Table of Contents

Welcome to the Children’s Tree Montessori School.

Established in 2000, we have grown and learned a lot about the wants and needs of the children and families we have taught and cared for over the years. Our Montessori certified teachers offer early childhood as well as elementary programs for children.

The Children’s Tree provides a safe, fun and enriching learning experience for your child. We offer foreign language, art, movement, and music classes in addition to our academic programs in a warm and nurturing environment.

We are dedicated to help each child develop within himself the foundational skills, habits, attitudes, and ideas that are essential for a lifetime of learning.

Listed on the following pages are our school rules, regulations and health policies. These regulations will help clarify both the schools’ position, as well as yours, and help us create a relationship that will benefit your child. Please do not hesitate to bring any concerns you have to our attention, as we will to you.

Mission Statement

Our goal at The Children’s Tree Montessori is to provide a carefully planned, stimulating environment in which children can develop a solid foundation through creative learning.

We believe that the Montessori method of education helps children develop a positive attitude towards school, builds their self-confidence, strengthens their ability to concentrate and fosters an abiding curiosity. We help each child develop habits of initiative and persistence by fostering inner security and a sense of order in the child.

Goals for Our Students

At The Children’s Tree we help our students:

     • develop a positive attitude toward himself/herself, school and life

     • become a self-confident, independent learner

     • form habits of concentration in his/her work

     • develop initiative and persistence

     • achieve inner security and a sense of order

     • develop his/her sensory motor skills

     • learn social skills

     • achieve a higher level of intelligence and imagination

What is Montessori?

Montessori is a worldwide educational system founded over 100 years ago by Dr. Maria Montessori in Italy.

Montessori education focuses on developing a child socially, physically and emotionally. Thus, learning to be kind and courteous is as important as learning to count. Learning to prepare a simple snack and clean up afterwards is as important as learning to read and write. Children are taught to work independently, as well as with others in a respectful manner.

Our library contains many books and articles on Montessori education for parents wishing to learn more.

School Hours:
School hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday though Friday, September through June. Limited before and after school programs are also available. See “Tuition” insert from hours and costs.

Primary School Schedule:
You have a variety of options for your child ages 3 – 6 years old. This is offered to accommodate the different learning needs of each individual child, as well as to be flexible enough to meet family needs. Please remember that a consistent schedule is important for your child’s adjustment. At the initial interview we will establish your hours. This will be your contracted hours for the school year. If changes need to be made to better accommodate your schedule we will discuss available options at that time.

First Year (3 –4 years old) A minimum of four half days a week

Second Year (4-5 years old) A minimum of five half days a week

Third Year (5-6 years old) Four full days a week is required

Morning Arrival:
The primary and elementary classrooms will be open to students at 8:50 a.m. The school cannot be responsible for students who arrive at school earlier than 8:50 a.m., unless they are enrolled in the Before School Care program.

All primary morning and elementary students are due in class by 9:15a.m. Please have your child to school by 9:00 a.m. Late arrivals are disruptive to our morning routine.

Afternoon Arrival:
If your child is participating in “lunch bunch,” they should be dropped off at school at 11:30 a.m. Primary classes begin at 12:30 a.m. Please have your child at school no later than 12:45 p.m. Late arrivals are disruptive to our afternoon routine.

Drop-Off Procedures:
When dropping off your child in the morning, PLEASE follow the following procedure to avoid parking lot congestion:

If you need to go into your child’s classroom for any reason, please park in the one of parking spots on the right-hand side of the school driveway. Do not leave your car unattended in the drop off area. Thank you!

Dismissal:
Unless we receive specific permission from you to do otherwise, we will only release your child to the people that you have specifically indicated on the release form that every family completes annually.

We must receive a note, or in an emergency, a phone call, from you in order to release your child to someone not on your list. This rule also applies to students going home with school friends as well. We will require and photocopy identification of anyone whom you have given permission to pick up your child if he or she is not familiar to our staff. Please make sure all of your car-pool drivers and caregivers are on your release list.

