Middle School
The Adolescent Philosophy
“Adolescence is a transition from the child who has to live in a family, to the adult who has to live in society.”
--Maria Montessori
The Oak Farm Montessori Middle School Program provides an innovative land-based educational program in which adolescents can excel as individuals, engage in meaningful work, acquire leadership skills, and learn to care for themselves, their peers, the environment, and their community.
Montessori philosophy views adolescence as a period of great transformation and extraordinary potential. The primary mission of the adolescent program is to serve the vital needs of adolescents through work that challenges both the mind and the body. This is carried out through a supportive teaching staff that creates a prepared learning environment that empowers adolescents to set and exceed their own goals, to engage in real community experience and meaningful, noble work; all of these contributing to their sense of purpose and worth.
Oak Farm Montessori Adolescent Program provides:
• Individualized instruction- small classes
• Logically integrated, challenging and rich curriculum
• Development of life and learning skills: self-direction, critical thinking, timemanagement, collaboration, and personal responsibility
• Development of community: respect, responsibility, democratic problemsolving and interdependence.
• Development of critical/ divergent thinking and creativity
• Integration of technology
• A learning environment that helps adolescents to discover their capabilities through meaningful work and real-life problem solving
The Tendencies of the Adolescent
While elementary children are engaged in an exploration of the world using their extraordinary imaginative powers, adolescents tend to view the world through a much more personal lens. They still have a tendency for exploration, but now they need to look inside to see who they are, what they can do, and how they fit into society. Because adolescents need to begin to find their way into adult society, they have a strong need to gather experiences and to communicate. All of these tendencies must be understood and allowed to take place for adolescents to continue their selfexploration.
Sense of Place
Margaret Stephenson, Dr. Montessori’s representative to the United States, wrote:
“For the adolescent, the exploration is . . wider, encompassing the land and the community of the rural area. It echoes what the children explored at younger ages -- civilization and how it came about -- but now the exploration takes place in real time because the adolescents are actually doing it. Cooperation with the land . . . affords the adolescent the opportunity to see his or her place in society.”
A sense of place takes on critical meaning to the adolescent. This meaning allows the adolescent to belong. It evokes history. The adolescent is yearning to know where they came from, how society formed, what it means to be a member of society. Our challenge, therefore, is to prepare an environment that allows for this exploration that will lead to engagement and meaningful work. Here the adolescent will feel a sense of belonging and experience the opportunity to contribute. The middle school work is made up of key experiences that adhere to the following characteristics:
1. They are real.
2. They are meaningful to the student.
3. They satisfy the needs and characteristics of the age.
4. They are rich in possibility.
5. They are correlated and cumulative.
6. They encourage reflection.
7. They are rigorous.
Adolescents are seeking a connection to the adult world. Opportunity must be given for adolescents to feel a part of their community. Oak Farm Montessori gives them a place to which they can belong and for which they are responsible. Where they can be safe to express themselves, to try and possibly fail and learn and try again, in which they can use all of their intellectual capabilities for the good of themselves and the good of their larger community.
Valorization
Dr. Montessori defined valorization as “making [the adolescent] feel himself capable of succeeding in life by his own efforts and on his own merits” (From Childhood to Adolescence 64).
Normalization – ages 0-12
Love of order
Love of work
Profound spontaneous concentration
Attachment to reality
Love of silence and working alone
Sublimation of the possessive instinct
Power to work by choice, not just curiosity
Valorization – ages 12-24
Flexibility
Selflessness
Optimism
Confidence
Dignity
Self-Discipline
Initiative
Obedience Independence
Spontaneous self-discipline
Joy
Helpfulness
Good judgment
Ability to work with others
Perseverance
Problem Solving
The Middle School Day
Arrival Procedures
The official arrival time is between 8:15 and 8:30am. Students should arrive on time to promptly begin our Erdkinder work at 8:30am. The mudroom door is equipped with a coded keypad. Students will be given the code so that this door can be used for entry.
Dismissal Procedures
The school day ends at 3:30pm. Students should be picked up no later than 3:45pm. Parents should pull up in front of the building and wait in their cars for their children to be dismissed. All students will sign-out with a staff member before departing.
Attendance, Tardiness, and Appointments
Regular attendance is critical to your young adult’s success. If a student is absent, they miss the necessary interaction among peers as well as with the teachers that is imperative to building relationships and advancing academically. Parents will be notified in writing when a student has missed six days. After eight absences, a conference will be requested. If absences interfere with a student’s progress, a repeat of that year may be recommended. Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive to our learning community and should be avoided when possible.
Necessary appointments should be communicated via email to attendance@ oakfarmschool.com and team leader, Kavin Ley, kley@oakfarmschool.com or in the form of a written note, a phone call, or an e-mail at the earliest possible time. If you are arriving late, picking up your young adult for an appointment, or picking up your young adult early from school, you should report to the Victorian Farmhouse to sign your student in and out. The expectation for field experiences is that students will be dropped off and picked up from the school.
