Parent Handbook/Policies

Flower of Life Montessori

About Us

Flower of Life Montessori is an authentic Montessori program, for children ages 2 ½ to 5 years old, in a beautifully prepared classroom with trained and experienced teachers who are passionate about the education of your individual child. Our Montessori children's house is meticulously prepared to promote self-discovery, confidence, and a love of learning. Lessons are presented individually to your child or in small groups in the areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Social Studies & Geography, Science, Art, and Music. Then, exercising self-discipline and responsibility, each child chooses the material with which she or he wants to work. As academic skills develop, so does self-confidence and independence. We respect the children’s concentration and work choices, and in turn they learn respect for themselves, for each other, and for the environment around them. At Flower of Life Montessori, we foster independence, creativity, self-direction, and personal responsibility. We nurture a child's love of learning in an environment of acceptance, understanding, and mutual respect.

About Our Children's house

In a Montessori environment it is the process, not the product that is the key to learning. This is why parents don’t see a lot of take-home work. From start to completion, the student experiences a sequence and chronology of thought, movement and consequence that can be transferred to all areas of life. The Montessori Curriculum is a sequence of lessons with hands-on, concrete, beautiful learning materials. Children are not filling out a lot of worksheets, but instead working with their hands to learn. Learning with the hand to brain connection, involving movement, is the most effective way for young children to learn. The Montessori Method provides the groundwork for individual self- awareness and self-appreciation. Children are free to move, free to group for regular work or special projects, free to help each other, and free to choose their work (within limits). In short, free to create their own community. Social learning is brought about by lessons just as any academic subject is approached. Academic skills are superior and developed in an environment free of competition. Overall, the children are helped to reach their fullest potential under the guidance of teachers who give them the utmost love and respect at all times.

The Agreement

The following agreement is made between Flower of Life Montessori and the parent(s) or guardian(s). Every child has the right to have both parties working positively for the child by being involved in the child’s care and education. Our hope is that this partnership provides mutual understanding and respect, and open communication that will enable us to work together for the benefit of your child. Flower of Life Montessori will:

1. Honor the school’s mission and cultivate an open, honest, and respectful relationship with all of the children and families.

2. Maintain a prepared Montessori environment that meets the highest standards of excellence in teachers and materials.

3. Provide a broad and balanced education that allows your child to develop confidence, independence, and an interest in and love for learning.

4. Establish an environment where your child is able to work without distractions.

5. Promote understanding of the Montessori philosophy through parent education programs.

6. Communicate clearly in a concise and timely fashion.

7. Understand the challenges of parenting and support you in meeting those challenges.

8. Honor the school’s mission and cultivate an open, honest, and respectful relationship with all members of our community.

2. Read the Parent Handbook and familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures of Flower of Life Montessori; and agree to follow the policies as described in the Parent Handbook, including the school calendar.

3. Promote good communication by attending parent-teacher conferences and staying informed about school activities via the web site and other communications.

4. Grow in understanding of the Montessori Method by attending parent education programs.

5. Provide the opportunity for healthy living and purposeful activity at home that complements the child’s experience at school.

6. Provide adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and limited screen time.

Absences & Attendance

Attendance is vital to your child's success at Flower of Life Montessori. Children thrive amid consistency, so it is important to attend every day when possible. Drop off time starts at 7:30. Our program begins at 8:00 AM. We ask that you minimize drop-offs past 9:00am as it is a disruption to the classroom. We know there are times when your child must miss school. Please call 913-209-3532 (Angela) or 913-219-2172 (Kameron) or email us at folmontessori@gmail.com. Let us know that your child will not be attending for whatever reason. If your child is sick, please be sure to let us know of the illness so we can be aware. Please see Illness; Arrival and Morning Drop Off; and Arriving Late in the Morning for more information.

Admissions Policy

Flower of Life Montessori does not discriminate in admissions or placement based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, handicap, or sex. Acceptance is based on space availability, a family’s commitment to Montessori education for their child, and the child’s likely long-term attendance at Flower of Life Montessori. All rights, privileges, programs and activities of the school are made available to all students of the school.

Admissions Process Submit the completed Application Form. It will be sent to our email automatically. We will notify you of acceptance in the program, schedule a tour and offer you an Enrollment Contract along with other paperwork to fill out and sign. Upon signing the contract, the parent or guardian returns the Enrollment Contract to the school accompanied by a non-refundable Enrollment Fee of $100. This deposit is not an arbitrary fee. It is part of the first month's tuition. The remainder of the 1st month's tuition will be due on the 1st of the month unless the child is starting in the middle of the month then the monthly fee will be due before the child's first day. (Fee might be prorated depending on the start date) Please refer to the contract for more specific information. Once the contract and deposit have been received by the school, your child’s place in the program is secured.

Wait List

If your child is placed on the Waiting List, you will be called as soon as a space becomes available. Enrollment preference is given to returning students, siblings of current students and siblings of former students.

