Glen Abbey Montessori School Inc.
Parent Handbook2014-2015
Mission Statement
We recognize that to most children, our environment is their first experience out of their home. We strive to provide each child with a “home-away-from-home” environment so that they will feel loved and secure. Based on the fundamental principles of Montessori, we guide our students into discovering the world around them and becoming independent, respectful and confident citizens of the world.
Philosophy:
At Glen Abbey Montessori School, we strongly believe that children are born with a natural instinct to learn and their minds are filled with innocent curiosity. To educate our students we have a ‘prepared environment’, with attractive inviting Montessori materials in each classroom.
“Observing the child” is another Montessori concept which our school embraces. Staff closely observeseach student at every opportunity with a view toward studying his/her unique qualities in order to: foster a love of learning; his/her academic abilities; his/her independence of thought; and his/her abilities to learn for themselves. Based on this observation, rather than following a pre-established curriculum, our Staff develops an individual teaching plan for each student and works with each student according to his/her unique style of learning. This ensures an environment ripe with opportunities for each student to learn and grow to his/her full potential. As a result of this approach, ourstudent’s habits, demeanor and learning are formed for a lifetime. By our third year Casa Program, students will be well prepared academically and socially to attend both public and any number of private schools in Oakville.
By offering ‘freedom of movement and choice’, we encourage our students to become critical thinkers, decision makers, and leaders of the future, as well as kind and peaceful children.
Glen Abbey Montessori Program Details and
Policies:
Licensing and Memberships
We are licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and are accredited by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA). Because the Montessori name is in the public domain, any school can call itself a Montessori school even if it offers education that differs from the Montessori philosophy and methodology. Accreditation by the CCMA provides you with the assurance that our school meets the key basic principles adopted by the Montessori method.
Admission to Glen Abbey Montessori School
Glen Abbey Montessori School welcomes all prospective parents and their families, and has a non-discriminatory admission policy for all students. We admit students regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, nationality or culture.
Students may be admitted at any time during the school year, depending on space availability. Priority is however, given to current students and their siblings.
Glen Abbey Montessori School Program Requirements
Pre-Casa Program (24 months – 2.5 years)
Prospective students must be able to walk as well as follow simple instructions.
Casa Program (2.5 years to 6 years)
Prospective students must have the ability to care for their own personal needs (e.g. Be toilet-trained), and show age-appropriate independence and readiness (e.g., verbalizing his or her needs).
Dismissal from Glen Abbey Montessori School
Glen Abbey Montessori School reserves the right to request withdrawal of any student if it is, in the opinion of the teacher and Administrator that the action is for the benefit of the student or the benefit of the class as a whole. If a student is deemed an unacceptable disruption to the class, or is showing physical and/or verbal aggressive behavior towards other children or Staff, or is having excessive difficulties in adapting to the school program, the School reserves the right to immediately terminate the student’s enrollment.
The decision to dismiss a student is not one that is made lightly. Every effort will be made, where possible, to address the situation with the parent(s). Following two (2) meetings with a child’s parent(s), should Glen Abbey Montessori School Inc. determine that a child is not benefiting from our Montessori Program, the remaining tuition fees, less pro-rated time of attendance based on the regular monthly fee will be refunded back to the parent(s) and the student(s) will be dismissed from Glen Abbey Montessori School Inc. Any unused post-dated cheques will be returned.
Hours of operation/Program Times:
Before-School Program
7:30 am to 8:30 amFree Before-School Program for Students
Morning
8:15 amStudents Expected to be at the School
8:30 am - 11:30 amMorning Montessori Cycle
11:30 amHalf-Day, Morning Cycle Student Dismissal
11:30 am - 12:30pm Outdoor Play(weather permitting)
12:30 am – 1:00pm Lunch
Afternoon
12:30 Arrival of Afternoon Montessori Cycle Children
1:00 pm 3:15 pm Afternoon Montessori Cycle
3:00 pm 3:30pmFull-time and Half-Day Afternoon Cycle Student Dismissal
Please note: In order to ensure that there is appropriate staff and supervision, there will be a nominal charge applied toward child care for students who remain at the school after 3:30 pmand not enrolled in the After-School Program.
The charges are as follows:
$10.00 for the first hour (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
$15.00 per hour after 4:30 pm.
These charges will not be prorated. For example, a student who is picked up at 3:40 pm will be charged the full $10.00.
After-School Program
3:30pm to 5:30 pm – Snack will be provided.
Attendance and Graduation from Glen Abbey Montessori School Inc.
Pre-casa Program (24 months to 2.5 years)
We highly recommend that children attend Glen Abbey Montessori at this level to benefit fully from our full three-year Program.
