OFMS Parent Handbook 2023-24

Parent Handbook 2023-2024

OUR MISSION –

“To provide a Montessori environment that inspires students to reach their potential through meaningful work.”

Thoughts from our late founder, Lorene Dekko Salsbery (1961-2009)

“We talk about choice all the time with the children, but it is wonderful that we have choices, too: the choice to place our children in a non-traditional rather than a traditional school, a private school rather than a public school, a school that does not limit the ability to choose based on financial need It was with this premise that Oak Farm Montessori School came into existence

Because of this financial freedom, we can focus on volunteerism rather than a capital campaign, scholarship drive, or endowment-building An infrastructure has been put into place with our parent organization in order for parents to continue building upon what has been started People refer to Oak Farm as my school, but this school does not belong to anyone. Rather it belongs to everyone–the entire greater community in northeast Indiana and was created by much effort to demonstrate the potential of children in a system that works for them and our immediate community of students, parents, and grandparents

Change is imperative, and change we have Change is reacting to unforeseen circumstances, change is moving from a small start-up to a growing mid-size school, change is finding the right style of leadership, and change is proactively addressing problems as opportunities Change is never ending, and how we respond to change can make all the difference in the forward positive motion of this school. I think you will see stability at Oak Farm as we mature and continue to respond to the needs of the organization ”

CODE OF ETHICS OF THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY

(Adopted by the AMS Board of Directors October 1969. Expanded June, 1975)

As American Montessori Society members, we pledge to conduct ourselves professionally and personally in ways that will reflect our respect for each other and for the children we serve We will do whatever is within our talents and capacity to protect the rights of each child to have freedom and opportunity to develop his/her full potential AMS requires that all member schools and teacher-education programs comply with the AMS Code of Ethics AMS relies solely on self-compliance of this Code

PRINCIPAL I – Commitment to Students & Their Families

In fulfillment of the obligation to students and their families, AMS will:

1 Share resources for protecting equitable access to all programs and services, regardless of each student’s and family’s race, color, culture, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origins, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

2 Support practices that protect the physical health and psychological safety of each student and family.

3 Encourage independent action in the pursuit of learning, community building, and social action

4. Honor professional commitments, and maintain obligations and contracts while neither soliciting nor involving students or their families in schemes for commercial gain

5. Keep in confidence information that has been secured in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law

PRINCIPAL II – Commitment to

Staff & Colleagues

In fulfillment of the obligation to staff and colleagues, AMS will:

1. Protect equitable access to AMS employment, programs, services, and other opportunities regardless of each individual’s race, color, culture, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origins, or any other classification protected by applicable law

2 Dedicate ourselves to recognizing, addressing, and eradicating all forms of racism and systemic oppression within our organization and programs

3 Represent one’s own professional qualifications with clarity and true intent

4 Accept, offer, recommend, and assign professional positions and responsibilities on the basis of professional preparation and legal qualifications

5 Use honest, equitable, and effective methods of administering duties and conducting business

PRINCIPAL III – Commitment to the Montessori Movement

In fulfillment of the obligation to the Montessori Movement, AMS will:

1 shall extend just and equitable treatments to all members of the Montessori education profession

2 shall represent his/her own professional qualifications with clarity and true intent

3 shall apply for, accept, offer, recommend, and assign professional positions and responsibilities on the basis of professional preparation and legal qualifications.

4 shall use honest and effective methods of administering his/her duties, his/her use of time, and the conducting of any business.

PRINCIPAL IV – Commitment to the Public

In fulfillment of the obligation to the public, AMS will:

1 Share perspectives consistent with all of the items set forth in the principles above, when engaged in public discussion.

2 Distinguish private views from the official position of the American Montessori Society when engaged in public discussion.

All AMS Montessori teachers, members, and AMS School Affiliates are expected to uphold and abide by the CODE OF ETHICS

ABOUT OAK FARM MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Oak Farm Montessori School is a private, non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors and committed to providing a unique child-centered environment employing the educational methods of Dr Maria Montessori Oak Farm Montessori has chosen a Montessori approach to education because we believe that education begins at birth, continues throughout life, and is not limited to just academic pursuits We also chose Montessori because it is based upon respect for the individual child, respect for all people of the world, and respect for all forms of life

Our farm school has the opportunity to teach children to be at home in the world of nature Strengthening the connection with nature and the environment is an integral part of Oak Farm Montessori’s curriculum We seek to instill in our students, parents, and faculty not only a reverence for the Earth, its water, and all living things, but also a sense of stewardship for the environment based on our individual responsibility for the beauty of the land and the health of our ecosystems. We believe that being at home in the world of nature is basic to being a whole and healthy human being

We recognize, and take seriously, the opportunity to influence positively the adult a child will one day become. Oak Farm Montessori is committed to giving students the skills that they will need to succeed in the real world of the 21st century They need more than a solid academic foundation They need to learn the skills to enable them to adapt to a rapidly changing society.

At Oak Farm Montessori School, we teach our students to think, not simply to memorize then forget, because we are convinced that learning the right answer is not enough We must help students learn how to learn. This is preparation for life.

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Oak Farm Montessori’s philosophy follows Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy concerning a child’s education and whole self-development We also have our own vision of how to benefit our children and where Oak Farm Montessori is headed for years to come. The children will always come first. That is why Oak Farm Montessori exists for the children We want to offer the communities in which we live a higher and more fulfilling opportunity for education Along with Dr Montessori’s vision and outline for children’s education, we, too, at Oak Farm Montessori School set high standards for our children and their families The success of our school lies in the families and faculty of Oak Farm Montessori Each faculty member must have a general love for children and a need to help them become caring and respectful human beings who will one day be the leaders of our world The families of Oak Farm Montessori School must also believe in the philosophy and vision in order for their children to benefit fully from their experience at Oak Farm Montessori Teaching and encouraging children, whether in the classroom, in an administrative role, or elsewhere, are the most important jobs we have All faculty members are expected to be a role model for our children They watch us and look to us for guidance, advice, and, sometimes, just a kind word They need to know they are loved and safe here at all times

SCHOOL ACCREDITATION/VALIDATION/AFFILIATION

Oak Farm Montessori School is accredited by with the American Montessori Society (AMS) and Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), validated by United Montessori Schools of IN (UMSI) and affiliated with North American Montessori Teachers’ Association (NAMTA), and we follow their strict guidelines Oak Farm Montessori’s accreditation, validation and affiliation with these organizations assures you that Oak Farm Montessori is providing an authentic Montessori program using Montessori materials and Montessori-certified teachers Oak Farm Montessori will provide parents and caregivers with information from these organizations such as magazines, articles, books, and videos.

FACULTY PROMISE

We are professional people working together to provide a warm, loving, and nurturing environment for our students We understand that we have a significant impact on our students’ ability to learn, grow, create, develop, and relate peacefully and respectfully to other people and to the natural world. We share a vision of both inner and global peace We work to achieve that peace through our own daily experiences, and we are committed to being role models of kindness, courtesy, and respect for our students. We will endeavor to instill in our students and parents a reverence for the Earth and all living things We will teach our students to be stewards of the environment based upon our responsibility to take care of the 5

Earth and its ecosystems

We commit to educate the child more “fully”: intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and physically

FREEDOM AND POSITIVE DISCIPLINE

The Montessori environment includes a fine balance between structure and freedom The concept that freedom carries responsibility is gradually introduced from the beginning of school Freedom does not mean being able to do solely what you want to do It does involve being able to identify what is constructive and beneficial for yourself and the community OFMS teachers guide students to understand their rights and responsibilities in the community

Oak Farm Montessori School follows the principles of Positive Discipline

1. Is Kind and Firm at the same time. (Respectful and encouraging)

2 Helps students feel a sense of Belonging and Significance (Connection)

3. Is Effective Long-Term. (Punishment works short term, but has negative long-term results.)

4 Teaches valuable Social and Life Skills for good character (Respect, concern for others, problem-solving, accountability, contribution, cooperation)

5 Invites students to discover how Capable they are and to use their personal power in constructive ways

OFMS is a Positive Discipline school Our guiding principles are few and simple and are focused on the students learning self-respect, respect for others, and respect for the environment. Our faculty’s goal is to redirect a student before misbehavior becomes a problem Each classroom spends considerable time discussing and teaching students the guiding principles and models those principles in different situations. Also, when conflicts arise in the classrooms our teachers use a democratic process for conflict resolution

If discipline is necessary, natural and logical consequences are used. Disciplinary concerns will be addressed with parents and caregivers and may result in the development of a Student Action Plan

Faculty will immediately stop any behaviors that are:

● Dangerous

● Disrespectful

● Damaging.