Arrival & Morning Drop-Off

Children should arrive for school by 8:30 in the morning to get the most out of the program. People who bring their children late in the morning are not getting the most out of the program as they are missing the essential morning work period in the classroom.

Parents are able to enter and observe the classroom by scheduling an observation time and date. Observations entail entering the classroom and sitting in an observation chair while refraining from social and physical interaction as to not disturb the children as they work. Parents may not pick up the work on the shelves and point their child to the work they wish for them to do. Parents and observers will allow the children the space to pick what they are interested in.

Once Inside, remember that you are entering the Children's House, an environment created with love and respect for your child. When dropping off, please keep your voice low and cell phone off or on silent. Your responsibility is to deliver your child safely into the entrance of the classroom. Take those moments to enjoy your child and say goodbye. The quicker the goodbye, the easier the transition. Since the classroom is not teacher-driven, the children’s day only begins once you have said goodbye, because only then are the children able to turn toward their environment, begin making their own choices, and seek out what they want to learn that day.

Maria Montessori named it the Children’s House, and it is truly created only for them. Beyond the Entryway/cubby area is where the Children’s House begins. Though you may not realize it, whenever you enter the classroom area, your presence has an effect on every child who is working there. Before 8:30 in the morning, you are welcome to briefly step into the classroom to see a work your child wants to show you or to get a feel for the energy of the room. However, parents should not ever take work from the shelves, attempt to direct their child in choosing a work, or manipulate any of the materials. You are an observer of their world: enter quietly, move slowly, and please do not interrupt any children who are working (including your own!). (See Observing in the Classroom)

Greetings by a Teacher

A few children arrive as early as 7:30 AM and the school day starts when the children arrive. If you would like to be greeted by a teacher or if you have a question for us, please be sure to arrive before 8:30 am or you may talk to us when you pick up your child. We are preparing the classroom in the early morning and begin to give lessons as soon as the first child arrives. Once a good number of children are present and begin working, we become very busy giving lessons and helping the children and we may not be available to talk with you. Feel free to leave a note, send a text or send an email so that we can be in touch later. If you need to tell us something about your child for that day or about an appointment they may have please send us a text if we are too busy to talk.

As you arrive, remember that many children have been at school for 30 minutes or longer and are deep into their morning work. Upon arrival all students get to work right away and teachers begin giving lessons as soon as possible in the morning. Please enter quietly and exit quickly to show respect for the children’s work time.

Birthdays

Birthdays at Flower of Life Montessori School are very special days, and we have a unique and fun ceremony. A few days before, your child will need to bring one picture from each year of his or her life to make a timeline. You and your child may bring in a healthy dessert that you have made together or bought together to share with friends. During the birthday ceremony, all of the children sit in a circle on the floor around a candle that represents the sun. The birthday child walks around the circle carrying a small globe. Each trip around “the sun” represents one year in the child’s life. It is a wonderful concrete way for your child to experience his or her own growth. Of course, you are welcome to attend the celebration. If you would like to bring something to the celebration, you might choose to bring a book to donate to the school library in honor of your child's birthday. A name plate will be placed inside the book cover to mark the gift and occasion. If your child’s birthday falls on a holiday or non-school day, we will coordinate with you to celebrate it before or afterwards.

Child Abuse and Neglect

Reporting As required by Kansas State Law, incidences of child abuse and neglect will be reported to Social and Rehabilitation Services. No unfounded or malicious reports will be made. We are trained through child abuse classes as required for licensing.

Communication

Communication between home and school is a high priority at Flower of Life Montessori. With clear, easy communication between parents and us, we are all able to show consistency and follow-through at home and at school. This in turn creates a harmony that helps children feel more secure, calm and confident. Anytime you have a question or concern please contact us by texting or emailing us if it's during school hours. If it's an emergency please call us and leave a message. Please also send a text!

If you contact us after school hours it may take up to 24 hours to get back to you.

In The Classroom you will find current information and announcements at the entrance. You will have direct communication with us and the ability to check in on your child’s progress. Remember to honor the classroom work time and schedule an appointment with us if need be. Please be open to communication. Remember that we care for your child and want the very best for him/her. We will give feedback based on observations and our work with your child. Sometimes this feedback will be given in order to help your child with negative behaviors or learning difficulties. We ask that you be open to hearing us. We will handle this communication with the utmost respect for you and your child. It is our duty and due diligence to report on your child’s progress, pointing out both the strengths and weaknesses. Often these conversations are not easy to have, but we ask that you hear us in order to give the very best to your child and to work together to better aid development.

Announcements

You will receive announcements periodically and monthly so please check your emails daily. You will receive emails with information such as dates to remember, illness alerts, snow day information, tuition invoices, requests or needs from us, and information about special activities or opportunities. In case of illness, serious injury, or dangerous behavior, you will receive a phone call from us. Online Our website (www.folmontessori@gmail.com">www.folmontessori@gmail.com) has the school calendar, announcements and forms to download.

