Parent Meeting Night Wed, August 22, 2012

Agenda

Welcome

Forms

Calendar

Dress Code

Curriculum

Daily Schedule

Lunch/Snack

Communication

Birthday Celebration

Programs

Procedures

08/24/11Parent Info Mtg

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Illness

Parent Teacher Organization

After-school Programs

Q&A

Vision

The vision of Southern NH Montessori Academy is to provide a world-class educational experience to children ages 3-15,

through an enriched curriculum in an intriguing environment that cultivates human potential, nurtures

curiosity and inspires a sense of wonder…

8/22/12

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Mission

At Southern NH Montessori Academy:

Children learn at their own pace intellectually;

Through an integrated curriculum, concentration is given to educating the “whole child” (all facets of the child's being, including: intellectual, physical, emotional, social and creative aspects) with a strong emphasis of hands-on and experiential learning;

Each child’s education is guided by individualized learning plans;

We shepherd the character development of each child promoting independence, self-expression, and respect for oneself, others, and the world.

8/25/10

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Staff

Early Childhood Co-Lead Teacher – Trupti

Shah Co-Lead Teacher – Cheryl

Barlow Intern – Jacqueline Dubois

Lower Elementary Co-Lead Teacher – Sheila

Perry Co-Lead Teacher – Susan

Rowe

Upper Elementary Lead Teacher – Lea

Lewkowski

Adjunct Teachers Art Instructor – Laura

Atherton LE/UE Music Instructor –

Leslie Woodard EC Music Instructor – Terry

Taylor Spanish/Adv Latin Instructor

– Lindsay Mitchell Edible Classroom – TBD

8/22/12

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Support Team

Support Personnel IT/Media Coordinator –

Tanya Swann Librarian – Tate Greco

After-school Program Lead Janis Lilly

Social Curriculum and Guidance Consultant – Terri Hamilton

Admin Assistant Joelle Huot

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Forms

Application/Registration

Emergency Contact

Health

Enrollment/Tuition Agreement

Volunteer Form

Driver Information

Field Trips Sent electronically

approximately one week before trip

Return to school prior to trip (not day of please).

Presenters/Trips posted to calendar.

More information in weekly newsletter

EC relies upon Parent Chaperones/Drivers

LE/UE bus

8/22/12

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Calendar

www.snhma.org/page/community

Google calendar

School year

Early Release Dates, Holidays, Vacation/Break Schedule, Parent Conferences, Field Trip/Presenters, SNHMA Social Events

PTO Meetings (Thurs Sept 13)

Mark you calendars: SNHMA Ice Cream Social Thurs Sept 20

8/22/12

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Dress Code

Theme: Non-Commercial Consistent in color

Tops – white, yellow, and blue

Bottoms – navy, khaki/tan

Lunch bags/Back Packs (no roller bags/hard case packs)

All students are issued a school shirt to be worn on field trips and special occasions

Slippers for classroom (non-skid sole, with backs)

Sneakers for physical education

Request rain boots for outdoor exploration

Change of clothes (EC/LE)

8/22/12

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Curriculum

Core

Language Arts

Math

Cultural Studies

Science

Practical Life

Sensorial*

Enrichment Elementary Latin*

Physical Education

Creative Arts (Visual & Performing)**

Foreign Language/Spanish & Mandarin***

Technology

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*K & Elementary**All students regardless of schedule/program

*** Upper El - January

In teg rat ed Cu rri culu m

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EC

Fou nd atio n - Sc ien ce

SeptLiving/nonPlant/animalNature walk

OctVertebrate/invertebrateAir/land/waterWeather/record keepingLeaf peepingThermometers

Nov/DecMammals/HarvestSink/Float (Nov.)Magnets (Dec.) Solid/Liquid/Gas

JanAquarium/FishIce/Snow

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Feb Sound/Telephone Human Body Water sounds

