Early morning arrival. The Early Hours program starts at 8:00 am. If a greeter is not available, park the car and bring your child to the Early Hours program.

Occasionally, parents who have not enrolled in the Early Hours program will need to bring their student to school before classes start. This is an accommodation that we extend for unusual circumstances and we charge a small fee.

Students who are scheduled to arrive at 8:35 but arrive between 8:20 and 8:35 because they came with a sibling or in a car pool, will stay in the Early Hours program until class time. There is no fee under these circumstances.

Arriving early for the afternoon session. Students arriving in the afternoon are expected to wait until 5 minutes before the classroom opens:

Late arrival. It is important that children arrive on time, as the beginning of the school day sets a tone for the classroom. Children who are rushed and arrive late may not be in the right frame of mind to begin their activities. We ask for your cooperation in ensuring that your child has the opportunity to begin his/her work at the start of class. Parents should not enter classrooms or disturb teachers once the day has begun. If you arrive after your designated arrival time, and there is no greeter available, please park your car in a designated parking space and walk your child to the office. Your child will be escorted to the classroom. This will minimize the effect on both your child and the rest of the class.

NOTE: All parking must be on the school grounds. Under no circumstances should cars be parked on the streets in the adult community behind the school.

Dismissal. Dismissal times vary depending on the program your child is attending and when or if he or she has elected to participate in after school activities. The regular dismissal hours are:

After School End of class - 6:00

Please be prompt when picking up your children, and note the various dismissal procedures:

For half day and full day dismissals, drive up to the beginning of the entrance sidewalk with your windshield name card displayed. A greeter will notify the teacher of your arrival and a second greeter will bring your child to the car with their tote bag.

No student will be placed in a vehicle that has not been registered with the school. Each car will be identified by the car sticker affixed on the windshield. If you are using a vehicle that is unregistered and/or does not have the car sticker affixed, you must park and go to the school office for identification purposes.

For after school pick-up, please park in the designated area and come to the school office. Your child will be brought to you.

NOTE: All parking must be on the school grounds. Under no circumstances should cars be parked on the streets in the adult community behind the school.

Late pick-up. Parents who arrive 10 minutes after the regular pick-up time must go to the office, even if your child is outside in the playground. Your child will be in our Lunch program or our After School program, depending on the time of day. There is also a fee for this accommodation.

Early and Special Dismissals. Should your child leave before the regular dismissal time, the parent must give a signed and dated note to the greeter at the beginning of the day. Telephone calls to rearrange plans are not allowed, except in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, notify the office as soon as possible. Under all circumstances, come to the office to pick up your child, even if your child is outside on the playground. Guardians, other than parents, who are unfamiliar to staff, will be asked to show proof of identity, even for those listed on emergency contact forms.

New students attending Children's House will start classes before the rest of the school. "Phase- in," which is the actual start of school for new students, is a process designed to help young children separate gradually from the parent or care giver as they begin their first school experience or move to another classroom. The length of the first days may be shortened; a parent may be asked to wait in the building or some other accommodation may be made to meet the needs of an individual child. There will be no Early Hours or After School programs on these days.

Children who are very young and who are leaving home for the first time may experience separation problems. This is a normal reaction. Sometimes gentle assurances by Mom or Dad that everything is okay and that you will be returning is enough. Parents also need to be aware that they may be experiencing separation anxiety also. If you are insecure or hesitant about leaving your child at school, your child will sense this and may be insecure as well.

Our phase-in period is tailored to meet the needs of each child. A phase-in schedule is sent before the start of school. Patience with your child's adjustment is important to his/her long term happiness at school. Children will be guided to leave their parents as soon as is appropriate. When that time comes, we ask that you leave quickly with a reassuring "See you later, I love you."

Parents who linger add to the child's stress, especially if they are seen nearby. Be assured that your child will be treated with sensitivity and warmth. The teacher will stay with your child until he/she is ready to join the group or work in the class.

Parents are invited to visit the school at any time. We have a closed circuit monitor in the office where you can observe each of the classrooms. We request that you limit your observation time to 10 minutes. This will allow ample time for most purposes. Should you wish to observe longer or to observe inside the classroom, we will schedule a time that best suits you, the school and your child. It is helpful to remember that children do not always act the same when their parents are watching them; therefore, observations are not true indicators of a child's progress in a group. Visits serve more to give you a feeling for the day's activities and the varied choices your child may make. Please sit quietly as you observe the class in operation. To minimize disruption to the class, we request that you do not move around the room, try to work with your child, or engage the teachers in conversation. We hope your observation will enable you to better understand the Montessori philosophy and curricula, and your child's response to the prepared environment.

