Parents
Contents
Parents Handbook
Thank you for your interest in Lake Murray Montessori School. We are a non-denominational, independent Montessori school with two campuses located in Northeast Columbia & Lexington, South Carolina. We strive to provide beautiful environments, a challenging program, and a supportive school community to serve children from 2 to 6 years of age.
Our teachers are all certified in Montessori Early Childhood Education and have long-term experience. Our classrooms are specifically designed for Montessori education. All class materials are carefully selected from some of the best Montessori material manufacturers.
We highly recommend that you visit our school with your child.
Our teachers are all certified in Montessori Early Childhood Education and have long-term experience. Our classrooms are specifically designed for Montessori education. All class materials are carefully selected from some of the best Montessori material manufacturers.
We highly recommend that you visit our school with your child.
Discipline
The result of exposure to certain exterior order, both physically and mentally, is a certain inner ordering, a certain inner justification and balancing of one's behavior. This we can refer to as the child's "inner-discipline" that is the result of the order within the prepared environment and the core of Dr. Montessori's educational philosophy. Patterns of concentration, cycles of activity, sequential learning, etc., established in early childhood, produce an independent, confident, and directed learner in later years.
When we consider the idea of freedom and discipline, we often think of these as contradictory terms. We do not usually think of them as coexisting within the same environment, and yet, in order for there to be true discipline, there must be freedom, and vice versa. Freedom is an inner-sense, as is discipline. Through freedom and liberty, self-discipline can be revealed. At Lake Murray Montessori School we provide opportunity for self-discipline through:
The Prepared Environment
The Teacher
The Child
Since we are concerned with the development of freedom, which allows for the mutual respect and growth of each individual within the group setting, there is the need to establish certain standards in order to maintain the freedom of each individual as well as the group freedom. These standards, which we refer to as ground rules, assist in maintaining the necessary structure within the prepared environment. They are:
When we consider the idea of freedom and discipline, we often think of these as contradictory terms. We do not usually think of them as coexisting within the same environment, and yet, in order for there to be true discipline, there must be freedom, and vice versa. Freedom is an inner-sense, as is discipline. Through freedom and liberty, self-discipline can be revealed. At Lake Murray Montessori School we provide opportunity for self-discipline through:
The Prepared Environment
- Structure - allows the child freedom of movement, choice, and development within an ordered, prepared environment
- Materials - allow for creativity, based on a systematic approach to learning
- Interrelationships - allow free choice of social relations and self-determination of relations without interference to others and their work
The Teacher
- Establishes ground rules - for the good of each individual child within the group setting
- Observer - takes her cue from the activities and needs of the child
The Child
- Use of materials - is free to use the materials creatively and uniquely as long as the child maintains a respectful and constructive approach
- Movement in the environment - child is free to move in order to learn, but he may not interfere with another's work unless invited to
- Interaction with the teacher and other children - the child must respect the interactions of others and their work
Since we are concerned with the development of freedom, which allows for the mutual respect and growth of each individual within the group setting, there is the need to establish certain standards in order to maintain the freedom of each individual as well as the group freedom. These standards, which we refer to as ground rules, assist in maintaining the necessary structure within the prepared environment. They are:
- Putting one's work away when finished in order that another child may find it in its original order and proper place
- Not disturbing another's work unless invited to join the other child
- Showing respect for the materials by not using them in a destructive manner
- Safety aspect for the child's own protection
Health Rules
State regulations require that all children have a completed health form, immunization record, and a medical consent form on file before they enter school. It is imperative that emergency contact information is kept up to date.
If a child needs to be given medication, a parent MUST complete an authorization form, which will be filed with the child’s records. Medication MUST be kept in the original container and bear the child’s name. It should be taken to the office by the parent daily so an adult can administer it. NEVER send medication in a child’s lunchbox.
Medication measured cup or spoon must be included in order to dispense.
If an error occurs when administering medication; including an over/under dose of the right medication, giving the wrong medication or omission of a scheduled dose, the director/staff will notify the parents.
If a child needs to be given medication, a parent MUST complete an authorization form, which will be filed with the child’s records. Medication MUST be kept in the original container and bear the child’s name. It should be taken to the office by the parent daily so an adult can administer it. NEVER send medication in a child’s lunchbox.
Medication measured cup or spoon must be included in order to dispense.
If an error occurs when administering medication; including an over/under dose of the right medication, giving the wrong medication or omission of a scheduled dose, the director/staff will notify the parents.
