GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Accidents
Although we try to avoid them, accidents do occur. In most cases minor first aid at the school is all that is required. When serious injuries occur, the parent or designated person is contacted and informed of the need of emergency medical attention. In the event of an emergency where we are unable to make immediate telephone contact with the parents or guardians, we will call for an ambulance and accompany the injured child to the hospital.

Arrival and Dismissal
Please ensure that arrival and dismissal times are adhered to as closely as possible. Montessori By The Sea offers before and after school care for students if necessary. Extreme tardiness is disruptive to both the teachers and the other students, and should be avoided.

When leaving your child, it is essential that your attitude be a positive one. The teachers will greet you and your child, and if your child is uncomfortable, we have found that it is best to kiss your child and make a quick departure. You may call at any time to check on you child. In addition, each parent in the Primary class will receive a password at the beginning of the year for our web-cam to see updated pictures of the classroom.

Please remember that Morning Half-Day children should be picked-up promptly at 12:00 noon, the Afternoon Half-Day and Full Day children are to be collected promptly at 4:30 p.m., and children signed-up for After Care must be picked up promptly at 5:30 p.m. We emphasize the importance of collecting your child at the designated pick-up time applicable to your child. A continual disregard of this rule is unfair to both the playground supervisor and your child, and will result in the loss of this privilege. In addition, please refer to the 'Fees and Billing Procedures' section of this handbook to see the additional fees due for late pick-ups.

In order to allow each child a sense of independence, your participation in the arrival and departure should be brief. Please note that these are not appropriate occasions for parent-teacher conferences. At these times especially, the teachers need to focus their attention on the children. You may schedule a conference with your child's teacher at any time you feel necessary.

Please remember to close the door securely when coming into and leaving the school!! This is for the safety of all of the children.

For the protection of your child, Montessori By The Sea will not release students to someone unknown to us without oral or written authorization. An up-to-date list of persons with permission to collect your child should be in his/her file. Please notify us immediately of any changes. (BACK TO TOP)

Attendance
Attendance is taken daily for our records for the Cayman Islands Education Department. Unless ill, your child is required to attend school everyday in order to receive maximum benefits from his/her school experience. Please notify the school if your child is to be absent for an extreme period of time. (BACK TO TOP)

Birthdays
We will honor your child's birthday and welcome parents' participation. Parents may choose to send a special, healthy snack in honor of their child. If you are planning a party, we can assist in putting together a list of your child's friends. If you would like to plan a party at the school, please let the teachers know at least two weeks in advance. Party bags are welcomed if they have appropriate (no guns, candies, etc.) goodies inside. (BACK TO TOP)

Classroom Organization
Both the Toddler and Primary classrooms at Montessori By The Sea have mixed-age groups. Dr. Montessori observed that children learn at their own pace. Most children do not work at one level in all subjects. Children are born teachers as well as learners. In the mixed-age classrooms, children work together to help one another learn. They benefit from the teacher's guidance as well as from each other. By helping a younger child, an older child develops leadership skills. Younger children benefit from the additional one-to-one learning experience. (BACK TO TOP)

Clothing
For the 2002/2003 school year, uniforms will be optional and will be mandatory after that. Uniforms will be available at the school. If you choose not to purchase a uniform for your child for this school year, please dress him/her in washable, lightweight, clothing that can be easily managed in the bathroom. Avoid clothes that have difficult fasteners for your child to manipulate as they merely frustrate children when they need to go to the bathroom ad often cause unnecessary accidents. They should wear comfortable shoes with rubber soles. At times, the children will be outdoors observing, manipulating, exploring and discovering, and may get dirty. Please dress them accordingly.

