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Meadows Montessori

Family Handbook 2020-2021 Updated 9/22/2020 with COVID references

Mission Statement: Meadows Montessori recognizes the uniqueness of each child and responds to these individual strengths to help develop skills at periods of greatest readiness and sensitivity. Our focus is on individualized instruction, respect and partnership, creating an environment in which children learn naturally, learn in harmony with one another, and learn to release their potential. We celebrate diversity and strive to instill compassion, integrity, and confidence in each child. We provide a supportive learning environment that help children build social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative skills, offering an “education for life.” Instructional Programs: Dr. Montessori believed that education starts at birth and research shows that the most important period in a human being’s educational and emotional development is during the first six years of life. We know that the brain, like a muscle, develops through active use. This is especially true in the years of early childhood. Hours of Operation are listed below with our MD State Validated Montessori instructional program running from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily. This Program operates as an MSDE Approved Non-Public Educational Program for ages 2.5 – 6 years old. Age COVID Hours of Operation Infant/Toddler (1:3 ratio) 3 - 23 months 8:30 AM – 5 PM Pre-Primary (2’s = 1:6 ratio) 24 – 36 months 8:30 AM – 5 PM Primary (1:11, incl. Kindergarten*)2.5 – 6 years 8:20 AM – 5 PM *Approved and licensed by Maryland State Department of Education Teacher Qualifications* In addition to an approved Montessori credential, our Montessori lead teachers hold at a minimum a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent as determined by an Independent agency authorized to evaluate foreign credentials as designated by MSDE. They attend Montessori courses and ECE conferences for professional development above and beyond typical OCC requirements as MD State Credentialed Teachers to best support your child’s education in early childhood. Our credentialed and highly qualified teachers and classroom assistants are guides for your child’s social, emotional, mental, physical, and cognitive growth in an authentic Montessori prepared environment. With low student-to-teacher ratios in every class, the child’s unique needs are respectfully responded to with compassion.

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The Kindergarten Year The Kindergarten year is the capstone to the Montessori three-year cycle of Meadows Montessori’s Early Childhood Program. As the most experienced children in the classroom, students enter into the “passage of abstraction” stage and reinforce their cognitive skills, self-esteem, and self-reliance by internalizing the academic work from earlier years in the Montessori cycle. They serve as role models for younger peers during the morning. The Kindergarteners combine in the afternoons with one Primary trained teacher to focus on advanced lessons. Kindergarten Eligibility The MDSE requires children enrolled in Kindergarten to be 5 years old by September 1st. Meadows Montessori’s agrees with & abides by this state policy. Montessori Interrelated Areas In the mornings, children in the Early Childhood Program (Primary students) are in a mixed age classroom with up to 13 children (COVID guidance at time of printing) with one lead teacher and one assistant or intern. We provide them with opportunities to grow their creative & cognitive abilities, thrive in a peaceful environment where they grow their independence and confidence, and learn by making impressions in the brain that will allow for deep concentration and learning unique to each individual. After lunch and outdoor play, older children continue their school activities while younger children rest. Each classroom routine is executed from beginning to end with careful planning and preparation in six basic interrelated areas. The following areas of activity cultivate the children's ability to express themselves and think with clarity: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Science, Cosmic/Cultural Extensions, & Peace Education. The children are encouraged to think for themselves, to solve problems on their own and with others, and to build confidence in their ability to find solutions. The following information gives a brief description of the objectives of each area. Selection and Use of Learning Materials Dr. Maria Montessori, whose scientific mind & medical background, created specifically designed learning materials that supports the child's Sensitive Periods as she observed in her work with children. These age appropriate, multi-sensorial learning materials and classroom activities which involves the Peace curriculum and Grace & Courtesy lessons within our Montessori Prepared Environment of mixed-age Early Childhood students allows children to develop at their own pace with a healthy sense of self and understanding of their value & place of belonging in the world around them, with respect for things living and non-living. We provide them with opportunities to grow their creative & cognitive abilities, thrive in a peaceful environment where they grow their independence and

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confidence, and learn by making concrete impressions in the brain that will allow for deep concentration, further learning, and a passage to abstraction unique to each individual. Practical Life The child develops an independent approach to personal care and care of the environment. Practical Life exercises instill care for self, care for others, and care for the environment. The activities include many of the tasks children see as part of the daily life in their home. Elements of human cordiality are introduced with the exercises of manners & etiquette called Grace and Courtesy. Through these and other activities children develop muscular coordination, enabling concentration, exploration of order, and establish independence within their surroundings. They learn to work at a task with ordered steps/sequence from beginning to end to develop their will, defined by Dr. Montessori as the intelligent direction of movement, self-discipline, and capacity for total concentration.

Sensorial

Sensorial materials are referred to as “keys to the universe” - tools for the children to build cognitive value by using skills of comparison & contrast, visual discrimination, and ordering and classifying impressions. They do this by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, listening, and exploring the physical properties of their environment through the contribution of specially-designed materials found only in a Montessori school. The Sensorial area attracts young children and sets the foundation for the development of their Mathematical Mind - introducing the child to the concept of the base 10 approach representing our decimal system. Most of the equipment in this area of the classroom has ten pieces to each activity ranging in dimension, size, color, texture, shape, and sound.