Absenses & Illnesses
Please call the school office between 7:30 and 8:30 AM if your child will be absent or late. If your child has a communicable disease, notify the school immediately so that we may notify other parents and take steps to protect the children.
Please keep your child at home if they present symptoms like a cough, cold, rash, fever, diarrhea, vomiting or sore throat 24 hours prior to the next school day.
If your child becomes ill while at school, you will be notified immediately. Children will be sent home if their temperature is 100.0 or greater, or the child shows signs of illness. Your child should be picked up WITHIN THIRTY MINUTES, since the school does not have staff or facilities to care for a sick child. A child who leaves sick should not return to school until they are symptom-free for 24 hours without medication.
Please keep your child at home if they present symptoms like a cough, cold, rash, fever, diarrhea, vomiting or sore throat 24 hours prior to the next school day.
If your child becomes ill while at school, you will be notified immediately. Children will be sent home if their temperature is 100.0 or greater, or the child shows signs of illness. Your child should be picked up WITHIN THIRTY MINUTES, since the school does not have staff or facilities to care for a sick child. A child who leaves sick should not return to school until they are symptom-free for 24 hours without medication.
Parent - Teacher Communication
Effective communication between parents, teacher, and child is essential. The teachers at Lake Murray Montessori School invite you to communicate with us whenever you feel your child’s best interests would be served. We, in turn, will inform you of our observations and concerns. Please do not discuss your child with us in his/her presence or during class time. If you would like to talk to a teacher, please leave a note or leave a message in the office asking the teacher to call. We also request that you direct your questions to the classroom teachers rather than the assistants or other staff members.
Parent-teacher conferences are held around April and October. These conferences are vital for both parents and teachers. We recommend that parents meet twice yearly with their child’s teacher. At that time your child’s teacher will show you a student evaluation sheet and you will receive a school conference report.
Parent-teacher conferences are held around April and October. These conferences are vital for both parents and teachers. We recommend that parents meet twice yearly with their child’s teacher. At that time your child’s teacher will show you a student evaluation sheet and you will receive a school conference report.
Accident/Incident Report
Although the children are under constant supervision, accidents and incidents may occur.
Should your child be involved in an incident or accident during the course of the school day, a staff member will complete an Accident/ Incident Report.
Accident Reports are written for a child who has gotten injured while at school. Parents are not called to inform them that their child has gotten injured; unless the injury is to the head or mouth, the child has been bitten by another child and it has broken the skin, or for wounds and other injuries that may require medical attention.
Incident Reports are written for a child who has demonstrated behavior(s) that is disruptive to the school's/classroom's peaceful environment. Parents are not called to inform them that their child has received an Incident Report, unless the behavior is a safety concern or if the child is unable to control/calm themselves and continues to disrupt the school/classroom. Incident Reports are typically written when the disruptive behaviors are happening frequently/chronically; not for isolated incidences.
Should your child be involved in an incident or accident during the course of the school day, a staff member will complete an Accident/ Incident Report.
Accident Reports are written for a child who has gotten injured while at school. Parents are not called to inform them that their child has gotten injured; unless the injury is to the head or mouth, the child has been bitten by another child and it has broken the skin, or for wounds and other injuries that may require medical attention.
Incident Reports are written for a child who has demonstrated behavior(s) that is disruptive to the school's/classroom's peaceful environment. Parents are not called to inform them that their child has received an Incident Report, unless the behavior is a safety concern or if the child is unable to control/calm themselves and continues to disrupt the school/classroom. Incident Reports are typically written when the disruptive behaviors are happening frequently/chronically; not for isolated incidences.
Birthdays
Primary
The classes hold a special ceremony for birthdays, and parents are invited to share the celebration. The birthday child brings a photograph from each year of his or her life. Instead of sending a sweet birthday treat, please help your child select a nonfiction book as a gift to school.
To avoid hurt feelings, Lake Murray Montessori School does not allow distribution of birthday invitations at school unless the entire class is invited.
The classes hold a special ceremony for birthdays, and parents are invited to share the celebration. The birthday child brings a photograph from each year of his or her life. Instead of sending a sweet birthday treat, please help your child select a nonfiction book as a gift to school.
To avoid hurt feelings, Lake Murray Montessori School does not allow distribution of birthday invitations at school unless the entire class is invited.
Clothing
Please be aware that your child will be engaging in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities at school. We ask that your child wear sneakers or sandals (with back strap) that are safe for climbing, no flip-flops or large boots.
Assume that your child will be playing outdoors every day and send along outerwear that is appropriate for the weather.