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are held twice a year. Everyone should attend each conference every year. This is an opportunity to have an uninterrupted discussion about the progress and development of your child. Conferences are for parents only. Childcare arrangements should be made during your conference time. A sign-up sheet is available the week before conferences. If for any reason you are not able to attend in person we can also set up a phone call or video conference instead.

Confidentiality

All personal information regarding you and your child is protected and respected at Flower of Life Montessori. See also Photography & Video.

Contagion Notice

So that we can communicate accurately and in a timely manner about health issues affecting the school, Flower of Life Montessori asks parents to provide information about their child’s illness when calling in an absence. This is most important when your child has been exposed to or diagnosed with a communicable illness. Once we have been informed about the condition, if necessary we will email to all families a Contagion Notice. This notice will be sent when a child has been diagnosed with chickenpox, croup, Fifth disease, hand foot and mouth disease, head lice, impetigo, influenza, mononucleosis, pink eye, or strep infections. If your child has been diagnosed with any of these or another communicable condition, please let us know as soon as possible.

Be assured that the name of the child is never identified in any communication about a contagious condition. The Contagion Notice will indicate symptoms and incubation times. For the safety of all of the children, please keep your child home for the required time.

Tuition is the same amount that month even if your child gets sick and has to take some days off.

You are making a commitment to Flower of Life Montessori when you become a part of our community so if for any reason you need to pull your child out of the program please give us at least 30 days (1 month) notice which allows us time to find another child to fill your child's spot. It can be difficult to fill spots mid year as families have already committed to other programs.

Holding A Spot/Moving Start Date

Flower of Life Montessori can accommodate a one time 30 day hold for your spot in the program right after enrollment. After 30 days, if you have not started in the program you will either be billed at the normal monthly rate to keep your spot in the program or you can be moved to the next rotation with a start date to be determined when there is an opening. For example, if you are scheduled to start in August but you have asked to start in September, we can accommodate a one time 30 day move but after that you will either have to pay full price for September and other months moving forward until you start or you can be placed on the top of the Wait List for the next available opening.

If your child is already enrolled and will be gone for a period of time

If your child will be gone from the school for a month or more, we can hold your childs’ spot in the school after we receive 50% of your monthly fee, for each month your child is gone from the school. That fee will be due every 1st of each month. Your child may only be gone from the school for two full months at the most. If your child needs to be gone more than that, then your child will lose their spot in the Program.

Discipline

“Freedom With Responsibility” and “Freedom within limits,” are core principles of Montessori education. Self-discipline and self-control and the will are developed at Flower of Life Montessori. Children are free to choose their own work if they are respectful of others and the classroom environment. Usually redirection is all that is necessary. If needed, a child will be asked to sit and observe another child working for a short time before being invited to join when ready. We also have a peace area where a child may go to get some peace. We may also ask them to go there if we feel it is necessary.

As we the teachers support conflict resolution between the children, the children learn to communicate with each other and solve their own problems. We use firm but loving, direct communication with children to convey their expectations. Corporal punishment is never used. When a behavior is not causing the Child or another to be in danger, the behavior is ignored.

Children are taught to solve problems and offer suggestions when necessary to allow the child to decide. Time away from other children provides the child the opportunity to think and calm down. The child will still be in view. Time away is not about an ability to control the child. If the child is asked to take space away from the other children the child will be invited to rejoin the group when he/she is ready. Behavior and feelings are discussed and the child is reassured when he/she rejoins the group. A child is not separated from the group for long periods of time or shamed to feel bad about their choices.

Aggressive Behavior

If a child exhibits behaviors that are continually disruptive, harmful or destructive, the following steps will be taken:

1. Teacher intervention to help the child such as helping communicate feelings with words, finding a safe place to calm down, redirection, etc.

2. There will be written or verbal communication to the parents or guardians of the child. Collaborating as teachers and parents to find a solution to help the child change the behavior.

3. As an absolute last resort, the child may be terminated. Flower of Life Montessori School reserves the right to protect all of the children in its care. The timeline of the above steps will depend on the seriousness of the behavior, the responsiveness of the child to the proposed solutions, being open to outside help if necessary, and the support of the parents. At no time will a child be allowed to endanger others or be destructive to him/herself, to others or to the environment.

Biting Policy

The Parents and us shall follow the following guidelines when a bite occurs:

1. Recognize that the child has bit another child.

Some reasons for biting are as follows: Sensory pleasure, Frustration, fatigue, attention seeking, confined spaces, inability to communicate Preschoolers Aggression, deliberate.

2. Staff will use age appropriate behavior strategies for children who are biting. Staff will attempt to keep frustration levels of children low by providing plenty of stimulation to engage children’s interests, having smaller groups of children (e.g. inside group/outdoor group), and using distraction techniques to minimize incidents.

3. Staff and Parents should recognize that a human bite, which breaks the skin, brings great risk of infection (e.g. Tetanus, Hepatitis B, ect...) to the victim.

