2015/2016 Parent Handbook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Goals and Objectives of Steppingstone Montessori School
History of Steppingstone Montessori School
Montessori Approach
Admission Requirements
Curriculum
Classroom Limits and Discipline
Line Time
Dress
Transportation of Children To and From School
Drop–Off of Children
Pick-Up of Children
Carpools
Illness/Absences
Medication
Unscheduled School Closing
Contacting Your Child’s Directress
Visiting The Classroom
Snack
Birthdays
Progress Reports, Parent Teacher Conferences, Student Records
Field Trips
Holiday Celebrations
Show and Tell
Children’s Work
Parent Involvement
Outdoor Play
School Communication
Tuition
Re-Enrollment
Affiliation and Registration
Parent Declaration Page
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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF STEPPINGSTONE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Welcome to Steppingstone Montessori School!
We are honored that you have chosen Steppingstone Montessori School for your
child. We believe that the years from birth to six are the most important in life. These
years truly are the "formative" years.
We believe that you, as parents, and the environment you create at home are the
strongest influences in your child's life. Our goal is to assist you in your work as parents
by sharing Dr. Maria Montessori’s insights concerning child development. The school is
committed to broadening your child's world as well as helping each child go about the
work of creating themselves.
The activities at the school are designed to foster creativity, competence, selfawareness, and awareness of others and the world in which we live. The children’s
activities are also structured to promote love of learning, self-motivation, self-esteem,
persistence of attention, inner discipline, and ordering of the child's environment.
The staff of Steppingstone Montessori School believes that in order for these
goals to be realized, children must be allowed to be themselves within an atmosphere of
trust, freedom, order, and responsibility. We are pleased to be your partner in this
educational adventure.
The following outlines specific policies of our program. Please take time to read
the Parent Handbook carefully. As always, any comments or questions you may have
regarding our program and/or policies are welcome.
HISTORY OF STEPPINGSTONE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Steppingstone Montessori School was established as a privately owned, nonsectarian school in 1988 by Diana Gorski, Donna Johnson, and Lineke Zuiderweg. In
1989 Diana Gorski and Donna Johnson became co-owners of the school. Beginning in
2009 Donna Johnson became the sole owner of Steppingstone Montessori School. In
2010 Paula Folinazzo became co-owner of the school.
In 1988 the school began offering half-day, traditional Montessori programming
for 3 to 6 year olds, (Children’s House). Parents chose either the morning or afternoon
program. 1995 saw the expansion of programming to include 2 year olds with the
opening of a Toddler Program. In 1999, Steppingstone Montessori began offering
Parent/Infant classes. As of 2008 our Toddler Program accepts children ages 24 months
through 36 months. Beginning in 2009 an Extended Day option (8:30-3:30) was opened
for 3-6 year olds. Before and After School Care for 3-6 year olds was offered starting in
the 2011 school year. In the 2015/2016 school year Steppingstone Montessori School
expanded its Toddler Program to include Extended Day and Before and After School
Care.
Steppingstone Montessori School opened as an American Montessori Society
Affiliate Member; subsequently Steppingstone Montessori School applied for and gained
Full Member status with the American Montessori Society. Along with this certification
Steppingstone Montessori School is registered with the Illinois Board of Education. Our
Toddler Program holds an additional license through DCFS.
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MONTESSORI APPROACH
The Montessori Method of education is based on the observations and discoveries
of Dr. Maria Montessori. She was the first woman physician in Italy, graduating from the
Royal University of Rome in 1896. From her many years of observation of children she
began to design activities that would help the individual development of each child.
Given a carefully prepared learning environment, children work toward perfecting their
concentration, inner control, and will. A Montessori program is an individualized
program designed to help each child reach his or her fullest potential.
The Montessori materials are designed to help develop concentration,
coordination and independence, as well as give good experience with academic concepts.
The classroom environment allows the child to develop his or her social skills and an
awareness of others in a natural and unrushed way. Montessori education is “education
for life.”
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Children new to the school, entering the Children’s House Program (3-6 year
olds) must be 3 by September 1st. Children entering the Children’s House program
should be potty-trained. No pull-ups are allowed in the Children’s House. Children
entering the Toddler program must be 24 months of age. Toddler program students need
not be potty trained. Transition to Children’s House from the Toddler Class is at the
discretion of the Toddler Directress and the Education Director. In most cases children
enrolled in the Toddler Class will remain there for the entire academic year and transition
to Children’s House the following academic year. Depending on readiness, some
Toddler students may be asked to begin their next academic year in the Toddler Class and
transition to Children’s House later that year.