Language Building vocabulary in a rich linguistic atmosphere with beautifully illustrated picture books, print awareness, phonetic awareness, and knowledge of the world leads children to the capacity to name the things in the world. Children are given association of sense perception with names for everything in their environment through auditory experiences and tactile multi-sensorial manipulatives. In the First Plane Object Lesson, the child practices skills to name, recognize, and recall. The Sensitive Period for Language lasts the longest, from birth to age 6. Many activities are incorporated into the daily routine for acquiring the skills for successful literacy progress based on auditory, receptive, and expressive language skills. Practice and refinement of phonetics starting with individual letter sounds, semantic encoding by naming objects, then blending recognized

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sounds together to ‘write’ with cut-out letters of the Moveable Alphabet, and finally to pronunciation (decoding) of words in reading. At this point, a “reading explosion” happens as Dr. Montessori describes it. Sound and movement always give the child the freedom to communicate!

Mathematics

The mathematics materials help the child learn and understand mathematical concepts by working with concrete materials. This work provides the child with a solid foundation for traditional mathematical principles, providing a structured scope for abstract reasoning. Learning one-to-one correspondence, 0-10, numeration, linear counting, decimal system, operations, money, time, measurement, and fractions help order and organize in a logical, meaningful way the child’s practical understanding of math concepts vital to education. Naturally, the child starts to see relationships, recognize and create patterns, and categorize their work. Repetition of the concrete bead work give understanding of place value and mathematical processes.

Montessori materials are exact, concrete, and beautiful representations of abstract concepts. All of the early works in Practical Life and Sensorial areas are essential for developing the foundational skills required for the child to think mathematically and move to abstract operations.

Science

The objective is to increase the child’s awareness of the world around him, to ponder, consider hypothesis, and make discoveries. Exploration of the physical and natural sciences lead the children to a sense of awe and wonder, and to ask “Why?” Experiences with nature in conjunction with the materials in the environment inspire a reverence for all life.

Cosmic Education/Cultural Extensions

Geography, History, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Art and Music are presented as extensions of the sensorial and language activities. Children learn about other cultures past and present and this allows their innate respect and love for their environment to grow, creating a sense of harmony with humanity and its habitat. History is presented to the children through art and music.

Child Assessment Children are discovering, exploring, and engaging in the different activities and materials available in the Montessori Prepared Environment which is designed by the Lead Teacher according to the developing child as (s)he moves through different stages during Sensitive Periods that Dr. Maria Montessori identified from

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birth through adolescence; our focus is through the first plane of development, birth through six years of age. The purpose of assessment in early childhood programs is to help parents, staff, and school leaders is to better understand, appreciate, and respond to the growth, development, and unique characteristics of each child. The assessment process relies heavily on observations and descriptive data of children at play, in daily routines, and interactions. The information derived from regular observation and recording of each child’s natural interest and developmental progress is the basis for appropriate curriculum planning where children are provided with activities, projects, and learning materials developmentally appropriate to their individual interests and abilities. Montessori is a scientific pedagogy implementing individual curriculum that deepens children’s love of learning. Screen Time Policy Here at MM, we believe that unstructured playtime is important for building creativity so young children should have time to play away from screens every day. Family meals and bedtimes are also important times for screen-free time and interaction with your child. No televisions or electronic devices should be permitted in your child's bedroom not only because sufficient sleep is vital to a growing child's brain but also to instill in your child that bedrooms are sacred places for calming activities. Keeping this in mind, CDC recommends the following for 3-5 year olds - Set limits for screen time for your child to no more than 1 hour per day of quality programming, at home, school, or afterschool care and develop a media use plan for your family. Children under 3 years of age have no reason for electronics of any kind and should not be introduced to screen time. Class size and Pre-COVID Ratio: At Meadows Montessori, we take pride in having low child to teacher ratios to give the optimum level of attention to your child. While MSDE acknowledges higher ratios for Educational Programs/Montessori with mixed preschool/school-age groups of 1:16, Meadows Montessori rarely operates the instructional day on that ratio; instead, typical ratios are: Primary classroom: (ages 2.5-6 years) 1 adult to maximum of 12 students, with up to 22 students at total capacity Pre-primary classroom: (ages 18 -36 mo.) 1 adult to 3 students, 9 students total (or if operating 2’s Room, ratio is 1:6 with 12 students in total) Infant classroom: (3 – 18 months) 1 teacher to 3 students, 6 students total COVID-19 Guidance/Recommendation: MSDE has current restrictions on classroom capacity based on recommendations by the Maryland Health Department for guidance on 'best business practices' for limiting exposure of COVID-19. By maintaining cohorts of consistent teachers with the same group of classroom children every day, most

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of our teaching staff works 40-hour work weeks within our current hours of operations to stay consistent with the same cohort every single day. We follow these recommendations because if a case of COVID-19 exposure occurs in one classroom, the goal is to not risk shutting down entirely, only the ONE classroom that exposure happened in (that room would have minimal closure time to clean and disinfect), allowing the rest of the program to continue normally. MHD and OCC are consulted when a case of diagnosed COVID-19 is reported and the School must follow the directives given by these agencies concerning how we must proceed forward. Privacy and confidentiality with regard to FERPA will be maintained when administration announces such diagnosis within Meadows Montessori.