Casa Program (2.5 years to 6 years – covering JK and SK)
Our Casa Program falls into 3 categories: Casa 1, Casa 2 and Casa 3.
To fully benefit from our carefully designed Montessori program, it is recommended that students attend Glen Abbey Montessori School from Casa 1 and onwards, on a full-time, five days per week basis. By the final year of the Casa 2 Program, all students must attend school for five days, on a full-time basis. This reflects the Montessori concept that each step of a child’s development and learning serves as a solid foundation for the next.
Drop-off and Pick-up Policy
Timely Arrivals
We firmly believe that consistent and timely arrivals are very important for students to have a peaceful and stress-free start to the day. As such, we offer a free before school program from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Breakfast will be served at an additional cost.
Due to the fact that this service is provided, we expect students to arrive on time for their respective programs.
Dismissal at 11:30 am
Dismissal for Half-Day Morning Cycle students will take place at 11:30. We ask that you are prompt in picking up your child at this time. If you are going to be late, please ensure to call the school and leave a message so that we can inform your child and prevent him/her from worrying. Late fees/charges will apply (see “Fees/Charges for Late Pickups” pg. 3).
Dismissal at 3:30 pm
Dismissal for all students (other than those attending the After-Care Program) will take place at 3:30 pm. Weather permitting, full-day students will spend their time outdoors waiting to be picked up. If you are going to be late, please ensure to call the school and leave a message so that we can inform your child and prevent him/her from worrying. Late fees/charges will apply (see “Fees/Charges for Late Pickups” at pg. 3).
Early Dismissal
On those occasions where your child is going to be dismissed early, please email the school to let us know.
Authorized Pick-up Only
In order to ensure the safety of your children, only a child’s custodial parent(s) and listed authorized person(s) may collect a student. If you know in advance that someone other than yourself or the listed authorized person(s) will be picking up your child, please be sure to provide the school with an emailwhich includes the person’s legal name (as found on his/her driver’s license or other official government-issued document, i.e., passport). Under emergency circumstances, please ensure that you verbally notify the school as soon as possible prior to dismissal, noting the person’s legal name. Please note that the school will not release any student without prior notice from the custodial parent(s).
Anyone other than the custodial parent(s) must bring a valid legal identification document, which includes a picture (i.e., driver’s license, passport). At all times, our staff reserves the right to compare the person’s legal identification document with the name/details we have on file for the student. If at any time, any member of the staff is not satisfied of the pick-up person’s identity, our staff has the right not to release the child from the School. Kindly cooperate with us in this matter, as we take these precautions very seriously, and do so, for the safety of your children.
Unauthorized persons will not be allowed to collect a student from the school under any circumstances.
Proofs of Sole/Shared Custody
Valid, legal proof of sole or shared custody is required prior to your child’s first day of School.
Parent - School Communication Policy
In response to several parent requests, and to reduce our carbon footprint, we will be moving to electronic communications via e-mail, through the website, or both.
Email Communications:
We have your e-mail addresses via the registration documents. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that the School has the most up-to-date e-mail address.
Website Access:
In order to gain access to this page, you will need to be a registered member. First-time users will be required to register via the website.
In Person Communication:
Open communications between the home and school is a key factor in monitoring each child’s progress. Parents who have any questions or concerns are requested to email the school immediately. A Staff member will endeavor to answer your questions or concerns on the same day, as soon as the daily schedule allows for it. At the same time, if necessary, teachers will contact parents to discuss any issues that may arise.
Parents should always feel free to discuss any concerns they may have, and our teachers are always happy to answer specific questions or have a special conference if you feel the need. However, please do not expect for a doorway conference during drop-off or pick-up times.
We follow this policy for several reasons.
- We want to ensure yours and your child’s privacy.
- We do not wish to communicate to parents about a student in front of the student.
- Our Staff may be distracted while conversing with parents, and it is imperative that they are able to concentrate fully on student safety and observation.
- This procedure will allow for your questions or concerns to be addressed in a professional manner, with the appropriate time devoted to the situation.
Tentative Yearly and Monthly Calendarscan be found via the Parents Area section of the school website. Please remember that the yearly calendar is tentative, and monthly events will be confirmed closer to the beginning of each month.
Parent Memos, Monthly Calendar Event Confirmations andWeekly Event Reminderswill be sent to parents via e-mail once a week, typically on a Sunday.
Parent Handbook
Each year, parents will receive a Parent Handbook, which contains our school procedures and policies. As a condition of acceptance at the Glen Abbey Montessori School, it is understood that the rules, regulations and policies of the School be adhered to.
