Untitled Design

Mission Statement & Purpose

Kenan Center Montessori is committed to providing a quality education based on the foundational Montessori principles with the continuity and consistency of a multi-year program. Kenan Center Montessori School is a private, non-denominational school for students from diverse backgrounds aged two years nine months to 5 years old The Kenan does not discriminate based on race/ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, learning differences, political belief, sexual orientation, or age in the administration or any of its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship programs, athletics, recreational and other school-administered programs.

Founding History

Kenan Center Montessori (“KCM”) was founded in August 2013 by Mrs. Jennifer Anzalone and the Kenan Center board. Jennifer has an MSEd from Canisius College and completed the Buffalo Montessori Teacher Program. Jennifer has twenty-six years of experience in the Montessori setting, owning, Directing, and teaching in various locations An incorporated non-profit school, KCM adheres to the traditional Montessori philosophy.

Organizational Chart

Executive Director - Mr. Bill Patti

Assistant Executive Director - Lea Sobieraski

Board of Directors - The Board of Directors provides financial, legal, procedural, and mission oversight.

Director - Mrs. Jennifer Anzalone Teachers-

Mrs. Anzalone/Mrs. Crane(Education Building Classroom)

Mrs. Silsby/ Ms. Struckmann(Arena Classroom)

Montessori BOE Liaison- Mrs. McGee

Goals & Philosophy

The child’s spiritual, intellectual, and emotional development is our priority. We believe education is a partnership between the child, parent, and school. When children can develop freely within a prepared environment, it will help them acquire inner guidance and an understanding of themselves and the world around them. Our goal is to foster children's natural curiosity and wonder to create a lifelong love of learning.

Program Overview

KCM provides a traditional Montessori Education that focuses on the development of the whole child: intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Montessori education is characterized as:

A multi-year model that allows children to remain with the same teachers and a core group of peers from start to finish Child-centered and responsive Learning activity that is spontaneous, dynamic, and selfdirected

Hands-on experience with materials

Intrinsic motivation and freedom within limits

Mixed age grouping that stresses cooperation and collaboration in a community setting

All children attend five days a week, no matter their age

The Early Childhood program (3-5) is the foundation of the Montessori Method. The Early Childhood curriculum emphasizes developing psychomotor and perceptual skills and social and cognitive abilities. The environment aims to instill a sense of order and independence and combine movement coordination with concentration. The curriculum is individualized and sequential. The Early Childhood Program level teaches children Sensorial, Math, Language Arts, Geography, History, Zoology, Botany, and Practical Life.

Admissions

KMS offers a multi-year program for children from two years nine months to 5 years of age. Each application for admission is assessed individually under the enrollment criteria for the programs and curriculum of KMS. The environment can adapt to students of varying academic abilities and diverse learning styles. Students with exceptional needs (behavioral/emotional, developmental, learning differences) are accepted at KMS if the Head of School, Teachers, Executive Director, and the parents feel the child’s needs can be met in the KMS setting. The school makes every reasonable attempt to guide children to success in the program. Nevertheless, ALL STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED WITH A 30-DAY PROBATIONARY STATUS.

Parent Orientation

All Parents will be required to attend Parent Orientation before the start of the school year. Classroom management, general school policies, and discipline procedures are reviewed and discussed. This will be an opportunity for families to ask any questions or concerns you may have regarding the school year.

Enrollment Process

Child must be at least two years nine months old by December 1 and toilet Trained (will use the bathroom when needed without prompting, NO pull-ups, can undress/redress independently, independent in the bathroom -etc.)

Families must schedule a personal tour by appointment before the beginning of the enrollment process

Current families have priority for enrollment before prospective students; this will impact availability year-to-year

Once the school year has commenced, entrance into the program will be considered individually.

Student Placement

The Director and Teachers thoroughly review all applications. Class size is dependent on enrollment. All classrooms can accommodate up to 20 children and two two teachers. When a child is placed into our program, the following are considered: boy/girl ratio, ability level, prior Montessori experience, age, classroom size, diversity, and special needs. KCM is not able to accommodate specific classroom requests. A well-balanced classroom is critical for the success of both new and returning students. However, if parents make a particular request to have siblings in the same classroom, it will be considered in the best interest of both children.

Educational Accommodations

We expect that KCM families are forthcoming with any information that helps staff determine that KCM is the appropriate learning environment for your child. (For example, but not limited to….behavioral needs, learning differences, and developmental needs) KCM does not have a special education teacher, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, or school psychologist on staff. However, Students with existing IEPs will be reviewed by the team, who will work collaboratively with related service providers. While this is the general policy regarding the school’s approach to students with diverse educational needs, the school also reserves the right to modify this procedure based on the individualized needs of a specific student.