4. When a bite does occur, staff will check for broken skin. All bites, whether the skin is broken or unbroken, will be washed with soap and water and be treated with a topical disinfectant. A cold compress will be applied to the bitten area. Staff will inform the family as soon as possible when a bite occurs. At that time, the family may decide upon follow-up medical attention. If the biter is known to be an Infection Disease carrier or can be seen to have facial herpes, the Directors will convey this information to the Family.

5. A record of all biting incidents will be kept. This is especially useful in determining any patterns of biting behavior and in anticipating incidents and preventing them.

6. If a child bites three times on a given day, the child’s parents will be called and the child must be picked up from the School immediately. This is to prevent further incidents and to calm the bitter.

7. We will develop a behavior management program for “repeat offenders” in conjunction with parents or other Health Care Professionals.

8. If, at any time, a child's biting behavior becomes especially excessive or hazardous to the children or staff, the Teachers and Directors will expel the child from the School in accordance with the “Discharge Policy”.

Dress Code

Dress your child in clothing that is comfortable and allows your child to run and play freely. Learning can be messy, so please don't send your child in his or her “best” clothes. They might come home with mud, chalk or even a little bit of paint on them! We use paint smocks but still accidents happen. Send two extra sets of clothes to leave at school in case of an accident. Also, keep your child's independence in mind when selecting clothes. How is his or her independence facilitated through these clothes? Certain accessories such as jewelry, purses, toys and money can be dangerous and a distraction. Excessive branding or costumes can also be distracting. These items should not be brought to school unless it is for a Party or we say otherwise. Please see Footwear.

Enrollment Contract

The Enrollment Contract defines our commitment to you and your child, the details of our program, and your commitment to Flower of Life Montessori School. Financial Obligation The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child referred to in the Enrollment Contract assume(s) the financial obligation for the child’s enrollment in and tuition payments to Flower of Life Montessori School. Please share your culture, special talents, educational or professional training, or life experiences with us! Let us know if you would be willing to do a short presentation on a topic you specialize in. Bring in photos from a recent vacation or special objects relevant to your country of origin. Cultural studies are an integral part of the Montessori curriculum and we welcome your contributions.

Footwear

We wear slippers or we go barefoot in the classroom to limit the amount of dirt brought into the classroom space. It is also a sign of respect and helps the children transition into school-mode each day. Changing into slippers is your child's first work of the day. Please help your child learn how to do this by allowing your child the time and space to put on slippers all by himself or herself. Make sure that your child has shoes that can be taken on and off all by himself or herself. Please do not pick out slippers that are too distracting. These slippers will stay at school. Your child also needs a pair of rain/mud boots. We go outside almost every day and having rain/ mud boots allows your child to run and play anywhere on the playground. Slip-on “wellies” style rubber boots work best. They are easy for the child to slip on and off, and they are easy to clean. Rain boots will be switched out for snow boots in the winter. See Winter wear.

Forms

All forms are due on or before the first day of school. These include: the Enrollment Contract; Medical Records form; History of Immunization; Child Health Assessment; Authorization for Emergency Medical Care; and if necessary Authorization for Dispensing Medication forms. Copies of the medical forms are available on the website. Help With Health and State Forms Complete the mandatory forms required by the state of Kansas as follows: Authorization for Emergency Medical Care Fill in your child’s name, the first day of school. This form will be in effect until the end of care. Sign and date the forms. Include your child’s health insurance information. The state of Kansas does not require this form to be notarized, unless your hospital is Providence Medical Hospital. Medical Records for All children in Child Care Facilities Complete this informational page for your child’s file. Be sure to include people authorized to pick up your child, emergency contacts, doctor and dentist contacts, and allergy information. Sign the form. History of Immunization In Section 1, enter the date of each of your child’s vaccines or send this form to your pediatrician to complete. Child Health Assessment Send this form to your pediatrician to complete and sign. Some offices take days or weeks to complete and return this form so give yourself enough time to get it back before school starts.

Authorization for Dispensing Medications

These forms are only for children who need to take medication at school on a regular basis or who use a rescue inhaler, epi-pen, allergy medication, or other similar items at school. Note that all medications must be in their original packaging. You may also include an Asthma Action Plan by your child’s physician which we will keep on file. Health and Academic Records When a student transfers to another school, the student’s records should be requested in writing by the new school. This form must be signed by the parent. Student records will be released by the school office only. Student records are released when financial obligations and other documents are in order. Any past due or outstanding balances must be paid in full before records will be released.

Holidays

Holidays are very important to children. At Flower of Life Montessori we celebrate holidays in a low-key way. For example, on Halloween we might incorporate the celebration into the normal morning work-cycle by Singing songs, carving a pumpkin, roasting seeds and serving a special snack. We encourage children from all cultural backgrounds to share their holidays and festivities with us.

Illness

Children will be sent home if they:

•Have a fever of 100 degrees or above

•Are vomiting

•Have diarrhea (more than 3 loose stools in 24 hours)

•Have unusual rashes

•Have red or draining eyes

•Are crying excessively or are irritable or lethargic for 1 or more hours.

A child who is sent home with any illness will not be able to return to school for 24 hours. Your child must be fever-free without medication and/or have not vomited for 24 hours before returning to school.