Staggered Arrival and Dismissal (COVID) Safety first! Please do not park in the fire lane marked by the yellow curb at any time. The parent must walk their child to front of building for temperature check and

health screening, and if temperature is recorded below 100.4 degrees, the child is allowed entry. As a COVID safety measure required by MSDE, OCC, and the health department, parents/guardians are not allowed inside the building, just students and staff. Parents are responsible for supervising their children always while present on the School’s property. This includes the outdoor area and parking lot. Children can only be dismissed to parents, legal guardians or those designated on the emergency list. When your child is going home with a friend or another adult, please send written permission via email. Late pick-up - Unforeseen circumstances may cause you to run late and we expect a call to inform us when this happens. Upon signing the Enrollment Agreement, you accept our Policy on “Unexpected Additional Care”. Staff must be compensated for their time when tending to your child unexpectedly. We close at 5 PM so please understand that teachers expect to be finished working and leave at that time to attend to their family and personal matters. Parents who plan pick-up at the end of the day should arrive at Meadows Montessori in order to collect your child’s belongings and vacate the building with your child BY 5:00 PM. Each child picked-up after that time will be presented with an ‘Late Pick-up’ form from a staff member. There is an additional charge of $1 per each 1 minute interval, as stated in the E.A. Cash payment is to be directly issued to the staff member who stayed after dismissal time with your child, due at pick-up. Please note that late pick-up charges will be enforced during earlier school closings, camps, and inclement weather. Inclement Weather – Safety of all is our top priority! Change to normal operations will be announced in most cases by 7:00 AM via email, on school website, & phone greeting. Be prepared for back-up childcare when this happens. Parent understands that it is their responsibility to be aware of any changes to regular schedule due to inclement weather. Lunch/Snacks – Friendly reminder that this is a nut-free environment so please do not send sandwiches made with peanut butter or serve nuts. Lunch is brought from home in disposable wrapping and paper bag for students enrolled past 12 Noon. We serve

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whole milk for 12 months up and 1% milk for Primary students. Use an ice pack to keep lunch cold in lunchbox. Use of a thermos is an excellent way to maintain a warm lunch for your child after preparing it at home. A healthy lunch would include fruit, veggies, sandwich, pasta, etc., cut up in small bite size pieces. Do not send in yogurt drinks, juice drinks, gum or candy with your child. Afternoon snack is served at 3:00 PM, while

morning snack is available starting at 9:30 AM. We make sure to serve a wide variety of nutritious snakes that are appropriately portioned for the ages of the children. Allergies – It is very important that all children are kept safe from exposure to anything that may cause an allergic reaction. Since contamination can be through skin contact, hand washing is very important. Please notify us immediately if your child has any allergies; these must be listed on the emergency form and Health Inventory form. Rest/Napping – For hygienic reasons, we do not allow stuffed animals unless absolutely needed as a comfort item for the child. Quiet/rest time starts at 12 Noon for I/T Dpt and at 12:30 PM for Primary Dpt. If your child naturally falls asleep, he/she will be awakened at 2:45 to prepare for dismissal at 3:00 if he/she is full-day. Dress– Please bring slippers for Primary Dpt. and set(s) of EXTRA clothes in a Ziploc bag (labeled) including underpants (pull-ups) and socks to be left in your child’s cubby. Please dress your child comfortably with appropriate, sturdy clothes and closed-toe shoes (no flip flops). Since belts, buckles, overalls, and difficult snaps are hard for little ones and can cause much frustration, elastic waist bands are best. Velcro shoe fasteners are recommended until your child learns how to tie bows. Payments – Monthly payments are due by the first day of each month. Invoices will be emailed prior to each invoice due date. Please remit payment inside the mailbox outside, or by credit or debit card at front desk. Credit cards are charged a 2% processing fee. Any questions regarding your invoice or payment should be directed to TJ Seoni, President, at 301-252-5018 or tj@meadowscenter.com. Remember, we offer one week free of instructional time for your child (to be credited on June’s invoice) when your referred family enrolls their child and completes the enrollment year. We appreciate your referrals, and this is our way of saying “thanks!”

Parent-School Communication Effective communication between administration, parents, teachers, and child is essential. The teachers at Meadows Montessori invite you to communicate outside of normal instructional hours when their focus is not on supervising the children whenever you feel a need. We will gladly inform you of our observations and concerns on a regular basis. Please do not discuss your child with us in his/her presence. If you would like to chat about your child, please send an email directly to your child’s teacher or Head of School. Always contact the Lead Montessori teacher for communication about the specific happenings inside your child’s classroom, to express a concern or question about the curriculum, or to schedule a phone conversation at mutually convenient times.

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Montessori Compass is our school-wide communications hub!!! Head of School should be contacted for clarification regarding policies, procedures, and protocols or discuss any questions or concerns you may have with operations or your family’s experience in our school community. Observations (if possible during COVID restrictions) It is understood as our policy that any parent/guardian must be given access to his/her child(ren) at any time during operational hours. Observations may be through electronic means or from outdoor window during COVID restrictions. Special Events: Birthdays We honor each child’s birthday, but we do not celebrate with party favors, hats, or gifts. The primary classrooms have a special Montessori “Birthday Walk” where they hold a small earth and walk around the “sun” during group circle time. This represents the amount of years your child has aged. Your child’s teacher will invite you to participate through ZOOM & share photos of your child when they were born and at each year thereafter. If you are unable to, please provide photos for teachers to facilitate the birthday ceremony. Example: Sandra is turning 4, so she will be bringing a photo of herself at age 0, 1, 2, 3, and current. Celebrating Holidays and Special Events Community in its fullest calls for celebration! Meadows Montessori does not formally celebrate a specific holiday but encourage families to communicate with us any holiday that is important to you. We are proud of our multi-cultural student body and staff. We try to expose the children to as many celebrations that our enrolled families celebrate. If you would like to share your family’s traditions with Meadows, please contact your child’s teacher or administration directly. Special events are typically celebrated as seasonal changes occur at fall, winter, spring, and summer. Community Awareness (and Cultural Diversity) We provide global awareness and strive to evolve into a caring school community. Periodically we may ask parents to assist us in providing donations to local shelters to help the children understand the need to give to those less fortunate than themselves. Parent/Teacher Conferences, Holidays, and Vacation 1. Please refer to the most current copy of the Meadows Montessori calendar, provided to you as hard-copy and found on our website at www.meadowscenter.com.

