Renaissance Montessori Parent Handbook · 2020. 6. 21. · Montessori Parent Handbook 2020-2021 Renaissance Montessori, admits students of ... to students at our school. Renaissance

RMS Handbook 2020 1

RenaissanceMontessori

ParentHandbook2020-2021

RenaissanceMontessori,admitsstudentsofanyrace,color,nationaland/orethnicorigintoalltherights,privileges,programs,andactivitiesgenerallyaccordedormadeavailabletostudentsatourschool.RenaissanceMontessoridoesnotdiscriminateinanywayonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorethnicoriginorintheadministrationofitseducationalpolicies,scholarshipandloanprograms,athletic,and/oranyotherschool-administeredprograms.

RMS Handbook 2020 2

TableofContents

1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 1.1 Our Mission 4 1.2 The Four Pillars 4 1.3 Commitments to the Community 5 1.4 Renaissance Montessori’s Relationship with The Montessori Foundation 6

2.0 ADMINISTRATION 6

3.0 STUDENT LIFE 7 3.1 Renaissance Montessori’s Fundamental Ground Rules 7 3.2 Discipline 8 3.3 Starting School 9 3.4 Attendance Policy 11 3.5 School Dress Code 12 3.6 Supplies Students Need at School 12 3.7 Lost and Found 13 3.8 Snacks 13 3.9 Lunch 13 3.10 Field Trips 14 3.11 Birthdays 14 3.12 Celebrations 14

4.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY 16 4.1 When Your Child is Ill 16 4.3 Emergency Care 17 4.4 Medication 17 4.5 Safety Drills 18 4.9 Firearms 19

6.0 PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL 19 6.1 Creating Partnership 20 6.2 Volunteering the Gift of Time and Talent 20 6.3 Communication between Home and School 21 6.5 Observing the Classes at Work 22 6.6 “So, What Did You Do At School Today?” 23 6.7 Supporting Your Child’s Experience at Home 24 6.8 Class and Community Meetings 25 6.9 Others Who Have Benefited from Montessori Education 27

7.0 ACADEMIC LIFE 28 7.1 Family Conferences 28 7.2 Evaluations of Student Progress 28 7.3 Student Learner Outcomes 28

RMS Handbook 2020 3

7.4 Privacy of Student Files 29

8.0 FINANCIAL POLICIES 30 8.1 Tuition Policies 30 8.2 Closure Policies On Tuition 30

9.0 FUNDRAISING 30 9.1 Annual Fund 30 9.2 Why Give 30

10.0 REQUIRED CAMPUS CLOSURE POLICY 31 10.1 Campus Closure Education Policy 31 10.2 Campus Closure Tuition Policies 31

RMS Handbook 2020 4

1.0Introduction

1.1OurMission

CultivateaLoveofLife…InspireAcademicExcellenceRenaissanceMontessoriisanindependentMontessorischool,whichembodiesprinciplesofbestpracticeinMontessorieducation.Ourgoalistonurtureintelligence,curiosity,creativityandimaginationwhilesupportinganddevelopingeachstudent’suniquetalents.Ourultimatemissionistopreparestudentsforlife.RenaissanceMontessoriteachesuniversalvaluesandinstillsaglobalperspective andresponsiblecitizenship. Ouraimistohelpdevelopyoungpeoplewhoarebalancedbetweentheirknowledgeandcharacter:lifelonglearners,criticalthinkers,andactiveleadersintheirlocalcommunity,theircountry,andtheworld.

1.2TheFourPillarsOurprogramrestsonfourpillars:Wecultivatewithinourstudentsapassionforexcellenceineverythingtheydo,bothinandoutsideofschool;Wenurtureamongourstudentsastronglyheldsetofuniversalvalues,whichincludeself-respect,respectforothers,honesty,integrity,responsibility,empathy,compassion,kindness,peacefulness,asenseofconcernforothers,warmth,andaloveofcommunity;Wehelpourstudentstodevelopaglobalperspectiveandinternationalunderstanding;withthisgoesasenseofconnectiontotheEarthandacommitmenttostewardshipoftheenvironment;Weencourageourstudentstomakealifelongcommitmenttocontributetosocietyinmeaningfulways.

RMS Handbook 2020 5

1.3CommitmentstotheCommunityOurschoolmakesthefollowingcommitmentstothecommunity:

• AuthenticMontessoriEducationRenaissanceMontessoriwillnotcompromiseonthequalityandauthenticityofourclassroompractices.

• ASecondLanguage

Spanishwillbeintegraltoallactivitiesintheclassroom.

• ADiverseSchoolCommunitywithinanIndependentSchoolSettingOurgoalistodrawtogetherchildrenandfamiliesfromthroughouttheTrianglecommunityinanindependentschool.

• Sustainability

Weplaceemphasisoncreatingasustainableenvironment.Weemphasizeorganicgardening.Studentsaretaughtongoinglessonsonlivingalifethatismoreinharmonywithasustainableenvironment.

• AFamily-FriendlySchoolWeruna12-monthschoolyearforallstudents,thoughsummermonthsmayhavedifferencesinschedule,feesorprogram.Weofferextended-dayprograms forworkingfamilies,andwemayofferoptionalcareondayswhenschoolisnotinsession.

• AMontessori,Partnership-BasedSchoolCommunity

Allofouradministrativeandboarddecisionsarebasedonclear,written,andcommonlyunderstoodvaluesandprinciplesofMontessoripartnership.

RMS Handbook 2020 6

Allmembersofourschoolcommunity(faculty,students,parents,andtheleadersoftheschool)areinvitedtoparticipateinapartnership-basedprocessofongoingdiscussion,planning,problemsolving,andself-study/programevaluation.

Inapartnership-basedMontessoricommunity,wearea'CircleofEquals.’Everyvoicewillbeheardinanenvironmentofkindnessandrespectaswesearchforthebestsolutions.Onanongoingbasis,parents,teachers,andstudentsareinvitedtoparticipateinmonthlycommunitymeetings.

1.4RenaissanceMontessori’sRelationshipwithTheMontessoriFoundationToensurecontinuityofeducationalleadershipneededtorealizetheschool’slong-termvision,onaday-to-daybasis,RenaissanceMontessorihasclosetieswithTheMontessoriFoundation,which isaseparate,non-profit,internationaleducationalorganization,instrumentalintheoriginaldevelopmentofRenaissanceMontessori.TheMontessoriFoundationisdedicatedtotheadvancementofMontessorieducationintheUnitedStatesandabroad.Formoreinformation,gotowww.montessori.org.2.0AdministrationDirectorsofSchoolTracyCarristheDirectorofRenaissanceMontessori.MayraOchartistheAssistantDirectorMarcSeldinistheBusinessManager.Heischargedwithimplementingtheschool’slong-rangeplanandoverseeingtheeffectiveadministrationofallaspectsoftheschool’soperation.

RMS Handbook 2020 7

3.0StudentLife3.1RenaissanceMontessori’sFundamentalGroundRulesAsaschoolfoundedonMontessoriideals,webelievethateverypersondeservesrespect.RenaissanceMontessoriexpectsstudentstodemonstratekindness,courtesy,andrespecttowardtheschool,fellowstudents,parents,teachers,andstaff.ThegoalofaMontessorieducationis toestablishasafe,warm,andcaringenvironmentwithinwhichweteachstudentspositiveandappropriate waystohandlesituations,asopposedtoassumingthatmisbehaviorandpunishmentareinevitable.Wealsoseektodevelopastrongsenseofself-discipline,responsibility,andcourtesy,andtodevelopanatmosphereconducivetopeacefulstudies.Pleasereviewtheseruleswithyourchild:• Bekindandgentletooneanother.• Everyonehasarighttoprivacyandconcentration.Pleasedonotdisturbanyonewhois

tryingtoconcentrateonhisorherwork.• Everyonehasarighttohisorherpersonalbelongings. Pleasedonottouchanythingthatis

notyourswithouttheowner’spermission. Ifyouaccidentallyloseorbreaksome-thing,pleasereplace.

