Several parents have asked if they should bring their child to their individual Parent-Teacher conference in November.

No, we do not allow children to attend Parent-Teacher conferences.  Based on experience, we know our approach promotes effective, informative meetings that respect every other parent’s schedule.

However, if you do not have convenient child care available, please call the office and we can share with you the parents who have conference appointments adjacent to yours on the schedule.  You may then contact these parents and suggest a barter: you watch their child(ren) during their conference in exchange for them watching your children during your scheduled time.

You may examine the photos in our office.  After examining the photos in our office, if you would like to purchase the package, you may do so by completing an order form and writing a check payable to MARTY HYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY, or you may pay by Visa or MasterCard.

In a recent WSJ article “Acing Parent-Teacher Conferences” you’ll find some tips for a productive parent-teacher conference:

Do Your Homework — How parents can get the most out of their 10 minutes:

• Ask your child to share concerns before you go.
• Bring written notes and questions.
• Tell the teacher about at-home issues that might be impacting your child’s academics.
• Don’t be antagonistic. View the teacher as your partner.
• If teacher uses jargon, ask for simple explanations and specifics about your child’s work.
• Keep the conversation focused on your child—not your childhood, the teacher’s workload or views on the curriculum.
• Discuss strategies you and the teacher can use to help your child. Write out common goals.
• Ask for follow-up emails and conversations.

We’re confident November conferences at The Montessori House will be informative and useful for parents and teachers.

For our Suzuki Violin Fall Trimester, we now offer you the choice of a weekly group lesson on either Monday or Wednesday for 30 minutes immediately after 3:00 pm dismissal. 

We currently have 13 violin students enrolled, and can accommodate a couple more students on either day.

If you’re interested, please refer to recent e-mails concerning the program and registration.  Group lessons start next week, the week of October 4.

Q:  If my child has sniffles/cough, can s/he stay inside the classroom instead of going out on the playground?

A:  We presume that any child who is healthy enough to come to school is healthy enough to go out on the playground.  In addition, we are not staffed to keep some children inside while others go out.  If your child isn’t feeling well, it’s best for everyone to keep the child home.

 Q:  My child has seasonal allergies that make him uncomfortable.  Should I send him to school?

A:  Only you can decide how comfortable your child is likely to feel as a result of seasonal allergies.  Please note that if you decide he is healthy and comfortable enough to be sent to school, he will be expected to stay for the length of his class session; we generally send children home if they are suffering from an illness, not allergies.

Q:  My child  was ill yesterday with a fever, but this morning seems to be fine?

A:  Public health guidelines call for a child to be fever “free” for at least 24 hours before returning to school.  Only send your child to The Montessori House if the child has not registered a fever for 24 hours.  Please be sure to accurately measure your child’s body temperature and to do so only in the absence of fever reducing medication.

Clothing

Q:  Do we need to bring extra/emergency clothing?

A:  No, we’ll provide clean clothes in the event of an “accident.”

Q:  Is there any particular kind of clothing that’s best for school?

A:  We recommend clothes that give your child freedom to move and that can be easily managed, such as those with elastic waistbands and large buttonholes. 

Q:  Do we need to send in snow clothes?

A:  We’ll give you more information about snow clothes when the weather starts to get colder.  In the meantime, there’s no need to send in any snow clothes.

Q:  What kinds of shoes are best for school and the playground?

A:   Sneakers work best for class and for the greatest safety in climbing, running and jumping on the playground.  Unfortunately, Crocs and other loose-fitting shoes can be unsafe on the climbing tower.

Birthdays

Q:  How do you celebrate birthdays in the classroom?

A:  We have a wonderful Montessori birthday celebration which includes having the child’s parent(s) in the classroom and having the child and parent(s) work together on a birthday book.  We also provide the birthday snack, so we ask that you not bring in any extra treats.

Q:  My child has a summer/early fall birthday.  Will s/he get a chance to celebrate in school?