The only exceptions are vomiting episodes due to car-sickness or choking or gagging in the absence of other infectious symptoms. If your child is sick, keep him or her at home. If your child becomes sick at school, we will notify you or call someone on your contact list to come pick up your child. You will be notified by email if your child is exposed to communicable diseases (see Contagion Notice). In order to promote good health for all children at Flower of Life Montessori, please keep children home until they are fever-free without medications for 24 hours. This reduces the spreading of germs, and it gives your child extra time to rest and fight off the illness.

Keep children home if they have had vomiting or diarrhea (more than 3 loose stools in 24 hours). Usually, they feel physically drained if they have had these symptoms. They may return to school when they are symptom-free for 24 hours. For other illnesses, please consider keeping your child home to be able to rest and regain strength. Keeping your child home for an extra day can help your child fully recover and not have a relapse.

The following illnesses will require your child to stay home sick as instructed by the Kansas Health Department:

Appearance/Behavior: Unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused, excessive crying or irritable for 4 or more hours.

Diarrhea: 3 or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if the child acts or looks ill. Eyes: Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye, or pink eye. The child can return to school after using antibiotic eye drops for 24 hours, if the pus is minimal.

Fever: Has a fever at present or within the last 24 hours. Your child must be fever-free with no fever reducing medication for 24 hours.

Temperatures will be taken daily with a temporal artery thermometer. A child will be sent home if his or her temperature is at or above 100 degrees. If other symptoms exist such as sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, irritability or confusion, your child may be sent home with a lower temperature than stated above. Please understand these policies are in place to protect your child and all of the other children at school.

Impetigo: Bacterial skin infection causing 1 or more coin-shaped sores. The child may return to school 24 hours after treatment is initiated.

Lice: Children who have lice may not return to school until they are louse and nit (egg) free.

Rash: Body rash not associated with diapering, heat, or allergic reactions, especially with fever or itching.

Sore Throat: Especially if associated with fever or swollen glands in the neck.

Vomiting: Vomiting on 2 or more occasions within the past 24 hours. If your child is vomiting, please keep him or her home.

Immunizations

Please keep your child's immunization records up to date and inform the school when your child has had additional immunizations. Under the Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines, unvaccinated children are not allowed to attend schools or daycare centers unless they fill out a medical exemption form, (which is on the website.) The other exception is for religious reasons.

Lice Policy

A child will not be allowed to return to school until after proper treatment and all adult lice as well as nits are removed. Teachers will check children’s heads upon arrival at school. If lice- and nit-free, the child may stay. Resting mats and other personal items may be sent home to avoid spread. Children must be lice and nit free to return to school for several reasons.

• Nit removal guarantees the child has been fully treated.

• Nit removal may decrease future diagnostic confusion.

• Nit removal may decrease the possibility of unnecessary re-treatment.

Although over-the-counter remedies can be used, they are harsh chemicals that are often not administered correctly and may not ultimately kill all of the lice. According to a research team at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, in 25 states lice has become resistant to pyrethroids, the active ingredients in most OTC lice treatments. In Kansas and Missouri, 100% of the tested lice contain the so-called "knockdown resistant mutations", a triple set of genetic mutations that render the lice immune. Instead, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a professional lice removal salon. They perform a head check, and if evidence of lice is found, they shampoo the hair, remove all adult lice, comb through the hair extensively to remove bugs and nits, then use a strand by strand method to check for and remove nits or any remaining evidence of head lice.

Recommendations from the CDC Head lice survive 1–2 days if they fall off a person and cannot feed; nits (eggs) cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they are not kept at the same temperature as that found close to the scalp.

If your child does have lice, the cycle of reinfestation can be broken using some simple steps at home:

• Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp).

• Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes.

• Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Disinfest combs and brushes used by an infested person by soaking them in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5–10 minutes.

• Do not sit or lie on beds, couches, pillows, car seats, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infected person. Consider placing items in a trash bag to avoid contact.

• Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an infested person wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using the hot water (130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. This can kill both head lice and nits. Items that have been in contact with the head of the infested person in the 48 hours before treatment should be considered for cleaning. This includes clothes, bed linens, pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, rugs, jackets, carseat covers, etc. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.

• Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay. However, spending much time and money on house cleaning activities is not necessary to avoid reinfestation by lice or nits that may have fallen off the head or crawled onto furniture or clothes.

• Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Suggestions for Prevention

• Check your child’s hair daily at the nape of the neck or over the ear for white nits. Dry scalp pulls off the hair follicle, nits cling.

• If your child has long hair, wear it up in a bun, braids or ponytail.

• Use teatree mint shampoo.

• Use a tea tree, rosemary, peppermint spray or just hair spray on your child’s hair.