Conferences are scheduled once each year for Early Childhood and Primary parents. Parents are expected to participate, as they should for all activities that connect the school to the child and the parent.

We request that children not be brought to the conference so that you can have a thoughtful discussion with your child's teacher. Please arrange for child care as children cannot be unattended at the school.

On a daily basis, teachers are more available at the end of the day's session rather than as children are arriving for the day. If there arises a need to speak with your child's teacher, please send a note or call the office with a message. Teachers will return your calls as quickly as possible. Our teachers are as interested and concerned as you, but they are not always able to respond when their attention must be on all the children in the class or when others are able to overhear. Additional conferences may always be scheduled during the year.

Conferences serve not only to keep parents informed of their child's progress, but also to keep teachers abreast of family changes or parents concerns. All conferences are confidential between the school and parent. Remember to let us know of any temporary changes to the child's life that may affect his/her enjoyment of the day.

General. At Children's House, everyone is expected to dress simply and appropriately for school in washable clothes that are neat, clean, and in good condition. Clothing should be easy to pull on and off so your child may function independently. By avoiding suspenders, belts, sandals and one-piece body suits, you make it easier for your child to participate safely in all the classroom activities.

Shoes. All Children's House students go outside most days. Appropriate shoes for school are sneakers or other casual shoes that may get dirty. Clogs, party shoes, or open-toed sandals are not appropriate for safe outside play. Please send an extra pair of shoes to wear inside the school, which will be left in your child's cubby (please label the shoes with your child's name). Inside shoes should be plain slippers or sneakers. These shoes help keep our inside environment clean and allows the student an opportunity to put their shoes on independently.

Extra Clothes. Students in Early Childhood and Primary classes should be sure to have a full set of extra clothing, including two pairs of socks and underwear. Please put all items in a plastic bag labeled with the child's name. Should your child not be wearing the same clothes worn to school, please be sure to request the soiled clothes to take home for cleaning. If your child is still in diapers, please keep a week's supply at the school at all times. This way, your child will always wear the brand that fits your child most comfortably. Please label all clothing and the diaper bag with your child's name.

Outdoor dress. Each day children will have the opportunity to be outdoors. Please send students to school with appropriate outer garments, depending on the day's forecast. Please avoid dresses and other clothing that are inappropriate for physical activity, especially on the child's gym days.

Role models. Children's House does not permit or promote violent/combative TV heros (Spiderman, Power Rangers, Pokemon, Power Puff, etc.). We ask you not to send your child with clothing, backpacks, shoes, costumes, or lunch boxes with these characters on them.

Children staying for lunch should bring food and drink that are nutritious. Planning ahead with your young child to prepare the lunch together can be a wonderful activity to share. Older children can be expected to take on this responsibility. Because we don't heat lunch, you may send warm lunches in an insulated container. Please do not send soda or candy. With respect to our environment all food should be packed in recyclable containers and drinks in thermoses or reusable containers (no juice boxes, "lunchables," or tube yogurt). We will encourage your child to finish what you send with them and return anything uneaten at the end of the day. The children will not be sharing their lunches.

Snack time is an integral part of our Practical Life curriculum. It is a learning experience that teaches grace and courtesy. Parents are encouraged to participate in this process by bringing healthy snacks or food, which we will use in that day's lesson. This would include fresh fruit, vegetables, popcorn, eggs, crackers, etc. Sign-up sheets are available in each classroom at the beginning of the school year.

Due to the severity of some children's allergic reaction to peanut butter, we request the parents' cooperation in creating a "peanut butter and nut free" environment.

Children in the Early Childhood programs who stay with us for the full day may need to nap. The children will be encouraged to do so in a quiet room set aside for that purpose in the afternoon.

Nappers need a sheet and blanket, which should be labeled. The sheet and blanket must be cleaned weekly. The children who nap may not use a pacifier or bottle. Nap time "cuddles" (stuffed animals, blankets) are allowed.

A few times a year the school may arrange to take the Early Childhood and Primary students on field trips to places of interest related to the curriculum. Permission slips will be distributed in advance and must be returned for a child to go on the field trips. Parents will be asked to help by driving, and we will need a copy of their driver's license and insurance certificate before the trip.