August, 2023
Dear Parents of Students in Early Childhood Room 3,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at The Montessori Academy! Please review the documents below and return all forms to the office no later than Friday, August 11th.
Ms. Yolanda and I have been working very hard to prepare the room for the coming year with new and exciting works along with the beautiful Montessori materials. We are so happy to have many of our friends returning and are looking forward to meeting all the new students.
IMPORTANT DATES
Open Class Visits - Friday, August 18th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. This is a time for the parent and child to visit the classroom for a short time prior to Phase-In/Orientation Week.
EC Back to School Picnic - Friday, August 18th, 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 21st.
All Parent Back To School Meeting – Wednesday, August 23rd, 6:00 p.m.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
What To Bring on the First Day – On the first day of school (or the class visit on 8/18), 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.
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 (see Arrival/Dismissal Procedures). Give them a few basics like: There will be stories, singing, drawing, snack time and lots of fun! Let them know that there is a toilet at school that they will be able to use whenever the need arises. Take comfort in knowing that 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. The ease of drop-off can ebb and flow at different phases throughout the year and at different stages of your child's development. Please remember this is completely normal.
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,
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
Dear Parents of Students in Early Childhood Room 3,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at The Montessori Academy! Please review the documents below and return all forms to the office no later than Friday, August 11th.
Ms. Yolanda and I have been working very hard to prepare the room for the coming year with new and exciting works along with the beautiful Montessori materials. We are so happy to have many of our friends returning and are looking forward to meeting all the new students.
IMPORTANT DATES
Open Class Visits - Friday, August 18th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. This is a time for the parent and child to visit the classroom for a short time prior to Phase-In/Orientation Week.
EC Back to School Picnic - Friday, August 18th, 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 21st.
All Parent Back To School Meeting – Wednesday, August 23rd, 6:00 p.m.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
What To Bring on the First Day – On the first day of school (or the class visit on 8/18), 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.
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 (see Arrival/Dismissal Procedures). Give them a few basics like: There will be stories, singing, drawing, snack time and lots of fun! Let them know that there is a toilet at school that they will be able to use whenever the need arises. Take comfort in knowing that 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. The ease of drop-off can ebb and flow at different phases throughout the year and at different stages of your child's development. Please remember this is completely normal.
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
- Bring your child's What To Bring on the First Day items (see above) to the visit on Friday, 8/18
- Practice bathroom independence
- No backpacks
- Prepare your child mentally
- Be on time!
Thank you,
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
