General Information
School Hours
The school is in operation from the beginning of September (first day after Labour Day) until the end of June each year (exact date to be posted).
Full day casa is from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Morning half-day casa is from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon half-day casa is from 12:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Transportation is not provided, and punctuality for all pick-ups and drop-offs is expected for the well-being and security of all students. Your child will not be released for pick-up to anyone other than those persons listed on your application. The addition of any new person allowed to pickup your child (and thus added to the list on your application) must be in writing, and submitted to the Directress.
There is a two-week winter break in December and a two week spring break in March (exact dates are provided at beginning of each school year). A list of other holidays that the school will be closed will be posted on the website at the beginning of the school year.
If the school is to be closed in the case of emergency (e.g. inclement weather), you will be notified via e-mail by 7:30 a.m. We will be following Grand Erie School Board regarding school closures due to inclement weather.
Meals and Snacks
Students attending half-day casa are expected to bring a snack and drink with them each day. Students attending full-day casa are expected to bring two snacks, a lunch and drinks with them each day. Facilities are available to heat meals, but not to cook them.
No food containing nuts is permitted on the premises in observation of children with severe allergies. Should any current students have any other food allergies, a description of same will be posted and strictly adhered to.
Snacks to be shared with all students are welcome at any time, especially on or around holidays and special occasions (e.g. your child’s birthday), however, the same restrictions apply regarding snacks containing sensitive allergens.
Special Notes
· Potty training is required, but in the case of younger children who are “almost there,” special exceptions may be made for admission at the discretion of the teacher.
· On the closest school day to your child’s birthday, the child is asked to bring 5-6 photos of her or himself representing their life year by year. Special treats to be shared with the class on these special days are welcome, as noted above.
· Release of information regarding the student and their progress may be requested if needed to be provided to other parents, for research or educational purposes (non-identifying information only).
· From time-to-time, practicing teachers and co-operative students will be assisting in the classroom. Additionally, parent volunteers are always welcome (see below).
Clothing and Possessions
All students are expected to dress in clothing appropriate for the classroom and for outdoors. This is especially true in winter, when appropriate “outside attire” may be needed for outside excursions and the necessity for having a hat and sunscreen during the warmer days also for outside excursions.
Students often have accidents and can get quite dirty (e.g. painting, outside excursions etc.), so please be realistic in expectations regarding the state of clothing they are sent to school in.
All clothing and possessions should be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Each child is asked to have a full change of clothing (including socks) left in a bag with his/her name on it at the school. If your child is only recently toilet trained, we ask that you also include extra underpants and/or training pants.
It would be helpful if your child carried with them to and from school each day a “backpack” or other type of school bag, as there is often artwork and other types of information/documents from the school sent home with the children.
Discharge Policy
Should you wish to withdraw your child from the school 30 days written notice must be provided. Any tuition paid in advance commencing from the next full calendar month will be refunded.
A student may be dismissed from the school if:
· Tuition is not paid
· A parent does not work with staff to address a student’s problems
· School policies and procedures are not respected
· A child displays destructive, violent or otherwise uncooperative behaviour that is not able to be corrected
Should any of the above be apparent:
· A Parent-teacher meeting will be scheduled to attempt to work cooperatively to resolve the matter. Then, if necessary
· A written warning will be issued, with a time limitation for corrective measures to be given. Then, if necessary
· A written letter of dismissal will be issued.
Parent Involvement
Parent-Teacher interviews will be held once each semester. Sign-up sheets for these meetings will be posted. Additional interviews may be held at any other time throughout the year at the request of either a parent or teacher.
The school will also hold an “open house” once a year, which gives parents an opportunity to visit the classroom and become more familiar with the facility and the Montessori Method.
We invite all parents to become involved in the school in some capacity. This may take the form of volunteering in the classroom, accompanying the students on class trips, or becoming a member of our Parent Committee. However, any parent volunteering for direct involvement with students is required to provide the Directress with a police “CPIC” check, which can be obtained from your local police service, and is often free of charge if for volunteer purposes.
Health
The Days Nurseries Act requires that prior to attendance at the school, each student must be immunized as per the recommendations of the local Medical Officer of Health. Proof of same will be required to be provided to the school upon registration.
If a child requires medication to be administered during school hours, it must be provided in a clearly labelled container, indicating the type of drug, the child’s name and dosage instructions, accompanied by written instructions by the student’s doctor.
If a student becomes ill during school hours, the emergency contact as listed on the child’s application will be contacted.