Dress Guidelines
Students should dress in a manner that does not disrupt the learning environment. Students’ dress should show and reflect self-respect and awareness for others in the learning environment. Students should dress appropriately for outdoor work in pants similar to jeans, closed-toe shoes, t-shirts or sweatshirts, and suitable jackets. Overalls or coveralls are also suitable. Hats, gloves, and mud boots are recommended. Short pants, dresses, and/ or skirts are not ideal for farm work. It is a good idea to keep a change of clothes at school for a variety of reasons. Also, students will walk to the woods, to the prairie, and/or to the arts center on a regular basis regardless of weather. On such days, students should dress for inclement weather.
Snacks and Lunch
Snack time is available Monday through Thursday. We suggest students bring a complete snack daily, which fuels and fills up teen bodies without negative side effects (here is a great website for some complete, snack ideas:
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ healthy-snacks-for-work#TOC_TITLE_ HDR_6
• https://www.eatright.org/-/media/ files/eatrightdocuments/nnm/ smartsnackingforadultsandteens.pdf
A complete snack consists of a protein, fiber, and healthy fat (SOURCE). Occasionally, snack will be provided by the MS Microeconomy. Students need to have a water bottle at school. Research shows that the brain is the first part of our bodies to dehydrate. Water is the only drink allowed at the middle school for students.
Students may elect to participate in Oak Farm’s hot lunch program. Menus are shared one month in advance. Students are asked to select dates and then return their selections with payment. Costs will be announced at the beginning of the school year. Students may choose to bring their lunch to school. Personal lunches should be nutritious and well balanced. Oak Farm Montessori is a low-sugar school. We encourage families to turn to whole foods—organic and locally grown whenever possible—as the staples for your child’s nutritional needs. Remember that high sugared foods and beverages with labels containing more than the recommended 12 grams of added sugar are discouraged from lunches and snacks. Also candy, fast foods (with the exception of Subway), or soda can NOT be included in lunches or snacks. Refer to the school parent handbook for more details regarding a healthy diet. Water is the only drink allowed at the middle school for students.
A microwave is available for warm-ups. All food and drinks will be consumed in the designated dining spaces. No refrigeration is provided.
Dating and Relationships
Our program is built on community and inclusion, and students must work with all members of the community at different times. Dating and close relationships are a natural part of development; however, students are not permitted to exclude others while at school or on school trips. As in a workplace, public displays of affection are prohibited while at school and on school trips.
Middle School Requirements
Homework, Assignments, and Class Preparedness
Homework is a regular part of the middle school experience. Students can expect to be given nightly homework in each subject area. With proper time management, homework should not exceed 1.5 hours/night- 5 nights per week. If you find that you are frequently exceeding this time and are overwhelmed, please contact MS teachers to discuss accommodations. Students are expected to have their work completed by the assigned due dates. When you are absent, you have the number of days you were absent to make up your work, this includes farm pull-out. For example, if you were absent for 3 days, you have 3 days to complete your missing work. For farm pull-out, your work is due the following school day.
The young adult will be asked to create a personal management plan if work is turned in late repeatedly. Parents will be notified of late homework if it becomes common and asked to collaborate to find a solution. Both students and parents should check Google Classroom for missing/late work. Google Classroom is accessible from any computer where students can access their daily/weekly agendas, due dates, and attachments. This is especially useful in the event of an absence.
Academic Policies
At the MS we uphold honor and integrity in order to build trust in our community. This means we create original works with our own words, thoughts, and processes versus plagiarism, online apps, software or other technology that would result in misrepresentation of our true abilities.
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be sent home each trimester for all academic subjects. The reports will be a listing of subject material covered and a sampling of scores to indicate the student’s mastery. Parents will also receive a report of scores for NWEA Reading and Math Scores.
Conferences
Conferences will be scheduled twice a year to give each student an opportunity to share his or her progress. Therefore, the expectation is that each student will attend the conference with his or her parents. If there are academic or behavioral concerns, parents may be asked to conference with teachers at other times than the fall and spring conferences.
Field Trips and Outings
Students will take at least one extended trip (four to seven days) during the school year. These excursions away from school will be tied to curricular projects. Since these field trips are curricular in nature, students
are expected to attend. Daylong trips will also be scheduled throughout the year. Information such as dates, location, and necessary items will be supplied in advance. MS families will be invoiced $750 per year for field trip costs.
There are also short trips for a few students that are more spontaneous in nature. For example, farm students might travel with the farm manager to visit an area veterinarian. Because of their nature, parents will not always receive an advance notice of outings.
