Communication
Optimizing Communication Between Home and Program
- Never hesitate to ask questions, express concerns, or share ideas about your child’s learning and life at Tender Tree. It’s better to ask a question about your child’s program experience right away, than jump to an erroneous conclusion or spend time worrying. In most cases, your child’s teacher can quickly clarify what happened and why.
- When teachers are with students, including at drop-off and pick-up times, one hundred percent of their attention is on the children in their care. Please do not ask teachers to engage in discussion when children are present. Send them a message that you would like to meet. They will make themselves available to you at a time when they can give you their undivided attention.
- Please read all communications from the program and your child’s classroom. Kindly check your email daily for messages from Tender Tree.
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Health & safety
Let Us Know When Your Child Is Not Feeling Well
Call the program as soon as possible in the morning to let us know that your child will be absent due to illness.
Please keep your child home whenever you observe the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Eye infection
- Continuous and colored nasal excretions
- Persistent chest cough
- Pink eye or any undiagnosed contagious rash
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Head lice
We require children to remain at home until the symptoms and/or fever have been gone for at least 24 hours – without medication. Children may return to program, in less than the 24-hour period, with written notification from a physician.
Weather permitting, children/students will have access to outdoor learning and recreation every day. If you feel your child is too sick to work or play outdoors, please keep them home from program. TenderTree Montessori is not staffed to provide one-on-one care and supervision of children.
Children/students with infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, measles, chickenpox, conjunctivitis, or strep throat must remain at home until the contagious stage has passed. We are required to notify those who have been exposed, so the program must be notified immediately of a contagious illness diagnosis. If Your Child Becomes Sick at Program We will do our best to comfort and care for your child should they feel sick, while we assess the nature and seriousness of their condition. We make the determination whether to send a child home or keep them in class based on their level of discomfort or pain, their ability to stay engaged in self-directed learning and teacher lessons, their emotional state, social behavior, and the risk to others in their classroom and program community.
Considering living with COVID 19 and its variants – if a child test positive they will need to stay home for 5 days before returning to program symptom-free.
You will receive a call from us, requesting that you pick up your child as soon as possible, if we observe any of the following symptoms:
- A fever of 100 degrees or higher
- Uncontrolled vomiting
- Uncontrolled diarrhea
- A rash that might be contagious
- Any symptoms that are preventing your child from participating in learning, social, or recreational activities
- Symptoms of lethargy or sleepiness
- Changes in mood, such as irritability, sadness, or anxiety that are disrupting your child’s learning or the learning of others.
- Any set of symptoms that require more care and attention than our teachers or administrative staff can provide, without compromising the health, safety, and supervision of other students.
If we determine that, due to your child’s current state of health, they need to be picked up, we will contact you by phone. If we are unable to reach you within 30 minutes, we will begin calling designated emergency contact individuals kept on file in the office. Please be sure you have identified alternative pick-up people; in the event you are unavailable or unreachable.
If your child’s health condition will cause them to be absent from program for an extended period, please contact their teacher(s) to discuss strategies for maintaining their learning and academic progress at home.
The Importance of Complete and Accurate Health Information About Your Child It is vital to your child’s health and wellbeing, and to the wellbeing of others, that we have accurate and up-to-date records of:
- Current medications (prescription and over the counter)
- Allergies
- Pre-existing conditions that may affect their learning or behavior
- Professional help they are currently receiving that may impact their learning or behavior
Medication Policy
Dispensing Medication to Your Child When They Are at Program
Medications will be administered to your child at program ONLY under written instruction from a physician.
Please DO NOT send medications to program with your child, including over-the-counter drugs, topical creams, vitamins, flower essences, or homeopathic remedies, unless they have been prescribed in writing by a physician.
NOTE: Whenever possible, medications are best administered at home, not at program. Additionally, if a child needs frequent medication, such as every hour or two, it is best for them to remain at home during this period of recovery.
When it becomes necessary for a child to receive medications at program, a designated TenderTree Montessori staff member, adhering to doctor’s instructions and with your expressed permission, will administer the medication in accordance with the following procedures:
- Medications sent from home must be accompanied by a TenderTree Montessori “Medication/Treatment Authorization Form,” signed by a physician before the first day the medication is to be administered at program. We will NOT administer any medication to a TenderTree Montessori student without the completed and signed authorization form.
- NOTE: “Medication/Treatment Authorization Forms” may be obtained from the office.
- All medications must be brought to program in the original bottle or package containing the medication and be clearly labeled with the student’s name, name of the medication, and the time(s) and number(s)(s) of dosages to be administered.
- Whenever possible, the first dose of the day of a medication should be administered at home before the child comes to program.
- For students who have been prescribed an EpiPen: In case of allergic reactions to medications, foods, or insect bites, all TenderTree Montessori staff are trained to administer EpiPens.
- All medications brought to program must be deposited with the staff in the program office, where it will be kept in a locked container, except for EpiPens, which will be kept in a designated space in the child’s classroom.