Steppingstone Montessori School follows the guidelines of the Lake County
Health Department for childhood vaccinations and well-child testing. Children not
complying with these guidelines must have a note on file from their doctor stating the
reason for non-compliance. Religious reasons must also be documented. Unexcused noncompliance may result in removal of the student from school until all records are
complete.
CURRICULUM
Parents can choose half day or full day options for their children. Extended Day
and Before & After School care are available. Montessori education aims to assist your
child in developing an awareness of reality as he experiences it in himself, in others, and
in the world around him. The children are engaged in activities from the following
categories:
Perceptual Motor Development
Sensorial
Mathematics
Outdoor Play
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Language
Science
Music
Art
Practical Life
Geography & Social Sciences
Movement
Yoga
In all interest areas, the children are encouraged to choose their own work.
Special importance is placed on allowing children to move at their own pace. Generally,
presentations are made by the Directress to children on a one-to-one basis or to small
groups of 2-3 students.
Typically, Children’s House Programs meet 3 hours each day. Children are
engaged with large group activities for a maximum of 30 minutes per day. The most
important part of the children’s day is spent during Individual Work Time lasting 1½ to 2
hours each day. The remainder of the children’s day is spent outdoors, weather
permitting.
The Toddler Program offers age appropriate activities in the above mentioned
areas. Additionally, the Toddler Program offers a variety of activities designed to meet
the specific developmental needs of children ages 24 through 36 months. The typical
Toddler Program day lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. The children are engaged with group
activities for a maximum of 20 minutes per day. Individual Work Time lasts
approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The remainder of the children’s day is spent
outdoors, weather permitting.
The Extended Day Program allows children the opportunity to spend a longer
time at school enabling them more uninterrupted time on projects of interest. Extended
Day is open to children 2 through 6. All 2 and 3 year olds enrolled in Extended Day are
admitted on a probationary basis. Specific guidelines and policies for the Extended Day
and Before and After School programs will be given to parents of those enrolled. Please
contact the Business Office if you are interested in enrolling your child in Extended Day
or Before and After School programs. Before and After School Care is also open to
children ages 2– 6. Occasional Care is offered to 3-6 year olds on an as needed basis.
We require 24 hour notice and payment is due at the time of service. Please call the
office for more information.
CLASSROOM LIMITS AND DISCIPLINE
The use of corporal punishment is strictly prohibited. In general, your child’s
Directress will use re-direction, conflict resolution strategies, natural consequences, and
time outs (not to exceed 1 minute per year of age in length) as discipline tools.
Classroom limits comprise three basic areas: respecting the environment, respecting each
other and respecting ourselves. A more detailed discussion of classroom limits and
consequences is offered at the Curriculum Night meeting in October. All disciplinary
measures in the classroom are meant to encourage the development of will, selfdiscipline and social responsibility.
LINE TIME
A small part of each school session is reserved for line time. The class comes
together as a whole to sing, share, and discuss topics of interest. Line time also provides
an opportunity for movement and silence games. We believe this time is important to
develop a sense of community and to foster self-discipline.
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DRESS
Comfortable and simple play clothes are the most appropriate for school wear.
Clothing that fosters independence helps the child become self-sufficient. Clothing with
large buttons and buttonholes and easy zippers help pave the road to success. Children
working on mastering toileting skills should be sure to wear pants with elastic waist
bands.
The children engage in many activities that may cause their clothing to become
dirty. Please keep this in mind when your child dresses for school. Art activities,
including painting, are available to the children every day. Additionally, the children
play outdoors, even in muddy weather. The children may get paint, mud, grass stains, etc.
on their clothing. Montessori philosophy and method stress the development of autonomy
and self-direction in children. As such, after an initial presentation of an activity, the
children engage in the activity on their own. The role of the Directress then is as
observer. The Directress and Assistants make a conscious effort to refrain from
correcting the child while he is engaged in a particular activity. If warranted, the
Directress will re-present the activity to the child at another time stressing the particular
aspect that the child needs to be successful with the activity. For instance, The Directress
may re-present how to put the painting smock on properly so that the child will not get
paint on their clothing.
Each child should bring one complete change of clothing, (don't forget underwear
and socks) in a backpack daily. The change of clothing should be placed in a plastic
bag with the child's name on it. If your child needs a particular item of clothing not
found in his/her backpack, the school will lend the child the item for that days use.
Please launder the item and return it the next day your child attends school. Parents of
children needing school clothing will receive a notice indicating which item was missing
from the child’s bag, please make sure to restock your child’s bag.
The school has limited amounts of extra children’s clothing. To encourage the
timely return of school clothing, a $5.00 charge will be automatically assessed for
clothing not returned within 5 school days. This charge applies even if the item is
returned after 5 days.
