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Sunnybrook Montessori Parent Handbook Table of Contents General Information
School Policies and Procedures
The School Experience
Other Activities
Health and Safety Policies
Tuition Rates and School Fees
Communication
Parent Involvement
Student Supply List
General Information School Philosophy Sunnybrook Montessori is proud to provide your children an opportunity for outstanding Montessori education in a safe, nurturing environment. Children at Sunnybrook interact within the prepared classroom environment working at their own developmental learning pace, while adhering to principles of grace, courtesy, and respect for each other and learning materials. Both individual and group learning experiences are emphasized within each classroom using Montessori materials. Content learning includes social interaction; work in the practical life and sensorial areas, music, art, and drama. Children at Sunnybrook Montessori are exposed to Language, Spanish, Math, Botany, Zoology, History and Geography. These rich layered strands of curriculum build progressively as a student advances through the Montessori educational levels. The self-esteem, self-confidence, and inner direction of children who receive an early childhood Montessori education serve students into their elementary school years. It is the intent of Sunnybrook Montessori to build a solid personal and academic foundation in each child propelling them into a bright future full of personal satisfaction, feelings of self-fulfillment and success in social encounters, and confidence in areas of challenge. Maria Montessori said, "Play is a child's work." This Montessori principle believes that children learn by doing "works." Doing "works" promotes focus on Respect for Self, Respect for Each Other and Respect for the Classroom Environment. Therefore, classrooms become small communities. At Sunnybrook Montessori, each classroom has Montessori materials designed to fit individual children's needs, creating meaningful learning experiences maximizing each child's abilities. Teachers follow a daily routine of active learning so that students can cover important curricula vital to overall child development. The prepared environment invites interaction between children, materials and the guiding teacher. Montessori materials create appeal, capturing a student's inner curiosity while allowing a student to move naturally through stages of their development and levels of learning. At Sunnybrook traditional educational methods are integrated along with Montessori methods to provide structure and assessment verifying that all areas of learning are experienced by the child. Regular attendance at school on your scheduled days is critically important to your child and to our program. Arriving on time is respectful to teachers, assistants, and to classmates since lessons begin with "circle time" at 9:00 am. Distinctions Between Montessori and Traditional Education | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Montessori Curriculum and The Montessori Method The Montessori method is founded on the principle of respect: respect for self, respect for others and respect for our environment. The Montessori classroom is designed to create an environment that is calm, ordered and realistic for the child. The materials and furniture are all sized for the children's learning and exploration. The Montessori teacher acts as a facilitator of activities within this environment, as well as a role model of respectful behavior. The Montessori teacher is unobtrusive in the learning process, as he/she respects the child and his/her choices. Children are active participants in their learning and are encouraged to work independently or in groups. Children follow what interests them, and the teacher responds with developmentally appropriate and individualized lessons. Both individual and group instruction can vary based on each students learning style, as the Montessori teacher adapts to individual needs. Each child sets his/her own learning pace to internalize information gleaned from "works" of their own choosing and ability level. The teacher relies on his or her observations of the children to determine which new activities and materials he/she may introduce to an individual, small or large group. Within the multiage classroom community, more experienced older children share what they have learned by helping others learn, and thereby reinforcing their own learning. Creativity flourishes in this atmosphere of acceptance and trust. The rich curriculum, under the direction of the Montessori teacher, allows each child to experience the joy of learning. The classroom community encourages self-direction, through non-competitive activities. This aids the child in developing a strong self-image and sense of self-esteem, which is critical when building an attitude of learning and exploration to last a lifetime. Tenets of Montessori
Montessori Areas Of Study Practical Life: The purpose of practical life exercises is to encourage conscious, orderly, controlled and functional knowledge out of the mass happenings in the real world. The practical life exercises help a child break down jobs at hand into easily manageable components. They all require real tools: silverware, wood, glass etc- all items that reflect and typify an actual home environment. In this way, they provide the child a chance to learn what practical living is, and how to manage it. The main areas in the practical life exercises involve Grace and Courtesy, Care of Person, Care of the Indoor Environment, and Art. Grace and Courtesy: Critical Areas of Practical Life that are often underdeveloped and grace and courtesy. Lessons in the language of respect and lessons in control and coordination of movement and taught and practiced throughout the day for the children at Sunnybrook. Here are a few grace and courtesy lessons examples that are implemented very strongly in September, at the beginning of each school year, and extended throughout the school year and into summer school as well.