Positive Discipline
Oak Farm Montessori School follows the principles of Positive Discipline.
1. Is Kind and Firm at the same time. (Respectful and encouraging)
2. Helps adolescents feel a sense of Belonging and Significance (Connection)
3. Is Effective Long-Term. (Punishment works short term, but has negative longterm results.)
4. Teaches valuable Social and Life Skills for good character. (Respect, concern for others, problem-solving, accountability, contribution, cooperation)
5. Invites adolescents to discover how Capable they are and to use their personal power in constructive ways.
Conduct Policy: Integrity, Respect,
and Responsibility
Students are expected to conduct themselves with respect for their community and their environment. Respect does not allow for abusive language or destructive behavior either toward another or toward oneself. If a lack of respect occurs, the student will be asked to step aside and speak to an adult. Any concerns will be reported to the parents. The first step will be a conversation between the student and teacher to discuss the choice made and its ramifications. The steps that follow will be dependent on the nature of the incident. Adolescents are entering the third plane of development where independence, personal accountability and the ability to work with others is being practiced. The Middle School follows the Oak Farm Montessori Guiding Principles: Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Each Other and Take Care of the Environment in each area in which we work. Students create guiding principles as a community and are expected to follow those throughout the year.
We have confidence that all students will endeavor to interact with others respectfully, positively and with grace and courtesy. However, if adolescents do not follow these guidelines, they are supported by redirection toward making the necessary changes in their behavior. There are several types of negative interactions that affect oneself and the community. Faculty will immediately stop any behavior tat is dangerous, damaging, or disrespectful. Generally, teachers will offer a reminder or a change in environment for the inappropriate behavior to stop. If the behavior persists, the advisor and student will have a meeting with the Director of Curriculum and Student Services. The family will also be contacted.
Personal Electronics Policy
Electronics at school, including smart watches, are a privilege and allowed based
on how students handle this freedom. If students show that they cannot handle this freedom responsibly, they will not be allowed to bring them to school. Misuse includes texting/calling or receiving communications from parents, family members, or friends. Personal electronic devices may only be used at school for meaningful learning purposes, with prior discussion and approval of the teachers, and with a teacher present in the room. Outside of approved classroom use, devices must remain off and stored in the locker for the school day. Electronics will only be allowed on field trips or outings where agreements and ground rules have been predetermined. Violation of those ground rules may result in the loss of electronics for the remainder of the trip or outing. If at any time a student is found to use electronics in a manner that is disrespectful or disruptive to the learning environment, the permanent loss of electronics privileges may occur.
Computer Usage and Treatment and Technology Policy
Students will be assigned a computer for the year. Students will be expected to adhere to the Guiding Principles of computer usage. Listed below are the provisions of your agreement with Oak Farm Montessori School regarding computer network and Internet use. If any user violates this Policy, the student’s access will be denied, if not already provided, or withdrawn, and he or she may be subject to additional disciplinary action.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
By signing this Policy, you are agreeing not only to follow the rules in this Policy, but are agreeing to report any misuse of the network to the person designated by Oak Farm Montessori School for such reporting. Misuse means any violations of this Policy or any other use that is not included in the Policy but has the effect of harming another or his or her property.
PERMITTED USE
A student who submits to Oak Farm Montessori School, as directed, a properly signed Policy and follows the Policy to which she or he has agreed will have computer network and Internet access for the duration of his or her stay at Oak Farm Montessori School. Students and their parents will be asked to sign a new Policy at the beginning of each year for the duration of their time at Oak Farm Montessori School before they are given computer network and Internet access.
ACCEPTABLE USES
A. Educational Purposes and Communicating with Families. Oak Farm Montessori School is providing access to its computer networks and the Internet primarily for educational purposes. If you have any doubt about whether a contemplated activity is acceptable, you may consult with the person(s) designated by Oak Farm Montessori School to help you decide if a use is appropriate.
B. Unacceptable Uses of Network. Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this Policy are the following:
1. Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate. You may not:
a. Transmit offensive or harassing messages;
b. Offer for sale or use any substance
the possession of which is prohibited by OFMSl;
c. View, transmit, or download pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law;
d. Intrude into the networks or computers of others;
e. Download or transmit confidential, trade secret information, or copyrighted materials. Even if materials on the networks are not marked with the copyright symbol, you should assume that all materials are protected unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.
2. Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property; including:
a. Engage in defamation (harming another’s reputation by lies);
b. Employ another’s password or some other user identifier that misleads message recipients into believing that someone other than you is communicating or otherwise using his/her access to the network or the Internet;
c. Upload a worm, virus, “Trojan horse,” “time bomb,” or other harmful form of programming or vandalism;
d. Participate in “hacking” activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.
e. Use pictures of others (including but not limited to peers, teachers, staff members) without their permission.