Intended physical contact such as kicking, hitting, biting, verbal abuse, or “bullying” of any kind will not be tolerated (Bullying: Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power. Experts agree that bullying entails three key elements: an intent to harm, a power imbalance and repeated acts or threats of aggressive behavior ie: verbal, physical, relational, cyber) Additionally, weapons such as knives, daggers, and other dangerous objects such as lighters may not be brought to school without teacher approval

If behaviors that impede others' learning in a safe community occur, we will ask to meet with you to determine a plan to provide additional support to your child, which may include a requirement for consultation with an outside professional Occasionally, we must ask that the student not attend school while the behavior is being addressed In cases of repeated occurrences of dangerous behavior, we may rescind the offer of enrollment

We put considerable thought and effort into helping each student learn skills that will make it possible for him/her to contribute to the group and feel a part of it If you are having any problems with your child and would like to discuss them, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher, Director of Curriculum & Student Services, or Head of School

CURRICULUM

In General

Montessori materials are designed to capture the student’s attention and to correspond to inner needs and interests After a teacher introduces the student to a material, he/she is free to use the material whenever he/she likes, for as long as he/she wishes, undisturbed by others Many materials are self-correcting If the student makes a mistake, he/she can see it without an adult pointing out the errors

Montessori materials are open-ended The teacher suggests a first use for the material After that, the student may discover many other uses Sometimes a student may encounter the materials at different age levels, with increasingly sophisticated work possibilities suggested at each level.

The classrooms, infant through elementary, are established with specific goals in mind. The students in each classroom progress in all developmental areas: intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual Our classrooms are not graded, which allows for flexibility in ages and curriculum. Following the Montessori philosophy of individualized instruction allows the student to advance without the restriction of grading.

Infant—6 Weeks to 18 Months Old

Infants are born with tremendous potential; they are eager to learn, explore, and try new things. Dr. Montessori’s research and experience as well as current information teaches us that brain and physical development progress faster at this time than at any other time in life. In the carefully prepared infant Montessori environment, the babies are provided with rich sensory materials and a calm but stimulating setting. They learn to use their large muscles for crawling, walking, and running. They use their small muscles for grasping and touching and, later, for eating, writing, and painting pictures At Oak Farm Montessori School, infants have plenty of room and time for work and to use exciting materials that stimulate their need to learn Montessori-trained, caring adults help infants develop strong, loving, trusting relationships and attachments that will help to prepare them socially and emotionally for adulthood

Toddler—18

Months to 3 Years Old

Oak Farm Montessori’s toddler environment is designed to be a gentle transition from home to school Through close cooperation between parents and teachers, the children gradually become able to separate from their parents without anxiety In a respectful and gentle way, the teachers support the child’s natural development, with the focus on the encouragement of independence Toddlers begin building the foundation for who they are to become They are beginning to form their character, self-esteem, purpose of life, social skills, and learning processes Activities are positioned around the room for toddlers to select independently The Montessori pedagogy helps the toddlers to begin to experience the concept of sequence, form, shape, movement, and sound The activities change and evolve as the child grows physically, emotionally, and intellectually

Primary 3 to 6 Years Old

Oak Farm Montessori’s carefully planned primary environments for 3-6 year olds have been created using Montessori principles These specially prepared environments support the students’ natural desire to learn. The academically enriched atmosphere is embedded in a well-ordered social community. Order, concentration, coordination, and independence are nurtured through the use of Montessori materials The materials and environment also build a foundation for math, writing, reading, and cultural subjects such as geography, the sciences, history, art and music

Each child is honored as an individual learner, maximizing his/her potential The teacher has an in-depth relationship with each student based on respect, warmth, patience, and understanding.

Elementary 6 to 12 Years Old

The Montessori elementary environment is a uniquely personal and dynamic educational environment Students are viewed as individuals, and lessons are given to meet their needs according to their level of development Students actively reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired in the primary classroom and are now prepared for independent, self-directed study Students work in partnership with

the teacher to develop a personal lesson plan The elementary experience is a period of culture, where children are eager to learn about their own cultural heritage and that of people around the globe It is also a time of imagination, which makes it possible to introduce subjects ranging from the study of microscopic organisms to the analysis of distances between galaxies In all of their studies, students move from the research of concrete objects to more abstract general knowledge A significant goal of the elementary program, as Dr Montessori saw it, was to help children understand the world around them and their responsibility toward it She saw education as the means for transforming our world into a place of peace This goal can only be met through strengthening the students’ ability to classify, understand, appreciate, and empathize with their world and its contents

Secondary- 12 to 18 Years Old

During adolescence, the young person experiences changes unknown since the infant and toddler age Here again, the body and brain both change and develop rapidly The students are in a state of flux, but this time they are learning how to become members of society They are no longer children, not yet adults, but are eager to understand the adult world they will soon enter

All of their Montessori environments have been carefully prepared for them in their education thus far However, now they are ready to prepare an environment for themselves. The Montessori Secondary program gives adolescents what they need most the space to create their own identity The Middle and High School integrates exploration, discovery, creativity, innovation and technology in all courses of study. This approach provides teenagers opportunities to use their talents to impact and engage with society in powerful ways.

They now use the “freedom through discipline” they have learned through all the other Montessori planes to begin to understand themselves In the elementary classroom they explored the world Now, they explore themselves in relation to that world. Adolescents begin to ask the questions of themselves, “What can I do? What are my strengths? What will be my place in adult society?”

With adult encouragement and guidance and aided by the knowledge they’ll learn in their academic classes, they continue to choose different activities during this time of self-exploration, but many times now these activities involve collaboration and collective effort

The focus of the Secondary program is on developing relevant life skills so that students will graduate poised to be successful in whatever endeavor they choose Courses fall into three categories: Self Expression, Academic Development and Preparation for Adult Life From creative writing to language studies and integrated sciences, an emphasis on exploration, entrepreneurship and use of hands-on technologies is a common thread that runs through all three categories

In the course of the child’s Montessori education the goal has been the ability to be engaged, focused, and disciplined in his or her educational choices Now, after this has been achieved, a Secondary Montessori education seeks the “valorization” of each individual No matter what a student’s skill level, academic level, or achievement level, all young people will, along with their peers and their teachers, learn that they have the ability and the right to share their talents, their enthusiasm, and their compassion with the world When this occurs, the goal of valorization has been achieved

Peace Education

Peace is a way of life and a change of attitude from being competitive to cooperative, from reactive to proactive

Dr Maria Montessori called on educators to teach peace to our children in every way and at every opportunity. She made it clear that the Montessori philosophy of education is not just about teaching children to read and write, but an effort to build a global community by raising children in the ways of peacemaking. In her vision, schools would liberate the human spirit and teach tomorrow’s leaders how to create, sustain, and enjoy a culture of respect and peace

Learning how to work and play together with others in a peaceful and caring community is perhaps the most critical life skill Oak Farm Montessori School can teach your child Everyday kindness and courtesy

are vital practical-life skills taught at Oak Farm Montessori Our students come to understand and accept that we all have responsibilities to other people They develop a clear sense of values and social conscience Our students are taught everyday ethics and interpersonal skills from the beginning, and we insist that every person in our community be treated with dignity and respect

Special Programs

Special programs provide students with enrichment studies to complement and enhance our curriculum These programs include music, art, physical education, nature study, STEAM, cooking, theater and foreign language

