Montessori Shreveport

Here is the Montessori School for Shreveport Parent Handbook.

New Information

• Labor Day – The school will be CLOSED next Monday, September 6, for the Labor Day Holiday.

• The Journey through the Environment – The Journey is Saturday, September 11. All parents, especially those new to the school or those who have students moving to a new level next year, prospective parents and any interested friends are encouraged to attend this seminar.

***Remember*** When you attend the Journey, you can receive credit for volunteer hours!!
Please print out and return your reservation forms to the office by Tuesday, September 7. Forms are also available in the office.

• Half Day – Friday, September 10, will be a half day so that teachers can prepare for The Journey. The school will close at noon. Extended care will not be available.

PLEASE NOTE the following CARPOOL PICK UP TIMES for Friday, September 10: Toddlers and Pre-Primary: 11:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Elementary and Middle School: 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon

• News from the Outdoor Classroom – MSS has a NEW recycling service provided by Hughes Recycling. Hughes Recycling offers this service to schools at no charge. MSS families living outside city limits may drop off recycling at the east end of the teachers’ parking lot. Contact Mr. Jon if you have any questions about sorting recyclables. Contact Michael Hughes at 318.286.1369 to find out how you can set up recycling service for your business.

Always welcome and appreciated: Bagged grass clippings and leaves, coffee grounds and egg shells (left in the carton works well), and uncrushed aluminum cans – our students like to crush them! Please leave these in the trailer at the east end of the teachers’ parking lot.
We also save reusable boxes. Stop by the office if your family can use some boxes. Check the website for ways to earn volunteer hours while supporting Outdoor Education. Thank you!

• Lunch Bunch – Another easy way to earn volunteer hours is by helping out on Lunch Bunch days. Volunteers are needed to help set up the food for the classrooms. If you are interested, please sign up on the form on the bulletin board outside the office. Questions? Contact Kecia Vekovius at kecia@pcnetoffice.com.

Friendly Reminders

The Board of Trustees will meet Monday, September 13, at 11:15 a.m. at the school. All interested parents are invited to attend.

New Information

The Journey Through the Environment – The Journey is the school’s most comprehensive parent education seminar, focusing on Montessori philosophy, materials and techniques at each program level. All parents, especially those new to the school, prospective parents and any interested friends are encouraged to attend this seminar on Saturday, September 11. A schedule and registration form are attached. Please mark your calendar and plan on joining us.

The Board of Trustees will meet Monday, September 13, at 11:15 a.m. at the school. All interested parents are invited to attend.

Art Classes – A registration form for After School Art Classes with Denise Dews is attached.

Back to School Night – Please make childcare arrangements for your children so that you can join us for Back to School Night, next Tuesday, August 31, in the Elementary Art/Music Room at 6:30 p.m. (Childcare will not be available at the school.) After a brief orientation, you will then be able to go to your child’s classroom to get further acquainted with the teachers and other parents of children in the classroom.

Volunteers needed for Back to School Night – Please contact Rachel Thomas at her email if you can help:

• 2 people to help set up at 5:45 p.m.

• 2 people to help clean up.

Friendly Reminders

Reminder for parents of children with food allergies – If your child has food allergies, please pick up a Food Allergy Action Plan form from the office, if you have not already done so. Return it to the office as soon as possible. We maintain a copy in your child’s file and in your child’s classroom.

Drop Off Reminders – Please remember that only toddler and pre-primary students who are enrolled for early care may be dropped off prior to 8:00 a.m. All other toddler and pre-primary students may go to their classrooms beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Please remember not to park and leave your car unattended in the carpool driveway at any time. This is a fire lane and must be kept free of parked cars. Please park in the parking lot when coming in to drop off or pick up your child.

Montessori T-shirts and Tote Bags – Our new t-shirts are here.  They are in the office.  Instead of taking pre-orders, we have a limited number for sale in each size.  We will re-order as the need arises.  The Tote Bag is the same color as the t-shirt.

Youth Shirts are $10

• Youth X-small (2-4)

• Youth Small (6-12)

• Youth Medium (10-12)

Adult Shirts (Small – XL) are $12

XXL-XXXL $13

Tote Bags are $10

“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.”

Dr. Maria Montessori

Welcome to the 2010 – 2011 school year! We will email weekly notes on Wednesdays to keep you informed of school activities.  You can also check our website at www.montessorishreveport.com

New Information

• Monday, August 23, 2010, is the first full day of school for all children.

• Please remember not to park or leave your car unattended in the carpool driveway at any time. This is a fire lane and must be kept free of parked cars.  Please park in the parking lot when coming in to drop off or pick up your child (even during early and late care).

• ·Packets – Each family should receive a Back to School packet.  If you do not have your packet, please come by the office to pick it up.  This is the folder that contains your carpool number.  Please be sure to read everything in the packet.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office – 861-6777.