We request that your child dress in a uniform t-shirt with your choice of shorts, pants or skirt. Uniform shirts are $12.00 for short sleeved and $18.00 for long sleeved. Sweatshirts can also be purchased for $25.00. Please be sure to choose pants that he or she can manage independently.
Uniforms are required everyday except for Fridays, which are a free dress day.
Each child should keep a complete change of clothing at school at all times. Please include socks, shirts, pants, and underwear and replace items as needed. No Pull-Ups please.
Assume that your child will be playing outdoors every day and send along outerwear that is appropriate for the weather.
We request that your child dress in a uniform t-shirt with your choice of shorts, pants or skirt. Uniform shirts are $12.00 for short sleeved and $18.00 for long sleeved. Sweatshirts can also be purchased for $25.00. Please be sure to choose pants that he or she can manage independently.
Uniforms are required everyday except for Fridays, which are a free dress day.
Each child should keep a complete change of clothing at school at all times. Please include socks, shirts, pants, and underwear and replace items as needed. No Pull-Ups please.
Possessions & Sharing
Children often want to bring favorite possessions to school, but we ask parents to discourage this practice. We welcome books, items made by the child, or objects related to culture, science, or nature. If your child asks to bring a toy or other personal property, simply explain that such items are not allowed at school. Please do not send valuables, including money and label all items that are sent to school.
Snacks & Lunch
Parents will be assigned specific dates to provide snacks for two school days for their child’s classroom. A canvas bag will go home with your child the day before your snack date. Every parent will receive a copy of the snack list. If you are unable to provide a snack on the date assigned, you are responsible for exchanging the date with another parent. The list will also be posted on a bulletin board inside the classrooms. You will need to bring a snack only about six times during the school year. (Please notify us immediately if your child has any known food allergies.)
LUNCH
Lake Murray Montessori School does not provide meals for its students. Parents/guardians provide Morning Snack for their child's classroom on a predetermined date. Parents/guardians provide their child's lunch and Afternoon Snack daily.If your child stays at school all day, please send a well-balanced, nutritious meal, excluding candy, soda, and other highly sugared foods or those with excessive quantities of additives and preservatives. Include a napkin, as well as a spoon or fork if needed. Please do not pack Go-Gurt or squeezable fruit pouches. They are spilled more than eaten.
Please pack lunches that can be re-heated within a minute or two; many frozen, pre-packaged meals take several minutes to heat and make it difficult for the teachers to heat all the lunches in a timely manner.
Additionally SC DSS regulations state, "round, firm foods shall not be offered to children younger than four years old." Examples of such foods include: hot dogs, grapes, hard candy, nuts, peanuts, and popcorn. Hot dogs may be served if cut lengthwise and quartered; grapes may be served if cut in halves
FRIDAY LUNCH
We offer pizza for lunch on Fridays. If you would like your child to participate, please fill out the optional programs sheet. The cost is $4.00 per Friday, payable by the month only, in cash. Payment is due on the 1st of each month. Lunch includes pizza, milk, and dessert (applesauce, fruit cocktail or muffin etc.). All profits go toward the purchasing of new Montessori materials.
MILK
We offer a lunchtime milk program. If you would like your child to drink milk please check the optional programs sheet and return to school. You will be asked to bring a gallon of milk about three to four times a year. A reminder will come home with your child’s lunchbox when it is your turn to send milk. You need not include juice in their lunchbox.
LUNCH
Lake Murray Montessori School does not provide meals for its students. Parents/guardians provide Morning Snack for their child's classroom on a predetermined date. Parents/guardians provide their child's lunch and Afternoon Snack daily.If your child stays at school all day, please send a well-balanced, nutritious meal, excluding candy, soda, and other highly sugared foods or those with excessive quantities of additives and preservatives. Include a napkin, as well as a spoon or fork if needed. Please do not pack Go-Gurt or squeezable fruit pouches. They are spilled more than eaten.
Please pack lunches that can be re-heated within a minute or two; many frozen, pre-packaged meals take several minutes to heat and make it difficult for the teachers to heat all the lunches in a timely manner.
Additionally SC DSS regulations state, "round, firm foods shall not be offered to children younger than four years old." Examples of such foods include: hot dogs, grapes, hard candy, nuts, peanuts, and popcorn. Hot dogs may be served if cut lengthwise and quartered; grapes may be served if cut in halves
FRIDAY LUNCH
We offer pizza for lunch on Fridays. If you would like your child to participate, please fill out the optional programs sheet. The cost is $4.00 per Friday, payable by the month only, in cash. Payment is due on the 1st of each month. Lunch includes pizza, milk, and dessert (applesauce, fruit cocktail or muffin etc.). All profits go toward the purchasing of new Montessori materials.