Dismissal for Half-Day Students:
Morning students will be dismissed from school at 11:30 a.m. Please pick up your child at that time unless they are staying for “lunch bunch.” If they stay for lunch pick up is at 12:30 p.m. Please ensure that you arrive early enough to allow time for the children to transition. When parents are late it worries the children. If you are going to be late, please call the school to inform us.
Dismissal for Elementary/Afternoon Primary Students:
The school day ends at 3:00 p.m. Parents should pick up their children at 3:00 p.m. At the end of the day staff cleans up and prepares to go home. We ask that you please be respectful of our teacher’s time as they are heading home to their own families at the end of the day. If you need to speak with one of the staff regarding your child, please schedule a conference.

Attendance:
Even though The Children’s Tree Montessori is less formal and more flexible than many school, consistent attendance and prompt arrival is still essential.

Please call the school by 9:00 a.m. if you child will not be in school that day due to illness. Please inform the school ahead of time if you expect your child to miss school due to a vacation or other reason.

We are sorry, but there are no make up days for sick or vacation time.

Before School Care:
The before school care program is available to students from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. for an additional fee (see “fees” insert). There is no staff at the school to accept children before 8:00 a.m.

After School Care:
The after school care program is available to students from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. for an additional fee (see “fees” insert). After 4:00 p.m. our staff cleans up and prepares to go home. We ask that you please be respectful of our teacher’s time as they are heading home to their own families at the end of the day.

Storm Closings:
If severe weather conditions make travel hazardous, school may be postponed, closed early, or cancelled. The Children’s Tree makes this decision independently of the Old Saybrook public school system, but as a general rule The Children’s Tree will be closed if Old Saybrook schools are closed.

The decision will be announced on television on Channel 3 and on the radio on channel 101.3 FM. Parents will also be e-mailed information on any closings or delays. Early morning closings will be announced at 6:30 a.m.

After 8 school closings, the elementary school students will have make-up days added on to the end of the school year. We’re sorry, but there are no make-up days for primary school students.

Communication:
We try not to answer the phone during the school day, although we check voice mail messages regularly. This is so we are not distracted from the business of teaching your children. If you need to check on how your child is adjusting during the day, please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible.

If you need to reach us immediately (emergencies only), you can call (860) 227-2588. For non-emergency discussions, you can reach Marci by e-mail, or between 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. at the school, or leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Starting School:
Many young children and their parents feel a bit nervous when they leave each other in an unfamiliar situation. A few tears may even be expected.

New students will have an orientation day before the beginning of the school year to explore their new classroom and meet their teachers. Parents are welcome to stay with their children as they get acquainted.

On the first day of school, please don’t linger too long or react with alarm if your child is hesitant about the separation. It is very important to reassure him or her about where you will be during the day and by what time you will pick him or her up. Some children may be sad for a little while during the first few days, but kind words and reassurance almost always alleviate their fears. The teachers are wonderful at helping children through these situations.

Everyday Dress:
Please dress children in comfortable clothes that they can play in. Younger children should dress in clothing that they can put on and fasten for them selves: pullover shirts, elastic waistbands, velcro sneakers, etc. Young children usually cannot manage the shoulder fasteners found on overalls.

We try to use art supplies that are non-staining; stain stick should get out most spills.

Slippers:
All students need to bring a pair of slippers on the first day of school. Children take off their shoes in the coatroom and put on their slippers before entering the classroom. This is to keep children’s feet warm and the classroom clean. All slippers should be labeled with your child’s name and left in the appropriate spot in the coatroom at the end of the day.

Clothing at School:

Coatroom Etiquette:
Everything brought to school needs to be neatly contained within your child’s space. No plastic bags are allowed for safety reasons.

Please help your child become familiar with placing their mittens and hat into their coat sleeve and their socks in their shoes. This will help them keep track of their things both at home and at school.

At the end of the day please take all of your child’s items home (with the exception of slippers). Every week your child needs to clean their cubby before they leave for the weekend.

Any unlabeled/unclaimed items left at school for more than a month will be donated to al local charity. Please check the lost and found regularly. The Children’s Tree Montessori is not responsible for lost items.