A:  Yes, just contact Ms. Anne Marie in the office (201-816-8343) to schedule a date for a celebration in your child’s classroom. 

Getting Involved

Q:  What can I do to get more involved with the school and/or my child’s class?

A:  We LOVE having parents in the classrooms, at the festivals and fundraiser, and even helping out from home.  We have a wide variety of parent-run committees, and you can participate in any or all of them.  Don’t worry if you’ve never worked on a committee before; we make it easy for you to get involved.  Just sign up and get ready for a fun year being involved with your child, your class, and your school!

Arrival

Q:  If my child and I arrive at school early, can we wait inside, especially if it’s raining or very cold?

A:  Unfortunately, it is unsafe and against fire code to have parents and children waiting in the vestibule.  Instead, please wait outside in the line or inside your car until a teacher opens the door at the designated school start time (8:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.)

 Q:  If my child and I arrive at school late, can I walk my child up to the classroom.

A:  When you arrive, please ring the doorbell and wait for a teacher or Ms. Anne Marie to greet you at the door and take your child upstairs. 

Dismissal

Q:  How do you dismiss if it’s raining?

A:  If it’s raining, we will have a car-line dismissal.  Please see page 10 of your Montessori House Parent Handbook to review the car-line rules.  There are two very important things to remember:  1) We form two lines (not just one) along the East side of the building in order to keep cars from blocking Riveredge Rd. and 2) A teacher places the child in the car seat and closes the door, then you pull far ahead in the parking lot, turn off the car, and secure your child into the car seat.  This helps to keep the car line moving. 

 Q:  If I need a friend or another parent to pick up my child from school, what do I need to do?

A:  We need photos and written notification from you identifying the each person who has permission from you to pick up your child from school.  We already have photos of other school parents on file, but ask that you designate in writing the individual parents eligible to pick up your child.  Note, on any given day, we need instructions from you regarding an alternate pick-up person.  You can let us know in two ways: 1) at the entrance door you’ll find pre-printed slips you can fill out with instructions, or 2) you can call the office with your instructions (be sure to call at least 30 minutes before dismissal).

At last week’s Meet the Teachers Evening we shared some pointers for parents in the form of Montessori House FAQs.  Over the next few days, we’ll share some of these here.

Parking

Q:  Where can we park for arrival and dismissal?

A:  As you enter the parking lot from Riveredge Road (which is the only way to enter), you will be along the East side of the building.  You may park in any of the designated parking spots along the East side of the building/playground.  Please note that the school driveways are ONE WAY; you must enter on Riveredge and exit on Knickerbocker.

 Q:  Can we park in front of the playgrounds?

A:   No.  For safety reasons, we can’t have cars moving in and out of those spaces during the day since that is where the children walk when they enter and leave the playground.  Instead, teachers park in those spaces before children arrive in the morning, and their cars stay parked there until after dismissal.  In addition, the Tween Tots school has requested that NO cars be parked in front of their playground or in any of the spaces up to Knickerbocker Road.

 Q:  Can we park along the sidewalk, especially if we’re just running in to the school for a moment? 

A:  No, all cars must be parked in designated spaces, and the engine must be turned off if you leave your car.

This week’s phasing-in has been splendid.  Thanks to all the parents and caregivers who’ve taken the time to help us start the year off right for the children!  Stepping Stones continues phasing in for a few more weeks, but all other students start their regular school schedule on Monday. 

Reminders:

• If your child has lunch at The Montessori House, you’ll soon receive a reminder regarding Montessori House lunch guidelines.
• After Care becomes available on Monday, September 20.
• Next week we’ll provide details on our after-school Suzuki Violin progam.  We expect to start the first full week in October.
• We’re looking for parent volunteers to lead and work on The Montessori House Fall Festival.  We plan to schedule for an early October weekend; the final date will depend on the volunteer leaders.  Leave a message for Ms. Maria if you’re interested in leading and would like to know more!

It’s been a great first week, and the teachers and staff are looking forward to a wonderful year with all the children and their families!