Children will also need a pair of slippers with non-slip soles. The slippers should
be plain with no commercial or cartoon characters on them. Ballet slippers are suggested.
Please do not send crocs or clogs as they are slippery. Children will change into the
slippers daily when entering the classroom.
All clothing, slippers, hats, coats, gloves, boots, etc. should be labeled with
your child's name. This is most helpful to the staff when trying to determine which
child belongs to a certain piece of clothing.
Toddler children should include diapers with the change of clothes if necessary.
The clothing will be kept at school in a bin labeled with your Toddler’s name.
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TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL
The responsibility of transporting children to and from school is the parents'.
Parents should follow the parking lot traffic flow plan provided by the school. All drivers
must exercise extreme caution while driving through the lot. Please advise other
authorized persons about the parking lot procedures.
Children will be released only to persons authorized by the child's parents. You
must send a note if someone other than an authorized person will be picking up your
child. In Children’s House, families will be assigned a pick-up number which must be
displayed on the car's visor during pick-up time.
A copy of any child protection order or special custody order in place that
prohibits a parent from having contact with a child must be on file at the school. The
school will follow such orders.
Staff members are prohibited from releasing children to authorized persons who
are obviously under the influence of drugs or alcohol when coming to pick up a child. If
such a situation arises the child will be brought back into the building and the following
steps will be taken.
1. The intoxicated person will be informed by staff members that the child
cannot be released and that another authorized person will be contacted to
pick up the child. The intoxicated person will be asked to leave the premises.
2. The police may be called to assist.
DROP-OFF OF CHILDREN
Children’s House students are brought into the classroom by Steppingstone
Montessori Staff. Drop-off time for children in the Children’s House is from 8:30 - 8:45
for the morning session, and from 12:30-12:45 for the afternoon session. Children will
not be received before these times unless they are enrolled in the Before School Care
Program. If you find it necessary to drop off your child before these times, a $10.00 fee
will be charged. The staff will keep a written record of early drop-offs. You will be
billed at the end of each month.
To ensure the safety of the children at drop-off time please have your child readily
accessible through the rear passenger door of your car. Staff members will not cross into
the parking lot to unload children from the driver’s side. If you are unable to reconfigure
your car seats please park your car in a designated parking spot and escort your child to
the sidewalk area. Staff members will bring your child into school from this point.
Parents are asked to stay in their cars and allow staff members to unload children.
Please place your car in the PARK position while your child is being taken from the
car. If you have a stick shift, please place your car in NEUTRAL and apply the parking
brake. Please allow staff and your child to step onto the sidewalk before placing your car
in drive.
Every effort should be made to arrive at school on time. Late arrivals are
disruptive to the class and unfair to your child. If your child is consistently late coming
to school, your child's Directress will ask to meet with you to assess whether a different
school session may better meet your child's needs. If you arrive after 8:45 a.m. or 12:45
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p.m., please park your car and escort your child into the classroom. Children should not
be allowed to enter the classroom by themselves.
The Before School Care Program begins at 7:00 a.m. Parents should park and
escort their child into the 3–6 classroom. We are unable to receive children before
7:00 a.m. Parents will be asked to sign their child in upon arrival. After signing in,
please make sure to say goodbye to your child. A short kiss and hug should suffice. The
children will be responsible for getting themselves ready for the day. We ask that parents
refrain from helping their child with his/her coat, shoes, etc. Parents also need to refrain
from lengthy conversations with other parents and/or staff at arrival.
Toddler Program children will be brought to the classroom by parents or
caregivers at 8:30 a.m. Due to traffic in the parking lot, please hold your toddler’s hand
when walking them into the building. Toddler children need to be signed in by the
person bringing them into school. After signing in please have your child hang up his/her
belongings and escort your child to the restroom to wash their hands. Again, please
arrive at school on time. The door will be locked by 8:35 a.m. If you are late, please
ring the doorbell and wait for one of the staff to let you into the building.
PICK-UP OF CHILDREN
Pick-up time for children in Children’s House is from 11:15-11:30 for the
morning session, and from 3:15-3:30 for the afternoon session. Please plan on arriving to
pick up your child by 11:15 or 3:15.
In most cases you should allow staff to bring your child out to the car. Having
parents come in at dismissal time causes distractions to staff and children at an already
hectic time. Additionally, it is unfair to parents who are following the pick-up procedure
set up by the school. In the event you need to pick up your child early, please arrive by
10:45 a.m. for the morning class and 2:45 p.m. for the afternoon class. You will need to
park your car and come in to get your child.
When picking up your child, it is important that you remain in your car while staff
members load the children into the cars. Again, please place your car in the PARK or
NEUTRAL/parking brake position as described earlier.