Note: Also, please remember that your child’s immunizations must be up to date and that copies of immunization records, birth certificates, and social security cards must be on file in the office.

• Lower Elementary Parent Orientation – Parents of first year students (and parents of second year students new to Lower Elementary) are invited to an orientation on Thursday, August 19, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Lower Elementary Building. We will discuss the changes your child will be experiencing in his/her transition to a new classroom and new grade level.   We will also discuss the Montessori Method at the elementary level and the child’s new developmental stage.  Finally, we will discuss the overall goals for our students in lower elementary.

Child care will be provided for this presentation for those parents who need it.  Please contact the office ASAP and let us know if you will need child care.

• Back to School Night – Please make childcare arrangements for your children so that you can join us for Back to School Night, Tuesday, August 31, in the Elementary Art/Music Room at 6:30 p.m. (Childcare will not be available at the school.)

After a brief orientation, you will then be able to go to your child’s classroom to get further acquainted with the teachers and other parents of children in the classroom.  This will be a great opportunity to meet our new families and to gather information from those whose children are returning to the classroom.

Friendly Reminders

• Carpool – Many of our new and younger students are making a transition during our first few weeks of school.  In order to help normalize them more quickly, we ask that our parents make use of our carpool system.  Thank you for making this time easier for the children. 

• Daily Schedule – Please follow this schedule for arrival and carpool pick up time. Promptness is important, as children who arrive late can miss important activities or information.  This schedule also helps to decrease traffic congestion in the school driveway.  Any variations to this schedule will be published in these weekly notes.  A charge of $1.00 per minute (with a minimum of $5.00) will be assessed for early arrivals or late pick ups.

• Please note: Parents who have siblings in both Elementary and Pre-Primary or Toddlers need to arrive no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and need to pick up promptly at 3:00 p.m.

Arrivals

7:50 – 8:05 AM Elementary and Middle School  children arrive.

8:00 – 8:15 AM Toddler and Pre-Primary children arrive.

Pick Ups

11:30 – 11:40 AM Half day Toddler and Pre-Primary children leave.

2:30 – 2:40 PM Full day Toddler and Pre-Primary children leave.

3:00 – 3:10 PM Elementary and Middle School  children leave.

July 23, 2010

BATON ROUGE – Louisiana families are reminded to retain receipts as documentation for back-to-school items that might be eligible for the Louisiana School Tuition and Expense Tax Deduction.

The deduction applies to 50 percent of the cost of eligible items, up to $5,000 per student.

Eligible expenses include:

• Elementary and secondary school tuition
• Purchases of school uniforms required by the school for general day-to-day use.
• Purchases of textbooks, curricula, or other instructional materials required by the school.
• Purchases of school supplies required by the school

.

Homeschooling expenses are eligible as well.

In order to claim the deduction, you must be able to claim the student as a dependent on your Louisiana Individual Income Tax Return.

Deductions for eligible expenses paid during 2010 can be claimed on state tax returns due by May 16, 2011.

More information is available at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/schooldeduction.

Dear Parents,

Greetings!  I hope you are enjoying your summer.  We are making preparations for the upcoming school year and would like to share the following information with you.

SUPPLY LISTS and SCHOOL CALENDAR: Please see our website links  for the school calendar and the elementary and middle school supply lists. Also, check the website regularly for new information that will be posted about events and activities at the school.

DAILY SCHEDULE CHANGES:  In order to make better use of our classroom time we are adjusting our daily start and dismissal times.

Elementary and Middle School Morning Arrival:………………………..7:50 – 8:05

Toddler and Pre-Primary Morning Arrival:………………………………..8:00 – 8:15

Toddler and Pre-Primary Afternoon Dismissal:………………………….2:30 – 2:40

Elementary and Middle School Afternoon Dismissal:…………………..3:00 – 3:10

*Toddlers and Pre-Primary students with siblings in elementary will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m.

TUITION PAYMENTS: Automatic debits will be made on the 10^th of each month beginning August 10^th. Semi-annual and annual payments are due no later than August 10^th.  You will receive a statement via email by August 1, 2010.

EXTENDED CARE ENROLLMENT: If you would like to add or change your extended care, please contact the office by Tuesday, July 27^th. Please see the attachment for a list of those currently signed up.  Changes can be made again in early December for the second semester.

CLASS INFORMATION: Moving to a new level is a big change for children and parents.  I know that parents are anxious to know which class their child will be in and I truly appreciate the importance of this decision.  We have learned that waiting until the end of summer to make final classroom placement decisions is in the best interest of the children.  There are usually several changes in enrollment during the summer due to family moves and we can make a better decision when we know with greater certainty how many students we are placing.