What Not to Bring to School:
Please do not bring toys to school. They are often lost, fought over or broken. If your young child naps in the afternoon and would like to bring a favorite blanket or “lovey,” they must keep that item in their cubby until nap time and must replace it in the cubby after they awaken.

Lunch:
If your child is a full day student or staying for “lunch bunch,” they need to bring a bag lunch. We recommend an insulated lunch box with a cool pack to keep food fresh.

At The Children’s Tree we stress the importance of good nutrition. Please do not send your child to school with sugary desserts or treats. Children cannot concentrate when their stomachs are full of sugar.

Lunch is served from 11:45 – 12:30 p.m. Morning or afternoon primary students may stay for “lunch bunch” for an additional cost (see “fees” sheet). If your child does not usually stay for lunch but would like to participate occasionally, they are welcome to as long as space permits. Please speak with your child’s teacher to arrange.

Hot Lunch:
A hot lunch program is available to all students for an additional cost (see “fees” sheet). We will provide your child with a delicious, nutritionally balanced hot lunch. You may sign up for as many days each month as you would like. Please sign up for hot lunch at the beginning of the month, so we will know how many lunches we need to prepare each day. Sign up sheets are included in your registration packet.

Primary Classroom Snack:
Parents will rotate bringing in a healthy snack and drink to be shared with the class (roughly every six weeks). It should be enough to serve both morning and afternoon classes. A snack sheet will be sent home every other month, if you cannot provide snack on your designated day, please talk to a teacher about switching dates. It is very important that you bring snack on your designated day because well-fed tummies lead to greater concentration in our students.

Snack should consist of two or three (depending on size) bottles of milk and 100% fruit juice, a cracker or bread item, and a fruit or vegetable item. In the beginning of the school year, we ask that parents cut up fruit and veggies for the students. After Christmas break, students are ready to wash and prepare their own snack.

Elementary Classroom Snack:
Elementary students prepare their own snack each day. A list of items needed is posted weekly, and parents can sign up for items they wish to provide.

Cooperative/Theme Lunches:
Every other month or so the children will prepare a cooperative lunch based on a particular theme (such as “stone soup” or “Chinese New Year.” All children are invited to attend these lunches, regardless if it is during their regular school day/time. Items needed with be posted on the bulletin board and parents can sign up to bring a particular ingredient. It is a great experience as the children learn to prepare and enjoy a meal together.

Field Trips:
Classes will periodically take field trips to local points of interest during the year. They are planned to coordinate with subjects being studied by a class or to take advantage of special community events. Notice of upcoming events will be sent home in advance. Parents are encouraged to help out with transportation and are welcome to join the class in these activities. If you are interested, please speak with your child’s teacher.

You must sign the field trip form giving your child permission to be transported and to attend a field trip. If a written permission is not given, your child will not be permitted to join the outing.

Birthdays:
Children love to celebrate their birthdays with their friends. We celebrate each child’s birthday with “the birthday walk.” A special celebration where you bring in a poster with a photo from each year of your child’s life, or share a few pages from a photo album. The birthday child holds a globe and walks around the “sun” (a candle), one time for each year they have been on earth, while the parent or teacher narrates the pictures.

It is fine to send in a special snack in honor of your child’s birthday. Small muffins, cupcakes, or cookies work well, but please try to keep the sugar to a minimum. If you would like to, birthday children are welcome to give a gift to the class in honor of their day.

Please do not send birthday invitations to school to be passed out. This often results in hurt feelings. Invitations should be sent to individuals through the mail. You can find addresses on The Children’s Tree Families Directory.

Elementary Classroom Environment:
The elementary classroom at the Children’s Tree is a child-centered environment which encourages freedom and responsibility. Dr. Montessori believed that children ages 6-12 have a deep desire to learn and a brilliant need to move from concrete to abstract. The children have a new desire and ability to face challenges, ask questions and solve problems.

Our elementary classroom uses many of the same didactic materials seen in the primary classroom. We use these materials on a more complex level.

Our teachers are trained to guide the children through all academic areas. They encourage children to make their own discoveries and choices, while holding high expectations for each individual child.

Our classroom encourages peace, acceptance and unity. The children in the class feel comfortable with their teachers, their environment and one another.

