MontessoriPreschool

Welcome, New Stars!

Montessori Families, we are so excited to be a part of your journey at St. Mary’s Cathedral School. It is my pleasure to welcome you to our school community. Our preschool is incredible and not only do we place appropriate emphasis on academics, but more importantly on spiritual and moral preparedness. As a Catholic school, our mission is to nurture all children and help children get to heaven. Together, we form families for an eternity.

We hope that this guidebook will provide you with all the information you will need to make your first few weeks of school as easy as possible. Please take the time to read this guide. If you still cannot find the information you need, please refer to the ParentStudent Handbook, email your child’s teacher, or contact Lydia O’Rear in the front office.

Illness at School

Sometimes it is hard to remember that growing up is building immunity through illness! We know that children will become ill. Children with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea will be sent home and cannot return for 24 hours. Please have a plan in place in the event your child should fall ill. Children who go home with fever, vomiting or diarrhea must be sent home the day of as well as an extra day after for recovery, as well as fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications. A good rule of thumb is to see if your child is feeling well enough to fully participate in he day in order to be at school. Please help us keep everyone as healthy as possible by keeping your child home when they re ill and being patient and understanding when they need to go home for some TLC. If there are any serious or contagious illnesses, please notify our front office.

Medication

If your child is in need of prescription medication or OTC medication, we require paperwork to be completed and our staff cannot dose your child without it. Please refrain from sending medications with your child. OTC items include sunblock, bug spray, anti-itch medication, cough drops, chapsticks, lotions, etc.

Early Pick Up

It always helps to provide as much notice as possible in the event your child has to be picked up early from school. Please refrain from picking your child up from school between 2:30 and 3:15 due to carline conflicts. Please note, we can only release students to their parent/legal guardian as listed on the emergency contact list in RenWeb. Preschool parents should not only notify the teacher, but the front office as well by 10 AM if they need to be picked up early.

Contacting Teachers

Teachers are not always able to access their email or messages during the day as they are in the classroom. Please know they will do their best to check email before school, after school, and during breaks. Please do not ask a teacher for their cell phone number as we encourage all contact to be through email or the school phone system. Please allow 24 hours for your child’s teacher to respond to your communication. If there is an emergency during school hours, please call the front office.

Attendance/Absences

Regular attendance is expected – your child will not benefit from our program if they are not in full attendance. We encourage you to plan vacations and getaways during scheduled breaks. We also know children will get sick. If you know your child is going to be absent, please email the front office AND your child’s teacher. If they have been out more than 3 days due to illness, a doctor’s note should accompany them on their return.

If a student misses more than 18 days of school, AND may not meet all developmental objectives, they may not be able to return to the Montessori Preschool next year. Student attendance is expected at 7:55 AM so children can fully participate in school announcements, prayer, and Friday Mass on time. After 14 total tardies, a charge will be added to FACTS each tardy thereafter due to limited staff being able to facilitate chronic tardiness.

Toileting Needs

All children must be fully potty trained by the time they start at St. Mary’s Montessori Preschool. Children cannot wear pull-ups to school and must be in underwear. This means they need to be able to tell an adult when they need to go to the restroom, pull their bottoms down independently, get on the potty, wipe, get off the potty and pull their bottoms back up independently. Children should be able to wash and dry their hands independently as well. All our potties are small for children and sinks are at the size of the child as well as stools for their use. Please be sure to practice these skills with your child. We understand that occasional assistance may be needed, but children should be pretty much be there on their own. Thank you for your help with this!

Toileting Accidents

When a student does have an accident, we will do our best to help clean them up. Please know, in following the Safe Environment Policy for Children, we cannot fully clean a child. If they need a bath or further cleaning, you may be asked to come and take your child home for the day. If a child has continuous accidents at school, they may be asked to stay home for a week or two to practice their potty skills in an environment equipped to handle frequent accidents. Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities or staff coverage to handle continuous accidents. Please always make sure your child has a FULL change of clothing at all times in their backpack. This includes a uniform top, uniform bottoms appropriate

Student Behavior

Preschool is a developmental learning experience. Our jobs are dedicated to the development of the whole child, which involves the social/emotional aspect. Children learn through mistakes and redirection. However, if a child displays tendencies towards physically harming peers or adults in the classroom and does not respond to redirection, we may ask that the child stay home for a few days to practice non-aggressive socializing in an environment that is safe for all involved. Behaviors include biting, excessive hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, or throwing any objects in an aggressive or angry manner. There will be a parent conference prior to departure and upon return so that all parents, teachers, and administration is involved and on the same page with discipline and expectations and a plan moving forward.