• Everyonehasarighttofeelsafeandsecure.Weencourageallpeopletousewordsthatdonotinsultorthreatensomeoneelse.

• Everyoneherehastherightto bephysicallysafe.Donothurtorendangeranyone.

• AtRenaissanceMontessori,nooneisallowedtofight,push,trip,oruseanyotheraggressivebehaviors.

• Usetheplaygroundequipmentasintended. Forexample,godowntheslideanduptheladder.

• Leteveryonewhowantstoplayhavetheopportunitytojoininyourgame• Donotthrowmulch,sticksorrocks.• Donotleaveyourteacher’ssupervisionwithoutpermission.• Donotroughhouseorplaycarelessly.

RMS Handbook 2020 8

• Putallballs,toysandotheroutdoorequipmentawaywhenyouarefinishedplayingwiththem.WhenanyoneatRenaissanceMontessorifindsitdifficulttofollowtheschool’sguidelinesforpersonalconduct,wewillquicklybringthestudent,family,andstafftogethertoworktowardasolution.TheRenaissanceMontessoricampusisasmoke-freearea. Noonemaysmokeoncampus,includingtheparkinglot,oratanyschool-sponsoredtrip,party,orotheractivity.Theentireschoolcommunity(teachers,students,andadministrators)isresponsibleforhelpingtomaintaintheorderandneatnessoftheschoolenvironment.• Ifyoumakeamess,cleanitup.• Everyoneisexpectedtohelpkeepthe

schoollitter-freebypickingupanytrashorbelongingsthatarefoundoutofplace.

• Donotthrowtrashontheground,indoorsorout.• Studentsareexpectedtohelpwiththedailyclean-upintheirclassareas.3.2DisciplineDisciplinemeans“toteach.”AtRenaissanceMontessori,weuseapositive,non-violentapproachtodiscipline.Wenoticethethingsthatourstudentsaredoingcorrectlyandencouragetheminthatregard.Examplesare:“Youconcentratedsowellonthatactivity.”“Thankyouforbeingsopatientorcooperative.”“Thanksforwelcomingourvisitor.Thatwassofriendly.”“You arereallybeingcreativetoday.”Inaddition,weuseneutralmomentsto teachsocialskillsthroughrole-plays,discussions,andskitssothatourstudentshavepracticedappropriatelanguageandactionsbeforesituationsarise.Alargepieceofourcurriculumatalllevelsis“GraceandCourtesy,”whichincludescontrolofmovementandmanners. Shouldaconflictoccur,ourstudentsarecoachedinconflict-resolutionskillsandcommunitymeetingskills.Ifapatternofmisbehaviorcontinues,thentheparentswillbecontactedtohelpdeterminethecauseandfindsolutions.Wefollowanapproachbasedonempowerment,mutualrespect,andtrust. NeithercorporalpunishmentnorphysicaloremotionalintimidationareallowedatRenaissanceMontessori. Ifanyoneconsciouslyorflagrantlyviolatesthesocialcontractregardingsafety,kindness,andcourtesy,ourresponseistoidentifytheappropriateandnatural

RMS Handbook 2020 9

consequencesoftheseactions. Forexample,ifsomethingisbroken,itmustbereplacedorrepaired,preferablynotbytheparentsalone,butbythestudentwhoseactionsledtothedamage.Anytheft,vandalism,ordamage toproperty,whetherdeliberateoraccidental,mustberepairedorrepaid.Wehaveworkedtogethertocreateasystemofgroundrulesanddisciplinethatisfirm,fair,andconsistentinorderto helpstudentsmaintaintheschool’svaluesandcharacter. Allstudentsareexpectedtoadheretoandrespectthemtoprotectoneanother.RenaissanceMontessoriexpectsfullcooperationfromstudents andfamiliesduringschoolhoursorwheneverthestudent/familyrepresentstheschool,whetheronRenaissanceMontessoripropertyorawayfromthecampus.Theschoolmustalwaysbeasafelearningenvironment.Anystudentwhorepeatedlybreaksthegroundrules,orinterfereswiththehealth,safety, oreducationaldevelopmentofhimorherself,otherstudents,faculty,orstaff,maybetemporarilyorpermanentlyexcludedfromattendanceatschoolby theDirectororhisorherdesignee.Inthisextremesituation,weneedtoreiteratethattherewillbenoreduction,credit,orremissionoftuitionorfees.3.3StartingSchoolReadinessPriortoenteringRenaissanceMontessori,allChildren’sHousestudentsmustbepottytrainedandcanusetoiletwithlittleassistance. Pullupsarenotpermitted.Evenveryyoungchildrentendtohave ageneralideaofwhat“goingtoschool”means.However,theactualeventissometimesoverwhelmingforbothchildandadult. RenaissanceMontessoriwillhelpyoubothwithstartingschool.Whetherit’syourfirstdayatRenaissanceMontessori,orthefirstdayofthenewschoolyear,manyyoungchildrenandtheirparentsfeelabitnervouswhen theyleaveoneanotherandareinanunfamiliarsituation.Afewtearsmayevenbeexpected.Hereareafewpointsthatwillhelpeachofyouestablishsomecomfortwithschool.• Trytokeepthemorningstressfreebutonanormalschedule.• Remindeachotherthatyoubothhavebeenlookingforwardto“goingto

RMS Handbook 2020 10

school.”• Remindeachotherthatthechildrenatschoolarejustlikeyouandthatthe

adultsatschoollovechildren.• Usetheteacher’snamewheneverpossible.• Remindeachotherofhowproudyoubotharethatthis“firstday”ishere.• Ifthisisyourchild’sfirstyearatRenaissanceMontessori,we

encourageyoutovisitthecampusfrequentlybeforeschoolstartstoallowhimorhertobecomefamiliarwiththenewsetting.Generally,bereassuringasyoutalkwithyourchildabouthisorhernewschool.

Onthefirstdayofschool,pleasedon’tlingertoolonginthelobbyorreactwithalarmifyourchildishesitantabouttheseparation. Itisveryimportanttoreassurehimorheraboutwhereyouwillbeduringthedayandbywhattimeyouwillpickhim/herupintheafternoon.Somechildrenmaybesadforalittle whileduringthefirstfewdays,butkindwordsandreassurancealmostalwaysalleviatetheirfears.Theteachersarewonderfulinhelpingthechildrenthroughthesesituations.Pickup,dropoffprocedureHalfday8:30 Dropoff12:30 PickupafterlunchFullday8:30 Dropoff3:00 PickupExtendedday7:45- 8:25DropoffUntil 6:00PickupRenaissanceoffersa“carpool”drop-offoption.Pleasedriveupbetween8:30-900andwewillgetyourchildoutofthecar.Parentsaretobringchildintothefoyer.Childwillputpersonalbelongingsontheirassignedhooks. Yourchild’steacherwillgreethim/herbyclassroomdoor.At9:00theclassroomdoorwillbeclosed.Shouldyouarrivetoschoolafterthat,pleasesaygoodbyeandhaveyourchildgentlyopenthedoor.Pleasebepromptwhenpickingupyourchildandremembertosignyourchildout. A5minutegraceperiodwillbegrantedtoparents.After5minutespastyourdesignatedpickuptime,youwillbecharged$1.00perminute. Latechargesneedtobepaidwithinfiveschooldaystotheoffice.


