1. Welcome to Classroom 6 Orientation 2015-2016 School Year

2. Classroom Team Lead Directress – Ms. Anah Sison Email: asison@desertgardenmontessori.orgasison@desertgardenmontessori.org Co-Lead Directress – Ms. Nonie Lee Email: nlee@desertgardenmontessori.orgnlee@desertgardenmontessori.org Late Day Staff – Ms. Mallory Autrey Email: mautrey@desertgardenmontessori.orgmautrey@desertgardenmontessori.org Homeroom Parent – Mrs. Jenny Koenig

3. Arrival and Departure Arrival time for Primary students is 8:00. Between 8:00 and 8:30 is a “slow start” period during which children will be working independently. Children will be marked tardy after 8:30. Arrival separate with your child at the front door please arrive as quietly as possible Departure have student say goodbye before leaving allow your child to gather his/her items independently pick up any soiled/wet clothing

4. If you are arriving past 8:00am you will be arriving at a time when our children are either establishing the work cycle, celebrating a birthday or engaged in a special morning event. Please separate with your child at the front door and arrive in a quiet manner. If you are dropping your child off after a doctor’s appointment later in the morning, there is the possibility we will be engaged in our academic work cycle. Please be as quiet as possible. Late Day If you arrive to pick up your child during our daily late day circle (3-3:30) please again be mindful that this is a time to establish work habits and emotional peace. Please try to be as little of a distraction as possible. The Late Day teacher running circle may not be able to stop activities to meet your needs. If you have a questions please direct it to the staff member who is not engaged in circle or email the lead. If your child has clothes to pick up they will be located in your child’s classroom bathroom. CR 6 has a white trash can where we place the soiled clothes. You will see a reminder sticky note with the child’s last name on the bathroom door if there are clothes to be picked up. Please provide another spare set the next school day or return shared items if necessary. Classroom and Late Day Etiquette

5. At least 2 sets of clothes – weather appropriate Framed photograph of your family Nappers - crib-size sheet and small blanket Select 2-3 items from the supply list at the link below: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/8C2Q3 NRY2VDW/ref=cm_sw_su_w One potted plant (succulents or indoor plants) Supply List is also located on our website Classroom page. Supply List

6. Daily Routine/Schedule 7:00 – 7:30 – Early Care in CR2 with Ms. Tessa 7:30 – 10:30 – Morning Work Cycle 10:30 – 10:50 – Group Time 10:50 – 11:15 – Play time for napping students 11:00 – 11:45 – Lunch in garden for non-napping students 11:20 – 12:00 – Lunch time for napping students 11:45 – 12:30 – Play time for non-napping students 12:30 – 2:30 – Afternoon Work Cycle/Nap time 2:30 – 3:00 – Play time (weather permitting) 3:00 – 6:00 – Late Day Work Cycle/Snack available

7. Monthly Themes 2015-2016 August Getting to Know You Our World SeptemberMammals North America OctoberHuman Body South America November Dinosaurs/Reptil es Africa DecemberWorld Holidays World Traditions JanuarySolar System Europe FebruaryInsects Asia MarchBirds Australia and Oceania AprilMarine Life Antarctica MayCommunity Helpers Our World Review

8. Dress for Success Please be mindful to dress your child in weather appropriate attire. We ask that your child wear shoes that support their ankle. Sandals are fine if they provide a strap around the ankle. Please, NO flip flops, high heels or crocs. Your child will only be allowed to attend fitness if they are wearing tennis shoes. Young ladies are encouraged to wear shorts under their skirts shorter than their knees. This extra layer will support your child as she moves through the environment and her busy day.

9. We offer sharing on Mondays and Fridays. ◦Mondays – 3 & 4 year-olds ◦Fridays – 5 & 6 year-olds The sharing basket is located beside the front door. Sharing items are educational items that offer a child an opportunity to engage in a formal public speaking process. Items can be related to our monthly themes! Sharing will start on October 16, 2015 (Friday). Sharing

10. New, napping students will be eating lunch indoors with Ms. Nonie while non-napping students will be eating lunch in the garden with Ms. Anah. This design aides the children in eating with Grace and Courtesy and supports the physical size difference in students (tables are larger in the garden, whereas classroom tables are lower and more manageable for the younger children.) After napping children eat lunch, they will transition directly into napping time in the classroom. Non-napping children will transition to recess and language circle. Lunch

11. Spanish – Ms. Maria Fitness – Ms. Ronda Jameel Thursdays 9:00 – 10:30 am Every Fourth Friday of the Month Music – Ms. Mary Hu Wednesdays: 10:30 am Every Third Friday of the Month Specials in Our Environment

12. Walk Around the Sun In Primary, your child’s birthday is an opportunity for a celebration. Please schedule the birthday celebration through the front desk 7 days in advance. Our Walk Around the Sun time is from 8:00-8:30am ◦Please enjoy creating a picture poster board with your child with snapshots from each year of their life. ◦Family members are invited. Please feel free to share stories from your child’s life. This is a big event and a wonderful time to celebrate your child.

13. Field Trips We have scheduled two outgoing trips for the school year. These field trips are a wonderful educational and community building experience for your child. We will be forwarding more information and requesting volunteers at a later date. Idea Museum on October 14, 2015 In-House: Phoenix Zoo on February 2015

14. Each child has a cubby where paper items can be placed in the classroom. Children may take their work home every day. Please check your child’s lobby folder at the end of each week. Child’s Work

15. Coordinate with the Homeroom parent, and find out ways to volunteer: Bringing books to the class, reading, field trip, etc. If you are a new family, please ask the teacher or Homeroom parent how to connect with a Mentor family. Check out our supply list if you would like to fulfill any of the items. Have an open communication with the teacher regarding any concerns or family traditions you would like to share. Parent Partnerships

16. Conferences Conference 1 Goal Setting (August/September) Reflecting on the first few weeks Setting goals for the year Conference 2 (November/December) Progress Report Mid-term discussion Conference 3 (April/May) Progress Report Re-cap and look ahead

17. Communication Montessori Compass Website Emails Phone Calls Person-to-Person (7:30am – 8:00am, as work cycle is in progress) Office Hours every Thursdays 3:15 – 4:00pm On Tuesdays 3:15 -4pm - please make an appointment ahead of time (at least 2 days).

18. Resources Located on the Classroom Page on our website: ◦Daily Schedule ◦Supply List ◦Orientation Slide Show CR6 2015-2016 Located under the Parent Resources dropdown: ◦Parent Handbook 2015-2016