Cell Phones

While driving in the morning or afternoon carline, we ask you not be on your cell phone. All roads around St. Mary’s Church and School are zoned for a school and cellular devices are prohibited. When you turn in, please carry forward the same attention to the safety of our children and do not be on your phone.

Speed Limit

Please be aware of your driving speed in our parking lots. Children are walking in crosswalks and other areas and we want them to be safe. Drivelines are 5 MPH and areas around the exterior lots are 15 MPH. You have online access to the school directory when school begins. This is available online through RenWeb. There is also an app that can be downloaded to your phone.

School Directory

Communication

All communication will be given to you in several different ways. You will receive a weekly note from Mrs. O’Rear each Monday, which provides information about calendars, expectations, news, and applies to all school events. Each teacher sends a weekly email out to parents in the class with additional information about what they are learning and class/campus reminders. Our campus previously used SeeSaw as a photo engagement and learning tool so that parents could learn about what their child has been learning in class. Please make sure to log in to the communication application and use this as a tool to facilitate discussion with your child.

Birthdays

All class birthdays for the month are celebrated the last Friday of each month, with the exception of during Lent, and it will be on a Thursday. Teachers will request what treats to bring and how many students in the class share a birthday that month. We cannot deliver individual or class treats at any other time on a school day. Birthday party invitations may only be passed out to the class when each child receives one. Please do not bring food items that require slicing or dividing (whole cakes, etc.,)

Conferences/ Progress Reports

Conferences are held in October and February each year and we request that you please schedule one with your child’s teacher to go over their progress in class. A teacher may call a conference at any other time during the year, and as a parent, you may request a conference as well. A teacher must be met with first, prior to an administrative meeting. It is important that we maintain a partnership with you in educating and forming your child in faith and academics.

Safe Environment Training

Before ANY parent/guardian or volunteer can enter a classroom or even be on campus, they must complete a Diocesan Safe Environment Training and Screening. This includes class parties, gatherings and special programs in the classrooms and around the school. Please do not put this off. Take the time NOW to sign up a www.virtusonline.org The process is simple and it takes a few weeks to finalize the background check. We offer several trainings all year and once trained, the process is completed for 5 years.

Uniforms Collections

We host all our uniforms and pieces at the school. Please make sure to read the uniform component of the Parent-Student Handbook. It is so important to have the first initial and last name of the child on all uniform tags for outerwear. The only outerwear allowed in the building is approved SMCS outerwear. In the cooler/colder months, children must bring a jacket/coat and appropriate winter gear for outside play. Our uniforms look just like the elementary, but there are a few differences. Elastic waist is most helpful in pants. For girls, modesty shorts and leggings should be worn underneath jumpers. Velcro is preferred for shoes, unless your child is able to tie their own shoes. Light up shoes are not allowed as they are a big distraction to the learning environment and nap time as well. On Spirit Days, students can wear jeans, slacks or school skirt or shorts, with a St. Mary’s shirt of their choice. All children should always wear closetoed sneakers and plain socks in white, black, navy or gray, at least ankle in height.

Throughout the year, we may ask for contributions for stewardship projects. These are always voluntary. Students may be asked to send in canned goods, bring a dollar for dress down, or for a special cause. We invite you to join in these opportunities for charity/service, but there is no pressure to do so.

Fundraising

Successful fundraising is an integral part of the school and keeping tuition at an affordable rate. We ask that every school family can consider giving something when fundraisers occur – if not financial contributions, then volunteer hours.

SMCS keeps these requests at a minimum and centered around key, predictable events such as:

Annual Fund: Held at the beginning of each school year to bridge the difference between tuition and actual cost to educate a child

Carnival: Held in October as the main school fundraiser

Spring Gala: Dinner and Auction

Raffle Tickets: Sold in conjunction with Carnival, each family is required to purchase or sell 15 tickets at $25 per ticket. If the 15 ticket minimum is not completed, it is billed as an incidental per the enrollment contract.