Please refrain from talking on your cell phone at pick-up time. Your child is very
excited to see you and should not have to wait to be acknowledged while you finish your
business. Additionally, while the teachers do not speak at length with parents at pick-up
time they do enjoy getting to know all of you through brief, friendly conversation. If you
have questions regarding your child’s day that may take a lengthier conversation, please
call or e-mail the school or ask your child’s Directress to call you.
The school supports and follows the Illinois Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws. We
will not place any children in the front seat of a car! We will escort your child to your car
in the pick-up line. Once your child is in your car please move up and park in a
designated parking space to complete your buckling activities, including taking off
your child’s coat in winter.
To aid us in the efficient dismissal of the children, please have your child’s car
seat accessible through the rear passenger side of your car. As stated in the previous
section staff members will not cross into the parking lot to place your child in your
car. If you are unable to reconfigure your car seats please park your car in a designated
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parking spot and walk up to the sidewalk to get your child. Children who are picked up
in SUV’s and /or large vans will be helped into the rear passenger side of the car. Staff
members will not help children off with their coats upon placing them in the cars. .
It is important to both your child and our staff that you are on time to pick up your
child. If you arrive after 11:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. you will be recorded as a late pick-up
for that day. We will use the classroom clock to make this determination. If staff
members are bringing children out to the cars when you arrive after 11:30 or 3:30 you
will still be considered late for that day. If you are late, you will receive a notice of the
late pick-up. If you anticipate being late, please call the school to let us know when to
expect you. The school understands that on rare occasions, unavoidable delays may
occur. However, when delays become frequent or of long duration, they are unfair to
your child and our staff. To discourage such delays the school allows one free late pickup per month of not more than 15 minutes. Children whose parents are late will be
supervised by Steppingstone staff until the parent/emergency contact person arrives. A
fee of $10.00 will be assessed for each additional late pick-up over one per month.
Anytime you are 15 minutes late picking up your child an automatic charge of
$10.00 will be assessed with an additional $1.00 assessed every minute thereafter.
Late pick-ups will be billed at the end of each month. If you have a question about a late
pick-up please do not address it in front of your child. We prefer you contact the
Business Office by phone at your earliest convenience to address the matter.
Whenever a parent is more than 10 minutes late staff members will take the
following steps:
1. Try to locate parents/guardians by phone.
2. If staff members are unable to reach parents/guardians other persons authorized
for pick-up will be contacted.
3. If no authorized person can be contacted the police may be called after 1 hour’s
time.
The After School Care Program runs from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Parents will park and
come into the 3-6 classroom to pick up their children. Parents will be asked to sign
out their child before leaving the building. After 6:00 p.m. parents will be
considered late. After 6:00 p.m. an automatic $10.00 fee will be assessed with an
additional $1.00 per minute charged after 6:05 p.m. There are no free late pick-ups
for the After School Care program.
Pick-up time for the Toddler class will be 10:55 a.m. If you arrive after 11:00 you will be
considered late for the day. Parents are asked to park and come inside to pick up their
child. Penalties for late pick-up are the same as those outlined above. We ask that
parents with children in both the Toddler class and the Children’s House return to
their cars after picking up their toddler and join the dismissal line for the
Children’s House. It is disruptive to the Children’s House to have parents, toddlers and
infants entering their environment at this time. Your consideration in this regard is
greatly appreciated.
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CARPOOLS
Class lists will be provided to the parents. From these lists parents can organize
carpools if they wish to share driving responsibilities to and from school. Everyone
authorized to pick up your child must be on file at the school. Any change in these
arrangements must be given in writing to the class Directress. This is for the safety and
well-being of your child and is very important. Identification may be requested.
Steppingstone Montessori is not responsible for the installation of car seats for carpools.
ILLNESS/ABSENCES
If your child has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive coughing and/or runny
nose, or any communicable disease, such as strep throat, pink eye, etc., he/she should not
come to school until 24 hours after the last occurrence or your child has been on the
appropriate medication for 24 hours. This is for the protection of all the children and
staff. Messages explaining your child's absence should be left on the answering machine
by calling the school office in the morning. Please let the office know if your child has a
communicable disease or head lice. We assure your child’s anonymity. You will be
notified of any outbreak of head lice or a communicable disease in your child's class.
If your child becomes ill at school, or staff members determine that your child is
too ill to be at school, you will be contacted to pick up your child. For this reason, it is
important that the school be furnished with an up-to-date telephone number where you
can be reached while your child is at school. In the event that you cannot be reached, we
ask that you furnish us with the phone number of another nearby adult whom your child
knows and trusts. Please make sure to let this person know they are the designated
emergency contact person for your child. They must also be authorized to pick your
child up in case of an emergency.