Assessments, Vision and Hearing Screening

To ensure that students are meeting developmental and academic milestones, Oak Farm Montessori provides vision and hearing screenings and reading and math assessments There is no cost to parents for these services

Vision and hearing screening is provided for all students at grade levels Kindergarten, 3rd year lower elementary and 7th years in Middle School and all students receiving speech services

To guide us in supporting children’s language and math development, we assess children’s reading and math progress at the start and at the end of kindergarten through 6th grade. A teacher created Montessori assessment is used to measure math and language progress, while Fountas and Pinnell is used to measure reading level. The assessment results will help the teacher identify a starting point for instruction early in the year In addition, the assessment helps to pinpoint any reading difficulties that may exist If difficulties come to light through the assessment, the school will notify the parents immediately and discuss recommendations

Learning Differences & Special Needs

Oak Farm Montessori’s goal is to provide an environment that allows children to reach their fullest potential Teachers and administrators work with families in an effort to provide a successful social, emotional and academic experience for all children throughout their time at Oak Farm Montessori We recognize that children have varied learning needs, and at times may require additional support in certain areas We are committed to working with children with learning challenges and diagnosed disabilities to the best of our ability so that they may have a fair and reasonable opportunity for success

In determining the supports and accommodations that can be provided, Oak Farm Montessori will consider the extent to which the accommodations may affect the classroom environment or the nature of the program, the reasonableness of a requested accommodation, whether its financial or resource costs create an undue burden on the School and its personnel, and the cooperation of the parents in supporting Oak Farm Montessori’s recommendations The School's behavioral expectations of the students will not be altered, though academic objectives may be modified when it is deemed to be in the child’s best interest The School may make recommendations for parents to seek support from outside professionals, and the School reserves the right to evaluate test results and to review testing conducted by outside parties.

Parents, teachers and administrators work together to create and facilitate an individualized support plan (ISP), facilitated by the Director of Curriculum & Student Services An ISP may be requested by teachers or by parents by contacting the Director of Curriculum & Student Services. While Oak Farm Montessori is committed to supporting all of its students, the School may determine that a child’s needs would be better served in a different setting.

The School provides a Speech Language Pathologist and a Reading Interventionist to support students who would benefit from remediation in developing speech, language and reading skills When the Speech Language Pathologist, Reading Interventionist and classroom teachers agree that a child would benefit from those services, a recommendation is made, and parents are contacted to explain the services offered

CLASSROOMS, DAYS, and HOURS

Infant Program

The Infant program is 5 full days, Monday through Friday of each week. Students arriving prior to 8:30 a m or dismissing after 3:30 p m are to be enrolled in Before or After Care

The infant program is closed every other Friday Please refer to the school calendar for specific classroom closure dates.

Toddler Program

The Toddler program offers 3 half days (8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.) or 3 or 5 full days (8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p m ) The 3-day programs (both half day and full day) are Tuesday through Thursday of each week Students arriving prior to 8:25 a m or dismissing after 3:30 p m are to be enrolled in Before Care or After Care

The toddler program is closed every other Friday. Please refer to the school calendar for specific classroom closure dates. Primary

The

Elementary and Middle-School Classrooms

The Elementary and Middle School classroom hours are 8:30 a m to 3:30 p m

Students arriving prior to 8:15 a m or dismissing after 3:45 p m are to be enrolled in Before Care or After Care

Arrival: 8:15 a m to 8:30 a m

Dismissal: 3:30 p m to 3:45 p m

Before Care: 7:30 a m to 8:15 a m

After Care: 3:45 p m to 5:00 p m

High School

The High School classroom hours are 8:25 a m to 3:30 p m

Students arriving prior to 8:00 a m or dismissing after 3:45 p m are to be enrolled in Before Care or After Care High school students are encouraged to apply to work in Before Care and/or After Care

Arrival: 8:00 a m to 8:25 a m

Dismissal: 3:30 p m to 3:45 p m

Before Care: 7:00 a m to 8:10 a m

After Care (Independent Study): 4:00 p m to 5:00 p m

Before Care and After Care Programs:

Students enrolled in the Before Care and After Care Programs are scheduled to arrive and dismiss at the times shown on the student’s enrollment materials There is no 15-minute grace period for these programs Students arriving and dismissing at times other than those noted on the enrollment materials will be subject to early-arrival or late-dismissal fees

Oak Farm Montessori School has limited enrollment in the Before Care and After Care Programs Please check with the school’s administration for available spaces and locations of these programs. Your child must be enrolled in these programs to attend

Students Arriving Prior to or Dismissing After the Scheduled Class Times

If a student arrives prior to his/her scheduled arrival time or leaves after his/her scheduled dismissal time, the parents and caregivers are billed for the before care or after care fee for the time the child arrives or is picked-up according to the Oak Farm Montessori Tuition and Fee Schedule All fees are billed and payable with the next month’s tuition. If a child is picked up after their scheduled dismissal time, a fee of $20 per 15 minutes per child will be charged

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES –

Carline Guidelines

We ask that you take caution when driving on Oak Farm Montessori’s campus, particularly during carline We do not have traffic officers directing traffic, so each driver is responsible for the safety of those in and around their car Please make every effort to observe the following safety guidelines:

● Drive at a reduced speed at all times on our grounds – 5 mph

● Refrain from cell phone use while in your vehicle

● Take extra caution when entering or exiting car line lanes or when passing, and be observant of traffic around you

● Have all passengers remain seated in the vehicle in the required child restraints

● Keep carline moving; saving lengthy conversations with teachers for phone or meeting times

● The roundabout is one-way Please do not shortcut going the wrong direction on the roundabout

● The Lower Elementary courtyard is NOT a roundabout

● Students should remain seated and buckled in the proper child restraints until the vehicle is in the

student drop off area or, in the case of Primary and Toddler carline where the student is unable to unbuckle themselves, a faculty member is available to unbuckle the students

● Stay in your lane and follow the signs Do not swerve around other cars to pass or switch lanes to exit more quickly

● All drives are no passing

● All Lower Elementary traffic should exit the campus using Victorian Drive

● Sheldon Pass south of Red Barn South is ONE-WAY SOUTH from 8:15am to 8:45am and 3:15pm to 3:45pm, Monday through Friday

● The High School student drop off and pick up lane is in the new lane to the south of the High School building

● High School carline traffic should exit using the roundabout to Lorene’s Way.

● Students will not be released to vehicles where the proper child restraints are not present and available for the driver to use.

For families with students enrolled in the various levels and buildings at Oak Farm Montessori, please follow the following arrival or “drop off” order

Drop off order

8:00 am – 8:25 am High School

Any order, 8:15 am – 8:30 am

Lower Elementary Upper Elementary Middle School

8:15 am – 8:45 am

Toddler/Primary Infant

For dismissal, please follow the following dismissal or “pick up” order

Pick up order

3:15 pm – 3:30 pm

Toddler/Primary Infant

Any order, 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Lower Elementary Upper Elementary Middle School High School

(See maps on next pages)

ALL CLASSROOMS In General

Oak Farm Montessori School will not release a student to anyone other than a parent, guardian, or other authorized individual as noted on the enrollment materials All authorized individuals must be on the list and have the proper child seats Picture identification may be required before a student is released to an authorized individual Temporary authorization may be given under special circumstances

Attendance

Oak Farm Montessori School believes that there is a direct relationship between good attendance and high achievement. Students with strong school attendance achieve mastery learning, enjoy school, realize success, gain the necessary credits for graduation, and learn positive habits that carry over to their personal and occupational achievement. Additionally, instruction and practice needs to take place in the Montessori prepared environment and with Montessori materials If attendance becomes a concern at any level, the Director of Curriculum and Student Services will work with the student and family to create an educational attendance plan for the student.

