Montessori Ivy League Parent's Handbook
Montessori Ivy League is a progressive school that is the legacy of a long and proud tradition of thoughtful school practice of Maria Montessori stretching back since 1907. We offer a variety of programs and summer school. Montessori Ivy League is a non-denominational school that has classes for children from 12 months- 6 years of age.
Our school offers children progressive Montessori method of education, in beautifully prepared interior spaces, with inviting outdoor space, while seeking academic excellence naturally. We strive not only for academic excellence but also to create a sense of wonder as well for a lifelong love of learning, at the children's own pace, in an authentic Montessori environment.
Montessori Ivy League School is based on the Proven Authentic Montessori Method, guided by a pre-planned written curriculum designed to be developmentally appropriate, in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Our curriculum is design to create balances between joyful scholarship, independent thinking and research, curiosity, creativity, and imagination. Please note that it is the parent's responsibility to regularly check the handbook for updates.
Montessori Philosophy
The Montessori method arises from Dr. Montessori's discovery of what she referred to as "the child's true normal nature". According to the Montessori method, when we give freedom to children in an environment prepared with materials designed for their self-directed learning activity, it sustains and supports their true natural way of being. It is an approach to educating children based on scientific research and experiences.
The teacher's role is very different than a traditional school; in this method, the teacher observes the children occupied in activities that follow their own natural interests. This indirect teaching controls the environment, not the child. The teacher's role includes experimental interactions with children, referred to as "lessons". This method is mainly practical with young children, between the ages of 18 months to 6 years.
Angeline Stoll Lillard scientifically displayed in her book "Montessori: The Science behind the Genius" how modern science now has just caught up with Maria Montessori's insight. She revealed that all children have innate inner directives from nature that guides their true normal development. And as the Montessori method respects individual choices of children to select their own activity, this allows children to follow their inner direction for self-directed learning.
Throughout her writings, Dr. Montessori placed a great emphasis on the three ideas: the Absorbent Mind, the Sensitive Periods of Development, and the Prepared Environments, in which children live, learn and work.
Shoes
Each child must wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes. Your child will not be allowed in school wearing flip-flops, clogs , or open-toed sandals, as many accidents may results in the playground.
Change of clothes
Please send a separate plastic baggie with a change of uniform for your child. Please be sure to put your child's name on EACH piece of clothing and item. For your convenience, we will keep it ere. NOTE: we have limited cubby space, so please send small bags.
Lunch
A nutritious lunch can be purchased from us, or you may send a healthy lunch daily with your Child, in a clearly marked (with your child's name) lunch box. Please note that we cannot heat the lunch.
Snacks
Two healthy snacks will be provided during the day.
Allergies
Please inform the office of ANY allergies your child may have and if they require special attention.
Medications
Medications can only be admnistrated by the parent or a designated person.
First Aid
For minor incidents (bumps, bruises, scratches), we have a First Aid Kit. Parents will be notified ither through a phone call and/or an accident report as to the incident. If an incident requiring Medical attention occurs, the child's physician as well as a parent will be called.
Sick Policy
Children must remain at home and/or will be sent home for the following reasons:
- Runny noses and/or noses with yellow mucous
- Fever
- Symptoms and signs of possible severe illness such as uncontrolled coughing, inexplicable or persistent crying, difficulty breathing, wheezing or other unusual signs for the child
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sores unless doctor's note determines that child is not contagious
- Unexplained rashes
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye) cannot return to school unless doctor's note states child is no longer contagious
- Head Lice - child must remain at home until treated and nit free
Emergency Medical Attention
Montessori Ivy League, its staff and its representatives act as my/our agent in securing and providing any emergency medical and dental attention that may be necessary in the discretion of the School for the above named student during a period when the undersigned cannot be contacted by telephone. It is understood and accepted that in the course of normal activities, certain minor incidents might occur, such as, but not limited to biting, pushing, etc.
Toys
Please do not send toys from home. We will have specific show and tell days where your child can bring something of interest from home to share with the class.
Invitations
As a philosophy of all inclusiveness, we do not allow for parents to "hand-pick" classmates to be invited. We will try our best to accommodate our parents to send birthday invitations; however, the full class must be invited. Of course, you may invite selected students using your own resources from home.
Security
Some security features are as follows:
- Biometric security for all
- Array of security cameras
- Controlled egress for all our exit points, including all doors
- Fully wired security system and alarm
- FBI Background, fingerprint checks, and health screening for all our employees
- Due to safety concerns, flip flops, backless shoes, and jewelry are not allowed.
Important Messages
All important messages must be delivered to the Director in writing.
Fire Drills and Evacuation
Fire Drills will be held unannounced once a month. Children will learn the correct evacuation procedures should there ever be a need to evacuate the building.
Hurricane Procedures
We will close when a storm warning or watch are in effect for our area and an announcement has been made that all Broward county public schools are closed. If a storm warning or watch are announced during the school day, please pick up your child as soon as possible. The school will remain open until every child is picked up.
Routine & Schedule
The facility is open from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday - Friday. The official start of the school day is 8:30 AM. We highly encourage our parents to instill good habits in children by being on time. However, we understand all children are individuals with different needs and strengths, so we provide flexibility to bring the child in a bit later. Below detailed is an average school day,however; slight changes will occur during various times of the year.
