ADMISSION
The administrator, assistant administrator, or the Board of Directors reserve the right to deny admission to any child to the Montessori School of Cheyenne .
TERMINATION OF ENROLLMENT
The staff or Board of Directors reserve the right to withdraw a child's placement in the school. In the event a child's placement is terminated prior to the end of a month, the balance of the month's tuition shall be returned. In the event the family decides to leave the school, we request a month's notice. We are unable to give refunds in this situation.
FIELD TRIPS
The school attempts to offer out-of-school field trips. These trips expand your child's experiences and provide a welcome addition to in-school learning. Since we realize that children mature at different rates, the staff will determine which children are of an appropriate behavior level to attend field trips. Parents of other children are invited to attend field trips with and provide supervision for their children. Occasionally, there may be an admission charge or other cost for a field trip not included in your child's tuition.
FUNDRAISING POLICY
The school is funded by tuition and fundraising only. The school has a requirement of fundraising per child and is part of the enrollment agreement.
- $25 per month up to $250 per school year for the first child.
- Each additional child is $75 per year.
- Alumni/Summer children are $75.
This requirement runs the school year. September 1 through August 31. Goal amount is based on money raised for the school; not retail sold. There will be a minimum of four fundraisers a year, one being held each quarter. The annual spring fundraiser (Silent Auction) does not count towards each family's requirement.
MSC also participates in the following fundraisers:
- Box Tops for Education
- Albertson's Community Partner's Card
- Office Depot School Support
PARENT VISITS AT THE SCHOOL
Parents are welcome to visit the school to observe their children.
PARENT HELP IN THE CLASSROOM
Classroom teachers can always use help with their class. We encourage parents to become involved as volunteers.
REST AND GOOD DIET
Rest and proper diet are very important for your child. Our staff can provide suggestions in these areas, if necessary. Children need a good breakfast to do their best work. Lunch menus will be available on the kitchen door. Your child will nap in the early afternoon until the staff determines that the child can maintain in our program without a nap. This is a very individual matter and, therefore, we do not determine the need to nap just by the child's age.
NAPPERS
We ask that nappers bring a blanket, pillow and waterproof bag to hold these items. Please mark your child's name on each item. These items will be in each child's classroom on Friday to be taken home for washing. It is important that weekly washing be done in hot water with liquid bleach.
PARENT AND STAFF COOPERATION
Our school does not take the place of the parent, but continues the work done by the parent. The goal of both the parent and the staff is to give our children the ability to be happy, useful human beings. Our staff strives to guide the children in as gentle a manner as possible, hoping that our children will mimic this gentle behavior. Our staff is available to suggest parent follow through at home to continue this more gentle form of discipline. When used consistently at home and school, this often can lead to a child who wishes to be well-behaved more often and who responds to non-violent guidance.
NEWSLETTER
Each classroom regularly publishes a newsletter to provide parents with information and keep them informed of important events.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The Montessori School of Cheyenne expects its children to follow three simple rules at all times:
• Authorities (administrators, teachers, assistants) are to be respected. This means that children are to follow the leader's instructions when asked to do something or not to do something.
• Other children are to be respected. This rule has two implications:
• Children will keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves. (No hitting, kicking, poking with anything, etc.)
• Children will respect and therefore not interfere with each other's work and each other's opportunity to learn.
• School materials are to be respected and used in the proper manner.
BEHAVIORAL RUBRICS
• Works independently
• Helps others resolve conflicts
• Is respectful
• Complies with requests from adults
• Works independently
• Works quietly
• Is respectful
• Responds when asked to do something
• Is able to work out conflicts
• Is able to change behavior when requested.
• Works with an adult present
• Behaves acceptably on line when close to an adult
• Is able to change behavior when requested while adult is close by
• Is unable to change behavior when requested
• Disrupts class – vocally or physically
• Uses inappropriate language
• Disrupts line
• Disrupts others work
• Is a danger physically to self or others
• Is rude to adults or children
As we are a school with the goal of providing an environment that promotes self-directed learning and discovery, we have an obligation to minimize chaos. If a child is repeatedly disruptive and disrespectful to the point of denigrating others' opportunities to learn, we will call you.