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2. Additional holidays taken by Parent with child not coming to School should be communicated to School in advance, in consideration of activity planning. During child’s absence, continued payment is expected to maintain enrollment position on School’s roster. 3. Meadows Montessori will be conducting Parent/Teacher Conferences for Primary students only. Parents will be notified two weeks in advance of our bi-annual P/T Conferences when the School sends home a student/child questionnaire to be returned prior to conference date. Parents will be able to select a time slot for the conference day to meet over ZOOM with Lead Teacher. Proactive Behavior Strategies (previously known as Discipline Policy) Positive reinforcement is best to encourage behavior desired. The Montessori Peace Curriculum and Positive Discipline (by Jane Nelson) is our school-wide discipline protocol that Meadows Montessori implements. As part of Grace and Courtesy lessons given during instructional class time, role playing, and modeling appropriate behavior, teachers establish and maintain a respectful classroom atmosphere where the safety and well-being of all is given priority. “Freedom within limits” is the Montessori way to provide children ongoing ability to make choices in their daily routine and exhibit individual preferences in selection of activities. The teaching staff shall also re-direct a child into another activity or offer the “Peace Place,” addressing inappropriate behavior being displayed. Further, the staff shall use proper voice tone when speaking to the child in a calm manner while maintaining eye contact. The staff member shall always model appropriate behavior and have teachable moments where role-playing is demonstrated. If safety or welfare is compromised by one child to another child or the group, the teacher will firmly but kindly address the instigator about inappropriate behaviors and a Safety Incident Report will be written to inform parent (to be signed-off). If applicable, Accident Report will be sent written for injured child and sent home as well. We remind the child how to manage his own feelings and talk about the appropriate ways to show frustration, anger, sadness, or other negative emotions. We often demonstrate deep breathing techniques to calm down. If a child needs to be separated from the rest of the group for safety reasons, the staff member shall explain to the child why he/she is being placed away from the group in a calm, supportive manner. At no time shall a staff member use physical force on a child or place a child in isolation or withhold food/drink as a form of punishment.

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Mischief becoming Misconduct Learning appropriate classroom behavior and self-control is an important aspect of our Montessori educational program for ALL students. This learning process is varied and gradual. Positive reinforcement of desirable behavior and MODELING is most successful. When mischief becomes misconduct, a child demonstrating inappropriate behavior is gently and consistently reminded how to behave. If a child continues to have difficulty behaving or suddenly exhibits a change in behavior, communication to Parent is made so all parties can be made aware of the situation and work jointly toward correcting or modifying the inappropriate or unacceptable behavior. Inclusion Policy (Learning Disabilities & the Importance of an IEP) As children grow, they master developmental stages and move through what Dr. Maria Montessori called Sensitive Periods of development. Each stage provides building blocks for intelligence, morality, social/emotional health, and academic skills. At each stage, certain experiences are necessary. The Montessori learning philosophy offers appropriate developmental expectations and provides each child with the right mix of challenge, support, sensitivity, and stimulation. We are intentional when developing and execute daily lessons, prepared environments for each mixed-age classroom, and look specifically at each child as “a universe of one” with individual needs. Children with disabilities and those with special health care needs are welcome at Meadows Montessori. Every child is invited to participate and intentional planning for ways to help each and every child to be successful, regardless of his/her ability levels, is taken into serious consideration. Inclusion means inviting all children to participate in our Montessori program and intentionally planning for ways to help each and every child be successful, regardless of his or her ability levels. Maryland Montessori standards encourage our school to understand the individual needs of all children; value and appreciate individual differences; assist in providing experiences that build skills and confidence; understand, utilize, and share community resources; provide equal opportunities and rights for all; and build partnerships through collaboration. Learning disabilities are real and affect children in many ways. While the child develops and grows at his/her own pace within the school/classroom community, teachers diligently observe and document progress. Meadows Montessori aims to better understand, appreciate, and respond to the development of the unique characteristics of each child and to partner with parents to assess concerns. Through observation and descriptive data, the School collects information and shares with parents during ongoing conversations, conferences, questionnaires, and email correspondence.