Sensorial: This area deals with size shape and color. The sensorial materials are designed to aid the child in training and refining his/her five senses. Children are exposed to concepts of size, shape and color and challenged to make judgments about them. By using the sensorial materials, the child learns to recognize similarities and differences; to discriminate between similar objects and to gradiate similar objects. Each set of materials is used as carefully and precisely as possible. Precision at this stage prepares for later work in geometry. Language: Montessori children typically do not remember learning to read, as the environment is designed so that all experiences feed naturally toward the development of skills required for reading. It was not only Maria Montessori's trust in the child's power that lead her to approach reading in this natural way, but also her concept of the child as an active, rather than receptive being. She considered it the job of education not to fill the child with the techniques for reading, but to free the child for self-expression and communication. Therefore, although reading, writing, spelling, and grammar are introduced to the child in an organized phonetic method, the presentation allows the child to acquire reading skills without realizing the effort. Mathematics: Math is the study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and measurements and how they relate to one another. In Montessori math, the children are introduced to the concrete sensorial impressions of numbers, the decimal system and its functions, addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division. Using manipulative materials, the child explores these concepts physically, creating a basis for more abstract operations. Geography/Culture: Geography is the study of the earth including its people, resources, climate and physical features. Teaching Geography aids the child in developing a clear sense of spatial orientation. By giving sensorial impressions of the earth and showing children their relationship to it, Montessori lessons help develop a foundation of global awareness. In addition, Geography lessons explore different world cultures. Through exposure to cultural traditions and lifestyles, geography lessons allow the child to become aware of and develop a respect for all cultures, which is critical in today's global community. Because he/she is young, the child is willing to work and is receptive to direction. He/she works for the simple joy of doing the task at hand, so early childhood is the ideal opportunity to give him/her the tools of learning and give him/her the methods to use them. The teacher is an important catalyst, allowing the child to repeat the task for it's own sake. The teacher also helps him/her appreciate the value and dignity in the work itself. As the child builds success upon success with small tasks, he/she is able to go on to greater ones, mastering his/her small environment. Botany: Exploring the subject of Botany helps a child develop an appreciation for and an understanding of the life cycle. Through specific Botany works, the child develops a greater knowledge and understanding of the virtue of patience as the child is exposed to nature's seasonal changes and the growth cycle. Pacific Northwest Montessori Association Sunnybrook is a member of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association. The mission of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association is to encourage, support, and advocate for excellence Montessori education. PNMA is a catalyst for creating the united common voice required to advocate effectively for Montessori communities. This is especially important because of imminent legislation affecting education. PNMA is a non-profit professional organization comprised of teachers, interns, administrators, and schools promoting excellence and growth in Montessori education. We are dedicated to working harmoniously in supporting, nurturing, and connecting Montessorians from diverse training backgrounds across the Pacific Northwest. The PNMA serves as a resource for individuals interested in learning more about the process of selecting a quality Montessori school. All Montessorians, administrators, directors, teachers, guides, friends, and supporters are invited to become members of the PNMA. School Policies and Procedures Families of eligible children must be willing to make an extraordinary commitment to their child's education and a commitment to the Schools mission and education. Commitment to the Schools mission and educational philosophy manifests itself in the signing of the registration forms at time of admission. Pre-Admission Tour and Visit Parents are invited to visit our school to meet our certified and trained staff and to observe our teachers and students in the classroom prior to enrollment. Since it allows Sunnybrook to control the number of interruptions to the classroom on any given day. Tours and observations are scheduled in advance. On the tour, interested families are given an overview of Sunnybrook Montessori, our philosophy, educational methods and a tour of our facility. Additional reading material is given for review at home. With this review, parents can ensure that Sunnybrook Montessori is a quality choice for their family and that their choice is a commitment for involvement in the community. Enrollment Upon your decision to enroll your child, Sunnybrook requires a non-refundable enrollment fee to cover administrative costs and student materials at the time of registration along with a completed and signed registration form. Re-enrollment is held each January for the following September school year program. For each re-enrollment, this non-refundable fee will be charged. Enrollment at Sunnybrook requires a family commitment for the academic year, the academic year and Summer sessions or just for summer session. As we are a school environment and not a day care facility, we do not offer limited enrollment for short periods of time (By month or by week). This allows our classes to remain consistent and for the class to grow as a group academically. All enrolled families are expected to maintain their commitment for the entire school year. Families wishing to enroll for summer session(s) confirm their space in the summer program in January. Families wishing to change their intention must state their intent by April 15 in order to avoid financial responsibility for the first 4 weeks of the summer session. Notice must be made in writing and submitted to the school office. Required Admission Forms Upon your decision to enroll your student at Sunnybrook, you will be asked to complete the following forms. Completion of these signed forms is required prior to your child's first day of attendance:
Transitional Period At the time your child is enrolled, a schedule will be set in motion to familiarize your child with our school to create a positive transitory experience. The classroom teacher and administrative staff are flexible and willing to work with you on that schedule so your child has ample opportunity to adjust to our classroom/childcare routines and can settle in as early and comfortably as possible. The first 30 days of attendance at Sunnybrook is a transitional trial period for your child and for Sunnybrook Montessori. You are encouraged to speak regularly and consistently with your child's teacher to discuss how the adjustment process is proceeding. Teachers can often suggest a variety of strategies to maximize success for your child during this time. At any time during the transitional period, either the school or the parent may request a conference to discuss whether Sunnybrook Montessori can adequately meet the needs of your child. Montessori is not always ideal for students needing small class sizes, intense social skill strategies or behavior management interventions. If Sunnybrook Montessori feels we cannot meet your child's needs, we will refund any unused portion of your tuition accordingly. Otherwise, students are accepted only for the school year, in it's entirety. Due to the nature of our program, partial admittance during the school year is not permitted. No reduction or credit on tuition will be granted if a student is expelled or suspended for misconduct or is voluntarily withdrawn. On any school day, parents are allowed access, by appointment, to any area of the