Mar Cold Blooded Animals Wind Surface Tension

Apr Water cycle Birds/Seeds

May/June Insects/Animal

Homes Volume

LE Foundation – Biomes/Evolution of Life

Mountain Region

Grasslands

Wetlands

Temperate Forest

Rainforest

Polar Region

Desert

Invertebrates

Vertebrates

Amphibians

Fish

Birds

Mammals

Insects

5/14/09

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*2012-13 Focus

UE Foundation – Continents/Political View

North America

South America

Africa

Australia

Asia

Antarctica

Europe

8/22/12

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* 2012-13 Focus

Social Curriculum

mind UPhttp://www.thehawnfoundation.orgSocial/Emotional learning program for preK-8 students,Informed by current research cognitive neuroscience, mindful education, social/ emotional learning, positive psychology, and evidence-based teaching practices

Weekly presentations to students

PTO presentations

Monthly school newsletter

8/12/12

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mind UP

Let’s Get Focused! (1. Learning How Our Brains Work; 2. Understanding Mindful Attention; 3. Focusing Our Awareness: The Core Practice)

Paying Attention to Our Senses (4. Mindful Listening; 5. Mindful Seeing; 6. Mindful Smelling; 7. Mindful Tasting; 8. Mindful Movement I; 9. Mindful Movement II)

It’s All About Attitude (10. Perspective Taking; 11. Choosing Optimism; 12. Savoring Happy Experiences)

Taking Action Mindfully (13. Acting with Gratitude; 14. Performing Acts of Kindness; 15. Taking Mindful Action in Our Community)

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Calendar/Hours

School Day EC 8:15am – 11:45am; 8:15am-3:00pm LE 8:30am – 3:15pm

State of NH requirement - 180 academic days (equivalent hours)

Spring break the last week of March versus the traditional February and April vacations

Ea rly C

hil dho od Sc hed ule

8:00– 8:15am Arrivals, Greeting

8:15-11:45am Morning Circle (Calendar, Days of School, Work Presentation, Show & Tell, Brain Gym)

Work Cycle

11:15-11:45am Recess (30 minutes)

11:45am-Noon Dismissal

11:45am-12:15pm Lunch* (30 minutes)

12:15- 12:45pm Rest, Quiet Reading

12:45-2:15pm Mini Work Cycle (Handwriting*, Creative Writing, Leveled Reading, Spanish*)

2:15– 2:45pm Physical Education* (30 minutes)

2:45pm – 3:00pm Circle/Meeting/Closure

3:00 – 3:15pm Dismissal

Lo w

er/ Up per

El em

ent ary Sc he dul e

8:15 – 8:25am Arrivals/Greetings

8:30 - 9:00am Morning Meeting/Instruction

(30 minutes)

9:00 - Noon Independent Work (3 hours)

Noon - 12:30pm Lunch (30 minutes)

12:30 - 1:00pm Recess (30 minutes)

1:15 – 2:00pm Physical Education (45 minutes)

2:00 – 3:00pm Reading/Picture Writing/Spanish/Math Club (30 minutes/each)

3:00 - 3:15pm Meeting/Closure

3:15 - 3:30pm Dismissal

Hybrid Classroom

Honor the child

Both UE and LE Privilege/Right Aspiration Expectations Responsibilities/Privileges

Drop-off Procedure

Entrance

Meeting Room

Instruct as a Group

Enrichment Art/Music Spanish/Latin PE w/Y3

Snack/Lunch

Wholesome, nutritious, transfat and sugar-free, non-processed (no goghurts/crush cups)

Minimize Waste (yoghurt cups, applesauce cups, individual wrappings)

Utensils

Laptop Lunchboxes/MightyNest Variety, portion sizes

Snack Community Snack (EC) Single Serving

Fruit/Vegetable (only)

Milk Program $5/month Family-style

SNHMA Lunch Program

Inspired by Alice Waters former Montessori teacher and chef

www.edibleschoolyard.org (formerly The Chez Panisse Foundation)

$25/month, $28 w/milk

The goal of our lunch program is to offer children a healthy, nutritious, and conscious lunch experience two days a week (Tues & Wed). 

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Edible Classroom Program

Every step of the lunch process is deliberately planned and executed. Menus are be based on seasonal, local meats and produce. 

Lower elementary students will be involved in meal planning, recipe research, and cost calculation of ingredients.

Early Childhood students will plan menus, help to unpack groceries, and assist in the the sorting and washing of fruits and vegetables. 

Other activities could include surveys on food preferences, cultural and holiday themed meals, and historically accurate meals.