3.4AttendancePolicyAllstudentsareexpectedtoattendschoolonadailybasis,arrivingbeforethestartoftheschoolday.Eventhoughwearelessformalandmoreflexiblethanmanyschools,consistentattendanceandpromptarrivalarestillessential.Studentsareexpectedtobeinclassby9:00a.m.;tobepresentinclassforthefullschoolday(orforthefullmorningsessioninthecaseofstudentsenrolledforthehalf-dayprogram);andatotherrequiredschoolactivities.Latearrivalisdisruptiveandinconsideratetotherestoftheclass,andnothingcanbemoredisruptivetoachild’seducationthanirregularattendance.Consistencyandroutineareimportanttoeverychild’sdevelopment,buttheyareespeciallyyoungerstudents.WedependonAlthoughourprogramisindividualized, itstilldependsuponconsistencyandcontinuousprogress.Everytimechildrenmissschoolforwhateverreason,thereisaperiodofreadjustmentastheytrytogetbackintotheroutineoftheirschoolwork.Thelongertheabsence,orwhenchildrenconsistentlymissadayortwoofschoolhere,andadayortwothere,themoredetrimentalitbecomestotheireducationaldevelopment.Pleasecallthefrontoffice919-439-0130between8:30-9:00a.m.ifyourchildisabsentforanyreason.Thiswillsaveunnecessarycallsbytheschoolstaff. yourfamily’sfullsupportinthisarea.Ifwe findthatyourchildisfrequentlyabsentwithoutareasonableexcuseorisarrivinglate,wewillneedtomeettoworkoutasolution.Whileweareunderstandingandsupportive,itisstillimportantthatyoukeepyourchild’sabsencesfromschooltoaminimum.Extendedabsencesmayrequireadoctor’sverification.Parentswhowishtohavestudentsreleasedfromschoolpriortotheend oftheacademicdaymustprovideadismissalsliptotheclassroomteacher.Foremergencies,pleasenotifytheoffice919-439-0130.


3.5SchoolDressCodeRenaissanceMontessori’sSchoolDressCodeisdrivenbyfourbasicprinciples.First,childrendonotneedtoengageinthepowerdynamicsthat“fashion”cancreate,andespeciallyveryyoungchildrenmaynotunderstandorevenrecognizethedynamicsatplay.Noemotionalorsocialadvantageshouldbesoughtthroughchildren’sfashion.Secondly,RenaissanceMontessoriworksveryhardtocreateasafephysicalenvironmentand,therefore,asksthatchildrenwearcomfortableclothing,withclosedtoeshoeswithbacks.Childrenshouldwearclosedshoeswithnon-slipsolesatalltimes.(Theyshouldnotcometoschoolwearingsandals,flip-flops,shoeswithcleats,orrollershoes.)Thirdly,Renaissancehasfoundthatimageryonclothingcanbeadistraction,especiallyont-shirts.Pleasehelpustoreduceclassroomdistractionsbyprovidingclothingthatdoesnothaveiconographyorotherimagery.Jewelrycanalsocauseasignificantdistraction.Therefore,weaskstudentstolimitwearingjewelry.Lastly,webelievethatthedonningofclothingisanareaforfosteringindependence.WeaskthatChildrenshoulddressinclothingthattheycanputonandfastenforthemselves:elasticwaistbands,Velcrosneakers,etc.Childrenareexpectedtobeabletodressthemselveswithlittlehelp.Pleasefacilitatethisathomebyhelpingthemlearntomasterthisskill.Youngerstudentsshouldwearjeanswithsnapsandbuttons,zippers,etc.onlyastheyareabletodressandundressthemselvesindependently.Shouldabathroomemergencyarise,yourchildrenshouldbeabletoquicklyundressandredressthemselves. Pleaselabelallstudentsclothing.3.6SuppliesStudentsNeedatSchool• Anextrasetofclothing,includingsocks,tobekeptatschool,heldinaone-gallon

Ziploc-typebaglabeledwithyourchild’sname.• Toysshouldnotbebroughttoschool.• EachclassschedulesatimeforShowandTell. Yourchild’steacherswillinformyouof

theirexpectations.Childrenenjoybringinginanitemfromnature,aspecialsouvenir


fromatrip,somethingtheyhavemade,ortheirfavoritebooks. Again,please donotsendintoys,dollsoractionfigures.

• Snackwillbeprovidedbytheschool.

3.7LostandFoundEverythingbroughttoschoolshouldbeclearlymarkedwiththeowner’sname.Anyunlabeledbelongingsthatarefoundwillbekeptinourlostandfoundintheofficeforamonth,duringwhichtimewewillattempttoidentifytowhomtheybelong. Afteramonth,anyitemsthatarestillunclaimedwillbegiventoGoodwill.3.8SnacksChildrenwillhaveonenutritionalsnackeachworkperiod. Wealsohavemanyfoodpreparationlessonsthatincludefruit,veggies,cheese,etc. Weservewater. SpecialDietaryRestrictions:Somestudentsmayfollowaspecialdietforreligiousormedicalreasons. Pleasebesuretonotifytheteachersifyourchildshouldavoidcertainfoods. Thiswillbetakenintoaccountinplanningsnacksorondayswhentheclasspreparesitsownlunchorsnack.Wewillaccommodateuniqueallergiesandmedicalconditionswhereverpossible.3.9LunchLunchboxesmustbelabeledwithchild’sfullname.Weencouragereusablelunchboxes.TheUSDAmealpatternsspecifyaminimumrequirementtocomplywithlicensingstandardtoinclude:- ¾ cup milk (must be liquid) -1.5oz.meatorotherprotein-vegetable,fruitor1cup100%fruitjuice–grains:(½slicebread,1/3cupcoldcerealor¼cuppasta)Periodically,wemustchecktodetermineifyourchild’slunchcomplieswiththeminimumlicensingstandard.Asapolicy,wewillsupplementanychild’slunchtomeettheUSDArequirementsandchargeparentsanominalsum. Weencourage


parentstoestablishhealthyhabitsearlyon.Processedsweetsandemptycaloriefoodwillbediscouragedifnotprohibited.3.10FieldTripsClassesmayperiodicallyhavein-schoolfieldtripswhereanoutsidepartycomestotheschool.Thesepartieswillallbewellvettedandsupervised.Ifaclassisconsideringanoutofschoolfieldtrip,informationwillbeprovidedwellinadvancealongwitharequestforparentalpermission.3.11BirthdaysChildrenlovetocelebratetheirbirthdayswiththeirfriends. Wehaveaspecialbirthdayceremonyinwhichwetelltheclassthestoryofthebirthdaychild’slife.Pleasesendinaphotographofyourchildateachagelevel:atbirth;oneyear-old;agetwo;etc.Youwillalsowanttosend inashortwrittennarrativedescribingsomeofthethingsthatwerehappeninginyourchild’slifeandyourfamilyateachagelevel.Itisespeciallynicetosendinaspecial(nutritiousorlow-sugar)snackinhonorofyourchild’sbirthday.Pleasedonotsendbirthdayinvitationstoschooltobepassedout. Theyshouldbesentthroughthemail.3.12CelebrationsFromtimetotimeovertheyear,classeswillpresentlessonsoractivitiesdesignedtobringculturalcelebrationstolife.TheyaredesignedtoexplorethecultureandtraditionsofothernationsorculturalgroupswithintheUnitedStatesfromachild’sperspective,asisappropriatetotheageleveloftheclass.Somehavetheirorigininreligioustradition,suchasChristmas,Hanukah,Easter,andPassover,whicharetypicallypresentedatlowkeyandsimplelevels.Somemayinvolveinternationalfestivalsthatwemaycelebrateaspartofourstudiesofothercountries,suchasDiwalifromIndiaandLoyKrathongfromThailand.Someoftheotherholidaysthatwecelebrateattheclassorschool-widelevelinclude:

• InternationalChildren’sDay• Thanksgiving• WinterFestival


• AfricanAmericanHistoryMonthandMartinLutherKing’sBirthday• Grandparents’Day• Valentine’sDay• Presidents’Day• EarthDay

Wedonotteachreligion,eventhoughsomeoftheculturalactivitiesarereligiousintheirorigin.Insuchcases,wepresentthemfromanage-appropriatechild'sperspective,asspecialdaysoffamilyfeasting,merriment,andwonder.Youngchildrenrarelycatchmorethanaglimmerofthereligiousmeaningbehindthecelebration.Ourgoalistouseculturalcelebrationtobuildasenseofcommunitywithintheclassroomandtointroducechildrentothedifferentculturesoftheworld.Wefocusonhowchildrenwouldnormallyexperienceafestivalwithintheirculture:thespecialfoods,songs,dances,games,stories,present—apotpourriofexperiencesaimedatallthesensesofayoungchild.Ontheotherhand,oneofourfundamentalaimsistheinspirationofthechild'sheart.Whilewedonotteachreligion,wedopresentthegreatmoralandspiritualthemes,suchaslove,kindness,joy,andconfidenceinthefundamentalgoodnessoflifeinsimplewaysthatencouragethechildtobeginthejourneytowardbeingfullyaliveandfullyhuman.Everythingthatwedoisintendedtonurtureasenseofjoyandappreciationoflife,asenseofthepoetic,andhumanity'sinterrelationshipwiththeEarth.Itdoesnothelptoavoidtheissueofculturaldifferences.Weteachourstudentstounderstandandacceptthem.Truly,thoughweareallthesameinside,weareverydifferentfromoneanotherinthewaysweliveourlivesandperceivetheworld.Tobuildpeace,wemustlearntoseepeopleastheyreallyareandnotbeafraidofthatwhichisdifferentfromourownways.WhileDr.Montessorifeltthatwemustteachourchildrenhowtoliveinpeaceandhowtomakeapositivecontributiontothesocietyinwhichtheylive,shebelieved,first,intheimportanceofnurturingandprotectingthedignityandintegrityoftheindividual.Wewillalwaysletfamiliesknowaboutanyculturalcelebrationsthatareplannedinadvance.Pleasecontactusifyoueverhaveanyquestions,orifyouareuncomfortablehavingyourchildparticipateinaparticulartopic.


4.0HealthandSafetyRenaissancedoesrequirevaccinationrecordsforchildren.Wedonotacceptwaivers.4.1WhenYourChildisIllWheneveryourchildisillandwillnotbecomingtoschool,pleasecalloremailtheschoolofficeinthemorningtoletusknowthathe,orshe,willbeabsent.Studentswithinfectiousdiseases,suchaschickenpoxorstrepthroat,muststayoutofschooluntilthecontagiousstagehaspassed.Forthesakeoftheotherchildren’shealth,itisvitalthatyoulettheofficeknowyourchild’sdiagnosisassoonaspossible.Pleasekeepyourchildhomeaslongasthereisafeverpresent(thatisnotreducedwithmedicine),asorethroat,eyeinfection,continuousandcolorednasalexcretions,orpersistentchestcough. Wedeterminetheneedtosendachildhomebyboththesymptomslistedaboveandbytheirbehavior.Childrenwhofallasleepduringthemorningworkcycleorwho areunusuallycrankyorsadduringthe day(nottheirusualtemperament)maysenthome.Studentswithsymptoms ofvomiting,diarrhea,headlice,oranundiagnosedskinrashshouldremainathomealso.Studentswillbesenthomeifanyoftheabovesymptomsappearwhiletheyareatschool. Theyshouldremainathomeforatleastthenext24hours.Intheclassrooms,theteachersarediligentaboutassistingchildrenwithkeepingtheirnosesandfacescleanandfreeofmucous. Thechildrenarelearningthisprocessbutrequiremoreadultinterventionduringthetimesoftheyearwhenillnessismoreprevalent. Weteachchildrenhowtoblowtheirnosesandwashtheirhands. Westronglyencourageparentstohelptheirchildrenpracticetheseskillsathomeandsupporttheseveryimportantself-helpskills.Ifyourchildeverfeelsill,wewillkeephim,orher,quietandcomfortable. Ifhe,orshe,seemstobetooilltoremaininschool,wewillcontactyoutoarrange forthem,tobepickedupwithinanhour. Ifaparentcannotbereachedwithinhalfanhour,wewillbegincallingtheemergencycontactsonthe“MedicalEmergencyInformation”formthatiskeptonfileintheoffice. Thechildwill beisolatedfromtherestofthechildrenintheofficeuntilsomeoneisableto takethemhome.Weunderstandhowdifficultitcanbeforworkingparentstobreakfreeduringtheday,yetallofourchildrengetillfromtimetotime. Youwillwanttomakearrangementsinadvancewithafriendorarelativeforanytimeswhenyoucannotcomeyourself.


Becausecolds,flu,andotherchildhoodillnessesspreadfromchildtochildwithalarmingspeed,pleasedonotsend yourchildtoschoolifthey,hasafever,isnauseous,ordisplaysanyothersymptomsofillness.Weatherpermitting,studentswillgooutsidetoplayeveryday. Ifyoufeelthatyourchildmaybetoosicktogoouttoplay,thenheshouldnotcometoschooluntilhecanparticipateinallschoolactivities.4.3EmergencyCareIntheeventofanymedicalsituationthatrequiresimmediatemedicalattention,wewillwantyourchildtoseeadoctorrightaway. PleaseremembertokeepyourEmergencyMedicalInformationformuptodateintheoffice.Wemustbeabletoreachyouatanytimeduringtheschoolday.Ifyourchildneedsimmediatemedicalattentionandyoucannotbereached,yourenrollmentagreementauthorizes ustoseekmedicalcareinyourname. Naturally,wewillcontinueoureffortstocontactyou.Ifyourchildshouldneedbasicfirstaid, atrainedstaffpersonwilladministeraidwhileotherstaffcontinuestocontactparentsand/ormedicalprofessionals.4.4MedicationWedonotadministermedicationatschoolincludingaspirinorotherover-the-counterdrugsortopicalcreams.Antibioticsandothermedicationsshouldbescheduledsothatdosagesaretakenduringhourswhenthestudentisathome. Whenchildrenaresoillastorequirefrequentmedication,theyprobablyshouldnotbeinschoolforafullday.Wealsoaskthatstudentsdonotbringvitamins,floweressences,orotherhomeopathicremediestoschool.When,intheopinionofyourchild’sphysician,itisnecessarythatmedicationbeadministeredduringschoolhours,aparentmustadministerthemedication totheirchildinaccordancewiththefollowingprocedures:Medicationmaynotbestoredattheschool.


Ourstaffmembersareprohibitedfromprovidingoradministeringanymedication,includingaspirin,toanystudent.