All children MUST have a complete set of clothes to change into at school. This is necessary if a child has a bathroom accident or for any other mishaps that may occur. In addition, each child must bring a pair of slippers to keep at the school to wear indoors. Please remember to label all articles of clothing that your child brings to the school. If your child misplaces something at the school, please ask to see our 'Lost and Found' box. (BACK TO TOP)

Daily Schedules
The following schedule is a child's typical day in the at Montessori By The Sea. (BACK TO TOP)

Diaper Bags
In the Toddler Program, please ensure that a diaper bag accompanies your child to school. Within the diaper bag, please have the following: at least two sets of complete clothing; a full supply of wipes; at least eight diapers. Please replenish your child's diaper bag supply daily. When your child is toilet-training, please be sure that you send him/her to school with at least five changes of clothes and underwear. (BACK TO TOP)

Discipline
The Montessori classroom is democratic. Rules for behaviors are shared, classroom policies and procedures are explained and discussed. Our children follow these procedures to the degree that their developing intellects allow -- with a sense of self-discipline and initiative.

The following measures shall be taken in disciplinary actions: positive example by the teacher; redirection; time-out to think about his/her actions, followed by a discussion with the child about the behavior; removal of a privilege; notify parents about the behavior. (BACK TO TOP)

Emergencies
Parents will be contacted immediately in the event of an emergency. It is crucial that all emergency contact numbers and information are kept up-to-date in your child's file. If a parent cannot be reached, the school will use the emergency information in your child's file. (BACK TO TOP)

Field Trips
Field trips are an essential supplement to the Montessori curriculum. Field trips will be planned for the students throughout the year to enhance their knowledge of several subjects. All field trips will be announced in advance, and each child must have a signed permission slip to participate. Parent volunteers are especially welcome. (BACK TO TOP)

Fire Regulations
Fire drills are held regularly throughout the school year. (BACK TO TOP)

Head Lice Policy
If you discover that your child has head lice, please contact the school immediately. All nits must be removed before the child will be allowed back in school. This policy will be strictly enforced without exception. Regular checks for head lice are made. If head lice are found, parents will be required to pick up their child immediately and begin treatment. When a case is detected, all parents will be notified. (BACK TO TOP)

Health Policy
Before your child is to commence school, an updated copy of his/her immunization record must be submitted. In addition, children who will be four or older when commencing school, will be required to get a complete health exam (physical). Dates will be given out to see the Public Health Nurse, or if you prefer, we will get you a form and you can take your child to his/her own physician.

If your child has any allergies or health-related problems, please be sure to make a note of it on his/her application form and health questionnaire. If your child needs to have any medications administered at school, it must be signed in at the school, properly labeled and handed in to one of the teachers. Please do not leave medications with your child or put them in his/her lunch.

Your child should not be at school if he/she is experiencing any of the following symptoms: temperature (98.7 or higher); cough; discolored and/or an extreme amount of nasal discharge (unless your child has a chronic condition such as sinusitis or an allergy, which has been verified by a physician); diarrhea; vomiting; sore throat; lethargic behavior; head lice. In the event that your child has a fever, he/she should be fever-free for twenty-four hours before returning to school. While we understand that many parents work, these precautions protect your child as well as the other children in the school from infection.

If your child appears to be sick at school, he/she will be removed from the classroom and taken into the office. At that time, you or another responsible adult (as indicated on your child's application form) will be called to take him/her home. You are expected to pick up your child as soon as possible.

Following is a list of contagious diseases and the length of time it takes for the child to recover to act as a guideline for you. All parents will be informed of any communicable diseases within the school community through notices posted on the bulletin board. If you require any further information, you can contact the Cayman Islands Public Health Services at 244-2648 or see the health binder located in the office.

Before a child is accepted back into school after having a contagious disease, the school requires a written note from the doctor stating that the child is no longer contagious. (BACK TO TOP)

Holidays
Montessori By The Sea will include as many multicultural holidays in our curriculum as possible. If you and your family celebrate a specific holiday, please feel free to share it with us so that we can incorporate it into our program. (BACK TO TOP)

Lunch
Nutrition is taught in each class and we believe it should be reinforced in the child's home environment. Children should be encouraged to help pack their own lunch, choosing foods from the different food groups. This will reinforce the importance of nutrition in their daily diet. (BACK TO TOP)

Please note that there is a severe peanut allergy at the school that could result in the child being hospitalized if exposed to anything containing peanuts. We therefore ask that parents not send anything with peanuts in it to the school. This includes: peanut butter sandwiches, peanuts, peanut butter cookies, etc. Foods such as chocolate bars, candies and soda, which are high in sugar content or artificial additives, are not allowed.