school that their child uses. Scheduling a time to visit a classroom in advance will allow you to observe your child participating in a specific activity. Appointments with teachers are necessary to address your child's progress in the classroom. In addition, your own coded access to your child's classroom via the Internet is possible from any desktop computer. This service is included in your monthly tuition fee. New Parent Orientation All parents or legal guardians of incoming students are required to attend a New Parent Orientation to gain a better understanding of Montessori, the school day, school policies and school procedures. Parent Orientations are offered regularly. (Due to the nature of these meetings, students are not allowed to attend and childcare is not provided.) Consult the school calendar or office for the next scheduled orientation. The School Experience Hours of Operation Sunnybrook Montessori is open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with Administrative Office hours of 8:30 am. to 3:15 pm. Extended Care is available before 9:00 and after 3:00 daily. Parents are welcome to visit their child in the classroom, by appointment, at any time during the school or childcare day. However, teachers and childcare staff will not be able to give you individual attention if you do not schedule time to visit with them prior to the day of your visit. Teachers, assistants, and extended care staff have a primary responsibility to the children in their care. School Day Program The School Day program operates from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. Students enrolled in School are required to attend during the entire school year. Please consult your school calendar for start and end dates of the school year. Regular attendance at school on your scheduled days is critically important to our program. Arriving on time is respectful to teachers, assistants, and to classmates since lessons begin with "circle time" at 9:00 am. Families who repeatedly arrive late or maintain sporadic attendance will be asked to reconsider their commitment to their child's education at Sunnybrook. Families with students enrolled in the School Day program may occasionally request emergency childcare within 24 hours of the anticipated need. Emergency childcare is billed to the family account at the rate if $8.50 per hour. Students enrolled in the School Day program are not regularly scheduled for childcare, so emergency childcare arrangements must be made though the school office. Students enrolled in the School Day program are not allowed to attend the Extended Care session offered to extended day families during Spring Break, unless they have been approved in advance for these days. See the Extra Day policy in this handbook for details. Students enrolled in the School Day program must confirm a placement for Summer Session by April 15, in order to secure their students enrollment for summer. Confirmation forms are sent out in February to confirm enrollment for Summer Session(s). Without written confirmation, Sunnybrook will consider School Day students withdrawn for the Summer Session, and their enrollment to terminate with the last day of school. Withdrawals by School Day students for Summer session after April 15 will result in financial responsibility for the first 4 weeks of Summer Session and/or a loss of class placement in the upcoming Fall program. School And Extended Care Program. Students enrolled in the School and Extended Care programs are admitted to school between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm daily. At the time of registration, families are required to specify approximately what times the student will arrive and leave Extended Care each day. (As a reminder, Washington State law requires that children be allowed to attend for a maximum of 10 hours per day). These students will participate in the Extended Care program on their regularly scheduled days during the week of Spring break, when the School is closed. Consult your school calendar for the dates of Spring break. Students enrolled in the School and Extended Care programs should confirm a placement for Summer Session by April 15, in order to secure their students enrollment for summer. Confirmation forms are sent out in February to confirm enrollment for Summer Session(s). Without written confirmation, Sunnybrook will consider School and Extended Care students enrolled for the Summer Session(s). Withdrawals by School and Extended Care students for Summer session after April 15 will result in financial responsibility for the first 4 weeks of Summer Session and/or a loss of class placement in the upcoming Fall program. Summer Sessions Sunnybrook operates on an academic year. The dates for the academic year are set each year in January, as are the dates for Summer Session(s). Consult this years academic calendar for specific dates. School Families have the option to withdraw for the Summer Session in it's entirety. All families committed in writing to the Summer Session by or on April 15 will have secured a placement. Tuition rates are not discounted in Summer and no vacation credits are given. Without written confirmation, Sunnybrook will consider School and Extended Care students enrolled for the Summer Session. Withdrawals by School and Extended Care students for Summer session after April 15 will result in financial responsibility for the first 4 weeks of Summer Session and/or a loss of class placement in the upcoming Fall program. Arrival and Dismissal We strive to keep the atmosphere within the school and classrooms child-centered. It is disturbing to children when parents linger in or near the classroom. It is specifically for this reason that the arrival and departure arrangement is followed. It is very important for your child to be at school by 9:00 am on your scheduled days. It is critical for your child to arrive on time for their "circle time". Repetitive tardiness is disruptive to the education process. Families continuing to arrive late to school (9:10-9:20) may be asked to reconsider their commitment to Sunnybrook. Arriving on time is respectful to teachers, assistants, and to classmates since lessons begin with "circle time" at 9:00 am. We take our commitment to your child's education seriously. Families who are repeatedly tardy will be contacted by the Head of School to discuss the situation. Children in the Toddler, Early Preschool A or Early Preschool B classes must arrive prior to 11:00 am in order to successfully nap at school. In additional, late arrivals in these classrooms can be extremely upsetting for other students in the classroom. Therefore, please keep your child from class until 2:00 so the rest of the class may have an opportunity to sleep peacefully. Children will be dismissed at 3:00 pm and checked into Extended Care, if enrolled. Students can only be picked up by their parents or an authorized person specified in writing by the parent in the child's file. If a parent needs someone other than the person specified on the pickup authorization form to pick up his or her child, prior written notification must be made. Sunnybrook Montessori will not release your child to any person without written parent permission. The authorized person picking up your child must have picture identification, such as a driver's license or passport. Picture identification is requested by staff for the protection of your child. School Day students not picked up by 3:10 will be checked into the school office. If you need to pick your student up early, please contact the school office, so we may notify the teacher of the early pick up and your child's day will be modified to allow for this change. Any parent or authorized person who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and arrives at school or child care to pick up a child will be asked to call someone else to accompany them home. 911 will be called if any parent or authorized person leaves school or childcare with a child while they appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your child is not picked up by 6:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. if a School Day only child), your child's emergency contact (listed on the child information update form) will be notified. A late fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged for each minute the parent is late and $2.00 for the second occurrence