Attendance at the Infant, Toddler, and Primary Levels

For the children to self-develop and self-educate, they must experience the rhythm of regular attendance They must be present for the day-to-day events in the prepared environment. They need to experience the unfolding of the individual children and the evolving of the community Much of the development of the children at Oak Farm Montessori School is subtle and indirect. Although most of the activities are individual and the teacher works with each one individually, there exists a web of unconscious interconnectedness in the community. Montessori calls this “society by cohesion.” The individual child cannot be a part of this social cohesion unless he is present regularly

Each individual child is important to the whole group Each moment of the group’s life is important to the individual members For this reason, we ask that your child attend school regularly If your child will be absent, please let us know If there is some compelling reason for your child to be absent for an extended period of time, please consult with the teacher When a child of this age level is absent, it may be difficult for her to reconnect and resume her self-development and self-education

The absorbent mind and the sensitive periods that characterize this stage of development require a predictable flow of days, a predictable sequence of events within those days, and a predictable response to the urges and drive that so strongly direct development For this reason Oak Farm Montessori School provides a 5-day-per-week program, even in the infant and toddler community We ask that you make every effort to avoid absences if at all possible.

Attendance at the Elementary Levels

For the children to self-develop and self-educate, they must be present Be sure your child only misses school when absolutely necessary. At the elementary level, children work independently and collaboratively They form different work and study groups that change for various projects Great waves of activity rise up, overtake the children, and then recede. The teacher at the elementary level gives presentations to the children in groups If a child is absent, he/she will miss the presentation and be unable to participate with his/her group. He/She may feel out of sorts and at odds with the community. Later, when he/she receives the presentation he/she missed, the wave of activity for that work may have passed. Now he/she may have to work alone, unsupported by his/her best work partners. The teacher, the community, and the child will be called upon to make a great effort to overcome the difficulty

When a child is absent, the group is incomplete, and the role played by the absent child leaves a gap If a child is absent often, the other children may feel they cannot count on that person. They may be inclined to select as work partners other children upon whom they can count to be present A child who is perceived in this manner may feel disengaged and out of step with his/her community His/Her learning and development can be affected For all of these reasons, we ask that you avoid absences when at all possible

At the elementary age social activity and interaction are critical for the coming adult to understand the function of society and collaborative effort Since the classes are inquiry based, when a student misses

class, he/she also misses the opportunity to learn from other students and to share opinions and ideas Likewise, the other students come to view the often-absent student as an outsider, one they cannot depend upon for work or community efforts Families of students with more than five (5) consecutive absences will be contacted with the teachers’ concerns

Parents are urged to avoid taking their child out of school before vacation periods or returning them late Such absences are disruptive to the child’s learning and missed lessons are very difficult to make up

Secondary Attendance

Oak Farm Montessori School requires 95% attendance rate policy for 7th-12th years Students will need to provide doctors’ notes as documentation for missing school time for appointments and illnesses.

Students below 95% attendance will receive an incomplete for that semester and need to make up the missed work in summer school to receive credit. With special permission and arrangements, students may organize to make up the work/ time during intersessions and other times outside of classes For less than 5% absences, work can be made up during the semester.

Bus Transportation

For transportation convenience, Oak Farm Montessori does have a bus system that has pick up and drop off locations in the Fort Wayne area Primary (at least 3 years old) though High School Students are eligible to ride the bus Information and registration forms may be requested through Admissions or at the Victorian Farmhouse administrative offices Prekindergarten students are now required to be in a car seat with both a shoulder restraint and a lap belt The capacity for prekindergarten students is 10 bus riders

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Cell Phones

Please use discretion on your cell phone while on campus and especially in the school. Please silence or keep your ringer on a very low volume Cell phones may not be used in the classrooms Also, please do not use your cell phones while in the car line at arrival or dismissal. By wishing your child a good day and greeting him/her when you are together again, parents are following the same practice as in the classroom.

Tuition Policy

Tuition is due on the first day of each month, along with any applicable bus fees. The first tuition installment is due on June 1st prior to the start of the school year The remaining tuition installments are due September 1st to April 1st . All checks and money orders are payable to Oak Farm Montessori School. Oak Farm Montessori will provide monthly or annual tuition receipts or statements upon request Tuition is based on a nine-month school year, end of August through May If a student enrolls after June 1, the payment installments may be revised to include a May installment

Tuition Discounts

Oak Farm Montessori offers a family discount as follows: youngest child, full tuition; second child, 10% reduction; third child, 25% reduction; and fourth child, 30% reduction An additional discount of 5% is available for tuition paid annually Oak Farm Montessori applies discounts and scholarships in a certain order Please contact Oak Farm Montessori’s accounting department for assistance in these calculations

Late Arrivals, Appointments, and Early Dismissals

Any student drop-off or pick-up outside of the normal arrival and dismissal times must be documented The following steps will be followed to ensure the safety of the child:

Infant through Middle School:

1 Parent/guardian reports to the Victorian Farmhouse to sign-in/out the child

2 Oak Farm Montessori personnel documents request, then notifies appropriate classroom teacher of the child’s impending arrival or departure

3 Parent/guardian reports to the classroom cubby door to drop-off or pick-up the child

Our school safety protocol prohibits late drop-offs or early dismissals without prior notification of Oak Farm Montessori personnel When dropping a child off late, picking up a child for an appointment during the school day, or picking up a child from school early, parents/guardians should not go to the classroom without first reporting into the Victorian Farmhouse

High school students may be signed in to their building directly These procedures are subject to change during a pandemic

Tuition Late Fees and Returned Check Fees

If tuition is not paid by the fifteenth day of each month, parents will receive a reminder of the amount due. After 30 days past due a late fee of $25 per month will be added to the account If the first day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, tuition is due prior to the first. If tuition and late fees are not paid within 45 days, the student may be withdrawn from school Account balances older than 90 days past due may be sent to a collection agency at the discretion of administration and the student’s enrollment status may be changed to “Conditional” The returned check fee is $25 00

Withdrawal Fee

Oak Farm Montessori School

Withdrawal Obligation Schedule

Withdrawal notice must be in writing to the Director of Admissions (email is acceptable)

Withdrawal (Notifications for 2023-24 School Year)

May 1 - May 31, 2023

June 1 - August 18, 2023

Withdrawal (Last day of student attendance)

August 19 - September 1, 2023

September 2 - November 1, 2023

November 2, 2023 - January 1, 2024

After January 1, 2024

Obligation to Pay (based on Annual Tuition)

Obligation to Pay (based on Annual Tuition)

This schedule is effective for the 2023-2024 school year enrollment

Business Transactions

We ask that you transact business and make all payments in the administration office located in the Victorian Farmhouse Oak Farm Montessori is not responsible for payments sent with students in backpacks and/or tote bags

Enrollment and Withdrawal Policy

Oak Farm Montessori admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or political affiliation in administration of its educational policies, admissions

policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs Students are admitted throughout the course of the academic year as deemed appropriate by the faculty Tuition is not subject to adjustment because of absence due to illness, vacations, or school closure If a student withdraws, the parents or guardians may be liable for a withdrawal fee unless the withdrawal is made at Oak Farm Montessori’s request Oak Farm Montessori School reserves the right to ask a parent or guardian to withdraw a child if it is the opinion of the faculty that the student is not able to benefit from the program, has a negative influence upon a classroom, or does not abide by expectations of safety and peaceful, courteous behavior towards others

Non-Solicitation

Solicitation or distribution of literature for personal financial gain or indoctrination to faculty members, students, or the parent body during school hours or on Oak Farm Montessori’s campus is not allowed Students and parents are welcome to make presentations of their family culture, religion and traditions in the classroom If you wish to schedule a presentation, contact your child’s teacher

Student Record Requests

Oak Farm Montessori will provide progress reports, attendance reports, ISP’s and transcripts to schools upon request Oak Farm Montessori does not require a parent or guardian signature to provide the above student records. Oak Farm Montessori will provide any additional student records with a parent signature Oak Farm Montessori will not release any records to a school if the current tuition is in a delinquent status. Once the tuition is up-to-date, the records will be released and sent to the school requesting the information

Greeting

The culture of the Oak Farm Montessori community is based on respect At the same time, it is more informal so that adults are addressed by their first names rather than by their last names or with a title such as Ms , Mr, or Mrs