Tuition

For any and all tuition related inquiries please contact the business office manager at (716) 433-2617 and refer to the enrollment contract.

Scholarships

KCM strives to ensure opportunities for interested and committed families to attend the KCM regardless of financial circumstances. If interested, please get in touch with the business office for information or download the application on the Kenan Center website.

Student Withdrawals

In the event of a student withdrawal from KCM before the end of the Academic year, parents/guardian is responsible for informing the teacher and director of the estimated departure date.

Attendance Policy & Procedures

Please follow the arrival and dismissal times to ensure staff have enough planning and classroom preparation. I greatly appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these times. In the past, we have issued late fees to families who are consistently late.

Arrival / Dismissal

In Montessori, one of our primary tenants is to promote independence. As such, children are responsible for hanging up their bookbags, taking off their coats, hanging them up, and changing into their “inside shoes” by themselves. Parents are welcome to assist, if needed, the first few weeks, gradually allowing them to do so by themselves. Also, each child is different, and it is common in the beginning weeks to need more time with family to say their goodbyes. This will pass as they get more comfortable in their new surroundings. You can help your child by talking positively about the process before school starts and giving them extra attention right before you arrive at the building. Teachers will always assist and provide any needed comfort to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition into the classroom.

Release of Children

Children are expected to be picked up at 11:45 each day. Children will be released only to those indicated on the permission to transport sheet. So that you know, exceptions must be made in advance. Understandably, unplanned situations arise; in these cases, please get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher and describe the person who will pick up your child. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping your child’s safety our priority. Individuals picking up your child who is not designated parental/guardian may be asked to show ID.

Classroom Environment & Structure

Maria Montessori believed that mixed-age classrooms promote cooperative learning, teamwork, and peer teaching, and one that encourages social interaction for emotional development. Co-teachers lead the Early Childhood classes Families are encouraged to have their children remain at KMS through the multi-year cycle to gain the most educationally from our environment. In the Early Childhood classroom, large blocks of uninterrupted time are scheduled to develop patterns of concentration, positive work habits of task completion, and thoroughness. A daily group activity (circle time) is incorporated into the schedule. The typical line activities include music, gross motor exercises, sharing, and top discussions

The Three Period Lesson

Children are presented with lessons one-on-one by a teacher or in small groups. The cornerstone of the Montessori educational approach is The Three Period Lesson. The first period consists of observing, identifying, and internalization. The second period consists of recognition and involves active, hands-on experience and exploration. The third period is remembrance or abstraction and verbalization of its meaning. Each classroom is equipped with Montessori materials or apparatus that are sequential and generally self-correcting. The materials correspond to the developmentally “sensitive periods’ for learning and will be used differently as the child progresses.

Evaluation & Reporting Student Progress

Parent conferences are scheduled for November (all students) and March (upcoming Kindergartens). Personal development, academic issues, and concerns are discussed at each conference. Conferences are twentyminute sessions. Regarding your child’s teacher and other families, please be prompt. We appreciate every attempt to schedule during the days/times available If you cannot attend, please get in touch with your child's teacher to set something up. Reports will be discussed in early November and March. They are intended to reflect the teacher’s assessment of the child’s achievements within the Montessori curriculum. Students do not receive grades, but the report cards will indicate mastery of the level for given concepts/curriculum areas.

Your child’s teacher will contact you for a conference at the end of September if they have any concerns regarding your child's adjustment to the new school year. However, if a parent is concerned about their child, they are encouraged to schedule a conference with their teachers. Your child’s education is a partnership between the parents and the school; fluid communication will strengthen this partnership.

Classroom Teachers

All teachers in the classroom provide instruction to a child. Shared lesson plans, frequent co-teacher meetings and communication, and shared instruction are some aspects of team teaching that KMS employs to offer our students a robust and well-rounded education. Team teaching allows for flexibility in teacher-student interaction within the classroom. If any significant changes or stressful events occur in the home, please notify the teachers so that we may better understand or anticipate variance in your child’s behavior.

Confidentiality

All personal information given to KMS is kept in strict confidence. Just so you know, staff may not release other families' personal information, addresses, or phone numbers without your permission.

Health & Safety Policies

All needed medical/immunization records need to be in KMS files before the start of school. Children will be allowed in the classroom once all required immunizations are on KMS files.

