SCHOOL DAY

St. Nicholas Montessori School is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Daily class schedules are posted in each class.

School starts promptly. Please respect your child by being on time. Your child may miss important presentations or lessons when arriving late. Many children feel uncomfortable coming into the classroom after activities have begun. If you arrive after the beginning of class time, please say your good-byes at the door allowing your child to enter quietly.

The school will release a child only to an authorized adult. Please inform the office in writing anytime an adult other than yourself will be picking up your child. Anyone new will be asked to show proper identification before child will be released.

Sign-in sheets are located in the child's classroom or in the extended care room depending on the time of day. Please sign-in your child by noting the time and signing using a full signature as required by law. Please repeat this process as you sign your child out.

All children must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. Any child picked up after 5:30 p.m. will be charged $1 per minute.

Safety Tips

• Never leave children alone in a car.
• Always turn off your engine and lock your car when parking.
• Only adults may open the gate.
• All children must have a proper seating arrangement in the vehicle according to state law.

If you need to stop in the office, speak to your child's teacher, drop your child off early, or pick your child up early, please park your car in a visitor's parking spot. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY.

SHUTTLE

Arrival Shuttle

1. Enter the parking lot from the north driveway.
2. Pull forward to the far end of the parking lot (south).
3. Wait in the car with your child.
4. Say your good-byes in a confident, positive manner.
5. A St. Nicholas staff person will open the door and assist your child out of the car.
6. Exit through the south driveway.

Dismissal Shuttle

1. Enter the parking lot from the north driveway.
2. Pull forward to the far end of the parking lot (south).
3. Wait in your car.
4. A St. Nicholas staff person will walk your child to you car and assist them.
5. Exit through the south driveway.

EXTENDED CARE

Morning Extended Care

If you are using morning extended care, please park your car in a visitor's parking spot. You may then walk your child to the designated classroom. Do not forget to sign your child in on the sign-in sheet with a full signature.

Afternoon Extended Care

If you are using afternoon extended care, please park your car in a visitor's parking spot. You may then walk to the designated classroom to pick up your child. Do not forget to sign your child out on the sign-out sheet with a full signature.

NAP TIME

Full day students have the opportunity to rest and/or nap according to their biological needs. You and your child's teacher may assess the specific needs of your child. DSHS requires all full day 3 year olds to rest for one hour.

Nap Items: Label all items.

• Crib-sized blanket
• Fitted crib sheet
• Pillow case in which to store items

TOILET LEARNING

Children in the process of toilet learning will need cloth underwear and several changes of clothing. No diapers or pull-ups, please. Your child's teachers are willing to work with you and your child in this important growth step.

OBSERVATIONS

All parents are encouraged to complete two observations each year. St. Nicholas Montessori School has an open door policy. You are always welcome to visit your child's classroom. We encourage you to arrange an observation appointment with your child's teacher to avoid having too many adults in the classroom which can be intimidating and distracting for the children. A formal classroom observation is required before attending your first parent-teacher conference. Additional observations are always welcome.

Guidelines for your classroom observation:

• Let your child know in advance that you will be visiting his class to watch how he does his work.
• On the day of your observation, take your child to class and go to the office to pick up an Observation Guideline.
• Enter the classroom silently after class has begun.
• Sit in the chair provided.
• Allow your child to go about her work without interruption. If a child, including your own, comes to you speak to them briefly and quietly, then encourage the child to return to his/her work. Your work is to be a silent watcher.
• Take notes about what you see. You will be given information to help you direct your observation. Bring your notes to your parent/ teacher conference.

CONFERENCES

Two oral parent-teacher conferences are scheduled each school year. One in November and one in March. You are encouraged to speak to your child's teacher whenever you have a question or concern.

EVALUATIONS

• A written report describing the year's growth and progress for your child will be sent home at the end of the school year. The Primary level Montessori evaluation shares subjective dialog compiled from teacher observations of your child.
• The three-year cycle of your child's Montessori experience is recorded in increasing levels of detail noting changing growth.
• The development of the whole child is our primary focus. Evaluation is based on the Foundation Blocks for Learning.

FOUNDATION BLOCKS FOR LEARNING

• Order - Concentration - Coordination and Independence are the attributes of personal growth. These Foundation Blocks pave the way for all future academic achievement.
• When a child has a good sense of ORDER, she is able to organize her time, materials, and her mind so that she may analyze what to do, how to do it, and ultimately she can move into accomplishing the task.
• When a child can CONCENTRATE, he is able to focus on a particular task or work for an extended length of time. The need to focus or concentrate is vital to engage the mind and body in the more abstract work of academic endeavors.
• When a child has the COORDINATION necessary to handle writing tools, and the ability of controlling her body movements, she may be ready to do the work of written communication.
• When a child has gained INDEPENDENCE, he is empowered to be a person with a strong sense of self-worth. The ability to make decisions, to see what one needs, and to be internally motivated are powerful tools for self-growth and fulfillment.