within 30 days. In accordance with Washington state law, all students are allowed in school and childcare for a maximum of 10 hours per day. Classroom Observations We strive to keep the atmosphere within the classroom child centered and it is disturbing to the children when parents are in and out of the room. It is specifically for this reason that the arrival and departure arrangement is followed. Do feel welcome to make an appointment with the classroom teacher to observe or participate in sharing any special talents you may have. See the back of this handbook for a list of Teacher's classroom extensions. Absences We request a phone call or voice mail to the school office by 8:45 a.m. on any day your child will be late or absent from school or childcare. If a previously scheduled appointment means that your child will be late or must leave early, we request a phone call or voice mail with that information to the school prior to the day of the schedule change. Any 10 - 15 day absence occurring regularly jeopardizes social interaction with classmates and Montessori curriculum. Such occurrences on a regular basis may result in student dismissal from Sunnybrook. Sibling Policy In the interest of developmental growth for each child, Sunnybrook Montessori does not allow the placement of two (2) siblings in the same classroom at the Preschool, Pre-K or Kindergarten level. Concerns in this area should be addressed with the Head of School. Clothes, Toys and Items from Home Please dress your child appropriately for the weather conditions. Remember that children do go outside everyday, unless heavy rain prevents outdoor recess. Remember that school is a place where we use paint, glue and all sorts of other learning materials that may occasionally spill on your child's clothes. Please send solid shoes for outdoor play. Please ensure that shoes are easy for preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children to put on and remove themselves. This type of independence fosters self-confidence and self esteem daily. Thank you. Please do not send toys or valuables with your child unless special arrangements have been made between you and the classroom teacher. We ask families to mark all changes of clothes and extra items clearly with your child's name in permanent marker. Place these clothes in a zip lock bag with your child's name clearly on the outside. These clothes will be kept at school. Sunnybrook Montessori will not be held accountable for personal items that are lost or broken. Teachers may request "sharing" for circle time in their classrooms. Sharing items are specifically requested by each teacher. Please label your child's sharing items. Holidays Sunnybrook Montessori will be closed in observance of the following holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday and Friday), Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, the week between Christmas and New Years, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, President's Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. day. If a holiday falls on a weekend, we will be closed on Monday or Friday, whichever is the legal holiday. Sunnybrook Montessori reserves the right to add additional days for Teacher Preparation when appropriate. For these dates, please consult your school calendar. Winter and Spring Break Sunnybrook Montessori is closed for Winter Break each year, between the Christmas and New Years holidays. Consult the school calendar for this year's dates. Sunnybrook Montessori is closed for School during the week of Spring Break, but is open for Extended Care. All students enrolled in the Extended care program are expected to attend for childcare on their regularly scheduled days during the week of Spring Break. However, only extended day students and staff are expected to attend, as School is out. Consult the School Calendar for this year's dates. Special Activities and Field Trips Special activities are planned throughout the school year. Parents will be given a minimum of two weeks prior notification with details outlining any planned special activity and cost, if applicable. Monthly classroom and school events are included in our teacher's monthly newsletters. Parents will be given a minimum of two weeks prior notification of a classroom field trip. Written notification will be sent home disclosing destination, length of stay, mode of transportation and cost if applicable. Written parental permission is required for all children leaving campus to attend field trips whether students are walking or traveling by car. In accordance with Washington state law, all students attending the field trip by car must travel in a an approved care seat, provided by the student's family on the day of the field trip. Please label your child's car seat, as many families use similar or alike models. Students without car seats will not be able to attend. Field trip fees vary and the cost will be billed to each student account. Parents are expected to attend a minimum of one field trip per year with their child. As our paramount responsibility is the safety of our students, we are unable to allow siblings or other children to attend field trips. Extra-Curricular Activities Sunnybrook currently offers extracurricular programs. The Jungle Gym is a gymnastics program designed to build flexibility, balance, coordination, and strength, laying the foundation for any athletic endeavor. Tumblebus is a program incorporating dance, movement and climbing activities in a fun and exciting environment. Lastly, we offer Kindermusik, which is a developmentally appropriate music and movement program for children ages newborn through 7 years. Registration procedures and costs vary for each program. Consult the school office for details. Fall Carnival The Fall Carnival is an opportunity for all Sunnybrook families to come together and enjoy the fall season. Those students wishing to wear costumes may do so at the Fall Carnival. Extended family members of the student are invited as well. Consult the school calendar for these years dates. Spring Musical The Spring Musical is an opportunity for Preschool, Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten students to share their musical and acting talents with the school community. All School families are invited. Consult the school calendar for this years date. Other Activities Other school activities include the Father's Pumpkin carving night, Thanksgiving Feasts, Valentines Day parties, Earth Day celebrations and the Mother's Day Tea. Inclement Weather And Major Disaster Procedures Tuition refunds or credits will not be made for school closure due to illness, vacations, weather related or power outage closings. Ice and Snow
Major Disaster
Power Outage
Intense Sun
Lunch Your child should eat breakfast prior to arriving at Sunnybrook each morning. Parents are responsible for packing a lunch for their child in an appropriate container with a cold pack. Cold packs in lunches are required to keep food cold and safe. Lunches are eaten in the classrooms. The school provides Placemats and positive manners are modeled and encouraged. Lunch is a quiet and social time when good manners and polite conversation are encouraged. Many children set out their own lunches and all are required to tidy up after eating. Please send a balanced nutritional lunch for your child. Please pack healthy "body" foods. Suggestions include pasta, sandwiches, string cheese, cheese snacks, fruit, yogurt, vegetables w/ dip, fruit snacks or roll ups. DO NOT SEND CANDY, SODA, COOKIES, SUGARED CRACKERS, DESSERTS OR FOODS WITH A HIGH SUGAR CONTENT. Any foods with high sugar content will be returned home, for enjoyment at home. We do not allow students to share lunches with each other. We return uneaten food in lunch boxes, so parents will know how much each child is eating. Each classroom has a microwave to warm up lunches, if needed. Below are some ideas for healthy lunch choices:
Please label all lunch boxes, containers, and cold packs with your child's name. If you would like your child to drink something other than milk or water you must send it daily in their lunchbox. We cannot refrigerate any beverages. Sunnybrook provides milk, silverware and napkins. The school will provide a student lunch if one is not available to them at a cost of $5.00. Please remember Sunnybrook Montessori is a nut free facility. This means no nuts or nut butters of any kind. When purchasing items for class parties please study labels carefully and refrain from purchasing any containing nuts, nut oils or items that have been manufactured in a facility that produces nut products. If identified, these will also be returned to the sender. When sending lunches, do not send nuts or sandwiches containing nut butters. These will be returned in the student's lunch box uneaten. Allergies Food Allergies are becoming more widespread and their reactions can be quite serious and in some cases, life threatening. At Sunnybrook Montessori the following policies and procedures have been adapted to best serve the needs of all our students:
It is the parent's responsibility to notify Sunnybrook in writing of any allergies or adverse reactions that your child may have with certain foods or beverages. You should note this on the Notice of Allergy form, which will be made available to you at registration time. This allergy form will be posted in the child's classroom and in the school kitchen. A doctor's note must be provided to the school outlining procedures in the event of accidental contact, or ingestion, allergic reaction. Nut allergies have become more prevalent and their consequences can be extremely serious. Sunnybrook Montessori is a nut free facility. Please find an alternative for peanut butter sandwiches. In the case of food allergies parents must supply supplemental food for special diets. During the school day students will have an opportunity to brush their teeth. This procedure varies from room to room so consult with your child's teacher on their policy. Sunnybrook Montessori provides snacks every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during each school day. Monthly snack lists are sent home with classroom newsletters. Birthdays Parents interested in having their student's birthday celebrated at school should contact the classroom teacher for their procedures regarding birthdays. Communication with your child's Head Teacher prior to the celebration will insure success. The snacks provided by parents at birthdays must be limited to store purchases. Be sure to check labels on packages for nut oils or nut products. No balloons are allowed at birthday parties because they are a choking hazard. Sunnybrook Montessori can no longer allow any foods to be served in a classroom setting that do not arrive in their original pre-sealed packaging with an ingredients list clearly labeled. This allows us to protect the safety of all our students. Please DO NOT send in foods on paper plates, in zip lock baggies, or in open bowls. Sunnybrook Staff will remove the packaging and prepare the food. Food received in unsealed packaging will be returned to the sender uneaten. In addition, Sunnybrook Montessori offers a "Birthday Book Club" to foster our children's love of reading and joy of giving. To participate please purchase a selected book from the birthday book club gift list or choose one of your child's favorites, then affix a picture of your child inside the front cover with a short note indicating your child's name, the date and the occasion of the donation. The book will be placed in the school library for future readers to see. See the school office for information. Pizza Wednesday/Macaroni and Cheese Thursday Every Wednesday and Thursday, we have a hot lunch program. We serve cheese pizza on Wednesdays to the children for a monthly fee of $7.50. We serve Macaroni and Cheese, and carrots to the children for a monthly fee of $7.50. Some parents are attracted to these programs because it is one day they do not have to pack a lunch. Register for Pizza Wednesday or Macaroni Thursday at the school office. In the event of school closure or a child's absence, credits are not given and enrollment in these programs is not prorated. To discontinue your students enrollment at any time, submit a request in writing to the school office. We recommend parents of students enrolled in these programs also choose to send fruit or vegetables as a supplement, if desired. Money from this program goes to benefit the Sunnybrook Library. Child Abuse Reporting Washington State Law requires that School staff immediately report to the Police or Child Protective Services any instance where there is reason to suspect the occurrence of physical, sexual, or emotional child abuse, child neglect or exploitation. WAC 388-150-420 states "Centers must report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Child Protective Services (CPS) or the local law enforcement agency immediately. Licensers should also be informed." Depending on the recommendation of Child Protective Services, center staff may not be able to notify parents when the police or Child Protective Services have been called about possible abuse, neglect or exploitation. RCW 26.44.040 specifies what steps CPS may take during investigating an allegation. "The Center Staff are immune from civil or criminal liabilities if the report is made in good faith; that CPS has the right to interview children in the Center and look at any Center files; and that the Center management can be charged with a gross misdemeanor if management does not report a suspected case of child abuse." All Sunnybrook staff are trained in Child Abuse classes as per licensing requirements. Positive Behavior Management The Montessori principal of teaching and modeling respect for self, for others and for the environment gives children opportunities to make appropriate choices in behavior. Routines in school and childcare encourage self-discipline in children and social skills are acquired and developed at Sunnybrook. Our trained staff will use a variety of developmentally appropriate behavior management techniques to direct/redirect your child in a positive, clear and relaxed manner. These management techniques, called positive discipline, help children:
Staff will manage inappropriate behavior with re-direction of alternative activities, and verbal conflict resolution while promoting and teaching Montessori values and techniques of positive discipline. Sunnybrook Montessori strictly prohibits spanking or any form of corporal punishment, physical or mechanical restraint, the withholding of food or water or any form of emotional abuse. Staff are trained in positive discipline management techniques to achieve student success. Staff speak of desired behaviors directly to children. Repetition of requests are made calmly but firmly. "Please use walking feet so that you don't fall down" or "This is a one person work." "Let's find something else to do." Discipline is always age appropriate. The words "time out" have evolved to mean different things to different people. Consequently, at Sunnybrook Montessori, we use "thinking time". During thinking time, the child sits quietly to think and returns when they are "ready" to rejoin work/group or when invited back to the activities of the classroom or extended care by the teacher. Parents of children who have difficulty within a Montessori environment will
Biting Policy Incidents of Biting can be stressful for both the students and parents involved. It is important to understand that frequently biting occurs when a child is frustrated and is unable to express their needs adequately. A child may be biting as an attention getting device, to teeth or relieve teething discomfort or for oral exploration. Commonly, biting is seen in children between 13 and 30 months of age. It is not a sign that the child, the parent or the school has failed. However, it is an indicator that the child, parents and school must work to provide the child alternative coping techniques. There are clearly defined steps one can take to help your child learn how to stop biting. Sunnybrook staff will work with the family to learn tools and new habits to alter the coping behavior. Repetitive incidents of biting will require a parent teacher conference. Teacher parent communication is key in this critical area of deep concern to Sunnybrook Montessori. A change of schedule may be one of several interventions to interrupt biting actions before habits of coping are set. Sunnybrook requires that if a child bites, and breaks the skin of another child, the biter must be seen immediately by the family doctor or the school must receive an indication in writing that the parents refuse medical attention. Sunnybrook requires that a child who is bitten by