Lunch

Please send a healthy lunch each day. Lunch will be refrigerated. If you do choose to provide warm food for your child we can heat it up in the microwave before lunch. We eat lunch in the classroom and the children are largely responsible for their own lunches. They set the tables and help with cleaning up. Lunch is a time for practicing manners and engaging in polite conversation. Keeping with the Montessori cornerstones of independence and care of self, make sure that you are sending packages that your child can open independently as well as things that are easily manageable and not too messy. Be sure to include any utensils your child will need for his or her meal. Make the lunch well balanced and limit or eliminate sugary foods. We do not recommend Lunchable type meals. They do not promote independence, contain excessive packaging, and are lower in protein in relation to fat and sodium. Bento Box type lunches work the best, especially if they have utensils attached.

Tips for Packing Lunch Every day your child’s lunch should include:

1. A Protein: turkey, chicken, ham, roast beef, cheese, Greek yogurt, edamame, hummus, cottage cheese, black beans, quinoa, etc.

2. A Fruit: berries, apple, pear, melon, orange, banana, peach, grapes, etc.

3. A Vegetable: carrot, cucumber, tomato, salad, peppers, beans, peas, corn, broccoli, etc.

4. A Grain: whole grain bread, tortilla, pasta, crackers, pretzels, bagel, muffin, pita bread, etc.

Sweet treats, potato chips and other “fun foods” will be set aside until healthy foods have been eaten, then the child is welcome to eat his or her sweets or chips. Please do NOT send candy and other high sugar food items with their meal as it may affect them being able to relax during rest/nap time. If high sugar items are sent in lunchboxes we have the right to confiscate them until school is over.

Choices & Portions

Too many choices of foods in your child’s lunch can be overwhelming. Too much of any one food can make it difficult for your child to eat a balanced meal. Be aware of portion size and try to include just enough so that your child won’t be overwhelmed by too much or too many foods. We will have your child bring home the foods that she or he does not finish. This will give you insight into your child’s ever-changing lunchtime eating habits.

Learning About Nutrition Throughout lunch

The teachers and children talk to each other about the nutritional value of their lunch items. Our hope is to instill a sensibility about healthy eating and an enjoyment of eating healthy foods.

Reducing Waste and Recycling

Flower of Life Montessori strives to be as environmentally conscious as possible. We will help your child recycle what we can. Please try to send food in reusable containers. Bento boxes, Tupperware, and Gladware containers work well. We want to help the children be aware of the amount of trash each of us produces and to limit it when possible by recycling.

Breakfast

Please feed your child a nutritious and balanced breakfast before they come to school. Our first snack of the day is not until 9:30am and it’s a small snack, not a meal. We want to make sure the children are ready to be successful for learning! Please also be mindful not to give them a sugar filled breakfast item as it does affect their concentration.

Measles Policy

If your child is not fully vaccinated against measles and there is a measles outbreak in the Kansas City metropolitan area, your child will be required to stay home from school until the outbreak has subsided. We will consult with the Department of Public Health and the CDC to determine when it is safe for your child to return to school. The typical presentation of measles is a runny nose, with cough, and runny, reddened eyes. Four days following the start of these symptoms, atypical measles rash breaks out starting on the face and head and spreading down the body to the feet. Although some of the above symptoms are typically just the sign of a summer cold, given the seriousness of the current measles outbreak we must insist that proper precautions are made to protect the health and the lives of the children in our community. Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease. If a member of the community is exposed to measles, every child who has been in contact with that child and who is not fully vaccinated from measles (meaning they have not had two MMR vaccinations) would be subject to a 4-7 day quarantine according to public health standards. We would report the case to the Wyandotte County Health Department and to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

If a child with measles attends school, we will close the school until the "wait and see" period has passed. Although the majority of students are immunized against measles, many of them have younger siblings who may not be old enough to receive the MMR vaccine. Any child with measles who attends school, the local pool, a park, birthday party, playdate, grocery store, movie theater will expose every person at those places to the disease including those children who are not old enough to be protected from it. The virus lives in the mucus in the nose and throat of the infected person. When that person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air. The droplets can get into other people’s noses or throats when they breathe or put their fingers in their mouth or nose after touching an infected surface. The virus can live on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours. This means immune children can carry the disease with them on their clothes or skin and spread it to unvaccinated younger siblings. Often, parents are unaware of the symptoms or mistake them for a simple cold virus. Exposure can happen rapidly.

We are hopeful that no children in our city will be forced to fight this disease. However, each of us has a responsibility to be educated and aware. We want to remind each of you about the seriousness of measles; educate you about the warning signs, symptoms and procedures; and encourage you to take proper precautions and actions in dealing with any symptoms that may indicate infection with measles. For more information, contact your pediatrician or go to www.cdc.gov/measles.

Medication To administer

Medication for your child, Flower of Life Montessori School must have the Authorization for Dispensing Medications to Children or Youth form completed and signed by a parent or guardian. Prescription medications must be in their original containers labeled with the child’s first and last name, the date the prescription was filled, the name of the licensed physician or nurse practitioner who wrote the prescription, the expiration date of the medication, and specific and legible instructions for administration and storage of the medication. All medication will be administered according to the instructions. Non-prescription medications can be given with permission from the parent or guardian based on general advice received from the child’s physician. Non-prescription medication will be administered from the original container labeled with the child’s first and last name and according to the instructions on the label. A record of doses will be kept.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Flower of Life Montessori provides an authentic Montessori education to all children regardless of ability, race, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, socio-economic status, hair color, or shoe size.