Please send these records to our fax number at (716) 433-6645

Illness

Please be aware that during their first years of exposure to other children, your child may be much more susceptible to colds and other illnesses

Please inform your child’s teacher if your child will be absent due to illness. For the health of our staff, other children, and your child's comfort, PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME UNTIL SYMPTOM AND MEDICATIONFREE FOR 24 HOURS. Children should be kept home if they are exhibiting one or more of these symptoms:

Fever with or without symptoms, Sore throat, Runny nose/eyes, Coughing, Sneezing, Intestinal upset, Diarrhea and Vomiting, Ear infection, Colored nasal discharge, Skin rash, Conjunctivitis.

A child who has vomited diarrhea, pinkeye strep, or is on antibiotics must wait 24 hours after these symptoms subside before returning to school.

** IF A CHILD IS SENT HOME FROM SCHOOL DURING THE MORNING, THEY MAY NOT RETURN TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY AS PER THE POLICY ABOVE**

Please know that at this young age, it is tough for children to maintain proper hygiene when feeling “under the weather.” An entire recuperation period at home dramatically decreases the spread of germs throughout the classroom daily. Please know how vital it is for children and staff to be healthy to create the most positive school experience. All communicable diseases must be reported to the office immediately, and a doctor’s written release may be required before readmission. Infectious diseases include but are not limited to:

Chicken pox, Measles, Mumps, Streptococcal infections, Scabies, Conjunctivitis (pink eye), Impetigo, Head Lice, Ringworm, Pinworms, Hand, foot, and Mouth.

All parents will be notified of a communicable disease in the classroom. If a child is deemed too ill to be in school and exhibits symptoms such as a runny nose with colored discharge or fever, parents will called to take the child home.

Medication

KCM cannot dispense any medications (except Epi-pens), including sunscreen, Tylenol, etc

Allergies / Intolerances

KCM provides a daily snack to all children. The snack will be posted outside each classroom door in the morning.

If your child has severe allergies and has been prescribed an epinephrine injection (EpiPen) sealed in a plastic bag with your child’s name and the prescription label, including the expiration date.

All KCM staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, and administration of EpiPens. KCM will only admit a child in the classroom who has peanut allergies if the school has a current prescription Epipen for that child.

KCM takes precautions in the classroom to keep everyone safe. A doctor's note will be required if your child has ANY allergy or intolerance. KCM requires any child with a documented allergy or intolerance to bring in their snack/foods (Daily snacks and classroom celebrations)

School Accidents

An Incident Report will be provided to parents in the case of minor accidents occurring at school. In the event of any injury that requires immediate care, parents will be immediately notified by telephone. In rare situations requiring close medical attention, the school will call 911 and contact the parents. If it is necessary to transport a child to the hospital, one of the child’s teachers will accompany and stay with them until the parents arrive.

Sun Protection

KCM Staff is not permitted to apply sunscreen to any child. Families may apply sunscreen before arriving at school in the morning. You can give your child a hat to wear outdoors if you'd like.

Child Abuse

KCM complies with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and the mandatory reporting requirements under that Act. Any official or employee of KCM who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or who has observed a child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the Niagara County Child Protective Services Agency.

Emergencies

Please update your Emergency Contact information (essential phone numbers, email addresses). Please keep the caregiver and emergency contact updated at all times.

Disaster Preparedness / Emergency Evacuation Plan

KCM conducts Fire, Active Shooter, and (although it is something we may never experience) Natural Disaster drills throughout the year.

If there is an evacuation from the classroom site, children will be escorted to a safe place on campus.

General Information

First Days

To make your child's transition to school positive, we suggest the following:

1) Take the opportunity to let your child see the school in advance.

2) Be positive when talking to your child about their new school.

3) Outline the arrival procedure and classroom expectations with your child in advance.

4) In the morning, please say a short goodbye at the right spot in the building.

5) Consistent attendance is essential to the child’s daily routine

School Attire

Children should be dressed in clothing appropriate for the season. A child should wear clothes and shoes so they can manage themselves. Overalls, jumpsuits, dress shoes, belts, or sandals/flipflop shoes may cause difficulty for your child on stairs, playground, or arena play and are discouraged. Jewelry and watches are strongly discouraged because they are often distracting and may be asked to be removed at the Staff's discretion.