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Bullying policy
Zero Tolerance to Bullying
Bullying has no place in a Montessori learning community. If we observe it, we address it immediately with the students involved and their families.
Forms of Bullying include:
- Physical Bullying occurs when people use physical actions to gain power and control over another person.
- Verbal Bullying occurs when words, statements, and name calling are used to gain power and control over another person.
- Relational Aggression is a form of social manipulation, used to demean peers or sabotage their social standing.
- Sexual Bullying is harmful and humiliating actions that target a person sexually.
- Prejudicial Bullying is using race, religion, sexual orientation, or other biases to demean others.
- Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or demean another person.
If you believe your child has become the target of bullying or appears to be exhibiting bullying behaviour, please report it to their teacher(s) as soon as possible. We are committed to nipping bullying behavior in the bud. Bullying behaviour is not accepted between students, between parents and students, between staff and students, between staff members, and between parents and staff.
Support Policy
When a Child Needs Additional Support to Be Successful and Feel Good About Themselves
Your child’s social-emotional wellbeing, as well as their academic progress, are of the utmost importance to us. Occasionally, a teacher will observe signs indicating a student is experiencing a physical, behavioral, or academic challenge. When this occurs, we will:
- Record observations of your child over the course of several weeks
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding our observations.
- Meet with you to share our findings.
- Work with you to develop a plan of action.
- Share professional resources with you.
- Help you connect with educational and healthcare professionals.
Prior to enrolment each parent is required to complete authorized permission for internal and external evaluations that are deemed necessary for the students continued success within the program.
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Attendance, pick up, & drop off
Optimizing Safety, Security, and Learning Through Personal Responsibility
Attendance
Learning depends on consistency of practice, which leads to continuous progress.
Consistent daily attendance is essential to your child’s learning. Please call the office if your child is unable to attend class. Extended non-planned absences lasting more than three consecutive days require a doctor’s verification.
We will call a family meeting if your child has an excessive number of unexcused absences.
Arrival and Dismissal
Students are expected to be in class by 8:00 a.m. We suggest arriving between 7:45 and 8:00 to promote a calm transition for your child. Prompt arrival allows your child to develop a routine and participate fully in all learning activities and events.
Like absences, tardiness upsets the flow of the day and diminishes your child’s learning experience and academic progress. Your child may feel disconnected from the classroom community if they chronically arrive later than 9:15 am. When a delay happens, please call the office to let us know that your child is coming to program later than normal.
If your Toddler cannot arrive at program by 11:00 a.m., please keep them home for the day.
Late Drop Off or Pick Up
We teach TenderTree Montessori students that being punctual is an essential life skill, quality of character, and mark of self-discipline. We expect adult members of the program community to be good examples of time management.
Chronically late arrival for class diminishes a child’s learning experience, academic progress, and in some cases, their social standing in the classroom community. Families who consistently arrive late for class will be contacted by their child’s teacher, or a TenderTree Montessori administrator, to discuss the problem and formulate a plan to solve it.
Chronically late pick-up can have adverse emotional effects on children and is disrespectful of the supervising teacher(s) who are then required to extend their workday beyond normal, contracted hours.
Fees
Parents who have shown a consistent pattern of arriving late for pick up are subjected to a 15-minute late fee followed by a charge of $1 per minute following the fifteen-minute grace period.
Release of Your Child
Your child will be released to those family members and designated individuals, who are authorized for pick-up, as listed in your family file. Changes to your child’s authorized pick-up personnel may be made at any time through your account.
If a person, other than those authorized in your account, is to pick up your child from program, we will require oral or written notification from you or an account authorized individual. At the time of pick-up, the designated pick-up person will be required to produce identification before we will release your child. We will not release any child from program upon the word of the child or any non-authorized person.
Appropriate child seat restraints are required, and we reserve the right to not release a child at pick-up time if we observe inadequate seat restraint equipment in the vehicle.
TenderTree Montessori is legally obligated to honor all legal documents in shared custody situations, or when Child Protective Services is involved. We will not take the word of any person in such cases without verification provided by legal documentation and authority.
Please help us protect TenderTree Montessori children and families by disclosing everything we need to know to keep your child safe and to adhere to legal custody decisions and agreements.
When Circumstances Require TenderTree Montessori to Close or Alter the Daily Schedule.
Should severe weather conditions make travel hazardous, TenderTree Montessori may elect to:
- Begin program later in the day.
- Close earlier than normal
- Be closed for the day.
The TenderTree Montessori administrative team makes decisions about closures and schedule changes based on what will optimize the safety of students and staff and in accordance with the directives of Sarasota County Public Programs.
Any changes in the daily schedule, including program closure, will be communicated to parents by email or text messaging.
In the event of a severe weather warning the program will remain open. If a severe weather warning goes into effect during program hours, parents will be called to pick up their child. The program will remain closed as long as the “Warning” is in effect.
