might recommend a referral to one of several counselors whose view is consistent with our own. If, after all reasonable collaborative effort has been made to support appropriate behavior, we find that we do not have the capacity to meet your child’s need within the structure of the program, you may be asked to withdraw your child.
Our policy regarding corporal punishment is clear. By law, and by program philosophy and policy, the following forms of discipline are forbidden: hitting, spanking, shaking, scolding, shaming, isolating, labeling (“bad”, “naughty”, etc.), or any other negative reaction to the child’s behavior. All forms of corporal (physical) punishment are strictly forbidden.
We use praise to support growth in a positive direction.
Transportation and Field Trip Arrangements
Off-site excursions/field trips may be provided as an extension of an activity. Prior written consent will be obtained from parents/guardians for all off-site trips. Parents may be asked to assist with transportation. Prior to transporting children, the parent must complete the background check required by the Department of Early Learning. Current liability and medical insurance must be carried by the driver. The vehicle must be in good repair and safe operating condition. The driver must have valid Washington state driver’s license, vehicle registration, and auto insurance. Seat belts, car safety seats or child restraints must be available for each child, according to the requirements of RCW 46.61.687. The number of passengers cannot exceed the seating capacity of the vehicle. The ratio of staff-to-child must be maintained, as established by the age of the youngest child in the group. If the driver does not have a current CPR/First Aid card, a teacher or assistant who is certified in CPR/First Aid must accompany the driver.
When children are transported, the vehicle must be equipped with:
- - At least one first-aid kit that meets the requirements of WAC 170-295-5010
- - Vehicle emergency reflective triangles or other device to alert other drivers of an emergency
- - The health history and emergency information for each child in the vehicle
- - A method to call for emergency help
- Staff or driver must not leave the children unattended in the motor vehicle.
- Smoking is prohibited in vehicles while transporting children.
“The study of child psychology in the first years of life opens to our eyes such wonders that no one seeing them with understanding can fail to be deeply stirred.”
Maria Montessori
Health Care and Safety Practices
Nutritional Guidelines for Snacks and Lunches
For each student, a daily sack lunch and drink is provided from home. Planning good nutrition, which includes protein and various healthy food choices, is important to a child’s well being. Please include two small cloth napkins, and re-usable containers are best. If you need help choosing a variety of lunch options, please talk with your child’s teacher.
In the Primary class, parents will rotate in providing the week’s snacks for the group. This will be done by signing up on the classroom bulletin board. A shopping list will be provided to you the Thursday prior to your snack week, then you bring the groceries Monday morning. It is best if snack each day includes a dairy food or another protein food. Food choices high in Vitamin C and/or Vitamin A will be served 3 or more times per week. In the Elementary class, the children will choose a food item from their lunchbox to eat for morning snack.
Health Records
To comply with state requirements, all health records and other enrollment forms must be completed at the time of the child's entry. These records and forms are kept in the program office and must be kept up to date.
Certificate of Immunization or Exempt Status
WAC 246-100-166 outlines the vaccines that are required for child care/preschool facilities. A completed Certificate of Immunization Status form, verifying current immunization (or exemption), must be submitted prior to the child’s attendance. Exemption forms have to be signed by a licensed medical provider. We are required to track each child’s immunization status and update the information on each certificate as needed. Please notify us when your child receives any additional immunizations so we can maintain accurate records.
Communicable Disease
Communicable diseases must be reported immediately, as mandated by Washington State Law. For more serious illnesses, a notice of potential exposure will be posted and parents will be notified.
Illness
A child exhibiting signs of illness will need to be isolated and cared for by the office staff. The parents/guardian/emergency contact will be called to pick up the sick immediately. No child can be released to a person other than a parent/guardian without previous authorization. Parents are asked to keep their child’s emergency information forms updated.
The following symptoms indicate that a child is likely contagious and needs to remain at home. These symptoms include:
- - Persistent diarrhea (more than three times in 24 hours)
- - Bloody diarrhea (once in 24 hours)
- - Vomiting more than once in 24 hours
- - A fever 100° F or higher
- - An earache, especially with a fever 100° F or higher
- - A sore throat, especially with a fever 100° F or higher
- - A headache, especially with a fever 100° F or higher
- - Fatigue that prevents regular activity, especially with a fever 100° F or higher
- - Drainage from the eye, or pink color in the white of the eye
- - A rash, particularly a draining rash
- - Open or oozing sores, unless properly covered with bandages
- - Discolored nasal discharge
- - Lice/scabies (child may return after treatment)
Children may return to school when they have been symptom-free and fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication.
Medication
Licensing rules permit child care facilities to administer medications to children only with a doctor’s written authorization and with written signed direction of a parent/guardian. Parents will need to complete a “Medication Authorization Form”. All medications must be in their original containers and labeled with the child’s name, dates of usage and dosage. Parents should provide measuring devices for use by their child. Any leftover medication will be returned to the parents.
First Aid / Medical Emergencies
A First Aid kit and ice packs are located in each of the kitchens and are easily accessible. If a child is injured, an Injury Report will be sent home explaining how the injury occurred and was cared for. If a more serious injury has occurs we immediately call 911 and we will contact the parents. If no emergency instructions can be obtained by the parents and the child needs emergency medical treatment, the child will be transported to the closest hospital and instructions and recommendations of the attending physician will be followed.