If your child becomes injured at school the teacher will assess the situation and
then take one of the following steps;
- Minor cuts, bumps, etc.; First Aid given, accident report filed
- Serious Injuries; First Aid given, Parents called, accident report filed, 911 may
be called.
- Life-threatening Injuries; Call 911, parents called, accident report filed
You will receive 2 copies of any accident report written for your child. We ask that you
sign and return one copy to the office and keep the other for your records.
MEDICATION
In general, no medication will be given to students by staff during school hours.
School sessions are short enough to facilitate the administration of medication by parents
at home. If your child has a more complicated medical condition, please speak with the
Administrator and your child's Directress before your child begins school to ensure his
safety and well-being during school hours. After discussing a more complicated medical
condition with your child’s Directress any medication needed to be administered at
school should be placed in a plastic bag labeled with your child’s name. We will need
you to read our School Medication Procedures, sign an acknowledgement of such and
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have your physician fill out a Medication Authorization Form which will be kept in your
child’s file at school. Children will not be allowed to self-medicate at school. Any
medicine brought to school must be given directly to the Directress or Assistant. For
safety reasons, all medication will be stored in the school office. All medication kept at
school will be checked for expiration dates. You will be asked to furnish new medication
as needed.
UNSCHEDULED SCHOOL CLOSING
In general, our school will close for bad weather when area schools close. Parents
will be advised of school closings by visiting the WGN emergency school closing site
www.EmergencyClosings.com and entering our school name and phone number. Please
do not call the school to find out if school will be canceled due to weather. Since the
safety of the children is our main concern, school may be cancelled at the discretion of
the staff. In most cases, Steppingstone Montessori School will remain open during
extreme cold days even when locals schools may be closed. In the event of the school
closing due to weather, tuition will not be refunded and no make-up sessions will be
scheduled.
CONTACTING YOUR CHILD'S DIRECTRESS
Communication from parents is always welcome. If you need to speak to your
child's Directress personally, please send a note with your child, call the office or e-mail
us at paulafolinazzo@att.net. If necessary the Directress will contact you by phone or email after classes. As much as possible we try to keep adult conversation minimal at
arrival, dismissal, and in the classroom. We enjoy hearing from you, so please keep the
communication open.
In general, your child’s Directress would rather not speak to you concerning your
child in his/her presence. Please refrain from asking the Assistant about your child as she
is not authorized to speak to parents about children. Our Business Director, Mrs.
Folinazzo will also direct any questions you may have regarding your child to your
child’s Directress. Your child's Directress is your best source of information.
To insure that all notes, checks, etc. are received by the appropriate staff,
please hand them directly to staff members upon your arrival at school. We are not
responsible for any checks placed in your child’s backpack. Toddler parents may also
place notes, tuition payments, etc., in the office box located in the classroom.
Any questions and/or concerns you may have concerning your child’s school
experience should first be brought to your child’s Directress. If you are unsatisfied after
speaking with her please contact, the Educational Director, Mrs. Johnson or the Business
Director, Mrs. Folinazzo. Both Mrs. Folinazzo and Mrs. Johnson will work with you and
your child’s Directress to resolve any problems that may arise.
VISITING THE CLASSROOM
One of the best and most delightful ways of learning about the Montessori
approach to education is to observe a class in session. All parents are required to come
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and see their child at work, to watch him/her in contact with the prepared environment
and with the other children. You will gain many insights into his/her progress if you
observe with purpose. Your child's Directress will contact you to make arrangements for
observing your child.
In general, initial parent observations should be completed before Parent/Teacher
conferences in November. Observations take 30 to 60 minutes. Please make
arrangements to leave siblings at home for your observation. We encourage parents to
come and observe throughout the school year. This is a wonderful way to see how your
child and the class as a whole have progressed from the beginning of the year. Contact
your child’s Directress to arrange a date.
SNACK
Parents of children enrolled in Children’s House are asked to donate items for
classroom snack. On your appointed week you will be asked to send in a week’s worth
of snacks. The snacks will be shared between both Morning and Afternoon classes. You
will receive a snack calendar along with a list of items we require for snack that week. If
you forget to send snack, the school will provide a snack on that day in your child's name.
We will send you a reminder notice to please send snack in the next day your child
attends. The school will provide water for the daily snack. If your child has specific
dietary restrictions, please discuss them with your child’s Directress before his/her first
day of class. You may be asked to send a snack for your child. We require that children
with food allergies have a note on file from their doctor stating the specific foods to
which the child is allergic.
