Welcome to IMA

INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY 355 W. Green St. Pasadena, CA 91105

Introducing your child to the International Montessori Academy

Starting in a new school is a wonderful, exhilarating, stimulating and sometimes frightening event…and that’s just the parents! ☺ Since opening our doors twenty years ago the International Montessori Academy has incorporated our vast range of experience welcoming literally thousands of new families to refine the process by which we introduce newcomers into our program. We encourage you to read through this “Onboarding” manual prior to your first day at school to help smooth the process. And we are of course available to answer any questions you may have as well.

A number of general tips are provided on the pages that follow.

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One Day at a Time.

If you are able – especially if your child is under four years old – we encourage you to start with short days initially, gradually increasing the time he or she is at school over the first week or so. Two hours for the first couple of days might be plenty. Then three, four, etc. We realize work and other conflicting schedules may make this impossible. But if you have the flexibility it can greatly ease the process for everyone…especially your little one.

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Tears may flow.

It’s absolutely normal for children to cry, sometimes for quite a while, when first being introduced to a new school. Although it may be difficult, we encourage you to say your good-byes as quickly as possible, even if he or she is crying. The longer the separation process is drawn out, the longer your child will take to become comfortable in the new surroundings.

If your child has a particularly difficult time separating on any given morning, you are encouraged to call the office as often as you wish during the day to check in and reassure yourself that she or he is doing well.

Don’t be surprised if your child still cries on Mondays or after vacation breaks even after she or he has become acclimated to school. This too is perfectly normal and we are prepared to help re-acclimate as often as required.

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Morning Drop Off.

Our morning drive-thru is open from 8 – 9 am. Once your child is acclimated to his or her new school, most parents find this is the easiest way to drop off in the morning. When your car reaches the front door a member of our staff will help your child out and escort her or him into the school.

Until your child is acclimated, you are of course encouraged to park and accompany him or her into the school.

Class starts promptly at 8:30 am. If you arrive late, please please ring the doorbell on the side driveway gate. A member of our staff will arrive shortly to escort your child into the class.

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Happiness is a Full Tummy.

Children may not eat much when they start a new school. This is normal. Please note that we don’t spoon feed the children. Leftover food will be sent home at the end of the day.

We maintain a nut-free environment as a precaution again children with allergies.

We encourage you to send two cloth napkins (one will serve as your child’s placemat) and utensils with your child’s lunch.

We also encourage you to send a water bottle labeled with your child’s name every day.

Please, send lunch in a lunchbox…not a backpack. Cubbies are about 9” x 8” so kindly select a lunchbox that will fit inside. Also, no crock pots.

Children are always free to eat from their lunchboxes at any time of the day and have the freedom to select a snack whenever they desire. We encourage you to pack plenty of healthy choices.

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Every classroom has a microwave to warm food. Please put portable blue ice packs in your child’s lunch to keep it cold.

Milk is provided by the school at lunchtime.

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Ah, the Joy of Napping.

Children may not nap when they first start at a new school. This is normal and they will gradually settle into a regular napping schedule.

Children may nap for up to two hours.

Bedding is provided by the parent in a shoe-box-sized plastic box. The school will launder sheets and blankets every week.

Bumps and Bruises

Children incur bumps, bruised and other assorted “owwees” in the normal course of play. If your child is hurt at school an accident report will be sent home at the end of the day retailing what happened and what actions were taken by the school.

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Keep in Touch.

Don’t hesitate to email the school should you have any questions for the teacher and/or for any other communication. We keep a close watch on our inbox and nearly always reply the same day.

You will find any of these materials as well as your child’s work for the day in your child’s tote bag upon pick-up.

If your child is still in diapers, the teacher will send home a daily diaper sheet. It will tell you what time he or she was changed and by whom. It will also tell you how long she or he napped as well as alert you if we need more wipes, diapers or clothes.

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Miscellaneous

Any soiled clothes will be given to you upon pick-up. Further, you will be notified if we need you to provide replacement clothes for your child.

Tuition is paid directly through our online payment system, Curacubby. It offers the highest level of encryption and security and charges no fee for direct withdrawal from a checking or savings account. There is a fee for credit card use so we recommend you opt for direct withdrawal from your checking account.

If you pull into our front driveway when the drive-thru is not open, please move forward all the way to the closed gate so that others may park behind you.

We are always available for a conference or chat if you have questions or comments regarding our program. Welcome to the International Montessori Academy Family!

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