another child, and whose skin is broken, is seen immediately by the family doctor or the school must receive an indication in writing that the parents refuse medical attention. Medical tests can be refused for family, medical, religious or personal reasons through the right of privacy. Most bites do not break the skin. If the skin is not broken an incident report will be filled out for the parent to sign stating the situation. The bite will be washed three times with soap and water, ice applied and TLC given. If the skin is broken, the parent will be contacted by phone, and an incident report will be filled out for the parent to sign stating the situation. Then, the bite will be washed three times with soap and water, ice applied and TLC given. Staff report all bites to Head of School. English as A Second Language In a world of relocation Sunnybrook often receives requests of parents to enroll their English as a second language students. We will work with parents in two proactive stands to make the student as successful as possible with a classroom fully functioning in the English language. A list of the most commonly used words and phrases used at Sunnybrook will be given to the parent on admission. The teacher will star the items on the list most frequently used in their classroom and work with the parent on implementation of the English language most immediately needed to function in the classroom. The parent will be asked to tour the child around the room and school and explain the areas and routines basic to these areas. Notice of Non-discriminatory Policy Sunnybrook Montessori does not discriminate in enrollment, hiring practices or in the care of children based on race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic-economic status, or religion. Religious Activities Sunnybrook Montessori is not affiliated with any religious organization. Diapering Procedures A "My Day at Sunnybrook" form is provided for the Toddler students to communicate specific daily activities and diapering info between parents and staff each day. Sunnybrook provides disposable diapers and wipes for your Toddlers (However, if your child is allergic to specific diapers and/or wipes, you are required to provide the appropriate supplies. These supplies may be stored at Sunnybrook in containers labeled with your child's name. These supplies will not be shared between children.). Children will be changed every 2 hours. Parents, teachers and teaching assistants confer frequently regarding diapering care. Any diapering creams can be administered only with a doctor's note and a medication consent form signed by a parent. Toilet Training Teachers will work with parents to facilitate successful toilet training. Parents are strongly encouraged to share their toilet training plan with teachers and staff to ensure a successful consistent training experience between school and home. Frequent communication on a child's progress is necessary to make this experience comfortable for your child. Parents provide pull-ups or cloth training pants for their Toddlers/Early Preschoolers who are being toilet trained. These supplies will be stored in classroom containers labeled with your child's name. Toddlers will be taken to the toilet following the toilet training schedule set up by the school and parents. Children in the Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs must be reliably toilet trained as these classes are not equipped to regularly manage students in diapers or pull-ups. Students having toilet training difficulty or regression are encouraged to speak directly with the teacher to develop a management plan for the child's need. Naps and Rest Periods Toddlers/Early Preschool
Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten
Slippers In order to provide a clean and orderly environment within the classroom, all children in the Early Preschool/Preschool/Pre-K/Kindergarten Program are required to wear slippers while in the classroom environment. The slippers must be provided on the day school begins and will be kept at school in the child's cubby to be worn while in the classroom. Hard soled slippers are preferred in the event of fire drills and emergency evacuations. Toddlers wear shoes within the classroom environment because they need support and stability as they learn to walk safely and maneuver around. Health and Safety Policies Medical Emergencies All Sunnybrook staff are trained in First Aid and CPR for both adults and children, as well as in HIV and Child Abuse. Minor cuts, bruises, and scrapes will be treated with soap, water, and a bandage and parents will be notified upon their arrival at school for pickup. Documentation of injury, treatment, and parental notification will be made on an Incident Report Form. Parents will receive a copy of the Incident Report Form and will be asked to sign it. The original will be kept at the school in the child's file and a copy will be given to the parent. In case of a serious injury or emergency, staff will call 911 and may administer appropriate first aid. Staff will notify the parents immediately of any head injury, nose bleed, or other serious injury and treatment given. If staff members are unable to reach a parent, they will call the second emergency contact number listed on the Child Information Update Form. If a student injury results in medical treatment or hospitalization, Sunnybrook Montessori is required to immediately call and submit an "Incident Report" form to the Department of Social and Health Services Licensor. Medication Management at School Medication can be either internal or external. All medications (including sunscreen) shall be administered only with the written approval of a parent or guardian. A Doctor's prescription and a Medication Consent Form must be completed in full detail. Prescription medications shall be administered only as directed on the Doctor's prescription and Medication Consent Form. Medications must be in the original container and have the medication information sheet from your pharmacist. The container must have the child's full name, name of medication, dosage, time to be administered, route of administration, and date of expiration. Any medicine taken by children under two years of age will need written permission from their doctor. This includes diaper rash, teething or other over the counter medication. A detailed record will be kept by the school office of any medication administered by staff. Parental and Physician consent is required for non-prescriptions drugs also, such as: anti-histamines, non-aspirin pain relievers and fever reducers, cough medicine, decongestants, anti-itching creams, diaper ointments and powders, and sunscreen for children under 2. Ill Children Please call the school office if your child will not be attending school due to illness. If your child should become ill during the school/ extended care day, you will be notified immediately and will be expected to pick up your child within an hour. If you cannot pick up your child, choose and authorize a designate so that your child does not further expose other children and staff to illness. In such event, your child will be given a place to rest away from the other children in the school office until you arrive. Parents are responsible for finding substitute care in case of the child's illness. Children who are contagious must stay at home. School parents and the Health Department, will receive a notice of communicable diseases that are present at the school when applicable. Communicable diseases present at the school are posted on our parent board for your information and a notice is sent home to parents. The following illnesses in children are not accepted at Sunnybrook Montessori per instruction of the Department of Public Health: Diarrhea: Three or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if child acts or looks ill. Vomiting: Vomiting on two or more occasions within the past 24 hours. Rash: Body rash not associated with diapering, heat or allergic reactions, especially with fever or itching. Eyes: Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye, or pink eye. Appearance/Behavior: Unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused, excessive crying or irritable for 4 or more hours. Sore Throat: Especially if associated with fever or swollen glands in the neck. Fever: Temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, irritability