Notice of Dismissal

Flower of Life Montessori may at any time, in its sole discretion, discontinue a student’s enrollment if it determines that the student’s behavior is detrimental to the well-being of other students or the staff; or the student or any parent or guardian repeatedly fails to follow rules and policies as established for the harmony and safety of all of the children and staff; or tuition is not paid for 30 days. Written notice of a student’s dismissal will be mailed or delivered to the parent or guardian and no refund of tuition deposit, application fees, or supply fees will be made.

Order of Admissions

Enrollment preference is given to returning students, siblings of current students and siblings of former students.

Incident Reports

If your child has a small injury at school, an Incident Report will be filled out and given to you. We are trained in CPR and First Aid. Minor bumps and bruises will be treated accordingly and given TLC. Any nose bleed, bump to the head or otherwise will be reported to the parents. If there is a major medical emergency, 911 will be called, First Aid will be administered, and the parent (or second emergency contact) will be notified.

Outside Play

Fresh air and outdoor play are very important for children. We try to go outside every day of the year. If weather conditions are unsafe, we will not go outside. If it is 19 degrees or warmer, expect to go outside. With appropriate dress, children can play outside even in cold temperatures if only for 5 to 10 minutes. Plan on your child going outside every day and dress your child accordingly. In the summer, you may send a hat for sun protection and rain/mud boots. In the winter, send snow boots, snow pants, hats, mittens (they’re easier to put on than gloves), and a warm coat with a working zipper for fun in the cold and snow.

Parent Observations

Observation is an excellent way to gain a better understanding of the Montessori Method, and all parents are encouraged to observe periodically. Parents who come to the school to observe children at work are given guidelines for observation and are asked to be seated during the observation. The purpose of observation is to view the environment and the children’s interaction with the materials, other children, and the teachers. Observation times must be scheduled with us, the owners. Observations may be scheduled beginning six weeks after the start of school. This allows for a period of adjustment for new students.

Parking

All families can park in front of the house. Please share this information with grandparents, childcare providers and other people who will be dropping off or picking up your child.

Photography & Video

Throughout the school year, we take photos of your child working and playing at school. Because Montessori work is done mainly with the materials themselves, often there is little “paperwork” sent home to show the work your child is doing each day. These photos show your child happily learning and growing. In addition, we like to document special events. We like to post photos on our website, Facebook page and Instagram page so that other families can see our school and get a feel for the work that the children do. In addition, our website is a place where you can send family and friends to see photos of your child at school. However, the safety and privacy of your child is of great importance to us. The Photo and video Consent Form gives you the opportunity to decide under which conditions you give consent regarding photography and videography by Flower of Life Montessori.

Picking Up Your Child Late

Please be on time picking up your child. We have a 10 minute grace period for being late. If you exceed that time frame, there will be a one dollar fee charged for every minute late. These fees will be added up and we will notify you by email how much you owe at the end of the month.

Pick-Up Procedure

Pick up time is from 3:30-5:30pm. Please text one or both of us on our phones and let us know if you need to pick up before 3:30pm, that way we can prepare your child to leave. You may tell us ahead of time if you know as well.

Parents will wait in the entryway quietly for their child if they are not ready by the time the parent(s) get to the school. We will only allow a child out of the school door if his or her parent or person authorized to pick-up is present. Please let us know in advance if someone, who is not on the authorized list, is picking up your child that day. If a phone call has NOT been made then we will call you first before we release your child.

Rest Time or Nap Time

The children go down for a 2 hour nap/rest time after lunch between the hours of 1:00-3:00.

Each child will have his or her own nap mat. Please send a nap mat with an attached pillow that rolls up and is labeled with your child's name in a trash bag. Check out Lillian Vernon’s Lilly’s Kids Personalized Reversible Nap Pad as a suggestion. Please no sleeping bags, full size pillows, big stuffed animals or large resting mats. Storage for resting things is limited. We will have to send home items that are too large for the cubby area. Nap items will be sent home every Friday to be washed unless items need to be sent home sooner due to an accident. Only one small snuggly item from home is allowed for your child’s comfort. Pacifiers are not allowed.

Other toys are NOT allowed as they sometimes can cause a distraction.

We are not held responsible for lost items your child brings to school.

Separation

Some children have a hard time separating from their parents when transitioning to school. Just relax. You've made the decision to send your child to our program and you are both ready! Change is always a little nerve racking or even scary. Make it exciting and say goodbye quickly and lovingly to show your child that you trust the new environment and new teachers. Keeping goodbyes short and sweet once you’re inside the classroom is a good way to diminish separation anxiety. You should not help your child find his or her first work because all lessons are presented by the teachers. It’s the children’s classroom and they will make their own way with guidance, support, and love from the teachers and other children. We are here to support you and your child. We are available to discuss any concerns you may have during this transition. If you or your child is upset at your leaving, just ask for a phone call or text. We will give you a call or text as soon as your child has settled into the day’s work. If for any reason your child is struggling, we will text or call you to share his or her emotional state. You’ll be surprised! The call or text that your child has stopped crying and is busy with his or her first work of the day usually comes within minutes!