Teacher Appreciation Luncheons/Teacher Appreciation

Week/Catholic Schools Week

HSA Meetings: Home and School Association Meets Monthly! They plan get-togethers and school wide events that help benefit families and students.

Prayer Groups are available to join and pray for those in our community who need prayers.

School Supplies

Your registration fee covers your child’s supplies for school. The only items you need are:

Lunchbox: Please be sure to purchase one and label it with the first and last name of your child, should they choose to bring a lunch to school (cafeteria tray is always an option!)

Backpacks: Preschool students need a FULL sized backpack. Please no PreK or mini-sized backpacks. It should be large enough to hold a small blanket, folder, lunch box, etc.

School supplies-continued

Nap Cot: Children do not need nap mats; we provide a cot for them to sleep on that is assigned to them all year. They are allowed to have a small foldable blanket that fits in their backpack, but no large blankets, pillows or nap mats as we do not have storage space.

Water Bottles: Please send a small reusable water bottle labeled with your child’s name daily. The water bottle should be air tight and not leak. There is not a water fountain in the basement and the water bottles will be kept on their shelf to use throughout the day.

Visiting

We do not allow visitors to the campus during the school day without prior permission/approval from administration. Visitors are allowed in the lunchroom to eat lunch with your child (please refer to ParentStudent Handbook), after the first six weeks of school has ended to allow for our systems and routine to develop on campus. Visitors must be Safe Environment trained. No outside food is allowed in and a special table is provided for visitors who have made a reservation to come eat with their child.

Catholic Identity

This promotes the faith life of children at St. Mary’s. As a Catholic School, all children are expected to fully participate in Friday Mass, which begins at 8:15. There are many opportunities to grow in faith. We love it when parents and family members attend school Mass! Children are required to sit with their class and teacher for school Mass. If you are considering attending school Mass, please wait 4-6 weeks before attending to give your child time to attend without you and eliminate any separation anxiety. School Mass is a beautiful and wonderful experience that we hope everyone can enjoy. Catholic Schools Week begins the last week in January.

Catholic Identity-continued

There are many volunteer opportunities to serve at Masses, speak at churches, organize teacher luncheons and treats, and help with the annual student breakfast.

End of Day Plans

Carline is from 2:45 until 3:00. Children who are left after this time and are not waiting for an older sibling to dismiss will be sent to the Extended School Day Program and billed as an incidental. Children not registered for Extended School Day and left after 3:05 will be billed $1 per minute for late pick-up. If your pick up plans change, you MUST email your child’s teacher AND the front office to make sure we know and plan to adjust accordingly.

We will post a sign up online for each class. You are invited to come and read a favorite book to the class. All readers must have their Safe Environment training.

Social Media

St. Mary’s Cathedral School is on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! Our Parish is also active on Facebook. Children who do not have a media release per their enrollment contract will not be allowed to be photographed or video for anything social media/media-press related.

Mystery Reader Calendar

There are so many dates to keep track of! You will find many dates shared with you between now and school starting. Please always double check notes sent home and weekly communication to make sure your child is not missing out on any activities.

One of many favorite times of the day for children! Lunch time allows for children to gain independence in eating, learn grace and courtesy with adults and other children, and time management skills. We strongly encourage those who bring a lunch to pack items that they can open independently. Items that are more difficult to open independently (cheese sticks in plastic packaging, lunchables, fruit cups) will require children to wait longer for an adult to come by and help open and thus children have less time to eat. Sometimes it is easier to repack these items in ziplock baggies so children can open it on their own and begin eating their lunch more quickly. Children receive 25-30 minutes at lunch. We do not require children to eat all their food and will simply encourage them to sometimes talk less so they have more time to eat. Typically, by the time children enter Kindergarten, they are very good at managing their time AND conversation in the lunchroom while eating. If children are purchasing a lunch tray, it comes with a milk or water. If a child brings a lunch from home, they can additionally purchase a milk or water to drink with their lunch as well.