The preparation process offers endless opportunities for learning, and will be incorporated into many parts of the curriculum.

The dining experience for the children and teachers will consist of a community table complete with table cloth, appropriate center piece, china and flatware. 

Food is served family style, large platters and bowls passed so that each child may serve him or herself.  At least two (2) choices of protein, and three (3) offerings of vegetable and fruit are offered at each meal. Color coding the platters and bowls according to food group, to help guide the children's choices.

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“Green” School

Recycling

Composting (worms)

Minimize use of plastics

Green cleaning supplies/products

Energy conscious

E-communication

Communication

Electronic

Weekly Newsletters

Forms (Field Trip)

Website

Facebook

Twitter

5/14/09

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Programs

Birthday Celebrations Morning Circle/Meeting Parent’s Invited Cycle Around the Sun Narrated Brief of Year

(with pictures)

EC “Read to Me”/LE “Read with Me”) Posted in Google

Calendar

Show & Tell – EC

Mystery Bag - LE

Volunteer Coop 15 hours each year/$250 Recorded in Admin

Binder8/22/12

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Volunteer Opportunities

PTO Participation

Field Trip Chaperone/Driver

Refreshment/Social Event Team

Volunteer Coordinator

Box Top for Education Coordinator

Scholarship Fundraising

Laminating

Edible Classroom Assistance

Cultural/Hobby/Interest Presentations

Clothing Swap

Open House Ambassadors

Welcoming/Hospitality

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Scholarship Fund

Box Tops for Education Sheets Bowl

Amazon Newsletter Link Website

8/12/12

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Procedures

Drop-off/Pick-up Refer to schedule for times Curbside (driver’s side)

You will need to secure your child in car seat at dismissal

Upper El drop off at mailboxes

Early Morning & Aftercare Please escort your child into

school and/or come into school to greet your child

Late Arrivals/Dismissals Park in parking space Sign Student in/out in

Admin Office Student will join class or

meet you in Foyer (minimizing interruptions/disruptions)

Arrivals beyond 8:30am will not be allowed to join program until 9am (we will not interrupt morning meetings for late arrivals)

Tardiness

Chronic tardiness can result in expulsion

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Procedures

Illness Protocol - symptom free &

non-medicated for 24 hours Stringent hand washing

Eating Outdoor play Mouth/Nose

Medication We will administer over

the counter/prescription, however, it needs to be in original packaging and dosage instructions

Medication Form must accompany medication and is exchanged from parent to teacher/administration

Children do not self-medicate (holistic, over the counter, prescribed)

Absence for 3+ days/Contagious – note from physician referencing able to return to school

First Aid/CPR certified

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Parent Teacher Organization

Meet Monthly

All Welcome

Primary Objective: Build and support SNHMA Community Provide supplemental support to SNHMA Administration Social/Potluck Play Date Parent Ed

8/25/10

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After-school Programs

NEW BIG Ideas for Little Hands (ages 3-5)

Afternoons at the Academy (ages 6-12)

Programs follow Fall, Winter, Spring schedule

Held daily during school year

3:30-5:00pm; after-care by arrangement until 5:30pm

Open to the public

8/22/12

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… to compliment our robust curriculum to provide both socialization opportunities and FUN

Refer a friend and receive $25 credit

Facility Expansion

8/22/12

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Entrance

Science Lab

Library/Media RoomUE Phase 1

Comm’l Kitchen Phase II

Montessori Educational Benefits

Child works as long as s/he wants on chosen project

Children encouraged to teach, collaborate, and help each other

Child chooses own work based upon own interests and abilities

Child sets own learning pace to internalize information

Child spots own errors through feedback from material

Learning is reinforced internally through child's own repetition of activity and internal feelings of success

Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration & development

Organized program for learning care of self and environment

Child can work where s/he is comfortable, moves & talks at will (yet doesn't disturb others); group work is voluntary & negotiable

Organized program for parents to understand the Montessori philosophy & participate in the learning process

Emphasis on cognitive structures & social development

Teacher's role is unobtrusive; child actively participates in learning

Environment & method encourage internal self-discipline

Individual & group instruction adapts to each student's learning style

Mixed age grouping

Child formulates concepts from self-teaching materials

5/14/09

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