Policies:
Parent and teacher communication is a must. Parent/teacher conferences will be offered during the year. An additional conference may be requested at any time. Teachers will hold parent education workshops on specific subjects during the year. Weekly newsletters will be sent home to inform parents of class activities. Please let your child's teacher know if you have a skill or subject to share with the class (music, art, dance, gardening, etc.). If you have traveled to another country, sharing of items and experiences would be greatly appreciated.
St. Luke's School has an open observation policy. We suggest that you wait until October to do observations. This allows children the opportunity to settle into their new class routine. Observations are done by appointment. We encourage observation, as this can lead to a richer understanding of Montessori philosophy.
Maria Montessori believed that the only true discipline is "inner discipline", one that is developed by the child as he/she becomes involved in interesting activities. When developed the child has a more consistent sense of what is appropriate behavior in certain situations. It is the policy of the school to establish and maintain a safe environment in which the children can learn not only academic knowledge, but also social awareness and respect for others.
The following behaviors will be prohibited:
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Striking, scratching, kicking, biting, or otherwise abusing others (including verbally with offensive language).
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Throwing objects at others.
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Any other behavior that is common among children of this age, which may endanger the well being of others.
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It may be appropriate in some cases to redirect the child by suggesting work with a teacher or help of a teacher.
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It may be appropriate in some cases for a child to sit by himself for a few minutes to regain his/her composure, calm down, etc.
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When a child repeatedly exhibits inappropriate behavior the parents will be called to schedule a conference with the teacher.
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When after conferencing with parents, no progress is made with the unacceptable behavior, professional counseling may be recommended. If all efforts fail to help the child and he/she continues to be a negative influence on the classroom, parents may be asked to remove the child from the school. Alternate placements may be suggested.
Illness:
Please do not send your child to school with any of the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, earache, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, discharge from ears, eyes or nose. Please report any symptoms. If any of these symptoms arise at school we will call you to pick up your child.
We prefer that all medications be given at home. If prescription medicine must be administered at school, it should be in the original bottle and a medicine form must be filled out. It is not acceptable to send medicine or vitamins in lunch boxes.
Emergencies:
In the event of an emergency, we will call 911 and contact you immediately. We will use the blue emergency/immunization card, filled out upon enrollment, as our guide for whom to contact. In case of an accident where calling 911 may not be appropriate, we will contact you to make decisions.
We encourage parents to send their children to school dressed in comfortable play clothes and shoes. Children need to be able to handle their clothes without assistance, particularly in the bathroom. At the beginning of the year please send a labeled change of clothes to keep at the school in case of an accident.
Attendance is taken. We strongly encourage you to begin the good habit of promptness by avoiding tardy arrivals and making school a priority for your child. Please call the school if your child must be absent.
Classes begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 pm. Licensing regulations require each child to be signed in and out each day by an adult. The adult should sign their first initial and last name on the daily check-in/check-out sheet. Please let the teacher know in writing if someone else besides the parent will be picking up your child. Identification will be requested from anyone unknown to the teacher.
Please send a healthy, low sugar, non-processed lunch with your child. We suggest: 1 protein, 1 dairy, 1 bread component, 1 fruit or 1 vegetable, milk or 100% fruit juice (no pop or candy). Because of a limit on refrigeration space, lunches will not be refrigerated. An ice pack should be included in each lunch box to keep food from spoiling.
St. Luke's School will provide a nutritious, morning snack. Please make us aware if your child has any food allergies.
On your child's special day we will sing "Happy Birthday" and your child will receive a special birthday crown. If you would like to send in a special snack let your teacher know. We cannot have birthday parties at school.
Items of special interest to your child (fall leaves, insects, seashells, feathers, items from nature), items of educational or cultural value, or items pertaining to what is currently being studied may be shared at school. Toys are only allowed at school for sharing time if they pertain to what is being studied.
Arizona State Licensing requires a supervised nap or rest period during the day for preschool age children. A mat will be provided. Please bring in a labeled towel or blanket for your child. It will be sent home to be laundered each Friday.
When field trips are planned, parents will be notified in writing. A permission slip will need to be signed. Parents are asked to transport children to and from the field trip, as the school has no transportation.