Provisional Enrollment

Oak Farm Montessori reserves the right to terminate enrollment agreements in cases where the School determines your child’s social, emotional or learning needs are not being met, if you are acting out of accordance with school policies or recommendations, or if you are 10 days tardy in payment of tuition or fees. When recommendations are made to observe school policies or for you to seek evaluations or services from outside professionals for your child, we will expect you to do so within 30 days During this time, your child will be considered under “provisional enrollment” status until you provide confirmation of support of School recommendations or requests This procedure is subject to change during a pandemic

Conditional Enrollment

If your child’s enrollment process began late in the school year or during the summer, your child may be enrolled in the fall under a status of “conditional enrollment ” This means that your family has been unable to complete the necessary observations and classroom visits Your family will be required to complete the enrollment process as determined by the classroom faculty and administration The administrative faculty will notify you of your enrollment obligations for the month of September after receipt of your child’s enrollment application If enrollment obligations have not been completed in a timely manner, or if it has been determined that Oak Farm Montessori is not a good match for your family, your child will not be enrolled Tuition will not be payable until the student’s status has been changed to “Enrolled ” At which time the amount of tuition due will correspond to the portion of the month that the student attended Oak Farm Montessori regardless of the student’s enrollment status Registration and programs fees are payable for students under conditional enrollment and are not refunded or prorated if the student’s status does not change to “Enrolled ” This procedure is subject to change during a pandemic. Conditional enrollment will also be used for any student with significantly past due account. In this case, the student’s enrollment will not be guaranteed until the financial account has been made current.

Positive Discipline

The goal of discipline is to help a child learn the skills they lack to achieve belonging in appropriate ways All children should be treated with kindness, friendliness, patience, and respect. We want the children to

develop a positive self-image and respect for themselves, others and the environment The School believes that by treating the children with fairness and respect, they will react in kind

Faculty shall establish guiding principles according to the School’s guidelines to maintain an orderly, productive, respectful, and peaceful environment and consistently expect all children to adhere to them

● Students are expected to treat each other, faculty, materials and the environment respectfully

● Students must respect each other’s work and use appropriate volume in the environments

The adults in the classroom model a positive, caring attitude and follow the established guiding principles themselves When problems arise with one or more children, the adult will do the following:

● Take a positive approach, reminding the child of your belief in their potential;

● Encourage reflection, empathy, and “cool-down”;

● Teach a democratic process for conflict resolution that empowers children to solve problems independently;

● Make use of logical and natural consequences;

● Enforce the expectation that the student(s) make amends for negative choices;

● Involve the child(ren) in identifying solutions to prevent the problem from occurring in the future.

For serious problems in which an extended calming down period is needed for the student or the school, a student may be sent home This should not be viewed or communicated as either punishment or a solution to the long-term problem. It is simply the first step before a conference can be held to create a plan to resolve the problem The classroom lead teacher or an administrator should discuss this with the parent.

When a pattern of concerning behavior occurs (3 or more times in a two-week period), we seek consultation with the Director of Curriculum & Student Services to create a Behavior Action Plan and call student support team meetings with the parents to communicate the concerns and Action Plan. This may include a requirement for consultation with an outside professional

In cases of repeated occurrences of serious behavior, we will limit the child’s participation in our program and/or rescind the offer of enrollment until the child can demonstrate observance of the school’s ground rules

Micromobility Device Policy

Definition: Micromobility Devices means devices or vehicles including but not limited to, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, roller skates, roller blades and other wheeled devices intended or used for human transport and recreational desire whether powered by the rider, by an electric motor, a gasoline motor, or by a combination thereof

Wheelchairs and other mobility aids used for medical purposes are not included in this policy. Oak Farm Montessori School is committed to compliance with all ADA requirements

Purpose: The purpose of the Micromobility device Policy is to prohibit the use of all battery, gas, and other energy powered devices other than manual powered devices.

The goal is to reduce the risk of injury to both user and campus community members, prevent damage to Oak Farm Montessori School property, and prevent disruption to campus operations or programming

Use of pedal bikes are permitted and encouraged on campus grounds. Operators are responsible for their own safety and are required to use helmets when riding Other protective equipment such as elbow and knee pads are encouraged for skateboarding and rollerblading activities The safety of stationary persons, pedestrians, and individuals moving at lower speeds than the operator of a bicycle or any manual powered device is paramount Any person operating a manual powered device must maintain full control of the device at all times and may not carry passengers or objects that impede the operators’:

A. balance,

B ability to travel at a safe speed, or

C. safely and efficiently steer or stop the vehicle

Operators must not use handheld electronic devices (e g , cellular phones) while operating manual powered mobile devices Passengers are never permitted on manual powered devices Operators of permitted manual powered devices must operate in a manner that does not obstruct the operator’s senses and ability to perceive other travelers or hazards No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent having due regard for pedestrian traffic and/or at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property Operators must operate in a manner that is safe for conditions, including but not limited to rain, wind, glare, darkness, presence of other users, and the condition of the roadway, path, or other surface ridden on Bicycles operated on campus grounds must use both lights and reflectors when operating between sunset and sunrise, if such use would be required for operation on roadways. Operation of all micromobility device is prohibited in all campus buildings. Any and all injuries brought forth due to the use and operation of any micromobility device must be reported immediately to the CFO or Head of School

Scope: This policy applies to all faculty, students, guests and visitors on Oak Farm Montessori School property Oak Farm Montessori School campus is private property, and all campus visitors are responsible for following OFMS policies and procedures. Guests and visitors who fail to follow this policy may be asked to leave the property Violation by an employee or student may result in disciplinary action and charges imposed for any damages caused by a violation of this Policy

Oak Farm Montessori Bus Rules and Procedures

Due to the nature of this service we will not be able to accommodate late arrivals during pick up time The Oak Farm Montessori bus will leave at the originally scheduled time at the pick-up location The only exception to this time will be on delay days It is the parent’s responsibility to be aware of these delays and to provide the school with an accurate phone number so that you may be placed on our FACTS

Parent Alert list

It is the parent’s responsibility to remain with your child until they are able to board the school bus Children cannot be unsupervised during this time, and it is not the responsibility of the driver to provide that supervision

For the safety of our bus riders, our bus will not be able to stop at any point along the route to pick up/drop off students. In the event that a parent puts a student in an unsafe circumstance, the student may be removed from the bus

The bus will only stop at the designated bus stops If you miss a bus stop, continue to the next bus stop. Do attempt to distract or contact the bus driver in order to get the driver to stop at another location or turn around and return to a bus stop Do not attempt to block the path of the bus to facilitate your children getting on the bus. The driver is not allowed to receive calls or texts while driving the bus. Our bus is equipped with a video camera for safety reasons Oak Farm Montessori School reserves the right to refuse this service to any child/parent not abiding by the agreed upon conditions. Please refer to the Oak Farm Montessori Bus Rider Code of Conduct for further details

Oak Farm Montessori Bus Rider Code of Conduct

All students riding the bus are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct:

1 The bus is to be considered an extension of the classroom and the same decorum and respect for property and one another required in the classroom is required on the bus

2 Language should always be appropriate

3 Students must remain seated and wearing their seatbelts at all times

4 Students must refrain from physical contact with others

5 No electronics of any kind are permitted to be used on the bus This includes mp3 players, cell phones, iPods, iPads, Kindles or other electronic readers, and video games If these items are found to be in use, they will be held for the day by an Oak Farm Montessori faculty member and returned to a parent or guardian at the end of the day

6. Secondary student volunteers will act as guides and remind any student violating the Code of Conduct

that he or she is in breach Such breaches will be filed In the event a student is reported for a breach of the Code of Conduct three times during the academic semester, then that student will not be able to ride the bus for the next five consecutive school days Students who continue to violate behavior expectations on the bus may be removed permanently from the bus service

School Closings or Delays

Notice of emergency closings or delays will be broadcast on the following radio and TV stations:

WOWO (1190 AM Ft Wayne)

WMEE (97 3 FM Ft Wayne)

Fort Wayne television stations 15, 21, and 33

Oak Farm Montessori monitors local school public school districts to determine any delay or closing for Oak Farm Montessori If the temperature with wind chill is -19 or warmer, Oak Farm Montessori will monitor the status of two other private schools to determine if school will be delayed or closed If the temperature with wind chill is -20 or colder, Oak Farm Montessori will delay or close at our discretion.