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Administration welcomes a formal discussion whether a learning challenge appears mild or severe, or if parents have suspicions about, or records/diagnosis of, learning disabilities. If a child has been supplied with an IEP or a 504 Plan, parents are responsible to share that information with Meadows Montessori so we can best support your child and make reasonable accommodations to the best of our ability. Does your child have an IFSP/IEP? YES______ NO______ If yes, are you willing to share a copy of your child’s IFSP/IEP? YES___ NO___ Code of Conduct Parents must abide by the School’s policy concerning misbehavior and follow-through with School requests for child’s benefit. This may include sending the child home early for the day, suspending the child for a day or more, and/or seeking outside help/resources by specialists in a timely manner. Cooperation with the School to implement measures to help re-direct child’s misbehavior will be expected from Parents and communicated in a “Behavior Intervention Plan” (B.I.P.). After efforts to meet with parents and communicate expectations, failure to cooperate with the School and comply within the agreed upon time frame designated & signed-off on “B.I.P.” may result in child’s dismissal from the School ultimately. Please refer to the section “Mandatory Withdrawal Policy” on the signed Enrollment Agreement at the time of enrolling your child(ren) for additional reasons for immediate dismissal. Disenrollment Policy Communication between the Montessori teachers and the parents is crucial to the child’s success. The Montessori teachers will keep parents informed of a child’s disruptive behavior, either through an email, private meeting, or verbal communication by phone. If it appears that a child’s behavior is at a critical stage, the Montessori teachers and the Head of School will meet with the parents to collaboratively agree on a Behavior Intervention Plan. It is then that a timeline of goals will be planned to track if the needs of the child are being served. It is the responsibility of the parents to assist the child in developing self-discipline by complying with the school’s requests regarding follow-through at home within the stated and agreed upon time frame written in the BIP. If the parents choose not to cooperate in this process, or if the disruptive behaviors continue and if it becomes apparent that the child’s needs cannot be served through the decision of the parents, the School, or both, the parents will be expected to remove the child from the School. Financial obligations of parents to the School remain by the Child’s enrollment agreement. All fees incurred by the School in the collection of moneys due (including associated attorney’s fees or collection

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agency fees associated with School’s recovery of payments) will be the sole financial responsibility of the Parent. State of Emergency Event In a state of emergency event, parents are welcome to pick up child without prior phone communication, following recommendations of public service announcements. If School’s regular phone line is inoperative, another number will be activated. Please call 240-505-0604 in an emergency. Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness Please ask for a copy of the Emergency Response Plan for Meadows Montessori. We conduct monthly fire drills and bi-annual emergency preparedness drills. Clothing and Footwear At least one extra set of clean clothing is needed, including socks and underwear, appropriate for the season, labeled & maintained by the parent in the child’s cubby. Remember that Velcro and elastic waist bands are best at this age. Make sure that children are sent to school with appropriate clothing and footwear that are clean, appropriate for the weather outdoors, not distracting or difficult to handle independently by the child, and appropriate for outdoor play. If jackets/coats are sent with child to school, staff will ask for children to wear outdoors. If the child then becomes warm upon play and requests to remove jackets/coats, teachers will respect and honor the child’s request to remove. If Parent disagrees with this protocol, please communicate in writing to your child’s lead teacher and we will honor your request that child keep on outerwear. General articles of clothing and/or accessories that are, or may become, a safety concern or which contribute to disrupting the educational atmosphere of the Montessori classroom or the playground are restricted. Parents will be notified and appropriate attire will be communicated if this occurs. A pair of simple house slippers, with a sole, is required to be worn inside the Primary classrooms. Outdoor play The Maryland State Department of Education requires that we provide children with outdoor activities daily. We believe that children should spend time outdoors in all weather. The children will be kept indoors when the air quality index is “code red” or when it rains heavily. It is important for our children to engage in physical activity outside and inside to promote healthy growth and development. The children should always be dressed in expectation for playing outdoors with seasonally proper outerwear and attire. Send the child in warm boots when snow

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is on the ground in the winter. As warmer weather approaches, please send your child in with closed-toed shoes, not flip-flops or sandals. Please make sure that your child’s outdoor shoes do not have laces unless they are able to tie them without assistance. Personal belongings All belongings that that are not pertinent to your child’s physical or educational needs, or are a distraction, should stay at home. Please refrain from sending in backpacks, stuffed animals or toys. Label any belongings, materials or special containers. Meadows Montessori is not liable for any lost or damaged belongings. Nap We supply nap items; for hygienic reasons, do not bring stuffed animals. If your child naturally falls asleep, he/she will be awakened at 2:30 to prepare for dismissal at 3:00 if he/she is full-day or extended care. No pillows or blankets are necessary as we have cot covers. They will be sent home for laundering every Friday to be returned to us every Monday. There is a fee for your child’s cot-cover and it is yours to keep. Accident reports All accidents are reported in the form of an “Accident Report” completed by the child’s lead teacher or supervising staff member before or after the Montessori instructional day. A copy is made and original is given for signature by the guardian who picks up the child at the end of the day. The original copy is placed in the child’s personal records at school. A phone called is placed immediately to the parent of the child when there is a serious injury, a fever of 100.4 degrees or above, or within the same day if any sort of injury occurs above the shoulders. Toileting/Change of Clothes notices Occasionally, children will have toileting accidents. When this occurs, your child’s teacher will fill out a “Toileting/ Change of clothes notice” attached to a bag of the soiled clothing. The notice will explain how the toileting accident occurred, and what articles of clothing the child will need to be replenished back into their cubby. This is also the protocol for when your child spills any water or food on their clothing as well. Please label all articles of clothing and maintain in Ziploc bag inside cubby. Child Abuse The Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Childcare Administration expects that all members of our School be knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of child abuse, and report all cases of abuse to Child Protective Services if abuse is suspected. Professionals are required by law to report child abuse and neglect.