Snacks for the Toddler Program will be further discussed at the Parent Orientation
meeting. Snacks for the Toddler class cannot be prepared at home. They need to come
pre-packaged from the store or ingredients may be sent in to be prepared at school.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthday celebrations are a nice way to let our children know they are special and
important to us. The school makes an effort to celebrate our students' birthdays with a
special ceremony. Children’s scheduled birthday celebrations are marked with a birthday
cake on the snack calendar. Children may bring in special birthday snacks. Sweet treats
of small portions will be allowed for birthdays. Please avoid frosted cupcakes for
Toddler birthdays. Due to the increase of peanut allergies, we ask that no peanuts or
peanut products be sent for birthday snack.
No birthday party invitations will be handed out at school! Please do not send
them with your child or ask staff to distribute them. The school has provided class lists
with the addresses and e-mails of your child's classmates. Please use them for mailing of
invitations. Additionally, birthday presents should not be sent to school for your child to
bring to after school parties or parties they have missed.
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PROGRESS REPORTS, PARENT CONFERENCES, AND STUDENT RECORDS
Your child's progress is monitored and evaluated throughout the school year.
Your child's Directress will call you if she has concerns about your child. Parent/Teacher
conferences are scheduled in November and March. Formal progress reports will be sent
home in January and at the end of the year for kindergartners. All other students will
receive a conference report at each conference and a formal report card at the end of the
school year.
Parents of children in the Toddler class will receive two formal Parent/Teacher
conferences. A conference report will be given to parents at the March conference. They
will receive a more formalized report at the end of the school year.
As always, if you have specific questions or concerns about your child's progress,
please feel free to contact your child's Directress to set up a conference at any time.
The Business Office keeps copies of your child’s progress reports and conference
discussion sheets on file in the business office along with copies of your child’s health
records, application and profile sheets. Additionally, copies of any evaluations that your
child may have, which you provide the school will be kept in the file as well as copies of
any custody order or order of protection. Toddler student files will be reviewed
periodically by the Department of Children and Family Services. Access to student files
is limited to Steppingstone Montessori Staff and the student’s parent or legal guardian
only. Information will be released only when the parent or legal guardian provides a
written release to the school.
FIELD TRIPS
The school is committed to broadening our students' horizons through field trip
activities. The children will go on a maximum of one field trip per month. Each trip
costs between $0-$10. Permission slips will be available on our website or be sent home
well in advance. They should be returned, along with the money due, by the date on the
notice. There are no refunds for missed field trips as we have to make arrangements in
advance.
If you do not wish your child to accompany us on the trip feel free to keep
him/her home. Be advised, however, that tuition for this day is not refundable and the
day missed will not be made up.
Illinois State Law requires that all children under 8 years of age be in a car seat.
All children who will be attending without their parents must bring a car seat. Please
label the seat with your child’s name. Parents are responsible for installing their child’s
car seat in the car to which they have been assigned.
Your child’s Directress is responsible for making carpool assignments for the
field trips. The staff’s choices about carpool assignments are based on many criteria.
Please allow the staff to make those choices. If you are uncomfortable with letting us
make this decision, please indicate on your child’s permission slip your preference as to
the car in which you would like your child to ride for the field trip. The staff will not
make car assignment changes the day of a field trip.
If you mark on the permission slip that you volunteer to drive, assume you will be
accompanying us. The staff will assign 2 - 4 children to your car. We do not seat
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students in the passenger seat in the front. Sometimes, we have many drivers and
combine two or more cars. We still need you to help supervise the children even if
you’ve been asked to go with another parent. If you realize you are unable to drive, after
volunteering to do so, please let us know as soon as possible. All volunteer drivers will
be asked to submit a current copy of their driver’s insurance card the first time they
volunteer to accompany us. The copy will be kept in your child’s file.
We rely on our Parent Volunteers to act as supervisors of the children they have
been assigned. Please be mindful of this when you volunteer to drive. Supervising the
children entails bathroom runs, keeping tabs on the children at the event, and making sure
you bring home every child assigned to your car. While we have never had any problems
in the past, and do not anticipate any in the future, should a problem arise with any of the
children assigned to you contact a Staff member immediately. All drivers must meet at
the school. We ask that you not meet us at the venue as it is too difficult for staff to get
accurate head counts.
Unless otherwise indicated, siblings may not attend field trips. Parents who
volunteer to accompany us are the children’s chaperones. We rely on them to be alert
and aware of our students during the outing. Having siblings along is distracting for
parents, staff, and students. Consider trading baby-sitting with one or more of our other
families with younger siblings. This arrangement may make it possible for more parents
to have a chance to accompany us. It would allow you to spend some exclusive, one-onone time with your child.