Whenever possible, the decision to delay the start of school in the morning or to close school will be made the evening before or by 6:15am If weather conditions warrant a second decision, the decision will be made by 8:00am. The times of the first and second decision is based upon the time Oak Farm Montessori initiates the notification to parents, not when parents will actually receive the notification

Oak Farm Montessori has adopted two delay options: a 1-hour delay and a 2-hour delay

A 1-hour delay means that students may begin arriving in their classrooms at 9:30 School will be open on 1-hour delay days for half-day students and the school lunch program will be as planned.

A 2-hour delay means that students may begin arriving in their classrooms at 10:30. School will be closed to half-day students and the lunch program may be modified to a lunch menu that can be prepared for the normal lunch time

Please note that there will be no before care on school delay days.

Oak Farm Montessori reserves the right to delay or close school for certain situations that may deviate from the information provided here

If Noble County officials declare weather advisory, the school will take appropriate action based upon the restrictions placed on travel by the advisory

Weather/Emergency Alert Phone Service

Oak Farm Montessori uses FACTS Parent Alert Service to provide notification to parents and guardians in the event of a delay, closure, early dismissal, or emergency Parents are asked to provide contact information online by logging in to Parents web and completing the appropriate web forms A list of these numbers will be created and used for notifying parents of school delays and closings This list will be used to alert parents in the event of an emergency at Oak Farm Montessori

Notice of delays and closures will also be made by radio and television broadcasts Parents are also encouraged to utilize the text alert services or websites of local radio and TV stations as a backup to our alert notification service.

If Oak Farm Montessori is open and you are uncomfortable driving, you may elect to not bring your child to school. Use your own discretion. Please keep in mind that the safety of our faculty, parents, and children will be the determining factor in our decisions

The school year will not be extended to make up days lost due to weather Instead, Oak Farm Montessori has chosen to include an appropriate number of make-up days in the school calendar. After 3 closings, we will begin to use the designated make-up days

COMMUNICATION Office

Oak Farm Montessori has an administrative office located in the Victorian Farmhouse All calls or questions should be directed to this office.

Teachers

We cannot overemphasize the importance of open communication between parents and teachers Changes in your household can be unsettling for your child. Situations such as the birth of a baby, separation of parents, vacations, a visitor, a death in the family, the death of a pet, or even a small change that may seem insignificant to an adult can upset your child and cause problems at school If we are aware of changes at home, we can be more understanding and responsive to a child’s changing behavior at school

In the event that a meeting is required with the parents and school faculty, the individual requesting the meeting will provide the attendees with a specific agenda (written or verbal) and schedule an appointment This will allow everyone to review the situational facts, prepare questions, investigate the circumstances, and gather information, documentation, or facts

Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled twice each year (October and March) to discuss your child’s progress Parents/Guardians are expected to attend in-person. Middle school and High school conferences are student led, and these students are expected to attend Informal conferences with your child’s teacher should be by appointment In addition, teachers are always available for on-going communication, and parents are welcome to observe the classrooms

Administration

We welcome open dialogue with parents Please feel free to voice your comments, concerns, and compliments that relate to the entire school. Parent or faculty “grapevines” tend to distort original messages Appointments are recommended Please do not let a problem become a crisis before you contact us. Any specific classroom concerns should be directed to the appropriate lead teacher.

The offices of Head of School, CFO, Human Resources, Community Relations, Fund Development, Accounting and Purchasing, Admissions Director and Office Administrator are located in the Victorian Farmhouse. The Director of Curriculum and Student Services is located in the Upper Elementary Building The High School Administrator is located in the High School

School Directory

A school directory will be available on Parentsweb (FACTS). The parent directory may include names (parents and students), home addresses, home telephone numbers, cell phone numbers, and classrooms. Parents must elect to be included in the parent directory. Permission must be indicated on the appropriate online enrollment form If a parent does not elect to be included in the school directory, information (addresses and telephone numbers) will not be shared with other parents by the faculty

Communication Chart

As a general guideline, please contact the following individuals for the topic noted

Academic Questions/Concerns

Business Administration

Infant/Toddler Questions/Concerns

Primary/Elementary Questions/Concerns

Secondary Questions/Concerns

Whole School Admissions

Tuition & Tuition Statements

Speech or Reading Services

Online School Store

Bridget York, Director of Curriculum & Student Services

Lauren Moyer, Chief Financial Officer

Bridget York, Director of Curriculum & Student Services

Bridget York, Director of Curriculum & Student Services

Bridget York, Director of Curriculum & Student Services

Sarah Shanton-Cox, Admissions Director

Kelly Elias, Accounting Manager

Bridget York, Director of Curriculum & Student Services

Nikole Albright, Communications & School Events Coordinator

Absences Main Office

School-Lunch Program

Kristine Landrum, School Chef

Buildings/Grounds

Ben Bollinger, Property Manager

Volunteers Nicole Lowe, Community Liaison

VISITOR POLICIES

In General

All visitors, including parents, must sign in at the administrative office located in the Victorian Farmhouse Visitors will be accompanied at all times while touring Oak Farm Montessori Oak Farm Montessori welcomes parents and extended family visits. If possible, let us know prior to the day of the visit and indicate how much time you would like to spend at Oak Farm Montessori so that we may do our best to accommodate you. These procedures are subject to change during a pandemic.

Classroom Observations

Parents are encouraged to observe at any level Observations are scheduled from 9 a m to 11 a m For infant, toddler and primary observations, you may be asked to observe from the observation room. We ask that parents schedule their time by calling and making an appointment If a teacher requests that a parent observe, it is the responsibility of the parent to make the necessary appointment. These procedures are subject to change during a pandemic

SNACKS

Oak Farm Montessori will provide nutritious snacks for students in the Toddler and Primary classrooms. Donations of specific snack food will be thankfully accepted Please check with your child’s teacher for appropriate food to donate Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Secondary teachers will provide guidelines and/or a list of recommended snacks that students may bring for individual use

LUNCH

Lunch is a special time for children at Oak Farm Montessori School to reinforce their sense of community Oak Farm Montessori students have the option of either bringing their own lunches or partaking in the school's lunch program Whichever option your family chooses or perhaps a combination of both, meals at Oak Farm Montessori consist of nutritional and healthy food choices with water Studies show foods and beverages with high-sugar and -fat content are not nutritionally sound and have a negative effect on children’s behavior and attentiveness Oak Farm Montessori is a low-sugar school Review the parent handbook for your child’s specific level for additional guidelines

If your child is packing his or her own lunch, please provide a soft lunch box or bag, preferably insulated Microwaves may be available for heating food but oftentimes only on a limited basis. Since each lunch lasts approximately 30 minutes, too many warm-ups of more than one minute to reheat will have some children trying to rush through their lunch when others are finished. Refrigeration is not available for storage of students' lunches If necessary, please include an ice pack to keep lunches safely chilled until consumption.

The school provides place settings and silverware for lunch. These items are washed at school with the students' assistance To eliminate other forms of waste often present with packed lunches, we suggest lunch items be packed in reusable containers.

A nutritious lunch program is available for all students. Lunch menus are posted on our website a month in advance Parents and students are invited to pre-select the lunches they prefer to eat by signing up through the FACTS family portal. All lunches must be ordered prior to 7:00 a.m. of the current school day, and may also be canceled using the same deadline Lunches are invoiced after the last day of each month No refunds or credits are given in the event of a student absence All regularly scheduled school days that are canceled due to inclement weather are exempt from lunch charges

What is a "Healthy Diet"?