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Sick Days Children attending Meadows Montessori are expected to be in good health. During child’s illness and recovery period, continued payment is expected to maintain position on School’s enrollment roster; no credit will be given for days missed due to illness or recovery time. After a child’s uninterrupted three or more days’ illness, a doctor’s written verification of the child’s health must be presented before returning. The exception to this policy is regarding skin infections, rash, or oozing sores which may require longer exclusions and return of child is based solely upon approval of the Director, as indicated below. Illness Policy

Policy for Exclusion during Illness:

For an acute illness:

Monitor the student for signs and symptoms of an acute illness

Notify the student’s guardians or other designated person upon observing a sign or symptom of an acute illness

Provide temporary isolation for the affected child in a suitably equipped separate area within sight and hearing of an adult

Readmit a child after an absence of 3 or more days due to an acute illness, only after receiving a written statement from the parent or physician that the child may return to a regular schedule

For infectious and communicable diseases:

The school will immediately transmit to the health officer a report of the name and address of a child or a staff member who appears to be infected with a reportable communicable disease or who has been exposed to a reportable communicable disease as indicated in COMAR 10.06.01.03

The school will arrange for a consultation regarding health and illness issues with the local health department or with a licensed physician, and keep the name and telephone number of the health consultant posted by each telephone

We RELY on parents to inform us accurately and immediately upon a child’s illness so that we take measures to help all stay safe, monitor trends and watch for signs of an infectious disease emergency or outbreak. Notice of possible contagious illness goes out by Administration as reported by parents after consultation and confirmation of illness by a pediatrician. It is parent’s responsibility to inform Administration and our responsibility to notify other parents of communicable diseases such as strep throat, chicken pox, croup, conjunctivitis (pink eye), or hand, foot, and mouth virus. If a child has been exposed to head lice, please inform Administration immediately. If a child is sick with any symptoms listed below, please notify administration with exact symptoms. If a diagnosis is made of a contagious illness, Administration will promptly notify the entire school community via email.

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Meadows Montessori reserves the right to send home any child who might jeopardize the general welfare of the school. Children with any symptoms indicated below or who have been given symptom-relieving medication will be sent home. We must be advised when children are on medication and when they are taken off medication. Signs of illness in which a child should be kept home from school are listed below. Child must be fever-free for 24 hours prior to returning to School (and without being treated w/ fever reducing medications).

When a child should be excluded from school includes:

Armpit temperatures above 100 degrees or more and associated with behavior change (acting ill) or other signs of illness. If a child appears moderately ill with a fever, he should be referred for a medical evaluation

If the child is unable to participate in normal activities and staff members determine that they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of the other children in the group, exclusion is required. Children with fevers are usually less active and need to drink more to avoid dehydration.

When a child or family has been exposed to a harmful communicable disease

Vomiting 2 or more times in preceding 24 hours

Excessive Diarrhea if stool is not contained in diaper or if child is toilet trained and having accidents; for all children if stool frequency exceeds 2 or more stools above normal for that child or stools contain blood or mucus

Stomachache or nausea (2 hours or more in duration)

Headache

Productive/wet Coughing

Earache

Thick discharge from nose or eyes

Sore throat or oral lesions

Pale or flushed face

Rash with fever, skin lesions, infection of the skin, and/or oozing sores* (see additional info. below)

Red or pink eyes, drainage from the eyes

Loss of appetite

Loss of energy or decrease in activity

In case child becomes ill during the day, Parent will be notified and the best course of action will be determined, which may include the child being taken home. Child will only be released to persons other than Parent if their name appears on the signed Emergency Form. In case of emergency, a phone call will suffice as long as the person picking up the child shows identification.

*Any skin infection, progressive rash, or rash including but not limited to hand, foot, and mouth virus that results in oozing sores that scab over, the School reserves the right to

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maintain stricter standards in response to the child’s return which may require longer exclusions than stated in this handbook. Our goal is to prevent the spread of disease, to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the entire school, and do our best to prevent outbreaks from occurring. In cases involving skin infections, rash, or oozing sores, the child’s return date will be based solely upon Director’s approval, regardless of a doctor’s note.

If a child is absent due to illness for three (3) consecutive days or more, not due to skin infection, rash, or oozing sores, we require a written note stating that the child is well enough to return to a regular school schedule. A doctor’s note is best in this situation.

Situations that require Urgent Medical Attention

These conditions do not necessarily need EMS or ambulance transport if parent/guardian notification and transport to medical care can be achieved within an hour or so.

Any animal bite that breaks the skin

Venomous bites or stings with spreading local redness and swelling, or evidence of general illness

Difficulty breathing

Medication We must be advised when children are on medication and when they are taken off medication. Any medication to be given by the School must come in a clearly

labeled prescription bottle with child’s name and dosage information. Prescription drugs need a pharmacy label indicating instructions for dosage, and prescription or over-the-counter medications need a new Medication Authorization Form needs to be filled out each day. Parent, documented on form provided or in other written form, must first have given any medication to child. Whenever we are to administer any medication, including sunscreen, bug repellant, or ointment to your child, you must determine no adverse reaction by using at home first, and we must have a dated & signed notice (Medication Authorization Form) on file. If your child needs sunscreen, please apply before sending him to school. We are happy to reapply sunscreen in the afternoon. Medical Attention The School shall not assume liability for personal injury or damage to any person or property occurring on the grounds of Meadows Montessori, including parking lot, unless it is due to negligence. Parent gives express consent to the School to secure and provide any medical and dental assistance deemed necessary in the discretion of the School for child during a period when Parent cannot be contacted by telephone. Parent further agrees to assume complete financial responsibility for any and all medical expenses incurred on behalf of child under the above conditions. Parent agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless the School and its agents for any and all damages arising from medical

