Welcome New Pre-K/K Parents to Highland Mill Montessori!!

1. Welcome New Pre-K/K Parents to Highland Mill Montessori!!

2. Montessori education is an alternative philosophy and method of education. Montessori Pre-K/Kindergarten classrooms ARE NOT daycare. Montessori Pre-K/K learning environments are set up to foster the following characteristics in a child: independence, politeness, helpfulness, and competence in physical, emotional, and cognitive skills. Activities and lessons, called “work”, are modeled and presented by specially trained Montessori guides (teachers). Children are expected to practice these works independently (without an adult next to them) in order to gain necessary skills to function and learn within this unique classroom environment.

3. Learning, practicing, and following Montessori ground rules are essential for a child’ success in this specially designed environment: being respectful, following directions the first time given, walking slowly, keeping hands in own space, using a quiet voice, focusing on work, and practicing and working independently on lessons that have been given. If a child refuses to follow these basic ground rules, s/he is unable to learn behaviors and skills necessary for advancement to the next level. Parent education sessions will be given to provide you information about Montessori philosophy, methods and curriculum. These Parent Education sessions are important ways for you to learn about your child’s Montessori classroom, what your child is learning, Montessori expectations, and things you can do at home. Our goal is for every child to grow into his/her potential; it is important to remember that a Montessori environment is not a good fit for all children. Some children learn better in classrooms with more external structure. During the first year of your child’s Montessori experience, his/her teacher(s) will have conferences and parent education sessions that will help you determine whether Montessori is a good fit for your child’s learning styles and needs. These conferences and parent education sessions are important and will help you decide whether your child is able to benefit from and function independently within this type of educational setting.

4. HMMS Labyrinth

5. Suggestions for preparing your child for Montessori at Highland Mill Montessori School: • Provide consistent routines and daily schedule for your child (meals, reading time, bedtime, etc.) • Provide consistent expectations of positive behavior • Provide natural consequences for inappropriate behavior • Read and retell stories to your child EVERY DAY • Practice using quiet voices during specific family activities; use loud voices outside • Use advanced vocabulary with your child & ask him/her to use the vocabulary when speaking • Provide simple concrete explanations • Sing songs, recite nursery rhymes, rhyming words, and play beginning sound games • Focus on the sounds of letters (not the names) and lower case letters (not capital) • Count everything • Practice having your child follow multi-step directions (without back talk) • Teach your child how to respond to directions in a positive manner • Practice using polite, kind words, and behaviors, i.e., “Please”, “Thank you”, “Excuse me” • Teach your child how to respond to directions appropriately • Provide daily tasks that your child can do independently to help you and his/her family: • putting away groceries, feeding pets, sorting dirty clothes, gathering trash, setting the table, • folding wash clothes, learning to tie shoes, dressing oneself, helping to make beds, putting • books and toys away, etc. • Share things that you love with your child – walking, singing, cooking, reading • Limit time watching TV and/or using computer, video games • Encourage your child to play outside and engage in physical activities

6. Suggestions for skills needed prior to entering school:*Independent toilet skills*Able to blow one’s nose independently*Able to dress oneself independently*Does not suck his/her thumb*Able to follow directions independently – consistently*Ability to know when to use a quiet voice (library, school, church, office, etc.)

7. Important numbers and email addresses: School Number: 980-343-5525 School Fax: 980-343-5589 School Website: http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/highlandmillES/Pages/Default.aspx Dr. Patricia Riska, Principal: patricia.riska@cms.k12.nc.us Monica O’Neal, Tuition, Transportation: denise.roseborough@cms.k12.nc.us Kathy Greenwell, Enrollment: kathleenm.greenwell@cms.k12.nc.us Beth Leo, Literacy Facilitator, Montessori questions: beth.leo@cms.k12.nc.us Nurse Susannah, Immunizations, heath form: susannah.stone-gill@cms.k12.nc.us Rhonda Beatty, ASEP: rhonda.beatty@cms.k12.nc.us PTA website: http://highlandmillmontessoripta.weebly.com/ email: highlandmillmontessoripta@gmail.com