Elementary Classroom Daily Schedule:
Here is a rough outline of how the elementary aged students spend their day. For specific lessons and curriculum covered, please speak with the elementary teaching staff.

1) The children come in and start their day with their math journal.

2) The class meets at circle, reads a story, and shares news. A group lesson follows.

3) Children receive individual and small group lessons, during an uninterrupted work time.

4) After lunch and recess the children gather for a read aloud from a chapter book.

5) In the afternoon a group lesson is followed by another block of uninterrupted work time.

When Your Child is Ill:
When your child is ill and won’t be coming to school, please call by 9:00 a.m. that day to let us know he or she will be absent so we don’t worry.

Parents will be notified if your child is exposed to any ill children at school.

Please let us know of anything that has happened at home or elsewhere, which may affect your child’s behavior at school.

When to Stay Home:
Your child must be excluded from school if in the last 24 hours he/she has had:

     • Vomiting
     • Diarrhea
     • Fever in excess of 100 degrees
     • Colored nasal secretion
     • Communicable disease (including chicken pox and strep throat)
     • Unexplained rash, blisters, or hives
     • Draining from eyes or ears
     • Lice or nits**

** Lice and/or nits must be treated two times over a two-week period before children are allowed back. As you can understand this both protects the other children in the program as well as yours and helps to eliminate the very expensive extermination fees that can be accompanied with lice infestation.

If Your Child Becomes Ill at School:
If your child becomes ill while at school, he/she will be isolated from the rest of the group where we can evaluate him/her to see what may be wrong. You will be notified and advised accordingly, and may be expected to pick up your child IMMEDIATELY. If you cannot be reached your emergency back ups will be contacted to pick up. An ill child at school is not fair to the other parents, children, or staff and their families, nor is it fair to the ill child. If there are any questions as to your child’s symptoms, call the school.

Allergies:
If your child has any allergies or medical conditions we require that your physician create a plan of action for us. This should state what the child’s condition is and the steps to take in case an emergency occurs.

Medications:
Medications will be given with signed permission from your child’s physician and yourself. You will also need to provide a note stating the last time the child had this medication, the amount that was given, and when it is to be given again. You also must inform us of the reason your child is on the medication and how long the medication is required. We will provide you with the forms for your doctor to fill out. These need to be completed each time your child needs a new medication, prescription or non-prescription.

A standing release for Benadryl from your doctor must be kept on file in case of an emergency. Please talk to your doctor about any family history of bee or other allergies that could be passed to your child, and let us know of this family history as well.

You must give your child the first dose of any new medications. We will afterwards administer medication, as directed by you and your physician in writing, with the exception of eye drops. Please inform us of any medications being given to your child.

Emergency Care:
Most of our staff are trained in first aid and CPR.

In the event of any medical situation that requires immediate medial attention, we will want your child to see a doctor right away. Please remember to keep your emergency information up-to-date in our files. We must be able to reach you at any time during the school day.

If your child needs immediate medical attention, and your cannot be reached, your enrollment agreement authorizes us to seek medical care in your name. We will take your child to the closest medical facility. Naturally, we will continue our efforts to contact you.

Parent Volunteers:
Parents are a very important part of our school. We rely heavily on parent
volunteers, both inside and outside the classroom to make our school a better
place.

Here are some of the jobs that parents can volunteer for:

(1) Nurse Assistant: Come in once a month to check health records, and notify parents of updates as needed.

(1) Newsletter: Write and print 1 newsletter a month from August to May. Collecting materials from director, calendar, and other volunteers in order to keep parents updated on upcoming events.

(1) Web Master: Design and maintain the school web site. Also includes sending out information requested by prospective parents.

(1) Ways and Means: Organize and coordinate 2 annual fundraisers and 4 school field trips.

(2) Yard Maintenance: Sign up for a total of 10 days to work in the yard through out the year for mowing, weeding, planting, and maintaining play areas.

(3) Substitute Teachers: If you are familiar with the Montessori principles and would be interested in coming into the classroom 1 day a month. This would allow the staff time to prepare for upcoming events, sick days or emergencies. This can be arranged either on a regular schedule or an as-needed basis.