MILK
We offer a lunchtime milk program. If you would like your child to drink milk please check the optional programs sheet and return to school. You will be asked to bring a gallon of milk about three to four times a year. A reminder will come home with your child’s lunchbox when it is your turn to send milk. You need not include juice in their lunchbox.
Sharing Talents & Knowledge
Please let us know if you would be willing to share skills or information with the children. Our curriculum is open-ended and we welcome your participation. We encourage parent involvement and no skill or talent is too small. We would like to have each parent participate at least once during the year, as every child is filled with pride to have a parent come to school.
Arrival & Dismissals
Primary class begins each morning at 8:30 am, please be sure that your child is here on time so as not to interrupt lessons. Your child has been taught to say goodbye to you at the door and enter the classroom quietly. Please call ahead of time if possible to let the school know if your child will be late due to an appointment.
Promptness in a child’s life is very important. Children who arrive late often feel awkward and uncomfortable, and they miss valuable lessons and beginning work time. While it is understandable that certain occasions arise that cause lateness, persistent lateness will be addressed with the parent. Because tardiness to school results in a loss of instructional time, a parent conference is required when students are repeatedly tardy.
Our three dismissal times are as follows:
Morning Class:11:20-11:30 AM
Extended Class:2:15-2:30 PM
All Day Class: Anytime between 2:30 PM and 5:45 PM
Please remain outside and your child will be brought out to you. This allows for the most orderly dismissal. Please make every effort to be on time. Your tardiness causes anxiety for your child and inconvenience for the staff. Parents who arrive after their child’s dismissal time will be assessed a fee of $3.00 per minute, per child.
Promptness in a child’s life is very important. Children who arrive late often feel awkward and uncomfortable, and they miss valuable lessons and beginning work time. While it is understandable that certain occasions arise that cause lateness, persistent lateness will be addressed with the parent. Because tardiness to school results in a loss of instructional time, a parent conference is required when students are repeatedly tardy.
Our three dismissal times are as follows:
Morning Class:11:20-11:30 AM
Extended Class:2:15-2:30 PM
All Day Class: Anytime between 2:30 PM and 5:45 PM
Please remain outside and your child will be brought out to you. This allows for the most orderly dismissal. Please make every effort to be on time. Your tardiness causes anxiety for your child and inconvenience for the staff. Parents who arrive after their child’s dismissal time will be assessed a fee of $3.00 per minute, per child.
Tracking System
Each teacher will maintain daily attendance records for every child in their classroom. Each child will also be marked on a playground roster for recess, once upon going out and once upon going back in. As each child is picked up by a parent or other authorized person, a staff person will indicate the time and person leaving with the child on the pick-up sheet kept in the front lobby.
Leaving School with Someone Other than Parent
If your child is leaving with someone other than the parent, it must be written and dated on the lobby clipboard by the parent when the child is dropped off in the morning. The person picking up the child should be prepared to show an appropriate I.D. or family code word.
Inclement Weather & School Cancellation
Lake Murray Montessori School will be closed whenever Richland District Two (for Northeast Campus) or Lexington District One (for Lexington Campus) is closed. Please listen to local radio or watch WIS television channel for school closing.
If we should have to close during the school day because of weather reports of incoming storms, please pick up your child within 30 minutes of notification. This also includes closures for any state or local emergencies.
If we should have to close during the school day because of weather reports of incoming storms, please pick up your child within 30 minutes of notification. This also includes closures for any state or local emergencies.
Summer Information
Please note the change in our daily cycle due to the weather (from June 1st_ August 31st):
7:30 AM – 8:15 AM:Early Arrivals
8:15 AM – 9:30 AM:Playground Time
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM:Morning Class
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM:Lunchtime
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM:Nap/Afternoon Class
Throughout the summer the children may arrive at any time. However, please be sure to drop them off in the front foyer so that they can be marked for attendance.
We schedule several special camps and activities for the children during the summer months such as: Science Camp, Art Camp, Music Camp, The Puppet Playhouse, Ambulance, Police Car, Fire Truck etc.
7:30 AM – 8:15 AM:Early Arrivals
8:15 AM – 9:30 AM:Playground Time
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM:Morning Class
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM:Lunchtime
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM:Nap/Afternoon Class
Throughout the summer the children may arrive at any time. However, please be sure to drop them off in the front foyer so that they can be marked for attendance.
