August, 2022
 
Dear Parents of Students in Early Childhood Room 2, 

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year at The Montessori Academy!  Please review the documents below and return all forms to the office no later than Friday, August 12th.   

I would like to truly thank each of our families who have entrusted The Montessori Academy, Mrs. Yolanda Fair, my essential teammate, and myself, Ms. Aliya Franco on the journey of your child's education and well-being!  It is an especially exciting time for me transitioning from my twenty-five years of experience in assisting and learning with children to my journey to attain my Montessori Teaching Certification and to launching my first classroom with your young learners.  I have had an amazing summer learning at The Center for Montessori Education at Trine University and will continue throughout this year to complete my practicum.  I am looking forward to fostering love, peace, curiosity, independence, teamwork, a sense of family and a lifelong love of learning for us all!

I have an amazing year planned for you and your child and am excited for you to share your thoughts and ideas along the way!  We will begin our curriculum working on Preliminary Exercises that will in turn allow your child to familiarize themselves within our classroom environment and with procedures that will enable them to feel comfortable and safe in their new space.
 
IMPORTANT DATES
Open Class Visits - Friday, August 19th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.  This is a time for the parent and child to visit the classroom for a short time (10-15 minutes) prior to Phase-In/Orientation Week.

EC Back to School Picnic - Friday, August 19th, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Phase-In/Orientation Week – Please refer to the Phase-In Schedule below for your child’s schedule the week of August 22nd

All Parent Opening School Meeting – Wednesday, August 24th, 6:00 p.m. 


SCHOOL INFORMATION
What To Bring on the First Day – On the first day of school, please send your child with a complete change of clothes (shirt, pants, underwear and socks) all labeled with the child’s name and secured in a Ziploc bag.  Please also send an "inside jacket" in case your child gets cold in the classroom and a pair of croc-style “inside shoes”.  These items should all be labeled with the child’s name and will be left at school.  Inside shoes should be comfortable and easy to put on and take off.   Your child will also need a spill-proof, easy to use water bottle labeled with his/her name, filled only with water and brought from home every day.

Bathroom Independence – All children in the Early Childhood Program should be bathroom independent.  This means that they can handle bathroom related tasks with little or no assistance.   We do anticipate that in a new environment some children will have some mishaps.  However, we expect that children have had a good deal of experience listening to the cues of their body as to when it is time to go to the bathroom, that children have had experience dressing and undressing themselves, and that all children have been taught how to handle basic toilet hygiene.

Supplies – All school supplies are provided by TMA.  Your child will receive a personalized tote bag to bring things back and forth between home and school.  Due to limited space, EC students may not bring backpacks. 

Mental Preparation – As the school year approaches, begin to explain to your child about what to expect at school.  If your child is a returning student, you can remind them of their familiar routines, and friends who will be at school.  If your child is new, explain how you’ll be dropping them off and picking them up.  Give them a few basics like: There will be singing, drawing and snack time.  And make clear that there is a toilet at school that they will be able to use whenever the need arises.  Please know, our staff are all experienced at calming children who have separation anxiety.  The quicker you say good-bye, the quicker your child will settle in.

Morning Arrival – Our classroom is a community of learners.  When your child is absent or late to school, your child is missed!  If your child is late, not only do they miss out on the social aspect of the morning, but other children are interrupted as they will stop the work that they have begun to kindly greet your child.  Arrival starts at 8:20 a.m. and school starts at 8:30 a.m. We understand that on rare occasions circumstances occur which prevent you from arriving on time.  Please see Important Information for all Parents for procedures on what to do if you’re late.

I would like to conclude by conveying how incredibly blessed we are to have this opportunity of fostering love, growth, and development within your child, as well as working alongside them while we impact each other!  We strive to provide a prepared environment that allows the opportunity for your child to build their connection to their environment using all their senses, connecting to nature, and learning through their own will and inspiration!  Looking forward to an amazing, inspiring and incredible year!
 
QUICK RECAP

• Send your child with a complete change of clothes, inside shoes, and jacket on the first day
• Send your child with a reusable water bottle filled only with water everyday
• Practice bathroom independence
• No backpacks
• Prepare your child mentally
• Be on time!

 
Ms. Aliya Franco, Lead Teacher
574-256-5313 ext. 213
afranco@tmael.org


PHASE-IN SCHEDULE
CONFIDENTIAL CHILD PROFILE FORM (new students only)
EARLY CHILDHOOD Q & A

2022-23 SCHOOL CALENDAR
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL PARENTS
IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
​HEALTH FORMS
NOW & THEN BEFORE AND/OR AFTER SCHOOL CARE REGISTRATION FORM

​SOCCER SHOTS JANUARY 2023 REGISTRATION FORM