(1) Laundry: Parent takes home laundry on Thursday and brings back clean and unfolded on Monday.

(1) Handyman: Take on and build things for our classroom, inside and out. The materials are on us of course but the know how is all yours.

Volunteering in the Classroom:
There are endless opportunities for parents to get involved in their child’s
class. You can be involved in an ongoing event or on an occasional basis. We
love to have parents visit our classroom to share information on a subject the
children are studying or demonstrate a skill. Please talk to your child’s teacher
to find out how you can get involved.

Open Door Policy:
You may drop in any time your child is in our care and view your child from the observation area. We ask that you do not enter the primary classroom, as it is very disruptive to the children and our lessons. No notice for these visits is necessary. Please understand this is not a social invitation. Take into consideration your child’s ability to transition easily and their adaptation to our environment. These visits may be difficult for both you and your child, if they do not separate easily.

Parent Teacher Conferences:
Conferences are held twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. A
sign up sheet with days and times available will be posted. At The Children’s
Tree, we always strive for open, two-way communication between teachers
and parents. If you have an issue you would like to discuss with your child’s
teacher, please schedule a conference. Please be aware of discussing your child
within earshot of your child or other families.

Newsletter:
A newsletter is sent via e-mail to parents monthly to keep you informed of
upcoming events, policy changes and what students are studying in their
classes. Please feel free to send any information you would like to share with
parents to the newsletter editor. (We reserve the right to not publish any
information we deem inappropriate).

Discipline:
At The Children’s Tree our philosophy can be summed up with one word: Respect. We encourage children to respect other children’s feelings and space. And in return your child should always expect to be treated with respect.

Our environment is set up in a way that children achieve success with little need of correction or intervention. When a situation arises we make every effort to adjust our environment so the children will continue to succeed. We feel that discipline is an individual matter that varies with age level.

When we encounter specific behavior issues, your child’s teacher will periodically discuss the best course of action for your individual child at his/her particular stage of development.

Your child is always encouraged to use sharing and caring words and manners with all others present in our class. It can be very confusing and hectic for all the children during arrival and departure times. Please remember that when children are in school, the school rules apply whether the child’s parents are present or not. We stress safety and respect, so please support us.

Termination:
Any student that is deemed by school personnel to be physically or verbally
abusive to other students or staff will be have their student status terminated
immediately. A parent or caregiver will be called to pick up that
student right away. This policy is for the safety of both students and staff.

Annual Contract:
Parents sign a contract every school year. Your last month’s tuition payment is due at the time of signing. This will be forfeited in the event that your child stops attending school before the end of the school year.

Mandated Reporter:
We are obligated to tell you that the state of Connecticut requires that all members of child care services be on the look out for, and report to the state, any and all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Damage:
Any item over $25 in value that is broken is the responsibility of the parents to
replace or repay within one week of the incident.

There are several forms that must be completed before placement. You may need to fill out additional forms. We will include all necessary forms in your package. Please store this packet in a safe place as some forms may be needed at a later date.

Student Application

Information Card: Includes; Registration: This contains general background information. Please include any cellular phone or beeper numbers that you may have. Emergency Medical: This authorizes emergency medical treatment for you child at any hospital or health agency. Transportation: This authorizes your child to be transported by car or van to emergency medical treatment or on field trips.

Medication Permission: This authorizes the administration of any medications - prescription or non. A Benadryl form is required by the school to have on record in case of an emergency. These forms can be faxed from the Doctor’s office if needed.

Health Record: This is a form to be filled out by your doctor to insure that your child is up to date on immunizations. The chicken pox vaccine is required to be given before entry.

All About Me: This form introduces your family to us. It helps us get to know your child better, and about his/her individual needs.

Parent Contract: This is a checklist that parents go through to acknowledge that they have read agree to and understand this handbook.

Birthday Walk: This is a form to be filled out by the parents describing the first years of the child’s life. Pictures are then narrated by either the parent or teacher during our celebration of the child’s birth.

Plan of Action: If your child has any allergies or medical conditions we require that your physician create a plan of action for us. This should state what the child’s condition is and the steps to take in case an emergency occurs.