Children must bring an extra seasonally appropriate full set of clothing in a labeled plastic bag. Each garment should be marked with the child's name on the inside tag. A pair of "inside" shoes/sneakers to be worn inside the classroom should also be included. Jackets, sweaters, or other outwear must also be labeled. We encourage the child to take responsibility for remembering to bring home jackets and bookbags at the end of the day. Please help your child recognize and be able to identify their clothing, jackets, and shoes. Your encouragement will help the child learn to take responsibility for personal property

Snacks

Parents provide snacks for the classroom 2x during the year. A list of foods and quantities will be provided to each family before our assigned weeks.

A healthy snack is provided throughout the school day. At the beginning of the school year, a snack is provided at circle time. Afterward, children independently decide when they would like a snack, serve themselves, eat at the snack table with their peers, and clean up after themselves.

Messages

KCM utilizes the REMIND app to enable KMS staff to organize and disseminate daily communication efficiently. Utilization of the REMIND app is mandatory.

Teachers are not available to speak on the phone during class time. I've included their extensions below if you'd like to leave a message for a KMS staff member. Messages will only be picked up before 8:00 a.m. and after noon. Please contact your classroom teacher via reminder, and you will receive a timely response after the children leave the building.

Classroom Observations

Parents can observe their child interacting in the school environment with prior approval by appointment. Please limit observation time in class to no more than 30 minutes and abide by the general rules of observation:

One parent at a time is allowed in class during observation

Position yourself in the visitor’s chair

Utilize time spent in the classroom to observe your child’s behavior

Please turn off cell phones

No younger siblings.

Celebrations & Holidays

KCM holidays are celebrated from a cultural perspective, reflecting the school's and community's diversity. Religious teaching is the province of the family. Our focus is the enhancement of our cultural studies curriculum. We highlight ceremonies, food, costumes, arts and crafts, and underlying lessons of cultural values. Children are encouraged to share items from home that reflect the particular holiday. A parent's choice to have their child be absent from any celebration will be accommodated by KMS staff.

Birthdays IN the Classroom

The child's birthday is unique and special; we enjoy sharing this vital occasion. Please provide a photo of each year of your child’s life and a brief description -sent the day before the celebration. You may also send in a special snack for the birthday celebration. The portions should be small. No cakes or large muffins/cupcakes. Also, please keep frosting to a minimum. We encourage healthy food items. Some suggestions are fresh-cut fruit, small muffins, cookies, rice crispy treats, or train mix. (Children with allergies or food intolerances should bring joy, e.g., small packets, etc., which can be stored at school before special events.) Up to 2 family members may join the celebration. You may take your child home after or pick them up at the regular time. A birthday candle is lit to represent the sun. The child holds the globe and walks around the sun, symbolizing a year in their life, while the teacher or family member reads the biography page representing that year.

Birthdays OUTSIDE the Classroom

Any invitation distributed at school must include the entire class and be unaddressed. If less than the whole class is invited, please get in touch with the individual families to deliver invitations outside of school. SUMMER BIRTHDAYS will be celebrated on one day as a group in June.

Parent Socials

KCM holds multiple parent social events during the school year. During this time, parents and children will share a snack, and children will present one particular piece of work in the classroom. To gain the most from this experience, we encourage adults only please.

Discipline Policies

Montessori philosophy stresses the self-discipline of the child. In an atmosphere of freedom within limits, the focus is on a sense of responsibility, respect for persons and materials, consideration of others, and cooperation. Montessori discipline emphasizes nonpunitive, positive methods that avoid personal humiliation. The field is in the form of logical consequences and will be appropriate to the child's developmental stage and level of understanding. Behavioral changes will be effected through positive reinforcement and logical consequences whenever possible.

Misbehavior

Although the functioning of a Montessori class promotes the acceptance of a wide variety of individual needs, at times, a child's behavior may become disruptive to individuals, groups, or the work cycle of a class. The reoccurrence of this behavior can substantially impact a child engaging in the conduct, the children involved, and the course as a whole. When a teacher deems behavior to be damaging to other children, the class environment, or a child, steps will be taken to protect the overall functioning of the class. Depending on the nature of the problem and a child's history, each incremental step may vary to achieve what is determined to be in the best interest of the class and KMS.

1) The teacher will address the misbehavior in the classroom using natural and logical consequences. The parents will be informed that a problem is recurring and what corrective measure/s are being applied. It is necessary to have the parents' cooperation and support in developing consistent behavior expectations.

2) If the misbehavior continues, the parents will be contacted for a conference/s with the teachers and Director. A behavioral plan will be reviewed, and a timetable will be set for a behavioral modification. Both parents must sign the Behavior Plan. The teachers will inform parents and the Director of the child's progress through reports, direct observation, and daily/weekly communication.