4.5SafetyDrillsTheofficewillconductmonthlydrillsthatrespondtoanumberofsafetychallenges.Ifparentsareoncampusduringadrill,theyareexpectedtojointhedrillasdirected.

• Thealarmwillringcontinuouslyintheeventofafireoradrill.• Whenthebellrings,allclasseswilldismissintodesignatedareasand• remainintheirgroups.• Theteacherswillmakecertainthattheroomisemptyandclosethedoors.• Theteacherswilljointheclassoutsidethebuilding,takeattendance,andnotifythe

officeifanyoneismissing.• Studentsandteachersareexpectedtoremaininthedesignatedareauntilinformed

thattheymayreturntoclass.4.6IncidentReportsIntheeventthatachildhasbeeninjuredatschool,theteacherorstaffmemberinattendancewillcompleteanAccidentReport.Thisformwillexplainthecircumstancesoftheincident.Parentswillbeaskedtoreadthereport,signit,leaveacopyattheschool,andtakeacopyhome.Feelfreetocallusifyouhaveadditionalquestionsrelatedtotheincident.4.7ChildAbuseReportingPolicyNCStatuterequiresanyonewhoknows of,orhasreasonablecausetosuspect,childabuse,abandonment,orneglect,toimmediatelyreportsuchknowledgeorsuspicion.RenaissanceMontessoriSchoolemployees,whoareactingintheirofficialorprofessionalcapacityandbecomeawareorsuspectthatastudenthassuffered,facesthethreatofanyphysicalormentalwound,injury,disability,orconditionthatreasonablyindicateschildabuseorneglect,shallimmediatelynotifytheNationalChildAbuseHotline(1-800-4-A-CHILD).4.8SchoolCancellationDuetoWeatherIfsevereweatherconditionsmaketravelhazardous,schoolwillopenlate,closeearly,orbecancelled.Wewillmake thesedecisionsbasedonthesafetyofstudentsandstaff.Closingwillbebroadcasttoparentsbyemail,textmessaging,andWRAL.


5.0FacultyandStaff

Intheeventofahurricanewatch,theschoolwillremainopen.Ifahurricanewarningshouldgointoeffectduringschoolhours,parentswillbecalledtopickuptheirchildren,andtheschoolwillremainclosedaslongasthewarningisineffect. Wewilltryhome,work,andcellnumbers. Pleasekeepusuptodatewiththesenumbersthroughouttheyear.4.9FirearmsNofirearmsarepermittedoncampus

RenaissanceMontessoriiscommittedtosettinghighprofessionalstandardsforpersonnelandprograms.Ourpromiseistophysicallyandemotionallyprotectallstudents,anddeliverthehighestqualityinstructionandlearningexperience.Youwillfindadirectoryofourfacultyandstaffandtheirbackgroundsontheschoolwebsite:www.renaissancescholars.com/.Allmembersofourfacultyandstaffshare:

• Commitmenttochildren’swellbeing• CommitmenttoMontessorieducation• LoyaltytoRenaissanceMontessori’svisionandmission• Abilitytoworkwithothersindeliveringqualityeducation

Ourfacultyandstaff:• Supporttheschool’smissionandeachother.• Abidebyestablishedprofessionalstandardsandtheconditionsofouraccreditation.• AbidebythelawsoftheStateofNCandallfederallawsthatgovernourrelationship

andourwork.• Submitforlocalandfederalback-groundchecks. (Allvolunteerswhospendtime

withchildrenmustalsohavethesamebackgroundcheck.)• Allmembersofourfacultyandstaffaresupervisedandreviewedasindicatedby

theDirectorandareconsistentlyguidedtosetgoalsforthemselvesandtheirprograms.

6.0ParentsandtheSchool


6.1CreatingPartnershipParentinvolvementcreatespartnerships,buildscommunitywithintheschool,andgivesthechildrenasenseofconnectionoutsidetheschoolday.Beingdirectlyinvolvedintheschoolalsoprovidesanopportunitytoviewtheschoolfromaunique,internalperspective,givingfamiliesamuchdeeperappreciationforhowdevotedtheteachersaretochild.YoumayalsobegivenanObservationFeedbackformthatwillassistyouinobservingandwillgiveusmuchappreciatedfeedbackabouttheclassrooms.encouragefamiliestofeelathomeandparticipateinthebroaderlifeoftheschoolthroughsocial,educational,andvolunteeractivities.Asacommunityofparentsandeducators,ourideasandinputhelptoliterallyshapetheschool.Allvisitorsandvolunteersneedtosign inandobtainavisitornametagfromtheschoolofficeuponarrival6.2VolunteeringtheGiftofTimeandTalentParentsplayacrucialroleatRenaissanceMontessori. Thisisacommunityofparentsandeducators,manyofwhomarealsoRenaissanceMontessoriparentsaswell.RenaissanceMontessoristronglyencouragesfamiliestofeelathomeandtoparticipateinthebroader lifeoftheschoolthroughsocialandeducationalactivities,committees,taskforces,andtheclassandschool-widecommunitymeetings.ManyparentsspendaconsiderableamountoftimeatRenaissanceMontessoriasvolunteers.Weappreciateitimmensely!Oneofthemostvaluablecontributionsthatfamiliesmaketotheschoolisthegiftoftheirtimeandexpertise. Parents,grandparents,andfriendsoftheschoolareoftenfoundhelpingoutintheoffice,assistingintheclassrooms,planningthenextspecialevent,orservingonschoolcommittees.Parentsandgrandparents,whogiveoftheirtimeandtalent,sharewiththeirfamiliesspecialmemoriesofexperiencesandfriendshipsthatendurewellbeyondtheirchildren’sgraduations.Afewwaysinwhichyoucanhelpoutatourschool:

• Volunteerafewhoursaweektohelpintheoffice• Lendyourtimeandsupporttoourfundraisingefforts• Helptheteachersorganizefieldtripsorspeciallessons


• Helporganizespecialevents• Shareyourtalentsandspecialinterests• ServeasaRoomParent• AttendClassMeetings• AttendCommunityMeetings

RenaissanceMontessoridependsonourcombinedtalents.6.3CommunicationbetweenHomeandSchoolCommunicationbetweenschoolandparentsisvital.Feelfreetoaskquestionsordiscussanythingrelatedtoyourchild’sprogress.Pleaserememberthattheteachers’responsibilityduringtheschooldayistothechildren.Morningarrivalanddismissaltimesareparticularlysensitivetransitionperiodswhenthestudentsneedtheattentionoftheirteachers.Forthisreason,weaskthatinterruptionsduringthesetimesbekepttoaminimum.Ifyoumustspeaktoyourchild’steacherinthemorning,makearrangementstodosobeforeschoolbegins.Likewise,youcanmakearrangementstospeaktotheteacherafterschool. Otherwise,youcancorrespondviaanoteoremail,andtheteacherwillgetbacktoyoubyphoneorwillsendanotetosetupaconference.Renaissanceusestheprogram,Bloomzforthemajorityofourcommunicationbetweenparentsandteachers.Duringtheschoolyear,wewillsendhomeemails,letters,notes,newsletters,andannouncements.Generally,suchinformationwillbesentelectronicallydirectlytoyouremailaddress.Occasion-ally,wewillsendhomesomeprintedcorrespondencewithyourchildintheweeklyFridayFolders.Pleasecheckyouremaildaily.Weuseemail,Facebook,,theschool’swebsite,andotheronlineresourcestocommunicatewithfamilies.