When volunteering to drive, please be on time at school. We ask that you have
your car gassed up and ready to go before arriving at school. Please do not provide any
snacks for the children on the way to, coming back from, or while at the event. It
really is unnecessary and we must be considerate of those children with special dietary
needs or allergies. When returning from the trip, please park your car and bring the
children inside the building. Do not hand over children to their parents in the parking lot.
When bringing the children back to school check to be sure the children have all their
belongings from your car. Be sure a staff member is in the building before leaving for
home with your child.
The Toddler class may take some field trips. All Toddler field trips will require a
parent/guardian to accompany each toddler.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Steppingstone Montessori School is a non-denominational school. However, we
do observe traditional holidays through a variety of classroom activities. Some of the
special occasions we may celebrate are: Fall (Halloween, Diwali, Thanksgiving), Winter
(Christmas, Hanukah, St. Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, Valentine’s
Day), Spring (Easter, Passover, Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day).
We encourage parents to help with these celebrations. Your child’s Directress
will let you know her procedure for volunteering in your child’s class for Classroom
Celebrations. You will also be asked to donate specific items for the celebrations. We
appreciate any help you can offer with these celebrations.
The school realizes that our students come from diverse religious and cultural
backgrounds. You are always welcome to come in and share your family's traditions
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with the students. Please contact your child's Directress if you wish to share such a
tradition with the class. Your child’s Directress will be glad to have your input.
If your personal beliefs prohibit you or your child from participating in such
activities described above, we suggest that your child not attend these sessions. Parents
will be advised well in advance of such celebrations.
SHOW AND TELL
Show and Tell is a good time for children to work on their "public" speaking
skills. Your child’s Directress will let you know how Show and Tell will be scheduled in
the class. Show and Tell is always voluntary. The school asks that children not bring in
store bought toys. This is always difficult for the children to understand. Children may
bring in artworks, books, cassettes, musical instruments, inventions, objects from nature,
and cultural items. We need your assistance in carrying out this policy. If in doubt about
a particular item, please call your child's Directress before sending the item to school.
Show and Tell in the Toddler Class will be addressed at our Parent Education Night.
CHILDREN'S WORK
When your child brings home a work he has done at school, please accept it with
grace and courtesy. Criticism of a child's work is detrimental. Children make many
"mistakes" while learning. For example: children may write letters in their name
backwards. This is all right. Remember, be positive! This applies to all the work your
child brings home.
Some children will bring home very little, if any paperwork. This does not mean
the child has been idle during school hours. Many of the materials your child will work
with have no "paper" evidence. Children enjoy the process of work. Their priority is not
necessarily producing something. Since Montessori education is meant to foster selfdirected learning, please refrain from telling your child to do a particular work at school.
If you are concerned about your child not working in a particular area, please contact
your child's Directress. She may have valuable insights concerning your child's
development.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
The best school environments for young children are those in which parents are
highly involved. Parental involvement has been discussed throughout this handbook.
We welcome all our parents to take part in the many school activities discussed.
If you wish, you may also assist your child's class in other ways. Should you
have an idea for a topic you would like to share, please let your child's Directress know.
Please be sure to take the time to complete and return the Parent-volunteer Questionnaire.
The school will offer Parent Education Nights twice during the school year. The
August Parent Orientation Meeting is mandatory for families new to the school, however
we encourage all to attend. A short overview of Montessori philosophy and method will
be given along with a detailed discussion of the policies contained in our Parent
Handbook. New parents are required to purchase a publication which provides parents
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with an overview of Montessori philosophy and method. The second meeting is
mandatory for all parents. In depth presentations on Montessori philosophy and method
will be given by our staff. In order to get a better understanding of what Montessori
education is all about, parents are encouraged to read books and articles on Montessori
education. Our school has a small parent library for your convenience. Many other
books are available at local libraries. Some books may be purchased through our school
and through Montessori supply houses. Please ask us for the names of these if you are
interested.
The American Montessori Society has an informative website. Steppingstone
Montessori school has a Facebook page with great information on Montessori philosophy
and methods, along with parenting tips and articles as well.
Parents may also become members of the American Montessori Society. With
your membership fee comes a subscription to the AMS magazine, "Montessori Life".
Ask your child's Directress for the specifics if you are interested in becoming a parentmember.
