The 0rientation session is usually held during the first two weeks of August. Notice of any schedule change is done no later than June 30. Attendance at orientation session is mandatory for all students. The following excerpt from the Parent handbook has a more detailed explanation.
for parents…
Over the years I have been a Montessori teacher, I have had an opportunity to experience more than one parent orientation. The most beneficial are those taking place before the child begins to attend the pre-school. Therefore, you as parents or guardians will be the first to go through orientation! There are three very good references for parents to help them understand just what takes place in the Montessori environment: two copies of Montessori & Your Child, A Primer for Parents are available from our school’s Parent Resource Center. It is a quick read, therefore available on an overnight basis. The other materials are copies of The Normalized Child and What Is Montessori Preschool that provide you with a little background on the purpose of the materials you see on the shelves of a Montessori classroom. These books are given to you at time of registration and yours to keep. In August and again in September, just prior to the start of school, there will be a scheduled weekday evening where we adults [both of the parents and the teacher(s)] can get together. At these meetings you will have an opportunity to return the emergency information cards, to meet the parents of the other children and consider the “opportunities” listed on the parent-volunteer sheet. This evening will also be an opportunity to form highly recommended carpools.
for children…
Whether this be your child’s first pre-school experience or just transferring to Medina Montessori as the new school, it is important that the transition be child centered on an individual basis. When your child is enrolled for the summer schedule, orientation for all new students is a major part of their summer curriculum. Should you enroll your child after mid-August, the first week of school in September will be reserved for orientation to new surroundings, a new adult, and to new peers in this young one’s life. The times allotted provide for a gradual introduction to a group environment that promotes nurturing the social and academic growth of the child for years to come.
Summer Schedule:
New Students: On your child’s 1st day: 1. your child will stay no less than one hour 2. plan to stay with your child for this entire time 3. please bring the items listed following this schedule:
On your child’s 2nd day: 1. your child will stay for a minimum of 1 ½ hours 2. plan to remain with your child for no more than 5 minutes 3. be sure to bring that backpack!
On your child’s 3rd day, your child will stay for the full class time.
Returning Students: Normal arrival routine and class-length attendance
Fall, Winter Schedules: The Orientation procedure is the same as written above.
Personal Essentials:
As children arrive on their 1st morning, they will receive their first lesson…changing into indoor shoes. They will choose a space on the shoe-rack and a ‘briefcase’ for holding all their daily work. They will be the ones to place their names on them. The following items will satisfy the need for an unforeseen change of clothing and for the personal grooming that will be a part of the curriculum known as Practical Life. Things to bring on the 1st day should include: • a complete change of clothes including underwear and socks • a spare sweater/wind breaker • a hat with a visor • a pair of soft-soled ‘indoor’ shoes • a toothbrush in a hard plastic case • a hairbrush or comb(in a small zip-lock bag) • a small soft cuddly animal • a small backpack(for treasures we find/make each day) • Label everything!
A very important day of the week is sharing day. During the school year, our sharing day is Tuesday, and though it is sometimes very hard to do, please keep sharing items 1. related to our sound of the week 2. or as educational as possible (rather than commercial) 3. Size is important. A good rule of thumb is: “If it’s too big for the sharing basket, it’s too big to bring to school.”
There are always exceptions to any rule, please feel free to check with me if your child has something really neat but also big—we will be able to make space available to store it after sharing is over.
