Ss. Columba-Brigid Montessori School at 75 Hickory Street, Buffalo, NY 14204 US - Student/Parent Handbook

MISSION STATEMENT Our Mission at Ss. Columba-Brigid Montessori Early Childhood program is to serve educationally and economically disadvantaged children in the inner city and to act as a community resource for children, their families and others. We provide a learning environment that emphasizes Christian values and the uniqueness of each individual. It is in this atmosphere that we foster a lifelong joy of learning, inner peace and respect that creates the foundation for a harmonious world community. PHILOSOPHY The Montessori philosophy of education is based on the uniqueness of each child. Given the characteristics of a warm and nurturing environment where the individual is respected, the child is the center of his/her learning. Age appropriate activities are prepared to enrich the learning environment so that the child has the freedom to choose what work will be done. Using a multi-sensory approach to learning, the child has a greater chance for an optimum of growth and development. Throughout the learning experience, emphasis is placed on strengthening intangible qualities such as concentration, self-direction and self-discipline, which will enable the students to become successful he-long learners. By careful observation of each individual learner, the teacher is able to guide and direct each one, when and if this is necessary. With the freedom to choose their own work, children progress as a result of inner motivation rather than competition. The multiage groups allow the children to learn from one another in a natural family-like setting GROUND RULES Within the Montessori framework, “ground rules” provide some structure to assist a group of people to work together peacefully. Without some structure, there may be confusion and disorder. Our ground rules have been developed to provide a balance between freedom and responsibility, and to promote respect for each other and for the environment. At Ss. Columba-Brigid respect for the child is granted automatically and unconditionally; it does not need to be “earned”. A child cannot “lose” respect for exhibiting inappropriate behavior although he/she may need to accept a consequence for it. The respect that is conferred upon the child usually results in respect for others, for materials in the environment, for the property of others, and the school. Ground rules are a way of saying, “These are the expectations we have for each other.” Adults may need to restate the ground rules from time to time, but many of our children internalize them, and reinforce them for each other by their peaceful harmonious interactions. The following are ground rules we all agree to: 1. We walk into and out of the building calmly. We walk through the halls rather than run. Children move in a quiet, orderly manner. 2. We use quiet inside voices in the classrooms and in the halls. 3. We settle our disputes with words, rather than fists. We take time to work through problems. Aggressive behavior such as hitting back is unacceptable. 4. We welcome parents and community visitors. We take seriously the responsibility for knowing who is in the building. All adults are expected to be vigilant. 5. Respect for our environment includes removing muddy shoes or snowy boots at the front door to protect the floors. 6. Candy, gum and sweets remain at home. 7. Field trips are an important part of the learning process. Our children will be taking “walking trips” around the neighborhood and to J.F.K. Community Park. Outdoor play develops healthy bodies; we go outside as often as possible. Children should dress for the weather. 8. Multi-aged groupings encourage learning from peers naturally in an environment where a variety of skill levels exist. It also provides a family/community atmosphere that encourages children to help each other. 9. Teachers will be called by Miss and their first name or Sister and their first name. This allows children to view adults as helpers, facilitators and resource people rather than authority figures. ABSENCE During their first few years of exposure to other people, children pick up colds and other illnesses easily. For the health of the staff and the other children, students who complain of nausea, stomachache, headache, head or chest congestion, runny nose, or sore throat should stay at home. A signed written note, stating the dates and reason for absence must be presented to the office when your child returns to school Children absent for three days or longer, must have a note from the doctor to return to school. If your child is not attending school for any reason, the school must be notified by 9:30 AM for the morning session or full day program and 12:30 PM for the afternoon session. The number to call is 842-62 13. For those riding the bus, you must also call the bus company in advance to inform them of your child’s absence. The number for the bus company is 838-9000. You must call the bus company to assure pick up after a lengthy absence which is considered to be at least three consecutive days. ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL For the safety of your child, at arrival times, please park in the parking area on Eagle Street and accompany your child to the classroom. The church parking lot is reserved for the school bus. If someone other than the designated person or parent is picking up your child, it is mandatory that a form, which will be provided by the school, be filled out and presented at the office. ID will be required at the time of pick-up. If your child is late for school, you must report to the office to sign your child in. Likewise, if your child leaves early, you must sign him/her out in the office. BIRTHDAYS, CELEBRATIONS, AND SNACKS A birthday is recognized as a special day in a child’s lie. This special day is celebrated throughout the day and is incorporated into lessons in the Montessori tradition. If you choose to send a birthday treat, please check with your child’s teacher before hand. All treats must be healthy finger food. We leave the more “commercial” aspects of special days to you at home. There are, for example, no costumes on Halloween, no exchanging of valentines, no visits from Santa Claus. We remain “low key” to counteract the “hype” of the media. We avoid sweets and chips. Parents will be asked to provide healthy finger food snacks, i.e. raisins, nuts, fruits, vegetables, cheese, peanut butter. Teachers will schedule and notify parents of their assigned times for snacks. BUS TRANSPORTATION Bus transportation is available in the morning to bring your child to school and at the end of the school day for our students living within the city of Buffalo. The school bus will pick-up and drop-off the children at a pre-determined location. Children will be released to a designated person at the specific location. Any changes in location or person must be in writing and submitted to the school office. To ensure the safety of the children a monitor will be assigned to the bus. Children arriving by bus will be met at the bus in the school parking lot and be accompanied to the classrooms. Likewise, the children will be accompanied to the bus at the end of the school day. Families requiring bus transportation will receive detailed instructions and guidelines prior to utilizing this school service. Please call the bus company in advance if your child will be absent from school. The number is 838-9000. You must call the company to assure pick-up after a lengthy absence, which is considered to be at least three days. A student’s tuition and bus fee must be current to continue riding the bus. CLOTHING AND BELONGINGS Since many activities are performed on the floor, play clothes and sneakers are appropriate. Each child must have an extra set of clothing in case of “accidents” or spills. Clothing should be brought in a gallon Ziploc bag clearly marked. Label all clothing with a laundry marking pen or permanent marker. Please do not let your child bring toys or valuable objects to school. Many hurt feelings develop when they get lost or broken. School bags are required to be used daily by all children. The school is not responsible for lost or broken objects or clothing. COMMUNICATION. CONFERENCES. PARENT OBSERVATION Parent conferences are scheduled twice a year. We look forward to communicating with you often. If you have a concern please bring it to our attention as soon as possible. An important part of a Montessori Program is the observation that the teacher performs on a daily basis. This enables them to prepare the environment and make it interesting and stimulating for the children. They focus on what the children say, ask, and show an interest in to help develop language, math, speaking, and listening skills. We invite you to be an observer or visitor. Each classroom has an observer’s chair that you are welcome use or you may assist your child. Since too many observers at once may be a distraction to the Children, we ask that you schedule a time with your child’s head teacher. A weekly notice will be sent home each Wednesday to keep you informed of upcoming events. We will use a “COMMUNICATION ENVELOPE” to send this home. Please return this envelope in your child’s school bag the following day, so we can recycle the envelope the next week. HEALTH POLICY All immunizations must be up to date. The school will administer no medications. If your child suffers from allergies the school should be notified before school starts. If you child becomes ill you will be notified and asked to pick him/her up. It is important that an emergency number be given to the school and kept current. A physical is required for all four-year old children. A report signed by the doctor, must be submitted no later than two weeks after the opening of school. HOLIDAYS (See school Calendar) LUNCH A government lunch program is available daily for all full day students. The government determines prices of the lunch. Your cost will be FULL PRICE, REDUCED COST, or FREE depending on your family size and income. Special income forms from the government are required for free and/or reduced lunch. PROGRAM STRUCTURE There are half-day and full day sessions. HALF-DAY SESSIONS Morning: 8:45 AM — 11:30 AM Afternoon: 12:00 Noon — 2:45 PM FULL-DAY SESSIONS 8:45 AM — 2:45 PM The earliest drop off time is 8:35 AM and 11:50 AM. REST TIME Rest time will be included every day for those children who are in the full day program. Your child will need a rug for this. This should be labeled with your child’s name. SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION Our school calendar generally follows the calendar for the Diocese of Buffalo Elementary Schools. In case of inclement weather we come under the heading “Buffalo Parochial Schools”. For other emergency closings we have our own heading. The school will be announced on WBEN 930 Radio. TUITION AND FEES Ss. Columba-Brigid Montessori School is a private school supported by the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Tuition assistance is available to those families who require financial aid. Tuition is based on family size and income. Payments may be made in full before September 15th or in ten monthly installments (August — May). Monthly payments are due by the 15th of each month. Children in Kindergarten and Grade 1 may qualify for assistance through the Bison Fund. For more information see Sister Diane. A non-refundable registration fee is required of all students at the time of registration/re-registration. A bus fee is charged to all students riding the bus.

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