The Dietary Guidelines describe a healthy diet as one that:

• has no more than the daily allowance for sodium of 2,400 grams per day;

• emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products;

• includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts;

• is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars; and

• consists of the recommended daily intake of no more than 10% of Calories from sugar a day

Please note that the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines and in https://wwwchoosemyplate gov/ are for the general public over two years of age and are not therapeutic diets for any specific health condition Any individual, be it child or adult, with a chronic health condition should consult with a health-care provider to determine what dietary pattern is appropriate

To ensure your children grow up healthy, parents need to provide and encourage a large variety of foods

The amount of food that children eat is much less important. A child's appetite may decrease and become more discerning as his or her growth rate slows As long as a child is gaining weight and has a normal activity level, parents should not be concerned. You can still offer your child a variety of foods but can decrease the serving sizes if he or she does not eat much

Lunch In General

Oak Farm Montessori School teaches table manners and etiquette at lunch We sit at tables with cloth napkins usually with tablecloths or placemats place settings, and silverware. We sit properly at the table and converse appropriately at mealtime Students remain at the table until they are finished with their meal. Please follow through with these lessons at your family’s mealtime. Students clean up afterwards, including loading the dishwasher, washing dishes, and doing the laundry

Parents are welcome to enjoy lunch with their child at school once or twice a year Please call ahead of time to schedule a lunch date with your child’s teacher. These procedures are subject to change during a pandemic

CLOTHING

When your child chooses clothing for the day, please keep in mind weather and school activities Sturdy, closed-toe shoes and socks are essential for outside play Sandals are not appropriate footwear for an outdoor environment or outdoor work Please refer to the appropriate classroom “Needs List” for the items required for your child

Indiana winter weather can be very cold Therefore, dress your children warmly during the winter months Children must wear mittens or gloves, overshoes/boots, caps and scarves During winter months, snow pants and boots are required Bare legs should be covered in the winter Except in the case of very severe weather, students will spend up to 30 minutes or longer outside during the school day Students must be dressed warmly enough to be comfortable

COLD WEATHER GUIDE

The guidelines used to judge whether or not students will go outside at noon are dependent upon the temperature and wind chill set at each level:

● Zero degrees for primary, elementary and secondary

● Fifteen degrees for Infant and Toddler.

This allows flexibility in allowing for the differences in physical development and the age level of students.

VOLUNTEERING AT OAK FARM MONTESSORI

There are a multitude of opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the school, from working in the classrooms to helping with material making to organizing events to showing support of the teachers and other parents If you are interested in volunteering to help cultivate community, please contact the Community Liaison Director. This opportunity may be restricted and/or altered during a pandemic.

PLAYGROUND

Playground time is for having a fun, relaxing time with our students The safety of your children is our top priority Therefore, faculty members are discouraged from lengthy conversations with parents while

supervising playground activities

PERSONAL ARTICLES

Your child may bring in special items to share such as books, natural science items, or relevant pictures/articles from educationally appropriate newspapers or magazines We do not allow toys of any kind In our experience, personal belongings such as money, jewelry, balls, cars, and dolls tend to disrupt and sometimes even “disappear,” which is then quite upsetting for the student Please refer to the appropriate level handbook for more details

SPECIAL EVENTS

Please check the school calendar, the community memo, and classroom newsletters for scheduled events We believe students should have a basic understanding of traditional and non-traditional cultural celebrations Oak Farm Montessori will host various parent gatherings, meetings, and parent-education nights throughout the year These events are subject to change during a pandemic

CULTURAL EVENTS AND HOLIDAYS

Maria Montessori’s educational vision is transformative Not only are children transformed into the people they were meant to be through fulfilling their potential but collectively they change the world by fostering understanding, empathy and an appreciation for cultural diversity

Cultural events and holidays provide a special opportunity for peace education in the Montessori classroom, at any age. By understanding and embracing diversity, children develop an appreciation of other cultures that fosters shared respect and tolerance

Cultural events and holidays add the following to our students’ lives:

1. They help us mark the passage of time and seasons

2. Winter holidays bring a sense of light and joyfulness to the long, dark winter months.

3. They create a sense of community and a shared bond among groups of people

4. They provide an opportunity to study history, geography, and culture.

5 They give us chances to experiment with different kinds of artwork and art projects

6. They help us honor special events and people in our lives

7 They encourage us to spend time with friends and family

Oak Farm Montessori School views cultural events and holidays as educational opportunities rather than observances The age of the children determines what and how these events are studied A young child can be introduced to some customs of the culture, for example eating Irish soda bread on St Patrick’s Day; an older child may want to research the origins of the holiday and study about Ireland

Our nutrition policy defines the healthy guidelines for food at a cultural event; food shared is related to the cultural origins of the holiday However, the focus is special rituals (songs, stories, poems, and crafts) and a shared sense of respect and understanding

Birthdays are Holidays Too

In Montessori, birthdays are always special They are a chance for even the youngest child to begin to understand the concept of the passage of time and what “a year” means Often, a lamp or light will be placed in the middle of a rug. The children will form a circle around the lamp or ball and the birthday child will hold a globe The number of times the child circles the lamp determines the age of the child While the birthday child is circling, the children say (or sing), “The earth goes around the sun” once for each time the children circle the lamp This is a concrete experience for young children to understand the solar year and the meaning of their age. We ask parents not to bring in treats but rather to consider donating a book in your child’s name to the classroom or school library

HEALTH CARE POLICIES

Accidents

Most faculty members at Oak Farm Montessori School are child-CPR and first-aid certified. Parents/caregivers or persons specified as emergency contacts will be notified in case of an accident In case of serious injury or sudden illness, 911 will be called first, followed immediately by a call to the parents or caregivers

Medications

Oak Farm Montessori prefers not to administer medication. However, if parents are unable to give medications before or after school, medications will be administered as described below

In general, all medication requires a medical permission form from the child’s physician, parent, or guardian. The written authorization must contain all of the following information:

● Child’s name

● Name and prescription number of medication

● Specific instructions including dosage, possible side effects, and dates medication is to be given

● Reason for the medication

● Parent or guardian’s signature

All prescription medications must be in the original pharmaceutical container with the child’s name on it For long-term medications, written authorization must be updated monthly and as a change is made

Classrooms at Oak Farm Montessori will provide mosquito repellent and sunblock to be applied as needed to the students before outdoor activities If there are any special requirements for your child relating to the application of mosquito repellent and sunblock, these should be indicated in the appropriate area on the enrollment materials

Absences

All parents/guardians should report any absences, late arrivals & early dismissals to the school Attendance should be reported by email at attendance@oakfarmschool com or by calling (260) 897-4270. Please report attendance to the Oak Farm Montessori office before 9:30 a.m. If a parent/guardian emails the school, please consider copying the classroom teachers However, this is not a requirement.

For your child’s health and safety and to comply with regulations, Oak Farm Montessori keeps a record of absences. For privacy reasons, office staff will not disclose to the classroom teachers the reason for the student’s absence unless it is deemed necessary in order to accommodate the student in the classroom During a pandemic, parents may be contacted to obtain the illness details. Please note if the school does not receive an email or phone call regarding a student’s absence by 9:30am, the Office Administrator or another staff member will be contacting the parent/guardian to ensure the safety of the student.

Immunization Record

Oak Farm Montessori must have up-to-date immunization records for each student. A copy of the child’s immunization documentation from the child’s physician or the health department must be provided If your child is exempt from immunization, Oak Farm Montessori requires an exemption on file. Regulations forbid a child from attending school without immunizations or an exemption

Illnesses

Oak Farm Montessori must have up-to-date emergency information for each student The enrollment forms document the student’s medical conditions and emergency information and also provide the parent or guardian’s consent for medical and/or surgical emergency treatment If emergency medical or surgical treatment is needed, these forms accompany the student to the healthcare provider and provide the physicians with the necessary consents and medical history

Upon any sign of illness, a designated faculty member will evaluate the child’s condition and act accordingly A parent or guardian will always be notified if a child seems ill Oak Farm Montessori School insists upon prompt response to notification of a child’s illness, as Oak Farm Montessori is not equipped with isolation facilities, and campus-wide exposure could result. During a pandemic temporary isolation spaces will be created This policy promotes your child’s health and well-being as well as protect the health and safety of all students and faculty.

