Parent Information Packet

Hilltop Montessori Day School
4201 Trail Lake Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
School # 817-923-9710
Mobile # 817-266-3499 Fax # 817-921-6996
www.hilltopmontessori.net

Theme:
Any child between the ages of  twenty months and six years old may find a special place at Hilltop Montessori Day School. Hilltop is family owned and operated. Our school is dedicated to the principles of Montessori education; individual liberty, preparation of the environment and committed adults.

The classroom is a carefully prepared environment for learning; child-sized tables and chairs greet the children as they enter. At Hilltop, your child can work on whatever is most interesting at the moment. This freedom to choose is encouraged by the teachers who are guides on your child’s journey in education. We do more than just instruct children we help foster the interrelationships of learning, people, and their environment. We are an alternative to daycare with teachers who are trained observers of children. We regularly discuss our students’ cognitive development in the classroom. We emphasize the importance of sensitive period milestones in your child’s progress towards primary school.

A Montessori classroom will show emphasis of the following:  Curriculum (Click Here)

• learning by doing
• independence materials that are designed to be self correcting
• children having the freedom of choice
• children learning respect for themselves, others and their environment
• classroom that is beautiful, ordered, purposeful, and simple
• shelves that act as learning centers

Even though Dr. Maria Montessori started her first school back in 1907; we feel that following her guidelines closely will ensure a quality education for our children’s first years of life. Maria Montessori stated that we should treat the toddler with respect and reverence. We should show them this respect by telling the toddler/pre-primary student what we are doing in the classroom and how it involves them. When the staff at Hilltop Montessori moves purposefully we have the opportunity to respond, anticipate, and participate in their care, in life. In the metroplex, children come to us from many different experiences. If our Montessori program meshes with the child’s, We believe the child will continue to grow in independence and self-confidence. This is one of our many goals.

Keeping things simple:

The policies and procedure are designed to facilitate what is best for all children at Hilltop Montessori Day School. By no means is this a perfect plan; however we need to have a plan in place that is workable. We welcome your suggestions and comments as this document can be changed periodically, as the need arises. We at Hilltop Montessori Day school reserve the right to be wrong from time to time.

Coming to school:

• Opens at 7:00 A.M.
• Breakfast ends at 8:20 A.M.
• All children need to arrive no later than 9:00 A.M.
• Highly recommended; no later than 8:30 A.M. (due to work time)
• School ends at 5:30 P.M. (remember our afternoon teachers get paid hourly) There is a surcharge if you are late.

Lunches:

• Children bring their own lunches
• Healthy lunches are best (no candy, please)
• Parents are responsible for the nutritional value of the lunch not the center
• Microwave available to heat food
• Ice-pack recommended to keep food cooled
• Label all sippie cups, lunch boxes, etc ...
• Clean out lunch box in evening so it keeps little friends from growing inside

Snacks :

• We serve A.M. and P.M. snacks at school
• Parents may volunteer to bring a special snack for their child's classroom
• Snack menu is posted in the north hallway by the main entrance

Clothing:

• Jackets for cool or rainy weather
• Please label the tag on all clothing brought to school; thanks
• Change of clothes to be kept in cubbies/storage bins

Illness:

Parents will be notified if any of the following conditions exist: (must stay at home 24hr.'s from time of pick-up as a minimum time away for most illnesses; this protects other students in the program)

• fever above 100 degrees
• diarrhea/vomiting
• unable to participate in program due to feeling ill
• any communicable condition (ex. chicken pox)
• best if child picked up within one hour of parent notification

Absences:

• Give us a call if your child is going to miss school that day.
• Unfortunately, we cannot switch days to make up a missed day if your child is sick.
• This applies to holiday times also.

Medication:

• All medication must be signed in by the parent before administered
• Label all medications and attach note of instructions

Volunteers:

We need volunteers and will post volunteer opportunities throughout the school year.

Disenrollment:

As a private school we reserve the right to disenroll a student under any of the following circumstances. This is in keeping with one of our goals of doing what is best for all children. We will keep the parent informed to ensure the best communication.

• A child’s behavior consistently prevents the other children from learning; we are not a sitter service
• A child hits a teacher
• A child deliberately harms another student
• Tuition payments are not being fulfilled. Our philosophy is if you entrust us with your child, than you should respect us by paying on time.
• A family does not follow the guidelines set forth in the parent-packet (this would have to occur several times to reach this point)

Toys:

• Should be left at home!!!!!!!!!!
• A small stuffed animal for nap time is great

Parent information/school information/state guidelines/permits:

• Posted on the wall as you enter the north wing of building

School closings (inclement weather):

• We post our closings on the school voice mail (817) 923-9710
• We have teachers and students that commute in so we close based on our safety assessment

Grievances:

If you have any complaints please take it to the teacher or Mr. Larry. Our desire is to make your child’s day at Hilltop Montessori the best possible. Often times if you don’t point a problem out to us we may be delayed in correcting the mistake.

Toileting:

• Extra clothing and shoes will be needed
• Each child is different in the amount of time needed
• Parents need to work at home in conjunction with the classroom teachers
• Toileting is a prerequisite for the Primary Class

Napping:

• Nap time happens in all classes
• If a child does not nap he or she can lay on the sleeping mat quietly until the nap hour is finished; a nice quiet time prepares the students for afternoon work.