Injury Prevention
All classrooms are checked daily for any safety hazards. Broken items are repaired or removed. The outdoor play area is inspected daily prior to the arrival of the children. Teachers and other adults on staff are all currently trained in CPR and First Aid.
Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Reporting Requirements
RCW 26.44.030 states that we must report suspected child abuse, neglect or exploitation to Child Protection Services (CPS) or local law enforcement agency immediately. It is also our policy to inform our DEL licensor.
No Smoking Policy
There is a NO SMOKING policy in and around the Montessori Farmhouse School environment and including any MFS events. This is for the health and well-being of the children and adults.
Stranger Safety
Only the parents, family members, employees, volunteers, or appropriate government representative(s) have regular or unsupervised access to the children. Any others will need prior permission to be allowed on the premises.
Animal Policy
The Montessori Farmhouse is a program that does include contact with animals throughout the year. The animals will be in good health, show no evidence of disease, and be non-aggressive. Veterinary records will be kept on file. Please refer to the Montessori Farmhouse Pet Policy for additional information.
- An Individual Care Plan must be provided for children with allergies related to the animals.
- - Children will be closely supervised around animals.
- - Hand washing signs will be posted in pet areas.
- - Children and adults will wash hands thoroughly before and after handling or feeding animals.
- - Staff will ensure that animals are properly cared for and that cages are clean.
- - Animals, cages, and any other animal equipment will not be allowed in the kitchen area.
- - Children will not clean cages.
Pesticide Policy
As an environmentally based program, we promote an atmosphere of respect for plants and animals. Therefore, for the health of our students and the creatures in our ecosystem, we do not use pesticides at the Montessori Farmhouse School.
“There is in the soul of a child an impenetrable secret that is gradually revealed as it develops.”
Maria Montessori
Emergency Preparedness Plan
We must be prepared for a variety of possible emergencies, both natural and man-made. Our Emergency Preparedness Plan includes training, repetition, and supplies so staff and children are well-prepared. Parents are an important part of our emergency planning, as they provide us with vital information and supplies needed for their child’s safety and well-being. Please refer to the Montessori Farmhouse School Emergency Preparedness Plan for complete information.
- In case of a natural disaster or emergency, the parents or other authorized person will be contacted for instructions.
- If no emergency instructions can be obtained, the child will be kept in the care of the program until alternative care can be arranged.
- Please be sure to keep Emergency Contact information current.
- Earthquake and Fire Drills are practiced and documented every month.
- The classroom has immediate access to the outside and the children are taught how to respond in a fire and earthquake drill.
- Please turn your radio to either KOMO (AM 1000) or KIRO (AM 750) for emergency information in the event of a disaster.
- Emergency Kits will be provided by MFS for a nominal fee; they are stored and available if needed.
- An emergency 3-day supply of any required medications are provided by parents, properly stored, and available when needed.
- An extra set of clothes, a comforting letter to your child, and a family photo will also be provided by parents and stored in their emergency preparedness kit.
Supplies and Clothing Provided by Parents
Children are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, appropriate for both indoor and outdoor activities. To foster independence, parents are encouraged to purchase clothing that the children can easily manipulate to dress themselves. Please keep a complete change of clothing on hand at the school for spills and other emergencies. These clothes, as well as those worn to school, should be labeled. If the extra clothes are worn home, please remember to return or replace them so a spare set is always available. Slippers or non-skid socks will need to be worn inside the classroom. A pair of rain boots, snow boots, or lug boots is strongly encouraged for outdoor activities. Sandals are discouraged during outdoor exploration for safety reasons. Please monitor the size and condition of clothes, slippers, and boots and replace any that are damaged or outgrown.
Parent Community
The Montessori Farmhouse School supports an active, involved Parent Community. We have meetings where parents can get acquainted, share ideas, and learn about topics of interest. Parents have opportunities to support our school through volunteer efforts, including work parties, creating materials, and contributing with snack supplies. Through the dynamic partnership of child, parent, and teacher, a consistent Montessori framework for learning is developed, offering an ‘education for life.’ Parent attendance and participation is a critical element in ensuring the fullest benefits of a Montessori education for your child.
Parent Communication
Early each school year, parents are invited to attend a Parent Orientation meeting. During this meeting the policies in this handbook and the Emergency Preparedness Plan are reviewed and information pertaining to each class is discussed and any questions or concerns are addressed.
Parent Teacher Conferences and formal observations are scheduled twice a year. A monthly newsletter goes out and information is posted on bulletin boards and through emails. In the Primary Class, each family has a mail slot located under the bulletin board; please check this often for any important information we may send home.
Please address any questions that pertain to forms, records, or finances to our office staff. Any questions or information about your child, their class, or teacher are brought to your child’s teacher. Your child’s teacher will explain the best way to communicate with them during the orientation meeting.
Parent Access
Parents are always welcome to observe the children during program hours, scheduled through the office. Parents are expected to observe respectfully, without disrupting the children's activities. Any observer whose behavior poses a threat to the children’s well-being or safety may be requested to leave the premises.
Notification of Policy Changes
This handbook is meant to provide guidelines to our policies. We encourage open communication between parents and staff. This handbook is a work in progress, and therefore is open for growth and development. We will notify you of any changes. In other words, the Montessori Farmhouse School reserves the right to change or add policy as needed, at any time, with appropriate written notice to parents.
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