Oak Farm Montessori will immediately notify parents if the students are exposed to a contagious illness.

Parents MUST also notify Oak Farm Montessori immediately if their child has been exposed to or contracted a contagious illness or infestation Faculty members watch each student’s health throughout the day Because infections spread easily among children, the teachers look for early symptoms requiring the removal of a child from the classroom

Allergies

Not all symptoms constitute removal of a child from the classroom If your child has allergies, please provide Oak Farm Montessori with written notification from your physician Allergies can usually be managed in the classroom Some signs of allergies may be clear, watery eye discharge but without fever or pain

If a child suffers from allergies, he/she may be included in the regular day as long as he/she is comfortable and there are enough teachers in the classroom to accommodate any necessary modifications to the regular classroom routine Any student exclusion from classroom activities would be for the comfort and the safety of the entire classroom.

Is my child too sick for school?

Symptom Temporarily Exclude

Cold Symptoms No Unless,

● Fever and behavior Change

● Child looks or acts very ill

● Difficulty breathing

● Blood red or purple rash not linked to an injury

Conjunctivitis(Pink Eye) Yes if

● symptoms that get worse or don’t improve

● With discharge (pus) No Unless

● Improved in less than 24 hours or been on antibiotic for 24 hours

Cough No Unless,

● Severe Cough

● Rapid and/or difficult breathing

● Wheezing if not previously evaluated and treated

● Cyanosis (blue color of skin and mucous membranes)

● Tuberculosis until treated

● Pertussis until 5 days after antibiotic treatment

COVID-19

Individuals who test positive for COVID will be required to isolate at home for five days and will be allowed to return to school on day six, if symptoms have improved and the individual is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

Diaper Rash No Unless,

● Oozing sores that leak body fluids outside the diaper

Diarrhea Yes if

● Child wear diapers

● Watery stools, increased frequency

● Diarrhea not contained in toilet until resolves

● Blood/mucus in stool (unless from medication or hard stools)

● Abnormal color of stool for child (i.e. all black or very pale)

● No urine output in 8 hours

● Jaundice (i.e. yellow skin/eyes)

● Fever with behavior changes

● Looks or acts very ill

Difficult or Noisy Breathing Yes if

● Hard, fast, difficult breathing that does not improve with any medication the program has been instructed to use for child’s difficult breathing

● Barking cough with fever or behavior changes

● Chest retractions

● Breathing problem that makes feeding very difficult

● Looks or acts very ill

Earache No Unless

● Unable to participate

● Fever with behavior Changes

Fever (100.4F or greater) Yes, The student must remain fever-free without the use of fever reducing medications, for 24 hours before returning to school. A student may return before the 24 hour window has elapsed if they are approved to do so in writing by their healthcare provider

Headache No Unless

● Child is unable to participate in school activities, as determined by staff

Itching Yes If

● Head lice (at end of day until first treatment: no exclusion for nits)

● See under “Rash” for chickenpox, shingles, scabies, impetigo, ringworm No Unless

● Pinworm

● See under “Rash” for eczema, contact or allergic dermatitis.

Mouth Sores No Unless

● Inability to swallow

● Excessive drooling with breathing difficulty

● Fever with behavior changes

Rash Yes if

● Rash with behavior change or fever

● Oozing/open wound or blister

● Bruising not associated with injury

● Joint pain and rash

● Unable to participate in school activities

● Measles until 4 days after start of rash

● Rubella until 6 days after onset of rash

● Chickenpox (varicella) until all lesions have dried (usually 6 days)

● Scabies until treated

● Impetigo until treated for 24 hours

● Ringworm (at end of day until treatment started) No Unless appears infected

● Allergic or irritant reactions

● Eczema

● Shingles (must be able to keep lesions covered with clothes and/or dressings)

Sore Throat (pharyngitis) No Unless

● Inability to swallow

● Excessive drooling with breathing difficulty

● Fever with behavior change

Stomachache No Unless

● Severe pain causing child to double over or scream

● Abdominal pain that continues after two hours

● Abdominal pain after injury

● Bloody/black stools

● No urine output for 8 hours

● Diarrhea

● Vomiting

● Yellow skin/eyes

● Fever with behavior change

● Looks or acts very ill

Swollen Glands (Lymph Nodes) No Unless

● Difficulty breathing or swallowing

● Red, tender, warm glands

● Fever with behavior change

● Mumps, until 9 days after swelling of parotid glands

Vomiting Yes if

● Vomiting 2 or more times in prior 24 hours

● Fever

● Vomit that appears green/bloody

● No urine output in 8 hours

● Recent history of head injury

● Looks or acts very ill

Other As per Health Dept, during outbreak Yes if

● Hepatitis A until 1 week after onset of illness or jaundice

** No set of recommendations can cover all situations. Consult with pediatrician, the health dept when in doubt

Procedures for Notification

If a child has demonstrated symptoms requiring removal from a classroom and the symptoms resolve the same day (with the exception of fever), or the parent takes the child to a healthcare provider and is advised that the child is not infectious, the child may return to school the next day. In the case of a physician's determination of non-contagious status, please provide the physician’s note stating that the child is not infectious. However, the classroom teacher will make the final decision about whether a child meets or does not meet the exclusion criteria for participation and the child’s need for care relative to the staff’s ability to provide normal classroom function.

Parents and faculty may disagree about whether a child meets or does not meet the exclusion criteria If the parents and the faculty member disagree and the reason for exclusion relates to the child’s inability to participate or the faculty’s inability to meet the needs of the child without compromising the safety and care of the other students, the teacher is entitled to make the decision of exclusion and cannot be forced by the parent to accept responsibility for the care of an ill or extremely tired child

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PARENT HANDBOOK IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY OAK FARM MONTESSORI SCHOOL

APPENDIX A RECOMMENDED READING

The following is a list of books that either may be helpful to you in your work as a parent or will better acquaint you with the Montessori philosophy:

Entire School

● At Home With Montessori

● The Biggest Job We’ll Ever Have

● The Blessing of a Skinned Knee

● Character First

● The Child in the Family

● The Child is the Father of the Man

● The Discovery of the Child

● Dr Montessori’s Own Handbook

● Dumbing Us Down

● Educational Care

● Emotional Intelligence

● Endangered Minds

● Fast Food Nation

● Finding Flow The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life

● Flow

● The Formation of Man

● The Geography of Childhood

● The Hand

● The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos

● How to Talk so Kids Will Learn

● How to Talk so Kids Will Listen

● How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci Seven Steps to Genius Every Day

● In Their Own Way

● The Inner World of Childhood

● Last Child in the Woods Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

● Montessori: A Modern Approach

Patricia Oriti

Laura and Malcolm Gauld

Wendy Mogel, Ph.D.

Joseph W Gauld

Maria Montessori

Silvana Quattrocchi

Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori

John Taylor Gotto

Dr Mel Levine

Daniel Goleman

Jane Healy

Eric Schlosser

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Mihaly Csikszentnihalyi

Maria Montessori

Gary Paul Nabham and Stephen Trimble

Frank R Wilson

Brian Swimme

Adele Faber/Elaine Mazlish

Adele Faber/Elaine Mazlish

Michael J. Gelb

Thomas Armstrong

Frances G. Wickes

Richard Louv

Paula Polk Lillard

● Montessori: The Science behind the Genius Angeline Stoll Lillard

● The Montessori Method

● The Montessori Way

● No Contest

● Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

● Raising Self-Reliant Children

● The Secret of Childhood

● The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

● Siblings Without Rivalry

● Something More

● Spirit Whisperers

● The Spiritual Life of Children

● Touching

● Understanding the Human Being

Maria Montessori

Tim Seldin and Paul Epstein Ph. D.

Alfie Kohn

John Gottman, Ph D

Stephen Glenn/Jane Nelson

Maria Montessori

Stephen R Covey

Adele Faber/Elaine Mazlish

Jean Grasso Fitzpatrick

Chick Moorman

Robert Coles

Ashley Montagu

Sylvia Quatrocchi Montanaro