In the event of a federal, state, or county government shutdown, we will communicate plans and protocols by email and text messaging.
Uniform & Supplies
Important Program Supplies
Please make sure your child has at program:
➢ An extra set of clothes
➢ An insulated lunchbox
➢ A plain unmarked or logo-free water bottle
➢ PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING!
Additional supply lists will be sent to you, if necessary, by the classroom teachers.
Student Dress Guidelines
➢ Tender Tree Montessori enforces a mandatory uniform policy for our Toddler and Early education programs; Infants are exempt from the TenderTree Montessori Dress Guidelines
➢ Clothing should allow for free and comfortable physical activity.
➢ Shoes should be suitable for physical education, outdoor recreation, and play.
Why We Have Student Dress Guidelines
Tender Tree Montessori has Dress Guidelines for children 19 months and older to make getting dressed in the morning easier for your child and easier for you. These simple Guidelines serve to reduce student stress and the pressure to conform by needing to wear the “right” shoes or shirts. We invite children to explore and express their individuality and creativity through their interests and inquiries, friendships and collaborations, and artistic expressions – not through their clothing.
By signing the registration documents, students, staff, parents, and volunteers agree to abide by the dress code policy. In doing so, we are choosing to be actively engaged in the safe and secure, nurturing environment of this exceptional learning community.
Any medical or religious concerns or limitations that might preclude meeting the
uniform guidelines should be addressed with the School Principal to determine if reasonable accommodations are necessary.
Program Dress Guidelines (for 19 months and older)
➢ Khaki, white, or black shorts, slacks, skirts, “skorts,” or leggings
➢ Polos: black or white
➢ Athletic shirts: white or black
➢ Sweatshirts: zipped and unzipped
An example of an approved dress is attached bellow. Please note that clothing may be bought in the approved colours from local shops or from the official website.
*** It is recommended that students’ clothing be labeled; everything will look alike in the lost and found. The school will not be held personally liable for any lost personal items.
Any articles of clothing not marked with a name are liable to be marked with the child’s name by program staff if deemed necessary. ***
Please make sure your child’s clothing is:
➢ Free of holes and tears
➢ Free of commercial images, cartoon characters, sports teams, and brand names
➢ For the older Elementary students, free of anything that might be considered sexually suggestive or inappropriate for program.
Students should be encouraged to limit the wearing or use of:
➢ Jewelry
➢ Make-up or
➢ Nail polish
Lost and Found
➢ It is natural and not uncommon for children to leave clothing and other personal items at program. The Lost and Found is in the program office. By labeling everything, you can help us match missing or forgotten items with their rightful owners.
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Celebrations and holidays
How We Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday
Your child’s birthday is a special event at TenderTree Montessori, as it is in your family. At program, we honor your child’s life and accomplishments in the following ways:
“Walking Around the Sun Activity”
Students celebrate each year on Earth by walking around a symbolic sun. Their Classmates count how many times your child walks around the sun, representing how many years they have lived.
“This is who I am!”
Another favorite activity is for the birthday child to share their personal history. Children are invited to bring in photographs along with matching stories for each year on Earth to share with classmates. Some children also share an “artifact,” like a pair of baby shoes or a special book that was a treasured and meaningful part of their childhood.
Students with summer birthdays are invited to celebrate their “half birthday.”
Our focus for birthdays is on celebrating who your child is and how much learning and growing they have accomplished. Please keep balloons and party favors at home. We ask that you do not send birthday party invitations to program to be distributed. We want TenderTree Montessori students to focus on the experience of learning and building positive relationships – not on the hurt that can come from feeling excluded from a community activity or event.
Cultural Celebrations and Events
Over the course of the program year, your child will have an opportunity to experience, explore, and celebrate different cultural traditions from around the world. These learning experiences help students recognize the universal human needs we have in common while learning to appreciate the wondrously diverse expressions of culture.
TenderTree Montessori Program-wide Celebrations include:
● Fall Family Fun Night
● International Children’s Day
● Special Persons’ Celebrations
● Winter Celebration
● Earth Day
● Commencement Ceremonies
Growing Brains Need Good Food
We invite you to help us help your child
We invite you to help us help your child develop the discipline and delight of healthy eating. There is solid evidence that children who have a balanced and nutritious diet are more engaged learners – exhibiting keener memory and concentration, self-confidence, and positive emotions.
Inviting your child to help in packing their lunch, and choosing their classroom snack contributions, is a great way to engage them in making conscious and constructive food choices. We encourage packing fresh fruits and vegetables and non-processed foods.
Please be sure your child:
➢ Has some degree of choice about what they will eat for lunch and snack
➢ Is aware of what food items are in their lunch box.
➢ Can open and close the food containers themselves.
Your child’s teachers will help you monitor your child’s food likes (and dislikes) by sending home any uneaten container foods. We will also let you know if your child needs more food than is coming to program. Sometimes their appetites increase during growth spurts.
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