or confusion. Lice: Children who have lice may not return to school/childcare until they are louse and nit (egg) free. If your child develops any of these symptoms while at school or extended care, you will be notified and asked to make immediate arrangements to pick up your child within one hour. Children are welcome to return to school when they are able to participate in all regularly scheduled activities of their class. Students who are unable to participate in recess or who need "extra" rest should stay at home until they are fully recovered from their illness. Hand Washing Practices Hand washing sinks are provided with easy access to comfortably warm water, soap and towels. Adults and children are encouraged to wash hands frequently throughout each day, after toilet use, blowing a nose, as well as before and after snacks and meals. Children are taught how and why they must frequently wash their hands. Art and outside activities are times when additional hand washing is needed. Sunnybrook Montessori staff are aware of this important health practice and monitor the situation helping the child according to what is developmentally appropriate and timely for the smooth operation of each classroom and the school. Injury Prevention We are proud to provide a closed and secure campus with safety as a paramount concern for the school, the parents and children we serve. Our outdoor and indoor play areas comply with Department of Health materials requirements. Classrooms are designed to comply with Department of Health regulations for schools and childcare centers. Hazards are monitored daily and every consideration and effort is made to maintain a campus that is free of hazards for our children and parents. Indoor and outdoor play times are carefully scheduled and supervised by the classroom teachers and assistants during the school day. Older and younger students play at different times for safety's sake. Staff follow school safety practices to ensure safe play occurs for all the children on campus. Children are outside no longer than 45 minutes when weather is warmer (60 - 70 degrees). When weather is over 70 degrees children are outside no longer than 30 minutes. Food Handling Practices At Sunnybrook Montessori, we offer a fully equipped kitchen where snacks are prepared and lunches can be prepared for children who forget their lunch. A food handler's permit is required by licensing for those who prepare snacks for the classrooms. Snacks are served at 2 1/2 to 3 hour increments during the hours our facility is open. A child will never be denied a snack as a disciplinary action. Disposable single use cups are used by the staff and children. Single use portion cups are used to serve children snacks. Any snack serving dish used in the classroom is returned to the kitchen to be cleaned and sanitized daily. The tables on which children eat are disinfected by staff after each use. Staff and children wash hands frequently during the day, but especially before preparing their snacks, eating or in any classroom cooking activity. Water consumption by staff and students is encouraged. Emergency Kits for Major Disasters: In the interest of safety, Sunnybrook Montessori provides emergency kits to each student and staff member. These kits are stored outside our building and provide first aid, purified water, food and emergency supplies for 48 to 72 hours. The non-refundable fee for each emergency kit is $15.00, payable at time of admission. Upon withdrawal, you may take your child's emergency kit with you. Bicycle Safety Helmet Policy Sunnybrook Montessori has a Bicycle Safety Helmet Policy. The school requires that children wear helmets during recess while riding the bikes. The school provides helmets, but children are welcome to bring their labeled helmets from home. Animal Visits Your pets can visit the school and your child's classroom, with prior approval of the teacher and Head of School. If any child in the classroom has an allergy, no animals will be allowed to visit. Notification is required to the at lease 3 business days before the scheduled visit. Tuition Rates and School Fees Your monthly tuition rate will be verified at the time of student admission and is documented on the registration form. School and extended day hours are calculated into tuition rates beginning each school year in September. Tuition rates are revised each January for the next new school year. Tuition should be placed in the designated drop box located at the main desk of the school office. Please direct all payment questions to the school office. Payment Plan: Parents are required to pay for the time their child/children are scheduled to be in school and/or extended care. Payment is required for reserved space regardless of attendance. Payment is due in advance. Payment options are Semi Monthly, Monthly, or Quarterly and payment must be received prior to service. Payment plans are selected at the time of registration. Payment plans may be changed by contacting the front office and must be initialed and dated on the registration form. Sunnybrook does not bill. Please submit your tuition accordingly to the school office, in the tuition drop box. Semi Monthly Payment Option: Tuition is due on the 5th and 20th of each month, prior to services. A late fee of $10.00 per day will be charged after the 5th and 20th of every month. Late fees are charged to your account each day payment is late. Payment for all late fees is due when you pay your tuition. All families are expected to keep their accounts current. Monthly Payment Option: Tuition is due on the 1st of every month for services of that month. A late fee of $10.00 per day will be charged after the 1st of every month. Late fees are charged to your account each day payment is late. Payment for all late fees is due when you pay your tuition. All families are expected to keep their accounts current. Quarterly Payment Option: Tuition is due on September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1 for services during those quarters. Families who utilize this plan will receive a 4% discount per family. A late fee of $10.00 per day will be charged after the date the payment is due. Late fees are charged to your account each day payment is late. Payment for all late fees is due when you pay your tuition. All families are expected to keep their accounts current. Payment Penalties:
Additional Discounts and Fees Passpoint Fee: Sunnybrook Montessori utilizes a secured entry system in order to control and maintain all entries into our building. On the first day of attendance each family is required to obtain one or two Passpoint Security Cards. The names of the individual's receiving these cards will be recorded and the cards will be signed out. The fee for each Passpoint Security Card is $35.00. Passpoint will track each entry into Sunnybrook Montessori every time the card is used. In the event of a lost card, an additional $35.00 fee will be required to replace the lost card. When the child leaves the school the Passpoint card must be returned on their last day of attendance. You will be credited $35 upon returning your passport card. Family Discount: When more than one child from the same family is enrolled, a 4% reduction in tuition is given for your family on the total tuition bill. Quarterly Pay Discount: Tuition is due on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st and October 1st for services during those quarters. Families who utilize this plan will receive a 4% discount per family. Holidays: Fees are not reduced during months that have holidays. Our rates include allowances for all holidays, including Winter and Spring break. Vacations: You will be required to pay 100% of your regular rate while you are on vacation. Your class placement and enrollment are continuous while you are on vacation. Make up days are not given for scheduled or unscheduled vacations. Winter and Spring Break: These breaks are outlined on the school calendar yearly. Consult this year's calendar for specific dates. Our School Program is closed during these dates. Sunnybrook is entirely closed for Winter break and no extended care is provided. Sunnybrook is open for Extended Care Students for Spring break. Extended care staff provides childcare during the regularly scheduled school time to students enrolled in the extended care program. School Only students are not admitted these weeks