6.4CommunicationwithSecondFamiliesWheneverparentsareseparated,divorced,orforsomeotherreasonarenotlivingatthesameaddress,wewanttokeepbothparentsinformedoftheirchild’sprogressandschoolmatters.

• Bothparentsattheirrespectiveaddresses,atnoextracost,willreceivecopiesofprogressreportsandannouncementsmailedoutorsenthomewithstudents.Likewise,allschoolemailswillbesenttobothparents.

• Invitationstoschoolfunctionswillbesenttobothparents.• Whenfamilyconferencesarescheduled,weneedtoavoidseparateconferencesfor

eachparent. Itisveryimportanttocommunicatethesamethingtobothparentsatthesametime.Ifeitherparentisuncomfortablewithschedulingjointconferences,heorsheshouldcontacttheofficetodiscussthesituation.

• Weencouragebothparentstoattendallschoolevents.• Freeandopencommunicationamongallpartiesisencouragedsothateveryoneis

fullyinformed.• Anexceptionmayberequestedbyacourtorderpriortothechild’senteringschool

byeitheroneorbothparents.Therequestwouldrequirefullconsiderationofthelegalramificationsandotherrelevantmatters,totheeffectthatdualcommunicationisnotrequired,desired,ortobepursued.

• Ifgranted,thisexception(documentationbyasignedcourtorder)wouldbenotedinthechild’spermanentfileandhonoredasindicatedrequirefullconsiderationofthelegalramificationsandotherrelevantmatters,totheeffectthatdualcommunicationisnotrequired,desired,ortobepursued.

• Ifgranted,thisexception(documentationbyasignedcourtorder)wouldbenotedinthechild’spermanentfileandhonoredasindicated.

6.5ObservingtheClassesatWorkParentsareinvited,andevenurged,toobservethechildrenatwork.Contactyourchild’steacherstoletthemknowwhenyouwouldliketovisit.Unlessarrangementshavebeenmadeinadvance,theymaynothavetimetospeakwithyou.Youwillwanttoseetheclassatitsnormalroutineandnotrespondingtothenoveltyofyourpresence;therefore,whenyouvisit,pleasesitinthedesignatedvisitor’schairintheclassroom.Agreatdealcanbelearnedbypatientandquietobservationofyourchildandhis,orher,classmatesatwork.


Duringthefirstsensitiveweeksoftheschoolyear,students(especiallytheyoungerchildren)arefamiliarizingthemselveswithanewroutineandnewenvironment.Forthisreason,weaskparentstoavoidclassobservationsduringtheseperiods.PointstoLookforWhenYouObserve

• AsyousitdowntocarefullyobserveinaMontessoriclassroomforthefirsttime,whatcatchesyoureye?Whatdoyounoticeonyoursecondorthird

• visit?• Howistheclassroomorganized?Whatdoyounoticeaboutthelayoutofactivities,

furnishings,andshelves?• Payattentiontothewaytheadultsinteractwiththechildren.Whatdoyounotice?• Perhaps,duringyourobservationyouwillseetheteacherredirectordisciplinea

child.Whatdoyounotice?• Asyouobserve,trytolookforanyunwrittenrulesandproceduresthatthechildren

arefollowing.• Focusonaparticularchildotherthanyourown.Followhis,orher,workduringthe

courseofatleastahalfhour.Howdoesshespendhertime?Howdoessheselectwork.

• FocusonafewdifferentMontessorimaterials.Whatconceptsorskillsdoeseachisolate?

• Howdotheteachersintroducethechildrentothematerials?Trytocatchonechildlearningfromanother.

• TrytoobservechildrencorrectingtheirownworkthroughthecontroloferrorbuiltintoeachMontessorimaterial.Howdotheyself-correct?

• Asyouobservethechildrenatwork,doyousensethattherearecertaintasksthatthechildrenprefer?Arethereanythattheyseemtoavoid?

6.6“So,WhatDidYouDoAtSchoolToday?”Haveyouexperiencedfrustrationwhenaskingthisquestion?Didyougetthecommonanswer,“Nothing”?Or,possibly,yourchildtellsyoueverydaythatheHowcanyoufindoutwhatyourchildisdoinginschool?

Askyourchildquestionsthataremorespecific.“Didyoudoacountinglessonorshedidthesamething-suchasplay-doughorspooningbeans.Donotbealarmed.Wecanassureyouthatyourchildisverybusyatschooldoingavarietyoflearningactivitiesdesignedtosupportherdevelopment.


Youngchildren,inparticular,oftenhavedifficultytalkingaboutwhattheydoatschool.Theyhavedonesomanythingsthattheyoftencannotsortoutthespecifics.Sometimestheydon’trememberthenameofthematerialsthattheyused-suchasthetrinomialcube,themetalinsets,ortheadditionstripboard.Inadditiontothedifficultychildrenmayhaveintalkingabouttheirschoolexperience,youmayhavenotedthatnotmanypaperscomehomedepictingyourchild’swork.Theycanbedoingcomplexmath,word-building,writinginasandtrayoronchalkboards,geography,orsciencelessons-allwithmanipulativematerialsthatwillhavenopaperworktoshowyoutheirprogresstoday?Didyoubuildthetowerorworkwithcolors?”Wehavethefollowingfurthersuggestions:

• ReadaMontessoribook.Thereareseveralbooksavailabletocheck-outinourparentlounge.

• Play‘school’withyourchildathome.Sometimes,childrenwillshowyouthroughtheirplaywhattheyarelearning.

• Bepatient. Intime,itwillbeobviousthatyourchildisgrowingandlearningeveryday.

6.7SupportingYourChild’sExperienceatHomeParentsareoftenamazedbythelevelofindependenceandsenseofresponsibilitytheyobserveintheirchildrenwhentheyareintheirMontessoricommunity.Parentsoftenask,“Howcanweget themtobethiswayathome?”Typically,homeisamorelaidbackenvironmentthanschool(asitshouldbe).Onecan,however,encouragemoreindependenceandresponsibilityathomebyapplyingsomeofthesameprinciplesweapplywhenpreparingourclassrooms.Herearesomesuggestionstohelpbridgetheschoolandhomeexperienceandassistyourchildinfeelingthatheorsheisacapablepersonandacontributingmemberofthefamily

• Provideastablestooltoassistyourchildinreachingthesink,lightswitches,toothbrushes,books,toys,andotheritemsofpersonaluse.

• Hangclothesonalowrackintheclosetsothatthechildcanhanguphisownclothes.Organizeclothing indrawers,groupedformixingandmatchingtomakechoosingclothingeasier.Keepappropriateschool

• clothesseparatefromplayclothestoavoidamorningargument.• Encourageyourchildtohelpwithlaundry.Youngerchildrencanfoldandhelpput

clothesaway.Olderchildrencanactuallybetaughttodotheirownlaundry.


• Hangmirrorsandartatyourchild’seyelevel(atleastintheirroom;butafew

carefullyplacedinotherareasofthehousearenice,too).• Placeappropriate,nutritiousfooditemsinalowercabinetsothatyourchildcan

preparehis/herownsnackwhenhungry.• Placeeverydaydishesinalowercabinetsochildrencanhelpunloadthe

dishwasher.Thisalsohelpswhenchildrenarepreparingsnacks.• Putmilk,juice,andwater,insmallercontainersintherefrigeratorsothechildwill

beabletosuccessfullygethisowndrink.• Provideclean-upsuppliesforyourchildandgivehimalessoninhowtoclean-up

hisownmesses. (Suggestedsupplies:smallbroomanddustpan,carpetsweeper,dustbuster,sponges,andtowels.)