3) If the misbehavior continues or increases in severity following the implementation of the new behavioral plan, the teacher may propose to the Director and Executive Director that the child be expelled. The Director and Executive Director may affirm the proposal or, with the input of the teachers, develop an alternate plan. The parents, teacher, Head of School, and Executive Director will meet to discuss the decision.

The process outlined above may be accelerated at the Head of School's and Executive Director's discretion should the safety of students and KCM staff be compromised. Steps may include immediate, temporary, or permanent student removal, with or without warning. In some cases, parents must agree to pick the child up from school within an hour of being contacted during the school day when these instances occur.

Additional consequences for certain behaviors may include suspension or dismissal from school. The following specific actions may be severe enough to require immediate suspension or dismissal:

Biting-If biting occurs, parents of the child who was bitten and the parents of the child who did the biting will be notified the same day that the incident occurred. If a child continues to bite more than twice during two weeks, the child will be suspended for one day. Any child who breaks the skin while biting will automatically be suspended for one day, with the possibility of having to remain out of school for three days; if the biting continues to be a severe problem, parents will be notified for a meeting with the teachers and Head of School to discuss a behavioral plan.

-Uncontrollable behavior-including, but not limited to screaming, throwing materials or furniture, slapping/hitting self/another child/ KCM staff, spitting, escaping from the classrooms, or running away from KCM staff in a manner that could be dangerous to the child, another child or KCM staff.

Dismissal From Program

Dismissal is removing a child from school at the school's request via its representatives. Suspension or expulsion may occur for disciplinary reasons or because of a demonstrated lack of support from the child's parents ( i.e., a failure to comply with the policies and procedures outlined in the Parent Handbook or non-payment of tuition.) Parents whose children attend KCM are responsible for replacing or repairing any school property broken or damaged by their child.

Parent - Staff Relations

Any KCM staff member or parent with a school concern is encouraged to talk directly with the individual(s) involved as soon as possible. If a discussion does not resolve the matter or if a dialog appears to be impractical, the following procedures shoud be implemented: Cont.

Parent - Staff Relations Cont.

Support and Resolution Procedures

The parent is Concerned about the child.

1) Action: Meeting with the Teachers of class the child is in

Documentation completed and signed by Parents and Teachers if the concern is not resolved

2) Action: Meeting the teachers of the class the child is in

Documentation completed and signed by Parents and Teachers if the concern is not resolved

3) Action: Meeting with the Parent, Teachers, Head of School, and Executive Director

Documentation completed and signed by Parents, Teachers, the Head of School, and the Executive Director

Head of School informs the parent in writing of the final determination regarding the parent's concern

The parent is Concern about the Teacher

1)Action: Meeting with Teacher

Documentation completed and signed by Parent and Teacher if the concern is not resolved

2)Action: Meeting with the Head of School/and or Executive Director

Documentation completed and signed by Parent and Head of School/and of Executive Director

Head of the School and Executive Director inform the Parent in writing of the final determination regarding the Parent's concern Teacher has Concerned about child and parents(s)

1)Action: Meeting with Parents (Head of School may attend)

Documentation completed and signed by parents and Teachers if the concern is not resolved

2)Action: Meeting with Parents Head of School, and Executive Director

Documentation completed and signed by Parent, Head of School, and Executive Director

The head of the School informs the parent in writing of the final determination regarding the Teacher's concern. Cont.

The parent has Concerns about the Policies

1)Action: Meeting with the Head of the School and Executive Director

Documentation completed by parent Head of School, and Executive Director

Head of School informs the parent in writing of the final determination regarding the parent's concern

If the parent is dissatisfied with any of the resolutions

1)Action: Immediately and directly communicate in writing to the Head of the School, Executive Director and the Board President

The Board will issue a written decision, which will be considered final. Action may include dismissal of the family from the school

Transparent Communications

For consistency purposes, parent/teacher conferences will be done with both parents present (NO EXCEPTIONS)

All school and teacher emails will be sent to both parents

Teachers/schools will not be placed in the middle of parental disputes

Parents will provide the school with a schedule of student pick-up if there is any court-ordered arrangements

Open, honest, and respectful communication between parents and KCM staff is essential to a solid partnership for the benefit of our children. As always, if there are any questions or comments regarding the KCM Parent Handbook, parents are encouraged to discuss them with their child's teacher and KCM Head of School.

Kenan House

Montessori Building

Taylor Theater

Arena

Gardens

Parents/Guardians