Parent Education/Orientation
Glen Abbey Montessori School hosts regular Parent Education Evenings throughout the year to review and provide parents with information on the academic curriculum. A Parent Orientation Session is organized annually and all new parents are required to attend this meeting. Parents are always welcome to observe children in the classroom environment, through the viewing windows without disturbing classroom activities.
Progress Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews
Glen Abbey Montessori School will notify parents of students’ progress twice and year by sending home written detailed report cards aswell as conduct parent-teacher interviews. Dates for both events are confirmed through the monthly calendars. Sign-up sheets will be posted on-line.
The School Administrator, teachers, or parents may request a meeting at any time it is deemed necessary as in the best interests of the child. Parents requesting such a meeting are asked to notify the school of their intention to do so at least two days before the desired meeting. Exceptions are of course made should the meeting be deemed necessary for emergency purposes.
Referral Process
Throughout the school year, the Administrator and Staff carefully monitor students’ behavior and progress. Occasionally, a Staff member may make a particular observation about a student’s academic or social progress or his/her well-being. In that event, the School Administrator and/or the staff member will schedule a meeting with the parent(s) to discuss the issue. However, the staff or the Administrator of Glen Abbey Montessori School is not qualified to diagnose a student. If considered necessary, parents may contact an outside agency and set a referral process in motion. With written consent by the parents, the staff or Administrator can assist the parents in this process, and/or prepare any forms or reports requested by qualified specialists. If a referral is made, the school may follow-up with the service provider, with parental consent, for consultation and assistance in meeting the student’s needs at the school.
Regardless of whether a referral process has been initiated or not, the school will continue to review the student’s progress every month to communicate any observations to the parents.
Parental Involvement
At Glen Abbey Montessori School, we strongly believe that our parents, grandparents, students, teachers and the administrator come together to form a unique community, one that strives together to create a loving, caring and excellent learning environment for our students. Upon enrolling their children, parents also agree to commit to these ideals. We have a number of opportunities for everyone to participate and become a part of our school community.
Parent Orientation
Parents (new and returning) are required to attend a Parent Orientation to gain a better understanding of the School, its philosophy, policies, procedures, etc.
Parent Education Nights
Throughout the year, Glen Abbey Montessori School hosts parent education nights, where staff members or guests conduct presentations on various Montessori-related topics. These nights are intended to give you a better understanding of the Montessori program and curriculum at Glen Abbey Montessori, and what you may be able to do at home to enrich your child’s learning and development. Your attendance on these nights is strongly recommended.
Parent Observation Days
Parents are encouraged to sign-up for parent observation days, which are held throughout the school year. Please note that observation days will not be held before November 1st in order to let the students adapt to the new academic year. Upon arrival for your scheduled observation time, you will be provided with procedures to follow, as well as a guide to observing and interpreting the dynamics of the classroom. Please note that during this time, staff members will not be able to interact with you or discuss any questions you may have. This is so that staff can fully concentrate on guiding and observing our students, as well as to give you a sense of what a typical day is like. If you do have any questions, please jot them down in the school notebook, and feel free to call or email the School to discuss any questions or concerns.
Parent Volunteers
Parents are encouraged to volunteer throughout the school year. There are many opportunities to do so, such as during field trips, reading with the students, school plays etc. If you are interested in doing so, kindly inform us. All parent volunteers must provide the School with a valid and current Police Security Clearance.
Glen Abbey Montessori School Family Events
During the school year, Glen Abbey Montessori School hosts a “meet and greet” day at the park as well as a year-end picnic for families. These events are fun for all, and are an excellent way to meet other parents and students. Parents are encouraged to “bring and share” at the year-end picnic.
Uniform and Clothing/Accessories
Glen Abbey Montessori School students wear uniforms. It is our philosophy that uniforms provide as sense of unity, community, and instills a sense of respect for each other. Glen Abbey Montessori School is currently registered with InSchoolWear, a uniform company, were you are able to purchase your child’s uniform:
South Service Road East
Oakville, ON L6J 2X6
(905) 338-3030
- Gray pants
- Pinafore dress
ALL
- White oxford collared dress shirt
- School tie
- Black velcro, non-marking indoor shoes
- Black socks (or tights for girls)
- Forest green V-necked cardigan
- Set of gym clothes, white socks and pair of non-marking white gym shoes
Please note: All students are requested to change into their indoor Velcro shoes in the cloakroom as they enter the school. For safety reasons, dangling earrings are not allowed in the school at any time. We ask that girls not wear fancy headbands, but rather a simple black, green or navyheadband.
Extra clothing
Parents should ensure that an extra set of clothing is provided at the school for their child in case of an accident or emergency. An extra set should include a pair of socks, underwear and a full set of clothes. Once this extra set is used, it is the parents’ responsibility to provide another set full set of clothing.