OUTDOOR PLAY
Steppingstone Montessori School is committed to assisting the children in
forming a deep connection to Planet Earth. Outdoor play encourages large motor
development, socialization, imagination, wonder, cooperation and respect for our natural
world. The school recognizes the need children have to run, play, climb, and jump. For
these purposes, we will be taking the children outdoors nearly every day as weather
permits. Please make sure your child has appropriate outdoor wear every day he/she
comes to school. There are many days when the weather seems inclement at drop-off
time but later improves. A Winter Bag consisting of snow pants, boots, hats, and
mittens should be brought to school every day between November 1st and March
31st. Sweaters, jackets, rain coats, rain boots, or sweatshirts are needed in autumn and
spring. Please do not send umbrellas to school. We do play out when it is muddy so you
should send boots well into spring. You will be asked to pick up your child early or
return to school with appropriate outdoor clothing if he/she comes to school without
appropriate outdoor clothing. Please be sure to put your child's name on all pieces of
clothing!
We ask that you refrain from asking your child not to get dirty at school.
Such prohibitions worry the children and inhibit their activities.
If your child has been ill, please keep him/her home until he/she is well enough to
play outdoors. Due to staffing requirements, our staff cannot keep one or two children
inside while the others go out.
SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS
Please be sure to let us know whether you prefer to receive communications by email or in paper form on the Steppingstone Montessori School Permission Form. Any
changes to the Permission Form can be made by calling the office or e-mailing
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Mrs. Folinazzo at paulafolinazzo@att.net. Make sure to check your e-mail and/or
child’s backpack daily for important communications from us.
A monthly school newsletter will be available on the school website and sent
home with your child. Parent contributions are always welcome. Classroom happenings,
special events, information on Montessori Method and philosophy, and child rearing
ideas are just some of the topics covered. The Business Manager will also send out
weekly “Friday News” informing parents of any upcoming events for the next week.
Make sure to check out and “like” our Facebook page. Links to articles about child
development, Montessori philosophy and craft ideas are updated daily. We encourage
your comments, pictures, etc., on our page.
TUITION
The school policies as regards tuition are discussed in detail in the Tuition
Contract. Please read these carefully and contact the School Office with any questions
you may have. The contract must be signed by both parents/guardians. A copy of the
signed contract will be returned to you for your records. When paying by check, please
make checks payable to Steppingstone Montessori School. A fee of $25 will be assessed
on checks returned NSF. Receipts will be sent home for all payments made in cash. If
you pay by check and wish to have receipts sent home, please contact our Business
Manager, Paula Folinazzo.
Prepaid tuition will be refunded (exclusive of reservation fee) only if the
parent/guardian cancels the agreement by advising the school, in writing 30 days prior to
withdrawal.
Tuition is due on the first day of each month from September through April.
A $25 late charge will automatically be assessed on payments made seven (7) business
days after the due date. If tuition payments become delinquent for more than thirty (30)
days your child may be removed from the school. If a financial difficulty arises, please
notify our Business Manager. The Business Manager can work out an accommodating
payment plan for you. Tuition payments that are mailed must be received by the same
date of the month as discussed above.
Tuition is not subject to adjustment because of student illness, absence, or parentdirected vacation. In the event that your child enrolls after the starting date of the school
year, your tuition and material fee will be pro-rated for the remaining months of the
school year.
All accounts must be current in order to receive student records and the end of
year Progress Reports.
RE-ENROLLMENT
Re-enrollment information and forms will be sent home in February. In order to
reserve a place for the following school year your child’s re-enrollment application and
$85 ($50 for second child) application fee must be received by the day indicated on the
re-enrollment form. All tuition and fees must be up to date in order to re-enroll.
Priority for class enrollment is as follows:
1. Current students enrolling for 5 or 4 days
2. Current students enrolling for 3 days
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3.
4.
5.
6.
Siblings of current students
Alumni families
New students with completed applications whose names are on the waiting list
Other new students.
Reservation fees are due by the 10th of May. If not received by that date
your child’s name will be dropped from the roster. Any change in enrollment involving a
reduced number of days will be assessed an additional $50 application fee. Students are
admitted for the full academic year. The tuition portion of your reservation fee is
applied as May’s tuition. The reservation fee is non-refundable and forfeited if your child
withdraws from the school before the end of the academic year.
AFFILIATION AND REGISTRATION
Steppingstone Montessori school enjoys Full Member status with the American
Montessori Society. The school is registered with the Illinois State Board of Education.
Steppingstone Montessori is a nine (9) month school.
Montessori trained Directresses staff the school. Directresses receive their
credentials from either the American Montessori Society (AMS) or the Association
Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Steppingstone Montessori School is an Equal Opportunity Institution in all aspects of education and
employment. The information contained within is accurate as of August 2015, but is subject to change.
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Please sign and return this page to your child’s Directress prior to the first day of
school.
I/We _______________________________________________________have read and
understand the policies in the Steppingstone Montessori School Parent Handbook.
I/we understand that continual disregard of these policies may result in my child being
dropped from the class roster.
Date___________________
Mother’s Signature________________________________________________________
Father’s Signature_________________________________________________________
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