1. Welcome to Classroom 2 Orientation 2015-2016 School Year

2. Classroom Team Teacher Guide –Ms. Tessa Musel Email: tmusel@desertgardenmontessori.org@desertgardenmontessori.org Assistant Guide – Ms. Melinda Hatch Email: mhatch@desertgardenmontessori.org Late Day Staff – Ms. Mary Oh Email: moh@desertgardenmontessori.orgmoh@desertgardenmontessori.org Homeroom Parent– Ms. Sonia Jain Email: sonia@desertgardenmontessori.orgsonia@desertgardenmontessori.org

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. At least 2 sets of clothes – weather appropriate Framed photograph of your family Nappers - crib-size sheet and small blanket Optional supply items can be found at the location below. http://amzn.com/w/ZN6Q0DNHW6TY Supply List is also located on our website Classroom page. Supply List

5. Daily Routine/Schedule 7:00 – 7:30 – Early Care in CR2 with Ms. Tessa 7:30 – 10:30 – Morning Work Cycle 10:30 – 11:00 – Group Time 11:00 – 11:15 – Play time for napping students 11:15 – 12:00 – Lunch time for napping students 11:00 – 11:15 – Lunch set-up/nap mat set-up 11:15 – 12:00 – Lunch in garden for non-napping students 12:00 – 1:00 – Community Helpers/Play time for non-napping students 1:00 – 2:30 – Afternoon Work Cycle/Nap time 2:30 – 3:00 – Recess (weather permitting) 3:00 – 6:00 – Late Day Work Cycle/Snack available

6. 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.

7. We offer sharing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. ◦Elder Students will share on Mondays ◦Second Year students will share on Wednesdays ◦First Year students will share on Fridays The sharing basket is located in our CR 2 hallway next to the lunchbox cabinets. 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

8. New, napping students will be eating lunch indoors with Ms. Melinda while non-napping students will be eating lunch in the garden with Ms. Tessa. 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

9. Spanish – Ms. Melody Owens Fitness – Ms. Ronda Jameel Monday and every third Friday 9:00-10:30 am Music – Ms. Mary Hu Tuesdays 10:30-11:00pm Specials in Our Environment

10. 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.

11. 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. Sealife aquarium- October Stuffington Bear Factory- March

12. 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

13. Read to your child every day **WE CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH Review any works brought home with your child. Discuss and listen to your child’s thoughts on their favorite items. Parent Partnerships

14. Conferences Conference 1 Goal Setting (Fall) Reflecting on the first few weeks Setting goals for the year Conference 2 (Winter) Progress Report Mid-term discussion Conference 3 (Spring) Progress Report Re-cap and look ahead

15. Communication Montessori Compass Website Emails Phone Calls Person-to-Person (limited during class time) Office Hours two Thursdays/month 3:00 -4:30 pm (please check Montessori Compass for dates)

16. Resources Located on the Classroom Page on our website: ◦Daily Schedule ◦Supply List ◦Orientation Slide Show CR2 2015-2016 Located under the Parent Resources dropdown: ◦Parent Handbook 2015-2016