August, 2022
Dear Parents of Students in Early Childhood Room 3, 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. Ms. Susie and I have been working very hard to prepare the room with new and exciting works. We are so happy to have many of our friends returning and are looking forward to meeting all the new students, too. We will supply a drinking cup for your child, but if your child stays all day they will need a lunch box with freezer inserts to keep lunch cold until 11:30 a.m. If your child has any allergies or aversions, please tell us and send a special snack for them daily. Families will be assigned a snack week and a note will be sent home with your child before your assigned week. 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 two complete changes of clothes (shirt, pants, underwear and socks) 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. If your child stays all day and is under 5, he/she will need nap things (small blanket, small pillow, and small stuffed animal if they'd like). 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. QUICK RECAP
Thank you for choosing The Montessori Academy for your child's school. We look forward to meeting them and you. Enjoy the sunshine, the love of your family and the peace you have created. Ms. Barb Harvey, Lead Teacher 574-256-5313 ext. 233 bharvey@tmael.org PHASE-IN SCHEDULE CONFIDENTIAL CHILD PROFILE FORM (new students only) EARLY CHILDHOOD Q & A |