3.Uses that jeopardize the security of student access and of the computer network or other networks on the Internet. For example, you may not:
a. Disclose or share your password with others;
b. Impersonate another user.
4.Uses that are commercial transactions. Students and other users may not sell or buy anything over the Internet.
C. Network Etiquette. All users must abide by rules of network etiquette, which include the following:
1. Be polite. Use appropriate language. No swearing, vulgarities, or suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or threatening language.
2. Avoid language and uses that may be offensive to other users. Don’t use access to make, distribute, or redistribute jokes, stories, or other material that is based upon slurs or stereotypes relating to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.
3. If applicable, don’t assume that a sender of e-mail is giving his or her permission for you to forward or redistribute the message to third parties or to give his/her e-mail address to third parties. This should only be done with permission.
4. If applicable, be considerate when sending attachments with e-mail (where this is permitted). Be sure that the file is not too large to be accommodated by the recipient’s system and is in a format that the recipient can open.
INTERNET SAFETY
A. Individual Responsibility of Parents and Users. All users and their parents/guardians are advised that access to the electronic network may include the potential for access to materials inappropriate for school-aged pupils. Every user must take responsibility for his or her use of the computer network and Internet and stay away from these sites. Parents of minors are the best guide to materials to avoid. If a student finds that other users are visiting offensive or harmful sites, he or she should report such use to
the person designated by the School.
B. Personal Safety. Be safe. In using the computer network and Internet, you may not
1. Reveal personal information such as your home address or telephone number.
2. Use your real name or any other information that might allow a person to locate you without first obtaining the permission of a supervising teacher.
3. Arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you “meet” on the computer network or Internet
“Hacking” and Other Illegal Activities. It is a violation of the Policy to use OFMS’s computer network or the Internet to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems, or to attempt to gain such unauthorized access. Any use that violates state or Federal law relating to copyright, trade secrets, the distribution of obscene or pornographic materials, or which violates any other applicable law or municipal ordinance, is strictly prohibited.
Confidentiality of Student Information. Personally identifiable information concerning students may not be disclosed or used in any way on the Internet without the permission of a parent or guardian or, if the student is 18 or over, the permission of the student himself/herself. Users should never give out private or confidential information about themselves or others on the Internet, particularly credit card numbers and Social Security numbers. A supervising teacher or administrator may authorize the release of directory information for internal administrative purposes or approved educational projects and activities.
Active Restriction Measures. OFMS utilizes filtering software or other techniques to prevent students from accessing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) child pornography, or (3) harmful to minors. OFMS will also monitor the online activities, through direct observation and/ or technological means, to ensure that students are not accessing such depictions or any other material that is inappropriate for minors.
PRIVACY
Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for your education. Oak Farm Montessori School reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review, and store at any time without prior notice any and all usage of the computer network and Internet access and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such information files shall be and remain the property of OFMS and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding such materials. OFMMS also reserves the right to monitor all computer usage on school computers using a Technology Management System. This will be used as a way to increase awareness and application of digital citizenship.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW POLICY
The user’s use of the computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right. A user who violates this Policy shall, at a minimum, have his or her access to the computer network and Internet terminated, which OFMS may refuse to reinstate for the remainder of the student’s enrollment at Oak Farm Montessori School. A user violates this Policy:
1. By his or her own action or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user.
2. If he or she permits another to use his or her account or password to access the computer network and Internet, including any user whose access has been denied or terminated.
Oak Farm Montessori School may also take other disciplinary action in such circumstances.
Tobacco, Alcohol and Illegal Substances Policy
OFMS recognizes that the use of tobacco products is a health, safety, and environmental hazard for students, employees, visitors, and school facilities. The Board believes that the use of tobacco products, alcohol or illegal substances on school grounds, in school buildings and facilities, on school property or at school-related or school-sponsored events is detrimental to the health and safety of students, staff and visitors.
OFMS recognizes that it has an obligation to promote positive role models at our school and to promote a healthy learning and working environment, free from unwanted smoke and tobacco use as well as alcohol and illegal substances for the students, employees, and visitors on the school campus.
No student, staff member or school visitor is permitted to use any tobacco products, alcohol or illegal substances at any time, including non-school hours (24/7) in the following locations or under these circumstances:
In any building, facility, or vehicle owned, leased, rented or chartered by OFMSl; on any school grounds and property – including athletic fields and parking lots –; or at any school-sponsored or school-related event on-campus or off-campus.
Further, no student shall be permitted to possess a tobacco product, alcohol or illegal substance while in any school building; while on school grounds or property; or at any school-sponsored or school–related event, or at any other time that students are under the authority of school personnel.
OUR TEAM
Chea Parton
Laura Gould Kavin Ley Solomon Boyce
Crystal Leu Shelby Frazier