for school is out of session during this time. School Only students may be admitted on an availability basis for the Extra day fees. See the School Office for details. Winter and Spring break: are calculated into the monthly tuition cost and no tuition credit or discount is given for these dates. Make Up Days: Make up days for illnesses, scheduled or unscheduled vacations or holidays are not allowed under any circumstances. Emergency Childcare: Unscheduled emergency childcare is charged at $8.50 per hour and must be approved by the school office prior to use. Schedule Change/ Class Transfers Fee: At the time of enrollment, parents and administration work to place each student in their appropriate classroom. It is expected that the child remain in the class for the entire academic year, unless the classroom teacher requests a transfer. Such requests are reviewed by the Head of School for appropriateness and availability. These changes at the teachers request, if granted, do not incur a fee. Schedule changes including but not limited to, days enrolled, times enrolled or classes the student is enrolled in, require significant amounts of administrative support. Therefore, any changes are subject to a $10.00 schedule change fee, per event. Extra Days: Extra days, in the event of a personal emergency may be possible for an additional fee. All Extra Day requests must be made in writing. If an Extra Day is scheduled and the student fails to show up on the Extra Day, then the family is responsible for the Extra Day fee. Approved and scheduled Extra Days can be cancelled 24 in advance. Consult the school office for details. Withdrawal Policy: Since payment rates for school and extended care are set at time of registration and are due in advance each month, 30 day written notice is required to withdraw your child from their reserved space. An exit interview will also be requested. Please contact the school office to settle all financial arrangements when withdrawing a student. Once withdrawn, Sunnybrook will fill the space vacated with a new incoming student or an advancing student. Keycards become inactive immediately after you have dis-enrolled your student(s) and are to be returned to the school office on the last day of attendance. Families enrolled in the School program may elect to withdraw for the summer session in its entirety. Notice of intent to withdraw for the summer session should be made by April 15 in writing to the Assistant Head of School. Families withdrawing from Sunnybrook with the intention of avoiding payment for an extended family vacation or other personal reasons, will not be re-admitted to Sunnybrook, as this behavior undermines the educational process and disturbs the class structure. Sunnybrook follows an academic year, September to mid-June. Early Withdrawal Penalties: Failure to correctly notify Sunnybrook Montessori of student withdrawal will result in 100% of following month's tuition to be due. The following are conditions that will cause School or Extended Care services to be terminated:
Receipts and Taxes You will receive a statement at the end of the year reflecting all tuition paid. You will receive a form reporting your annual childcare expenditures for the applicable tax year. Sunnybrook Montessori's Federal Identification Number is 91-1889829. Communication Email/Phone/Voicemail Sunnybrook Montessori acknowledges that clear, timely and effective communication between parent, staff and teachers is essential. Parents can call the school at any time to schedule a visit or come to the school any time there is a concern. Voicemail is available for each classroom. Staff and teachers return calls as soon as possible. Be aware that teachers and assistants are responsible for children all of the school day and cannot easily get away to return your call immediately. They will, however, return your call at their earliest possible convenience. Parents should call the classroom teacher any time to address issues promptly when concerns exist. Concerns regarding Extended Care issues should be directed to the Head of School. We encourage you to communicate regularly with us, so we may work together to best meet the needs of the students. Please see a list of classroom extensions at the back of this handbook. As always, if your child must be absent from school and/or extended care, please notify the school office by voicemail, email or in writing. The school office will notify the teacher. Curriculum Newsletters/School Calendar You will receive a monthly curricular newsletter from your child's teacher so that you are updated on classroom and school events. You will also receive a monthly Administrative Newsletter with important school updates and information. The school calendar is published on April 1st of each year, which is an important reference for you to make your family plans during the school year. Bulletin Boards Each classroom posts important notices and curriculum information for parents on a Parent Board to let parents know about important school events. A Staff Parent Board in the hallway contains pictures of staff, their positions, hours of their shifts and health and safety notices. School administrators are available between hours of 8:30-3:30 p.m. to answer questions or concerns. We are a school community and value open communication between parents and the school to make our school the best it can be for our children. It is important to let the Head of School know of any unresolved issues, which are of concern to you. Classroom Internet Access To help you observe your child's daytime experiences, Sunnybrook is proud to offer an Internet viewing system. Using a standard web browser, you can view your child through the Internet and see their daily routine. By offering this service, Sunnybrook is able to enhance parent/teacher relationships and positively impact the learning experience. At the time of admission you may request Internet access for your family. For your child's protection, all user names and passwords are randomly generated and assigned. Classroom images are sent to an Internet server through an encrypted secure tunnel over the Internet. To maintain confidentiality, our system only allows parents to access their child's classroom. Your child's user name/password is your property and it is your decision to whom to give that information. Many families choose to give access to family members and close family friends who are not residing locally. However, Sunnybrook strongly encourages parents to use discretion when sharing this information. Visit www.watchmegrow.com to enroll. Please see the school office for more information with regard to your Internet access. Parent/Teacher Conferences Conferences are held in November, April and March. Teachers will post a conference sign up schedule on the classroom door so parents can schedule a time that is mutually acceptable to confer. At the conferences, parents will receive a progress report our teachers have prepared specifically for conferences. The progress report provides a framework for conversation so that parents may get a clear picture of their child's social, emotional and academic growth and development at our school. Conferences are required for all students twice yearly, in order to maintain a healthy learning relationship between the teacher, student and family. If you have scheduling conflicts, please speak directly with your child's teacher so alternative arrangements may be made. At the end of the school year teachers prepare a closing progress report for your child as well as supplying recommendations for summer activities to keep learning opportunities optimal. Parent Involvement All children benefit when the school and parents work together. Parent participation is highly valued and many different opportunities are available at Sunnybrook Montessori to allow parents school involvement. Please fill out a volunteer form and return it to the school office if you are interested in volunteering your time and talents. Parents who volunteer to work must check in at the school office and receive a badge to wear while they are on campus.
Sunnybrook Montessori
Please ensure your child has the following supplies for their experience at school.
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Sunnybrook Montessori • 1005 Fifth Ave NW • Issaquah, WA 98027
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