EXTREME BEHAVIOR (Biting, Scratching, etc.)
Although these types of behaviors are age appropriate…the safety and well-being of our children is our #1 priority. When these behaviors become extreme the following actions will occur:
- Parent/Teacher communication regarding the behavior and what steps can be taken to resolve the behavior.
- If extreme behavior continues, the child will be asked to leave for the remainder of the day and may return the next day. If the behavior occurs following their return, you will be contacted and the child will need to be removed for the remainder of the day.
- When we feel we have made every attempt to help your child refrain from the extreme behavior, the child will be asked to leave the school and you will need to find other childcare.
TUITION
The tuition schedule is listed in the handbook addendum which should be found at the front of the
handbook. Questions regarding tuition should be addressed to the Administrator or Assistant Administrator. Tuition is subject to change per Board resolution and notification of parents.
YEARLY CALENDAR
Our school is open year round, except for several holidays. Refer to the front of the handbook for the days the school will be closed. Changes will be posted on the front door.
BIRTHDAYS
We celebrate birthdays with a simple Montessori ceremony. The month of your child's birthday we will send a letter to you about treats, pictures, etc. for your child's celebration. If you are having a party for your child we ask you to mail all invitations and thank you notes. This will help to eliminate hurt feelings for those not included in the party.
ROSTER
A complete list of addresses and phone numbers of all the children will be available for each classroom. If you do not wish to have your address and/or phone number published, please let us know and we will not include it.
SNOW DAYS
Inclement weather/”Snow Days” are those days when Laramie County schools and/or government offices are closed. The final decision to open or close the school will rest with the Board of Directors and/or the Administrator and will be based on the ability of staff to safely get to the school. Parents should be aware that even if the school is open, staffing and programming will be seriously limited and, therefore, we request that parents who are home from work voluntarily keep their children home, if possible. Additionally, the opening of the school may be delayed if roads are such as to delay the staff arrival. Closures of the school will be announced on radio station KFBC AM 1240. No refunds will be given for days or portion of days when the school is closed due to inclement weather. If schools and offices close early due to weather, parents are asked to pick up their children as soon as possible so that our staff and children can get home safely.
TORNADO/EMERGENCY SHELTER
In the event of a tornado, the staff will be notified by their weather radio.
PARENT WORK DAY
To maintain a quality program, parents are asked to do volunteer work at the school. Parent work days will be scheduled once or twice a year on weekends for doing needed repairs and giving the school a facelift. (approximately 4 hours of work per family) If you have special talents or abilities you wish to donate to MSC, please notify the Director. If you are unable to attend the scheduled parent work days a $50 fee will be assessed.
IMMUNIZATION
Our school requires that you provide proof on the state form of up-to-date immunizations prior to admission of your child to school. Immunizations are required to be kept current on the school form.
ILLNESS
Parents are asked to keep sick children home. We ask that parents watch for flu symptoms, diarrhea, fever, rashes, sore throat, chicken pox, vomiting, etc. and not expose other children and staff. Children are required to remain out of school for the standard suggested time for all contagious illnesses (24 hours from beginning an antibiotic, or 24 hours without a fever). Additionally, we are not medically staffed and, therefore, do not have staff to clean up small children with severe diarrhea or vomiting, even if of non-contagious origins, or to care for convalescing children. If you suspect your child to have strep throat, contact your physician or the City/County Health Unit for a throat culture. Please see the Sick Child Policy section. Our staff will notify you if your child needs to be picked up due to illness. We realize that this causes an inconvenience for parents, however, we believe removal of sick children is necessary for the continued well-being of MSC children and staff.