Recess

Unstructured, uninterrupted play time is very important for children. We will always go out for recess unless the wind chill is 32 degrees or colder, or 95 degrees or warmer for a full 30 minutes. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately. We do not have the staff so that children can stay inside if they are not dressed for the weather. Our playground is fenced in with rocks, so it is important that children are wearing sneakers and socks. We cannot put on sunscreen or bug spray for children.

Who is my child's Teacher?

Teacher assignments are announced via email, usually in August. In Montessori, classes are mixed ages of 3, 4 and 5 year olds in keeping with the pedagogy and philosophy of Montessori. We try to balance classes evenly among ages and gender. There is no guarantee your child will have the same teacher year to year, but we try and keep as much consistency as possible.

Carline Signs

You will receive a carline sign with your last name on it at Meet the Teacher in August. At daily carline (afternoon only) you must have your carline sign attached to your visor. The signs are made to attach to your visor so you do not have to take it off and on constantly. We use these cards to call the children from their classrooms and it is imperative that it is in view every day, regardless of who picks up to make sure our carline moves quickly and efficiently.

Arrival and Dismissal

Morning Arrival is in the back (west) parking lot of the church as all students gather in the mornings for pledges, prayers and announcements. On time attendance is imperative! The majority of parents of little ones park in a parking spot and walk their children inside. Parents, we ask that you drop your child off at the gym doors. This is to make sure that our teachers on duty are supervising children and not distracted by parents walking in and around the gym. This also helps us maintain a safe environment for all children. If your child is unable to independently buckle/unbuckle from their carseat and get out of the car unassisted, they MUST be walked in by you each day to the drop off point. Dismissal in the afternoons in along the fire lane on the west side of the school building. Anyone who is picking up your child will be directed to put their car in park, and step out of their vehicle as children are delivered in groups of 6 at one time.

Arrival and dismissal-Cont.

Adults who are picking up in dismissal should be comfortable placing the child in the car seat and buckling as quickly and safely as possible to keep the line moving. Our staff cannot buckle your child into their car or booster seat.

Extended School Day Pick up

Extended School Day Pick Up: If your child is going to the Extended School Day program, they will be walked to the cafeteria by their teachers to give to ESD staff. Parents can pick up at the west cafeteria door by ringing the doorbell. Upon pickup, parents will sign children out with initials and time of departure.

Volunteer hours

All volunteer hours need to be recorded in RenWeb. We will send directions how to do this, but please do not get behind in this task.

Every family commits to 25 hours of volunteer service to the school. There are so many opportunities for bringing items the school needs when we request them during the year, or opportunities to be “feet on the ground” service, such as copying, cutting, laminating, or attending HSA meetings. 25 hours is attainable for every family and we rarely have families not meet the commitment we ask of them.

One of the best things you can do in order to get to know the SMCS community is to get involved! There are so many volunteer opportunities for everyone’s schedule. SMCS is known for our spirit of volunteerism and community involvement! That is why volunteering and community service hours are not mandatory at many schools. Nothing happens without YOU! Find something that interests you and meets your availability and jump in.

Snacks/Food

No food or snacks are allowed to be brought to school outside of their school lunch. Each child is provided with a morning snack as well as an afternoon snack daily. Lunches can be purchased from the cafeteria or brought to school in a lunch box. Each child should bring a leakproof water bottle (no sippy cups, must be a water bottle with a lid) to put on their shelf each day, labeled with their first and last name.

This guide for new preschool parents to St. Mary’s just scratches the surface of all the details about SMCS and how we operate. The bigger source of information is the Parent-Student Handbook. It is available online. Please read through it BEFORE school starts…at the pool or over a cup of coffee! It is expected that parents/guardians have read it as they all sign off that they understand, agree and will abide by the policies and guidelines of the handbook.

School will be starting before we know it! Plan on enjoying summer, having time to play and time to rest! Getting into a school routine will take a few weeks, and probably need adjusting with bedtimes and wake up times. The most important thing is to listen to your child talk about their day. We are here to partner with you in raising your children and are incredibly grateful that you have entrusted us into their care. Should you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to the teachers or principal.

In the Spirit of the Incarnate Word, Lydia O’Rear Principal