• Placetoys,artsupplies,andbooksonreachableshelvesinsteadofinatoybox.Rotatetheseitemssothatthechildhasonlyamanageableamountoutatanygiventime.Usebaskets,deskorganizers,andcratestokeep‘like’itemstogetherandtodisplaytheminanattractivemanner.Provideashelforanareaineveryroomforyourchildtokeepsomeofhis/heractivities.

• Createaself-quietingcornerforeachchild,sotheyhaveaspecialplaceto gowhentheyneedtocalmthemselvesorwhenyouneedtorecommendthattheytakesometimetocalmdownandgetcentered.

• Askyourself,“WhatnewthingcanIshowmychildhowtodoforhim,orherself,thisweek?”

• Inviteanolderchildtohelpreorganizeorredecoratehisroom.• Involveeventheyoungestchildreninchoresaroundthehouse,increasingthe

expectationasthechildgetsolder.• Readtoyourchild(nomatterhowoldheorsheis,readtogether!)• Talkaboutfeelingswithyourchild. • Usenaturalconsequencesinsteadofpunishment.Naturalconsequencesarethe

resultofanactiontakenbyachildthatactuallyhelpsachild,withoutadultintervention,tolearnabouthowthatactionaffectsthemandothers.

6.8ClassandCommunityMeetingsEachmonthduringtheschoolyear,RenaissanceMontessoriparents,teachers,administrators,andinterestedstudentsareinvitedtomeettogether forClassandCommunityMeetings.Thtraditionoffersustheopportunitytoexploreissuesofcommoninterestinanopencommunityforum.Frequently,theCommunityMeetingwillofferformalfeedbackandadvicetotheadministrationandBoard.Parentsandteacherswhoparticipate


tendtogainamuchdeeperunderstandingoftheschool'smission,strengths,andtheissuesthatchallengeit.Manywillappreciatetheopportunitytohaveavoiceinthelifeoftheschool.ClassMeetingsarenormallyheldintheclassrooms. Discussionsoftenfocuson theclassroomandwhatthey’vebeendoinginthelastmonthandwhat’s comingupinthemonthahead.Allsortsofquestionscomeupandarediscussed.CommunityMeetingsofferusameaningfulopportunitytoparticipateinthedevelopmentofschoolprogramsandpolicy.Mostmembersofthefacultyandadministrationwillnormallyattend.CommunityMeetingsusuallybeginwithallpresentagreeingonthetopicsthattheywouldliketoaddress.Onememberofthecommunitywillbeselectedtofacilitatethemeeting,ensuringthateveryoneisheardandhelpingthe groupmaintainitsfocus.Arecorderwillprepareasummaryofwhatwasdiscussedandalistofanytopicstobeaddressedatthenextscheduledmeeting.CommunityMeetingsareprocessorient-ed.Theirvaluecomesfrompersonalattendanceandparticipation.Theyprovideaforumfortheopenexchangeofideas,notnecessarilytoproduceanswersorproposals.Manyschool-relatedissuescannotbeaddressedandresolvedinalarge-groupproblem-solvingsetting.Inthenormalcourseofdiscussion,thegroupmayidentifyissuesthatshouldbeaddressedbythefaculty,administration,ortrustees.Attimes,theymayasktheschooltomakeamoreformalpresentationonagiventopicofinterest.Anytopicthatisraisedduringameetingthatwouldproperlyrequiretimetopreparehand-outsandclarifyinformationwillbetabledandscheduledforthenextmeeting.ThefocusofCommunityMeetingsisontopicsofcommoninterest,notindividualissuesconcerningonefamily,whichnormallycannotbediscussedinapublicsetting.Becausethepurposeofthesemeetingsistofacilitatecommunication,allviewswillbeheardanddiscussed.Itisperfectlynormalforvaluesandperspectivestovarywithinthegroup.Asmembersofaschoolcommunitythatteacheschildrenkindnessandrespect,itisveryimportantforus,asparentsandteachers,tomodelahighlevelofconsiderationandrespectforeachother.Noonecanbeallowedtodominateameeting;itisneitherappropriatenorfairtothelargergroup.Everyonepresentwillbeencouragedtoparticipateandcontribute;however,silenceisalegitimatepartofanymeeting.


Finally,weshouldallstrivetorememberthatweareonthesameside.Wesharemanycommonvaluesandintereststhatbroughtustogether.Weneedneverseeourselvesasadversaries,evenifweshoulddisagreeonagivenissue.Concernsandissuesthatneedtobeexploredandaddressedarenormalinanyinstitution.Thereisnosuchthingasaperfectschool,andtherewillalways beaneedfornewideasandongoingimprovements.6.9OthersWhoHaveBenefitedfromMontessoriEducation

• LarryPaigeandSergeyBrin:FoundersofGoogleInc.“WebothwenttoMontessorischool,andIthinkitwaspartofthattrainingofnotfollowingrulesandorders,beingself--motivated,questioningwhat'sgoingonintheworld,anddoingthingsalittlebitdifferent,thatcontributedtooursuccess.”

• JuliaChild:Televisioncookingpersonality.Shestatesinherbookhowitwasher

Montessorieducationwhichgaveheraloveforworkingwithherhands

• WillWright:CreatorofSimCityandSpore.“Montessoritaughtmethejoyofdiscovery.Itshowedyoucanbecomeinterestedinprettycomplextheories,likePythagoreantheory,say,byplayingwithblocks.It’sallaboutlearningonyourterms,ratherthanateacherexplainingstufftoyou.SimCitycomesrightoutofMontessori.”

• JimmyWales:CreatorofWikipedia.

• GabrielGarciaMarquez:AuthorofLoveintheTimeofCholera.“Idonotbelieve

thereisamethodbetterthanMontessoriformakingchildrensensitivetothebeautiesoftheworldandawakeningtheircuriosityregardingthesecretsoflife.”

• JeffBezos:CEOofAmazon

• YOYOMA:UnitednationsPeaceAmbassador,cellist,andwinnerof15Grammy

Awards


7.0AcademicLife7.1FamilyConferencesItisveryimportantforteachersandparentstoestablishandmaintainclosecommunication.Renaissanceteacherswillmeetwithparentsafewtimesduringtheyear,howeverparentsmayatanytimetoaskforsuchameeting.Duringaconference,pleasefeelfreetoaskquestionsortodiscussanythingrelatedtoyourchild’sprogress.Weask,however,thatyouunderstandthattheteachers’responsibilitiesduringtheschooldayaretothestudents.Morningarrival,inparticular,isaverysensitiveperiodwhentheteachersaregreetingeachstudentandsettingacalm,pleasanttonefortheday.Interruptionsneedtobekepttoaminimum.Ifyoumustspeakwithateacherinthemorning,pleasemakearrangementstomeetbeforeschoolbegins.Otherwise,youcancorrespondviaanote,oremailandtheteacherswillgetbacktoyoubyphoneorwillsendanotetosetupaconferenceasneeded.Conferencesarescheduledthroughouttheyear.Seetheschoolcalendarfordetails.Additionalconferenceswillbescheduleduponrequest.ForouryoungstudentswhoarenewtoRenaissanceMontessoriSchool,aHomeVisitmaybescheduledbeforeschoolbeginsinAugust.7.2EvaluationsofStudentProgressOurMontessoricurriculumiscarefullystructuredandsequenced.Theteachersmaintaincarefulrecordsofeachstudent’sacademicprogress.BecauseMontessorischoolsdonotcomparestudentsagainstanarbitrarystandardortotheperformanceoftheirclassmates,wedonotusefamiliarlettergrades. Parentswillreceivestudentevaluationstwiceaschoolyearto reviewthestudent’sdevelopmentandtodiscusshowtheMontessoriprogramiscontributingtothestudent’sgrowth.7.3StudentLearnerOutcomesMontessoriisdesignedtoallowforindividualizedstudentprogress.Theyrepresentalevelofskillandknowledgethatweexpectmostofourstudentstodisplaybeforeadvancingtothenextlevel.