Our program offers our young children in their sensitive period a unique year of self-development in a tender, loving atmosphere of special understanding, respect, and support. Since this is an age of very strong imitations, all our teachers regularly model appropriate social skills, consideration for others, and good manners.
The recess outdoor time will vary slightly for the younger toddlers.
| 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Early arrival | We promote healthy fun activity at this time |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM | Greeting | We help develop kindness, courtesy, and self-discipline in all our children |
| 8:45 AM - 11:00 AM | Montessori work time | According to research, the first thing in the morning is the most absorbent time of the day for children to learn. In addition, the children take turns having healthy snacks during this time |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Recess outdoor play | Fun time in a cool shaded area |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Circle & music time | We encourage creative, fun, and imaginative group activity though music |
| 12:00 PM | Half day dismissal | |
| 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | Lunch time | Lunch can be purchased or brought from home. We encourage normal desire to socialize during lunchtime to promote and help children become a full member of the society |
| 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM | Reading/story time | Time to awaken the child's spirit and imagination |
| 1:10 PM - 2:45 PM | Nap time/afternoon Montessori work time |
Full time students will have the opportunity to take a nap at this time. Those who choose not to take a nap, will either work on theme related activities or Montessori work. |
| 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Clean up and good-bye | The first few years of a child's life are the most powerful and the most influential years. It is a time when children effortlessly absorb ideas and habits. It is also the time hen lifestyle takes root. We encourage our children to make good choices in life by teaching them to take care of themselves and their surroundings, clean up after themselves, and respect thers. |
| 3:00 PM | Dismissal | Time to go home |
| 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM | After school programs | After school activities at Montessori Ivy League are offered to ALL registered age groups. |
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
The facility is open from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday - Friday. The official start of the school day is 8:30 AM. The times will vary, depending on the program you choose.
Parents can walk the child to our front door. An electronic lock doorbell is provided for security.
Coming soon, upon entering the parents can scan their fingerprint and access the check-in screen for enhanced biometric security. At this stage, any pertinent message to a particular parent is displayed on the screen as well, such as immunizations due, etc. The dismissal procedure is similar, to ensure that you are the right person picking up the child.
There is ample parking provided both at the front and the back of the school. However, we recommend that you park in the back, and just follow the calm and serene breezeway to the front ate of the school.
Please be advised that any person not listed with us and authorized to pick up the child, will not be allowed to access the child.
If you would like to pick up or drop of the child, at a time different that to the normal timings, please inform the front desk by calling us.
For more information about the exact timings, please refer to the Routine & Schedule section.
Behavior of Child
If a child displays inappropriate behavior, we will take the child aside and give a gentle explanation of what is appropriate behavior. He/She will then be given an opportunity to rejoin the group. We, of course, will never verbally or physically abuse the child. Socialization is very important in a Montessori, so if the child continues displaying the inappropriate behavior, we will request a parent conference, and possible alternatives will be discussed.
Parental Participation
Parental involvement is very important to student's achievement in the Montessori program.Hence, we make it an important commitment to clearly, openly, and frequently communicate with he parents, and involve them in as many programs and routines as possible. We encourage the parents to access our monthly newsletter and calendar, directly available via our website. We also make an effort for the parents to know about the Montessori method, so this valuable philosophy can be translated in the home environment, as well.
Parental involvement also gives you a chance to meet other parents, who share the same elevated values for their children's quality of life.
You are an important part of the program. As you become more aware of your child's progress through our system, you will get a better sense on how and when to get more involved, and of course, we welcome all questions, since your involvement is essential to the program's success. Hence, we are always offering opportunities for you to get involved, for example, attending free seminars and information sessions to learn more about the Montessori method, and visiting the school, while the class is in session (with advanced notice).
Each child must bring a healthy well-balanced lunch. Please provide each child with a fabric placemat that can fit inside his/her lunch box, utensils if lunch requires it, and a bowl if the food is in a thermos; it is very hard for the child to eat from the thermos if it's too deep. Also, please ensure that there are no cartoon characters on the lunch boxes or sippy cups etc.
Note: We do not heat up food, please use a thermos, if warm food is required for your child.
Reading
The children then explore the different sounds related to the drawings associated with the letters of the alphabet. So the process of learning to read becomes painless and natural. And of course, each classroom at Montessori Ivy League is equipped with an extensive library of books, ranging from the classics, to the whimsical fun, catering to the every mood of the child. And since language is an essential part of reading and writing, the child is not only taught to become articulated, but also listened to, so the child is confident and encouraged to communicate.
Most of these books may be checked out to practice reading at home.
Birthdays
Parents are welcome to send a special healthy snack (for example, oatmeal cookies or something similar) to celebrate the child's birthday. We will hold a special ceremony to honor the child.
Tuition Payments
The Montessori Ivy League has a state-of-the-art tuition payment system, for the parent's convenience. You may arrange to have the fees taken out from your credit card or bank account. Or, if you wish, you can always make payments directly to us at our reception desk, with a credit card or a check. No cash is accepted. Refund policy is 25% before the beginning of the tuition month, after that no refunds are available. All refunds are processed at the end of the calendar year. Please note that if you decide to terminate the enrollment, and if the said termination is approved by the school, you must give the school at least a two month notice.
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