MEDICATION
If your child is required to take medicines, you must sign the medication in on the clipboard in the middle room and tell your child's teacher. Medicines are kept on top of the first aid cabinet in the middle room. If they need to be refrigerated, place them in the compartment in the door of the refrigerator. All medicines must be labeled with the child's name and be in the original container. We will do our best to give your child medicine at the appropriate time. However, it is sometimes very difficult to give it at the exact time needed. If it is important that your child receives medicine at an exact time, please make sure that you can administer it yourself. If your child is sick, please remember that he needs to be fever-free for 24 hours. Children also need to be free from vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. We need your help in preventing the spread of contagious illnesses. We all miss fewer days when sick children are kept at home until they are not contagious. We really appreciate your compliance with this policy.
MEDICATION POLICY
• Medication must be prescribed by a licensed health care professional, or those available over the counter, for which written instructions are given.
• Medications must bear their original prescription labels or a manufacturer's label and must be in a safety-lock container.
• Medication consent form located on the kitchen door must be completed by the parent or legal guardian.
SICK CHILD POLICY
The following are excluded from care:
• Any child who cannot participate in a regular child care program due to discomfort, injury or other symptoms of illness may be refused care by the provider.
• A facility serving well children may not admit a child who has the illness/symptoms specified below:
• Diarrhea, when it is:
• Due to disease spread by fecal contamination or when the child is under the care of a physician
• Accompanied by evidence of dehydration or fluid loss, identified by sunken eyes or poor skin elasticity
• Accompanied by abnormal stools with blood or mucous
• Accompanied by a history of poor intake or unusual drowsiness
• Continued beyond three or four days unless the child is under the supervision of a physician with written documentation that it is safe to readmit the child for care
a. Skin rashes, excluding diaper rash, lasting more than one day
• Swollen joints or visibly enlarged lymph nodes
• Elevated oral temperature
• Blood in urine
b. Severe pain or discomfort
• Two or more episodes of acute vomiting within a period of 24 hours
d. Difficult or rapid breathing
e. Yellowish eyes or skin
f. Sore throat with a fever or severe coughing
g. Untreated head lice
h. Untreated scabies
i. Children suspected of being in contagious stages of chicken pox, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, or diphtheria
• Skin rashes, excluding diaper rash, lasting more than one day
• Children with the following symptoms should be excluded from day care unless they are under the care of a physician, and the physician has approved in writing their return to day care.
4) Other conditions may be determined by the Administrator on an individual basis.
STAFF/BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our staff is well trained and has been selected because of the Board of Director's belief that they can provide a quality learning environment for our children. If you are concerned by the actions or behavior of a staff member, the Administrator should be notified. A list of current staff members, Administrator and Board of Directors is available at the school. The Board of Directors is elected from the parents of children attending MSC.
GUM/POP/CANDY and GUNS
Children may not bring toy guns, pop, candy, or gum to the school. We discourage your child bringing other toys to the school because we can not be responsible for loss or damage to these treasures, except for the teachers' designated show and tell day.
SUNSCREEN
Parents should apply an appropriate waterproof sunscreen to their children before school. The staff will reapply throughout the day as needed. Donations of sunscreen are always appreciated.
EXTRA CLOTHES
Please keep an extra change of clothes, labeled with your child's name, at all times. Accidents do happen and the child will feel more comfortable if he/she has his/her own clothes to change into.
DONATIONS
A list of needed items will be posted. Before getting rid of items, please check with our staff to see if it might be a treasure for our school.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher conferences will be held once a year. During these conferences, the child's progress will be discussed. Parents and teachers should remain in contact at other times as concerns and questions arise. We request that parents limit calls to staff during class hours to a minimum so our staff may be available in the classroom. Our staff will be happy to set up time for phone or in-person consultations during non-class time.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS
On a regular basis, we will post items which are in particular demand at the school, in hopes that parents will donate these items and help our budget a bit. The following items are ALWAYS in demand and we would appreciate them at ANY time!
bleach
paper towels
toilet paper
Kleenex
dish soap
sunscreen
white washcloths
any item you can envision as having “craft potential”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS:
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE!
In the operation of the Child Nutrition Program, no child will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. If you feel you have been discriminated against, write immediately to the: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington D.C., 20250
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