Snacks

2 healthy snacks are served at Flower of Life Montessori School. They eat these snacks at 9:30am and about 3:30pm.

Snow Days

Flower of Life Montessori follows the Kansas City Kansas Public School District USD 500 snow day schedule. If Kansas City Kansas Public Schools are closed due to weather, then we are closed. Texts and Emails will also be sent.

We will still be closed even if the public school district is doing online learning for that snow day.

The news stations that will show Kansas City, KS School Closings will be on KCTV5 News, 41 Action News and KMBC9.

Summer Time

We are open during the summer and provide a continuum of learning year round. We play outside, have water play days, sing songs, play games, and celebrate birthdays as well as do challenging Montessori work. Attending school in the Summer or Year Round has proven to be an excellent opportunity for already-enrolled children to continue development. Children are able to continue strengthening and mastering these new skills without the period of re-learning sometimes present after a long summer and the summertime is fun! The children enjoy seeing their friends each day, playing outside together, and continuing to do the work they love.

The Woods behind our home

We live in a peaceful neighborhood, where there’s woods only a five minute walk from our home. We will be utilizing this space during school hours sometimes to teach, have picnics and to let the children get out their energy. The only traffic we normally get is from those who live in this neighborhood. By signing the Parent Handbook you are giving us the right to take your child to the woods with the other children.

Supply Fee

The supply fee is due no later than the first day of school. The supply fee helps cover the cost of healthy snacks, special projects, classroom supplies and art supplies for the year ect. The supply fee is $100

Toys At School

Certain items such as toys, sporting equipment, jewelry, purses, sunglasses, and money can be hazardous and a distraction. These items should not be brought to school.

Tuition Deposit

All Enrollment Contracts must include a non-refundable deposit of $50. The fee and the contract are due before their first day of school and this saves your child’s spot.

Tuition Payments

Tuition payments are due on the 1st day of the month.

Upon acceptance of the Enrollment Contract, the following agreements are expressly understood: Any payment made after the 15th day of the month will be subject to a $30 late fee. Tuition is not based on the number of attendance days in each month. Full monthly tuition payments are due regardless of the number of days that a student actually attends school.

There are no refunds for missed/snow/holiday days, whatever the reason, nor will there be compensatory days for absences.

Waiting List

In general, most of our school’s students will re-enroll for the following school year, depending on their age. If you have a younger sibling whom you would like to attend Flower of Life Montessori School, please let us know as soon as possible so we can put them on the waitlist.

Water Play

On sunny days during the summer time, we often change into swimsuits and have water play days. We do our best to keep boys in one area of the classroom and girls in another when they are changing into their swimsuits. We change quickly, get sunscreen on, and go outside to have fun.

Winter Wear

With appropriate dress, children can play outside in cold temperatures even if only for 5 or 10 minutes. Plan on your child going outside every day and dress your child accordingly. For fun in the cold and snow during winter months, send a warm hat, a warm coat with a working zipper, snow pants or bibs which are easy to put on, warm gloves (waterproof) and slip-on snow boots. Please remember to label every piece of outerwear (each mitten, both boots) with your child’s name. Masking tape and a Sharpie work great.

Emergency Procedure

In the event that there is an emergency and we have to leave the premise, we will be taking the kids to Mr. Kameron's Parents house where they will be safe. Their home is about 2 miles away at the address 6003 Edith Ave. Kansas City, KS 66104.

In the event that there is a fire we will either evacuate from the front door or the garage door.
In the even that there is a tornado we will take the kids to the back of the classroom and have them sit on the floor.
In the event that there is a gas leak we will take the kids to the 6003 address up above.
In the event that there is a dangerous stranger around the premise, we will lock the doors, gather the kids away from the windows so the stranger cannot see us and we will call 911.

Withdrawal Policies and Procedures

1. Notice of withdrawal must be made directly to the school Directors.. Once notice has been received, the school Directors will present the parent(s) or guardian(s) with a completed Notice of Withdrawal form that reflects the specific terms of the student’s withdrawal.

2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) must give the school notice of intent to withdraw (30) days in advance. This helps us so that we have enough time to find another student who would like to fill that space.

Work

Work is a term lovingly applied to the children's daily activities in a Montessori classroom. They take great pride in their work. From this work, concentration, confidence and true happiness are manifested. A Montessori classroom is a joy to watch because you will find children happily engaged in work. There is a pervasive sense of community as the children learn to take care of themselves, each other, and their environment. Ask your child, “What work did you do today?” Something that may seem inconsequential to the adult, such as water pouring, sweeping or scrubbing, but these activities are important work to the young child. Through this work your child becomes self-confident, independent, focused, calm, and happy.