We schedule several special camps and activities for the children during the summer months such as: Science Camp, Art Camp, Music Camp, The Puppet Playhouse, Ambulance, Police Car, Fire Truck etc.
Supply List
Transitional Class
A t-shirt that can be used for painting and messy activities
Chubby Crayons – 8 count
Drawing Pad and/or Coloring Book with large pictures
1 can Play Dough
Safety Scissors
School Glue
Pencil Box for supplies
Extra Clothes (socks, shirt, pants)
Diapering items (diapers and/or pull-ups, wipes)
Large pillowcase to cover mat, small naptime blanket
3 boxes of facial tissue
Please clearly label everything with your child’s name.
Primary Class
Complete set of clothes (include underwear and socks)
Nappers Only: Small naptime blanket and pillow case for mat
Small pencil box
Pink eraser
Colored pencils (36) Crayola pencils write best
Crayons (24)
Scissors (child size)
Elmer’s school glue (small bottle) NO GLUE STICK
Coloring book
Please clearly label everything with your child’s name.
A t-shirt that can be used for painting and messy activities
Chubby Crayons – 8 count
Drawing Pad and/or Coloring Book with large pictures
1 can Play Dough
Safety Scissors
School Glue
Pencil Box for supplies
Extra Clothes (socks, shirt, pants)
Diapering items (diapers and/or pull-ups, wipes)
Large pillowcase to cover mat, small naptime blanket
3 boxes of facial tissue
Please clearly label everything with your child’s name.
Primary Class
Complete set of clothes (include underwear and socks)
Nappers Only: Small naptime blanket and pillow case for mat
Small pencil box
Pink eraser
Colored pencils (36) Crayola pencils write best
Crayons (24)
Scissors (child size)
Elmer’s school glue (small bottle) NO GLUE STICK
Coloring book
Please clearly label everything with your child’s name.
School Fundraisers
Memory School Scrapbook: We have a wonderful Memory School Scrapbook. It can be personalized on the cover with your child’s picture showing through the schoolhouse cut out. The book is a keepsake. It can hold pictures, story pages, and any work your child brings home from school that you would like to save. It is also a wonderful way to track your child’s progress over time. The cost of each book is $16.00, cash or check made payable to LMMS.
PublixPartners: We are members of Publix Partners. These cards are good at any participating Publix stores in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. You can have as many cards as you want. Share them with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Our Publix Partners card can be used in addition to other schools that you may already be supporting. Simply tell the cashier that you would like to support both schools.
Box Tops for Education: Clip box tops from participating products and help earn cash for our school. Clip box tops coupons from hundreds of your favorite products found at your local grocery stores. Each coupon is worth 10 cent when our school redeems them. Clip box tops with some care. The labels must not be ripped or “defaced”, so try to be neat when cutting. A collection box is available in our front foyer to drop off your box tops. To see a complete listing of products, visit www.boxtops4education.com. Happy Clipping!!
Office Depot: When you visit your nearest Office Depot be sure to mention our school. We are registered there and all you need to do is give them our telephone number, which is 996-1004 and our school will get credit for your purchase.
All proceeds from these fundraisers will be used to purchase art supplies, playground toys, classroom materials, or anything else the children need. The funds are also used to help with the expense of teacher training and conferences.
Thank you for your participation in these programs. Solicit support from extended family members and friends share the school spirit with everyone.
PublixPartners: We are members of Publix Partners. These cards are good at any participating Publix stores in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. You can have as many cards as you want. Share them with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Our Publix Partners card can be used in addition to other schools that you may already be supporting. Simply tell the cashier that you would like to support both schools.
Box Tops for Education: Clip box tops from participating products and help earn cash for our school. Clip box tops coupons from hundreds of your favorite products found at your local grocery stores. Each coupon is worth 10 cent when our school redeems them. Clip box tops with some care. The labels must not be ripped or “defaced”, so try to be neat when cutting. A collection box is available in our front foyer to drop off your box tops. To see a complete listing of products, visit www.boxtops4education.com. Happy Clipping!!
Office Depot: When you visit your nearest Office Depot be sure to mention our school. We are registered there and all you need to do is give them our telephone number, which is 996-1004 and our school will get credit for your purchase.
All proceeds from these fundraisers will be used to purchase art supplies, playground toys, classroom materials, or anything else the children need. The funds are also used to help with the expense of teacher training and conferences.
Thank you for your participation in these programs. Solicit support from extended family members and friends share the school spirit with everyone.