We will make every effort to find the best spot for your child.  We spend a lot of time considering many factors.  Your child’s teacher will work closely with administration to ensure we meet your child’s needs.  We want to make the best possible choice for each child we place. Thank you for your patience.

Children that are moving to a new classroom will have an opportunity to meet their teacher during the week of August 9^th – 13^th. Your teacher will call early that week to schedule your appointment.

OPENING DAY: Opening day will be Monday, August 16, 2010.

Toddler and Pre-Primary

The toddler and pre-primary (“preschool”) children will be phased-in during the first week of school, August 16^th – 20^th.  We will only offer child care for students returning as 4-year-olds or kindergarteners.  Please notify the office if you will need this service.

Elementary and Middle School

All  elementary  and  middle  school  children  will  attend  school  on August 16^th from

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with extended care if applicable.  Please note the new arrival and dismissal times above.  Elementary and middle school students will be tardy after 8:05 a.m.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: Please make childcare arrangements for your children so that you can join us for Back to School Night, Tuesday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. in the Elementary Art/Music Room.  After a brief general meeting, you will then be able to go to your child’s classroom to get further acquainted with the teachers and other parents of children in the classroom.  This will be a great opportunity to meet our new families and to gather information from those whose children are returning to the classroom.

I hope this information is helpful.  Please call should you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Angie Day

Get a look at the year to come

For your convenience, the following link will take you to the required school supplies for the upcoming school year

Supply Lists 10-11

To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

New Information

• KUWW Carnival – Thank you to everyone who helped with the carnival, to those who attended, and to those who donated to the cause.  The carnival raised $640.00, half which will be sent to The Humane Society and half to Chimp Haven.  Thank you for your generosity and hard work.

• Last days of school – Please refer again to the information previously sent home.

End of the Year Program – Tomorrow, Thursday, May 27

The program will be tomorrow night, Thursday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Performing          Arts Center at Caddo Magnet High School. 

Program Rehearsal Information for

Elementary and Middle School Parents:

Please call or come by the office if you did not receive a permission slip for your child to attend the End of the Year Program rehearsal at Caddo Magnet High School tomorrow morning.

Elementary One Students:

These students will practice at the high school from 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. and will then return to the school.  If you are driving for this level, please be at Montessori at 8:30 a.m.

Elementary Two Students:

These students will practice at the high school from 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. and will then return to the school.  If you are driving for this level, please be at Montessori at 9:00 a.m.

Middle School Students:

These students will need to be at the high school at 9:45 a.m. and will stay until the end of the rehearsal.  If you are driving for this level, please be at Montessori at 9:30 a.m.

Evening Program:

That evening, the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and should end between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. It will begin with a brief (approximately 10 minutes) business meeting of the Corporation, where new Board Members will be elected and other business addressed. The children will then perform.

This is a fun and exciting event for the children. Some choose to dress up and others dress casually.  Either is appropriate.  Note: Although the toddlers do not participate in the program, they are welcome to come and watch siblings and friends in the other levels.

Pre-Primary Students:

Please bring your child to the high school at 6:20 p.m. that evening.   The children will meet in the choir room to the left of the doors of the Performing Arts Center.  Teachers will be available to receive your child at 6:20 p.m. The teachers also request that you take your child to the bathroom before he or she comes to the choir room. Parents, then please look for signs in the auditorium that will indicate where you should sit.  The children will leave the stage after they sing and will head to that area to sit with you.

Elementary One Students and Elementary Two Students:

These students need to be in their assigned places by 6:15 p.m. After the elementary students perform, they will return to their assigned seats in the auditorium.

Middle School Students:

These students need to be at the high school by 6:00 p.m.

End of the Year School Half Days – Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28

Thursday, May 27, and Friday, May 28, will be half days.  Carpool will be from            11:30 a.m.  -  12:00 noon.  Extended care will be available until 5:30 p.m. each                day for those who usually participate.

End of the Year Classroom Parties – Friday, May 28

The Pre-Primary and Elementary classrooms will have their End of the Year Parties on Friday, May 28.  C1 – C4 will celebrate from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and elementary students from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.  You may take your child home after the party.

• Summer Sessions – Toddler and Pre-Primary payments are due the first day of each session.  Fees for elementary sessions are due on or before the first of the month. Invoices for your summer sessions are being mailed today.

* Please note that there will not be carpool pick up during the summer.  Please park in the parking lot and come into the school.

• Balance on Account – If you have an outstanding balance on your account, please pay the amount owed by this Friday, May 28.

• Parent Service Hours – Please remember to return your parent service form by this Friday, May 28.

Friendly Reminders

• Special Thanks –

To all the parents who have donated, helped, volunteered, and given moral support to the school this year.

To Nadean Tanner for her work on yearbook.

To Leslye and Rob Gilchrist for the informative newsletters.

To the Parent Group Committee for their thoughtful and tireless efforts to enhance our school community.