Tuition Payments:

• Due by the 1st and late by the  5th of each month. Student cannot return until tuition is paid in full.
• $5 Late fee per day till tuition is paid
• We also take Visa, AMEX,  and MasterCard (must fill out credit card form) $15 processing fee.
• Volunteer Disenrollment: Any parent may remove their child from the program with a proper two weeks written notice.
• See Tuition Link on Web-site  (Registration Fee is $125 and is non-refundable; also each family will pay the supply fees of $90 on 1 February and 1 July). Families starting in August pay their supply fee when school starts since they were not here in July. Thanks for your support because this fee enables us to keep our rooms looking good.
• $45 per day extra day fee; if you arrange for a day not in your normal schedule (based on availability)
• Surcharge added for late pick-ups.
• Children wanting a guaranteed slot for a particular teacher will be able to hold that slot for the following year by paying a reduced tuition payment for the summer. See Ms. Larissa for arrangements.
• Finally: tuition is like a car payment whether you drive the car or not you still make the payment; wish we could give everyone discounted tuition for vacations, holidays, and or zoo school scenarios (families that will be gone for 30 consecutive days or more may be considered on a case by case basis for a tuition discount)

Procedures for release of children: 

• Children will be released only to the adults over the age of 18 noted on the child's enrollment form. Teachers will match driver's license to enrollment form if they do not recognize parent. Otherwise, we will wait till someone gets their to pick them up; who is on the enrollment form list.

Procedures for handling medical emergencies: 

• Teachers will notify supervisor or director in charge of the emergency. The emergency will be handled according to the type of emergency. Teachers will DIAL 911 if the emergency cannot be resolved at the school level.. A list of emergency numbers are posted on the refrigerator and near the phone.

Discipline and guidance practices: 

• We follow Montessori discipline guidelines. These do not conflict we state guidelines. Download a copy (Click Here)

 Tuberculin testing practices: 

• All teachers  will have a TB test. Teachers  that test positive for TB must consult a physician for a chest x-ray and further evaluation before being admitted to the program.  

Immunizations: See Shots Link (Click Here) Or contact the Tarrant County Health Department located at 100 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, Texas, 76196 or  (817) 884-1111. Note: All children must be immunized prior to attending a child-care facility in Texas; however, a physician on a case to case basis may grant exceptions due to religious beliefs. The family requesting this exemption must provide the child-care facility with a memorandum/letter signed and dated by the attending physician stating this exception.

Hearing and vision screening requirements: 

• When a child turns four they must complete a vision and hearing screening exam per state requirements. It is the parents responsibility to arrange this testing and return the results to the school. (Click Here)

 Visiting the school: 

• Parents and family members can visit the school at any time during operational hours. Please call if you are a new parent and wish to have a tour of the classrooms.

 Parent participation: 

• Parents may participate in the classroom and school activities; as long as it does not disrupt the learning environment.

 Minimum Standards and most recent Licensing inspection report: 

The Minimum Standards are available in the school office for parents to view and is also available on the PRS web-site http://www.tdprs.state.tx.us/.The last inspection report is posted on the bulletin board and is available in the school office. 

How to contact child-care licensing or report child abuse: 

• You may contact them through their web site http://www.tdprs.state.tx.us/. The physical address is 1501 Circle Drive, Suite # 310 Fort Worth, Texas 76119  or (817) 321-8604. To report child abuse or neglect, call 1-800-252-5400 or use their secure website: https://www.txabusehotline.org.

  Notification of policy/procedural changes: 

• Policy changes will be passed out to the parents and require a signature for updates. The parent packet will be updated every year.

Supply Fee:

• See Tuition Link on Web-site  (Registration Fee is $125 and is non-refundable; also each family will pay the supply fees of $90 on 1 February and 1 July). Families starting in August pay their supply fee when school starts since they were not here in July. Thanks for your support because this fee enables us to keep our rooms looking good. Note the registration fee is a one-time fee.

Electives:

• Tuesday Afternoon: Dance Class
• Wednesday Morning: TumbleBus
• Wednesday Afternoon: Spanish
• Thursday Morning: Yoga
• Thursday Afternoon: Computers

Note: These electives are vendor based so you pay an additional fee. We recommend that students just do a few and not all electives. Some electives will not start till after Labor Day.

Holidays Closed:

2010-11 days closed:

Safety:

Any unsafe act should be immediately reported to the director or teacher in charge. Our children’s safety is paramount and a parent’s input may save a child from being placed in an unsafe situation.

Helpful items to bring:

1. A napping blanket
2. Sheet to cover sleeping mat or just bring in a camping bedroll mat (kids size)
3. Small child’s pillow
4. Small cuddly sleeping stuffed animal
5. Please take these items home at the weeks' end for cleaning

Thanks for all your help.

Sincerely,

//s//

Larissa Kelly, Owner/Director

Rosie Ramirez, Lead Curriculum

Laura Schinzer, Afternoon Supervisor

Please sign below and return to the school.

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I have received the Hilltop Montessori School "Parent Information Packet," which covers school and state policies.