Your child's name should appear on the outside of his/her lunch box. Necessary utensils should be included with the lunch. A snack for extended hours might also be included. (BACK TO TOP)

Naps
There is a scheduled rest period after lunch, in a tranquil setting with continued individualized care, where your child can take a nap if so desired. (BACK TO TOP)

Newsletters
Informative newsletters will be sent out monthly to keep parents up-to-date on the activities at Montessori By The Sea, and any other pertinent information. (BACK TO TOP)

No School Announcements
Inclement weather necessitating school cancellation will be announced on Z-99, Radio Cayman, I.C.C.I., and Heaven 97. Please note: the school will be closed in the event of 'Hurricane Warnings'. Please listen to the radio or call the school if you are uncertain.

The school will also be closed in the event of any unforeseen circumstances that may occur, making the environment unsafe for the children to be in. (i.e. flood within the school). (BACK TO TOP)

Observations
We welcome parents to observe our Montessori community in operation. This will increase your appreciation of the Montessori method of education and will answer many questions about your child's day at school. There is a half-hour limit. Please understand that when there is a new adult in the environment, the dynamics of the classroom change. When observing, please join us quietly, have a seat and enjoy without disrupting the children's activities. Be as unobtrusive as possible. Guidelines will be given to all observers that must be followed in order for you to gain the maximum benefit from your visit. Please note that the Toddler class is not open for observations, as this is too intrusive for them. However, the school does have an open door policy, so feel free to schedule a time to talk with your child's teacher if you have any questions. (BACK TO TOP)

Probation Period
The first four to six weeks of school are a probationary period for all new students. If, after or at any point during this time, the teacher feels a child is not yet ready for school, the parents will be informed and the balance of tuition will be refunded. (BACK TO TOP)

Re-Enrollment
At the end of December 2002, re-enrollment forms will be sent to all parents of students currently enrolled in the school. After the due date, enrollment is open to new students. We cannot promise there will be a space for continuing students not re-enrolled by the due date. (BACK TO TOP)

School Directory
We encourage families to give permission to have their child's name, address, e-mail address and telephone number published in the school directory for inner school use only. The directory will be available to the respective families in September. The option to be in the school directory is given to families at the time of enrollment. (BACK TO TOP)

Sharing
Sharing or Show and Tell is encouraged at the school. Items brought from home should be of an educational nature, such as books, memorabilia from trips, cultural artifacts, nature materials, or things that are special to your child (NO TOYS, PLEASE). Items are shared during group time and put away during class work periods. (BACK TO TOP)

Sunscreen
Because of the dangers of the sun's rays, sunscreen should be applied on your child's body before he/she leaves for school. Please be advised that it is your responsibility that sufficient sunscreen be applied to your child as you know his/her sensitivity to the sun best. (BACK TO TOP)

Teachers
Certified Montessori professionals supervise each classroom. Teachers must complete a rigorous training program, which includes coursework in the Montessori philosophy and early childhood development. Additionally, they are as a group, enthusiastic and dedicated educators who are committed to meeting the needs of each child in their class. (BACK TO TOP)

Toilet Training
In the Toddler Program, we will aid in your child's process of toilet training. It is especially important during this time that communication between the school and the home environment is open. Please dress your toilet-training child in clothing that is easy to manage on his/her own. This helps to facilitate your child's independence and sense of achievement. (BACK TO TOP)

Toys
Toys are NOT allowed at the school at any time. We do however, encourage children to bring in books to share with their friends. (BACK TO TOP)

Withdrawals
Your tuition agreement contract constitutes a commitment to pay all tuition and fees for the entire school year. If for any reason, your child's enrollment is discontinued before the end of the year, you are required to give Montessori By The Sea one-month written notice, and you are responsible for one month's tuition. (BACK TO TOP)