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conditions, both known and unknown, not directly caused by the School’s gross negligence. Payments – Monthly payments are due by the first day of each month. Invoices will be emailed prior to each invoice due date. Please remit payment inside the locked drop-box located in the left-most corner on the wall to the left of the fish tank. We also offer debit card and credit card payment service. All credit card payments will include a 2% convenience fee. Any questions regarding your invoice or payment should be directed to TJ Seoni, President of Meadows Montessori. He can be reached at tj@meadowscenter.com.

Scheduled drop-in care is available on a space available basis and is billed at the end of each month at the rate of $12.00 per hour. Unexpected Additional Care If the child is dropped off before or picked up after the agreed time, per Enrollment Agreement, an additional charge of $1 per child will be made per each 1 minute interval which will be invoiced separately from tuition. Payment is due on receipt of invoice.

Late Payments If payment is not received by the 5th business day of the month, including all late charges, the School shall have the right to withhold all services for the child and parent. A charge of $5 per day will be assessed on all late payments. If payment is not received by the 6th business day of the month, child will not be accepted in care and this agreement shall be immediately terminated. The School will require Parent to pay immediately the full amount owed which has not been received, and any other costs and expenses incurred enforcing this Agreement. Parent agrees that if this matter has been turned over for collection to any collection agency or attorney, Parent shall be responsible for all collection agency and/or attorney fees. There will be a $25 processing fee for any returned checks for non-sufficient funds. Notice of Cancellation after Spring Re-Enrollment Parent understands and agrees to assume full responsibility for entire financial commitment as stated above unless cancellation of this agreement is received in writing on or before July 1st. Parent also understands that, in the event of cancellation, the non-refundable registration fee will not be returned. Withdrawal When written letter of intent to withdraw is received from July 1st through the remainder of the enrollment year, this notice will take effect on the first day of the next calendar month (Effective Date); sixty (60) days from the Effective Date, the child will be considered voluntarily withdrawn (Withdrawal Date).

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Child’s enrollment will be considered reserved during the sixty days between Effective Date and Withdrawal Date regardless of the child being immediately removed by Parent for any reason. Parent is responsible to pay any additional balance due immediately. Parent also understands that initial registration fee is non-refundable and will not be returned in the event of cancellation.

Mandatory Dismissal Policy The School may temporarily exclude a child from receiving care or permanently terminate a child’s enrollment as follows: * Parental failure to abide by School policies and/or this Agreement * School’s program is not meeting developmental or special needs of the child and/or the child is not benefiting from the program as determined by Administration * An account that is past due for fifteen days and/or disregard of payment/tuition policies * A pattern of late pick-up as determined by Administration

* Health or behavioral reasons on the part of the child * Conduct of a parent, guardian, or a child that Administration in our sole and absolute discretion determines is disturbing or threatening to the well-being, safety, or stability of the children or staff. *Non-compliance of the Enrollment Agreement or Parent Handbook

Infant and Pre-Primary Department (COVID)

Infant Program 8:30 – 5 PM 1:3 Ratio, up to 6 infants ages 3 – 23 mo. Our program for infants is based on respect. In order to be respectful, we must also be responsive and have a reciprocal relationship with the infants in our care. We accomplish this through building basic trust with each infant. We provide quality time, when we are fully present and involve infants in all things that concern them. We believe motor development should be allowed to occur naturally; therefore our program does not support the use of any apparatus that confines infants and prevents their freedom of movement. Babies are never propped into sitting positions or otherwise placed into positions that they are not yet able to get into on their own. Quality of movement is sought over time frame and will develop according to each child's inner schedule. Faster is not always better. Each stage is honored and respected when it occurs. We believe in the infant human being and invest the time to build a total person. Our goal is to help raise authentic infants who are competent, resourceful, curious, confident, secure and happy.

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Sleep Infants will be placed on their backs to sleep. Sleep times are determined by your child’s needs, based on the sleep information you provide and careful observation of your child for signs of tiredness. Meadows provides crib sheets for cribs, we ask that you consider using a cot at 12 months old and above. Infants under 12 months old are provided specific crib assignment and at no time are cribs shared amongst the infants. (The only exception is in case of a real emergency evacuation or practice fire drill.) Sheets are laundered daily, or immediately if they become soiled. Cot covers are sent home on the last day of the week for you to wash and return. Feeding As in sleep, your child’s needs dictate their feeding schedule. We do ask that you provide a current schedule on or before their first day of attendance to help guide us in meeting their needs. In order to show respect and value in the relationship we are building with the infants in our care, we feed in groups at the table, sitting in chairs. All infants are provided a refrigerator bin labeled with their name for storage of perishable foods. We request that any milk or formula needed for the day’s feeding come to us prefilled in bottles marked with your child’s name. After feeding is complete we will rinse out the empties and return to the refrigerator bin. Water bottles will be refilled with filtered water. We will collect all empty bottles, containers, and uneaten foods at dismissal each day. Opened food items will be removed from bin daily. *Note: Breast feeding mothers are welcome to come and feed during the day in a private space, if your schedule allows. Please let us know if you plan to do so. All young infants are fed in the providers’ lap. Once an infant can sit independently and without aid, they are placed in chairs at the low table for mealtimes. Please keep in mind that finger foods are the best choice. This will promote self-feeding and skills of independence, which they will use as they prepare for the eventual move to the Pre-Primary class. Diapering/Changing Each infant is diapered with respect and consideration. We believe it is each infant’s right to know and participate in all routines concerning them. Infants are spoken to during the changing process and are told what is taking place with their bodies. Changing therefore is not done to them, as much as with them.