Theschoolstimulatesandsupportsstudentsintheirpursuitofpersonalmasteryofanygivensubjectarea(s).7.4PrivacyofStudentFilesStudentfilesareconfidentialrecordsandarekeptsecurefromunauthorizedaccess.Parentsorguardiansmayhaveaccess tothechild’sfilebywrittenrequesttotheofficeatleasttwenty-fourhoursinadvance. ThefilemustbeviewedinthepresenceofaRenaissanceMontessoristaffmember.Ifaparent/guardiandisagreeswithanyiteminthefile,anotemaybeinsertedintothepermanentfilewithrelevantcomments.OfficialsoftheStateorCountyHealthDepartmentmayhavetherighttoviewstudentfileswithouttheparents’orguardians’permission. However,withawrittencourtorder,othergovernmentofficialsmayinspectthecontentsofastudent’sfilewithoutthepermissionofthestudentorparent/guardian,andtheschoolwillinformthestudentandhis,orher,familyinwritingthatsuchaninspectionhasbeenrequestedormade.Acopyofthestudent’sfilemaybesenttoanoutsideprofessional,suchasapsychologistoreducationaldiagnostician,ifrequestedinwritingbytheparent(s),guardian(s),orstudentifheorshehasattainedtheageof18,withnotationofpertinentpaperstobesent.7.5ReenrollmentInvitationstocontinueatRenaissanceMontessoriarenormallyautomaticbutarenotguaranteed.Decisionsaremadebytheadministrationandfaculty,basedonanannualreviewofeachstudent’sacademicprogress,socialandemotionaldevelopment,anyspecialneeds(ifapplicable),alongwiththeattitudesandvaluesexpressedbythechildandparents. Asalways,ourgoalistohelpeachchildandfamilyfindtherightmatchbetweenthestudent,home,andschool.ReenrollmentmaterialswillbemailedhomeinearlyFebruaryandareduebackwiththeannualenrollmentdepositbythedatespecifiedonthereenrollmentletter. Iftheschoolhasnotreceivedastudent’sreenrollmentmaterialsbythedatespecified,hisorherspacewillbemadeavailabletonewstudentswhohaveappliedforadmissiontotheschool.Nostudentmaybeginthenextschoolyearifthereisanoutstandingbalanceremainingonhis/heraccount.


8.0FinancialPolicies8.1TuitionPoliciesStudentaccountsmustbekeptuptodate.Yourcooperationisessentialandverymuchappreciated.Familiesareresponsibleforpromptpaymentofalloutstandingtuitionandfees.Allmoniesdueundertheenrollmentagreementaredueandpayableaccordingtothetermsofthecontract.Noextensionsordelaysinpaymentwillberecognizedunlessinwritingandsignedbyanauthorizedagentoftheschoolandoneofthesignatories.A1%latetuitionfeewillaccruedailystartingonthe3rddayofeachmonth.8.2ClosurePoliciesOnTuitionSeesection10.2,below.

9.0Fundraising

9.1AnnualFundRenaissanceMontessoriSchool’sAnnualFundprovidesessentialoperatingsupportfortheschool’sbudget.UnrestrictedgiftstotheAnnualFundarecriticaltothefinancialhealthofRenaissanceMontessoriSchool.Theschool’sbudgetisdependentuponthesecontributionstohelpclosethegapbetweenthetruecostofaRenaissanceMontessorieducationandtherevenueprovidedbytuition.Inadditiontoitsfinancialimpact,givingtotheAnnualFundisawayofexpressingconfidencein,andsupportfor,TheRenaissanceMontessoriSchool.Participationbycurrentparents,alumni,grandparents,andparentsofalumniisessentialtoourschoolcommunity.9.2WhyGiveTheSpiritofPhilanthropy:WhyGivetoRenaissanceMontessoriSchoolAphilanthropistisapersonwhodonatestime,talentandtreasureandtakesactiontosupportthecommongood.Perhapsthegreatestbenefitofphilanthropyisthatitcreatesapositiveimpact.Itcanbringaboutveryimportantchanges.Thesechangescreatepositivelifeexperiencesforothers.


GivingtoRenaissanceMontessoriisagreatwaytomakeadifferenceandcreateapositivelifechangingexperience.Youprobablyhaveadreamabouttheextraordinarythingsyourcharitablegiftscouldaccomplishnowandforyearstocome.PartneringwithRenaissanceMontessoriisthewaytoconvertthatpersonaldreamintopracticalreality.Theresultispowerful!Yoursupportwillallowustodefineourfutureandprepareourstudentsfortheirimportantpartintomorrow’sexcitingandunpredictableworld.10.0RequiredCampusClosurePolicy10.1CampusClosureEducationPolicyRenaissanceMontessorirecognizesthatworkingparentsneedchildcare.Furthermore,webelievestronglythatyoungchildrenespeciallybenefitfromaninperson,handsoneducation.Thatsaid,duetoeventsbeyondourcontrolsometimestheschoolcampusmustbeclosedonnon-scheduleddates.Insuchanevent,Renaissancewillcontinuetoprovideservicesusingbestpracticesofonlineonlyorblendedlearningapproaches.Learningandsocializationmustcontinuetooccurregardlessofwhetherchildrenareallowedoncampus.Wewillcontinuetomonitorandimplementbestpracticesintermsofbothtechnologicalsolutionsandpedagogicalapproaches.Renaissancecommitsthatshouldtheschoolbeclosed,wewillcontinuetothebestofourabilitytoprovidethehighestqualitybestpracticeseducationandsocialexperiences.Dependingonwhatislegallyallowedandrealisticundercurrentlawatthetime,theseservicesmaybedeliveredwhollyonlineorusingablendofshort-durationcampusvisitswithonlineexperiences.10.2CampusClosureTuitionPolicies

• SchoolClosurefor2weeksorless:Tuitionwillremainunchanged,extendedcarewillnotbecharged,andanyextendedcarefeespre-paidforperiodsofclosurewillberefundedordeductedfromthenexttuitionpayment.

• SchoolClosureupto4weeks:Tuitionpaymentsforclosureweeks3and4willbereducedby30%,andextendedcarefeeswillnotbecharged.

• SchoolClosurebeyond4weeks:Intheeventthattheschoolisclosedformorethan4weeks,tuitionpaymentsforperiodsbeyond4weekswillbereducedby40%andextendedcarefeeswillnotbecharged.Thisisbecausetheschoolwillmake


everyefforttocontinueformsofdistancelearningandtheschoolmuststillbeabletomeetitsfinancialcommitments.

Intheeventthattheseschoolclosuretuitionpoliciescreateafinancialhardshipforanyfamily,wewillworkwiththosefamiliesonacase-by-casebasis.

Parent Handbook 2020-21

37

Documents

Renaissance Montessori Parent Handbook · 2020. 6. 21. · Montessori Parent Handbook 2020-2021 Renaissance Montessori, admits students of ... to students at our school. Renaissance