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When the infant can stand steadily, we will change diapers standing up rather than on the diaper changing table. Parents are asked to provide diapers, wipes and any ointments, creams or powders that are needed to be applied to the diaper area during changes. Please note that a signed permission slip is needed in order for Meadows staff to apply any ointments or creams to your child. We ask also that at least two changes of clothing remain at school for any changing needs. Play The moments of the day not used for the routines of care giving are free times for your child to move and explore on the floor. A supply of toys and items to manipulate and interact with are always available. Infants are doing important work during these free times; they are learning cause and effect, problem solving and social skills. They are strengthening their muscles physically and mentally in preparation for the future. Play is inner-directed and non-goal oriented. Play provides a natural outlet for a child’s experiences in the environment. Recommended Reading: Your Self Confident Baby, By Magda Gerber Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect, By Magda Gerber Touchpoints, By T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. Respecting Babies: A New Look at Magda Gerber’s RIE Approach, By Ruth Anne Hammond Last Child in the Woods, By Richard Louv Authentic Relationships in Group Care for Infants and Toddlers – RIE Principles by Stephanie Petrie and Sue Owen Pre-Primary Program 8:30 – 5 Ratio 1:3, 9 children ages 18 – 36 mo. -OR- Ratio 1:6, 12 children ages 24 months and older The Pre-primary curriculum is designed to meet the specific developmental needs of the ever-inquisitive toddler. It is our belief that children learn best by doing; therefore, the environment is set-up to allow maximum participation in classroom life. From the skills of personal care such as buttoning, zippering and snapping which lead to independent dressing, to self toileting and hand washing. The responsibility of care of self is practiced daily, as well as the skills necessary

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to care for the classroom environment, whether sweeping, and mopping up spills or the care of classroom plants and pets. The materials on the shelves offer a wide variety of choices to allow students to practice decision making by choosing independently the “work” that calls to their Sensitive Period from Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Art materials. Practical Life All intellectual work requires the ability to focus, concentrate, complete sequential steps and persevere in one’s work. This is learned during practical life exercises. Periods of time spent concentrating on these tasks also lead a child to feel calm, competent and satisfied. It is the foundation for all other work and leads to success in other areas of study. Sensorial Children are naturally sensorial explorers. The materials are designed for the education of the senses. They are simple in design in order to allow the child to observe, reflect and refine their senses. Early Math Skills Counting, sorting, 1-1 correspondence activities; exposure to music, & picture books are ways to introduce the concept of mathematics at this young age. Language The sensitive period for language is from the womb to 6 years of age. At the age of approximately 2 ½ there is an explosion of language. In the toddler class, children absorb language through stories, songs, and the naming of things in the environment. Our program is rounded out with music and plenty of opportunities for gross motor experiences. Lunch /snacks We have a microwave and will heat up lunches if they are in a microwave safe container. (Note- Only Pre-primary and Infant Rooms have the option of heating up lunches) No need to send utensils in the Pre-primary class, as many children accidently toss them out with the trash. We will supply disposable utensils. Please refrain from sending bottles or sippy cups. Children at this age are eager to learn and will drink from an open cup if given the chance.

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Whole Milk will be supplied at lunch for 12 month old children and 1% Milk for preschool – kindergarten age students, except for children with dairy allergies. Please supply an alternate milk product. Snack is provided by Meadows twice a day. Water is always available. One of the life skills we work on is grace and courtesy, therefore children are expected to be seated at the table when eating or drinking. Toilet Learning Learning to use the toilet is a major step for your child and one of stress for many parents. Please be assured that we will work together on this process. Toilet learning is begun when the child is ready both physically and emotionally. This will be based on agreement between school and home. Please take note: no pull-ups, onesies, belts or overalls for school. Children are learning independence. It is best to use elastic waist pants. Dress for success! Please try to eliminate tie shoes for school as they do not promote independence at this young age. Recommended Reading: Your Self-Confident Baby, By Magda Gerber Dear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect, By Magda Gerber Touchpoints, By T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. Respecting Babies: A New Look at Magda Gerber’s RIE Approach, By Ruth Anne Hammond Last Child in the Woods, By Richard Louv Highly Recommended books for Primary Families to read: -How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin and Vanessa Davies -Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child by Maja Pitamic -Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six by Lesley Britton -Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori -The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori -Discovery of the Child by Maria Montessori

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-A Parent’s Guide to the Montessori Classroom by Aline D. Wolf -Nurturing the Spirit: In Non-Sectarian Classrooms by Aline D. Wolf and Joe Servello -The No-Cry Discipline Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums, and Tears: Foreword by Tim Seldin -Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason by Alfie Kohn -No Contest: The Case Against Competition by Alfie Kohn -The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and "Tougher Standards" by Alfie Kohn -The Montessori Way by Tim Seldin and Paul Epstein