Family Handbook Age 3-Grade 6

Early Childhood and Elementary Handbook

SCHOOL & CLASSROOM CALENDARS

All classroom and school events are on our school calendars here.

VOLUNTEERING & RAPTOR ACCESS

Parents are at the core of Lakeland Montessori Schools. As a criterion for admission to Lakeland Montessori Schools, parents sign a contract agreeing to twenty hours of volunteer time per family each school year. These volunteer hours may occur in many contexts such as classroom support, community awareness projects, grounds work, and instructional support. Lakeland Montessori feels that an involved parent is one who is aware of his or her child’s educational process and supportive of the learning community through volunteer activities.

For the safety of the students, anyone entering our campus past the front desk area at any time during the school day (8am-3:15pm) must be an approved volunteer. This includes but is not limited to: eating lunch with the students, Tuesday morning visits at LMS, volunteering during the school day, attending field trips, etc.  To become an approved volunteer, visit our webpage.

To see what type of things count toward volunteer hours, visit here.

Raptor Portal accounts:

After you are approved as a volunteer you should create your Raptor portal account. Your Raptor portal account is necessary to 1)log in family volunteer hours and 2) pre-print badges for school functions (which isn’t necessary but will save everyone time and you can have longer with your children).

When you were approved as a Lakeland Montessori volunteer, you would have received an email invitation to create your Raptor account. To log-in to your Raptor account, click here. Once you are logged into the account you chose to record your family’s volunteer hours, click on the “Hours” button and then on that page on the right hand side there is a button to manually add hours. If you are unable to locate your Raptor account, please email dean@lakelandmontessori.com. Families should choose one of their Raptor accounts to log-in all of the volunteer hours for the family. For example, choose either Mom or Dad’s raptor account and log all hours in it so that all the hours are in one account and you can easily see how many have been logged.

WHAT EACH STUDENT NEEDS AT SCHOOL

Early Childhood Classroom Students – specific extra items needed for your child.  While your supply fee covers all school supplies needed for the classroom, there are a few things that you will still need to prepare for the new school year. Please bring these items to your “Say Hello to Your Teachers” time slot, which is in the Early Childhood Calendar:

  • PHOTOS –  Please provide two recent photos of your child for their bin and work tag. The children have bins in the classroom to store their lunch boxes, shoes, and jackets.  A photo is placed on each bin so that even the youngest can locate their bin.  The second photo is for a work tag that will have their name on it and is used for when they need to leave their work out at the end of the day. The photos should be about wallet sized, so if you provide a regular 4×6 photo, please be sure it can be trimmed down and still show your child.
  • LUNCH – Your child will need their own reusable fabric placemat packed in their lunchbox daily. You may make or purchase one. An option to purchase is at www.myfunkins.com. They should be no larger than 12″x 12″. Reusable containers/napkins/water bottles are also encouraged. Please provide your child with a spoon if you are packing yogurt or fruit. Please make sure all items have your child’s name on them. An option to purchase name labels is www.namebubbles.com (dishwasher, laundry, and freezer safe).
  • REST TIME – a small blanket of any type that can fit in their cubbie is needed for three year olds ONLY. The school provides a cot with sheet for each three year old. Four year olds and Kindergarteners do not need a blanket.
  • EXTRA CHANGE OF CLOTHES – you will need to leave a complete change of uniform with your child’s teacher.  This includes a uniform top with logo, uniform bottoms, underwear, and socks. Please write your child’s name on these items, and place inside a ziplock bag with your child’s name on it. These will remain in your child’s bin throughout the year to be used in the event a change of clothes (or partial change) is needed.

ALL STUDENTS

SUPPLY DONATION:  Instead of asking parents to purchase a list of supplies for their child, we ask that you pay a fee per student. These funds go directly to your child’s teacher to use for the classroom for the school year. If your child is in Kindergarten – grade 6, click here to submit your supply donation before August 1st of each school year. If your child is in Prek3 or Prek4, your supply fee was paid through your FACTS tuition account.

Please do not purchase a backpack for your child. Your child will be asked to leave it at home. This feature of our “safe school” policy eliminates hiding places for unwelcome items of both intentional and unintentional natures. The policy also saves money and space. All homework and educational items will be easy to carry without a backpack. Toys and electronics are not allowed at school. Unlabeled lunch boxes and clothing items that are left at school will be disposed of or given to charity.

School supplies are provided by LMS through the school supplies donation fund. The donations are used by the teachers for items needed in the classroom. You do not need to purchase pencils, scissors, paper, or other consumable items for your child. The student’s family is responsible for the cost of replacement of take home items along with the cost of any items that are broken in a destructive manner.

Students are not allowed to bring in toys, electronics, or games from home. Trading cards, pocket computers, compact disc players and portable radios are also prohibited on campus. We are not responsible for items that are brought into the school.

Weapons, play or real, are not permitted. Lakeland Montessori follows the NO TOLERANCE policy of Polk County Schools, which mandates suspension or expulsion from school if drugs or weapons are brought onto school property.

Recognizing the important link between home and school, we do encourage students to bring in objects of interest with an educational value related to ongoing projects in the classroom.

COMMUNICATION

All official school communication will come to you through our messages on Montessori Compass, the school’s record-keeping and communication program.  We will automatically add your email to your Montessori Compass account once you are enrolled at the school using the email accounts listed on your enrollment forms.

We strongly recommend that you download the Montessori Compass app to your smart phone so that you will receive alerts as soon as messages are posted in Montessori Compass. Please view the tutorial for additional information. 

If you would like to be included in our Family Connections Database, please complete the Family Database form at the beginning of every school year.  This resource is a fantastic way to keep in touch with the Lakeland Montessori family community.  In years past there have been students who miss out on party invitations or other unofficial community gatherings if they haven’t added their information. It can be devastating to a child when they’re the only one not invited.  Please sign up and encourage other parents to do the same.  You don’t have to share ALL of your information.  Only the info you’re comfortable sharing. This database will only be available to Lakeland Montessori families.  You only need to include the information that you want shared.

All Day Montessori Program/Aftercare

Early Childhood (PreK3/PreK4/Kindergarten)-All preschool families that sign up for the program as part of their initial contract are guaranteed to have a spot for the school year.  The program is also available for all Kindergarten students on a first come first served basis. To sign up, please see the All Day Montessori Parent Guidelines. 

Elementary (grades 1-6)-We have multiple aftercare program vans that pick up grades K-6 students in our after school pickup line each day. Some of the programs that currently pick up, or have in the past, are Gymnastics, Etc.; YMCA; Choe’s Karate Beyond; and Hands and Hearts in Motion. These aftercare programs are not affiliated with us and each has their own application process that is handled directly with their program. If you’d like more information on which of these programs currently pickup at our school, please feel free to email Secretary@lakelandmontessori.com.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

All school parking, arrivals and dismissals take place in the church parking lot with the exception of the parents of safety patrols. They may use the school parking lot to drop off ONLY the student that is a safety patrol. For the safety of our children and our staff, and for the church to continue to allow us to use their parking lot, all drivers and passengers are to remain in their vehicles between 8:00-8:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:05 p.m. All references to “school gate” below refer to the gate that is between the school and the church parking lot.

  • The morning car line begins at 8:15 a.m. No supervision is available before 8:15 a.m.
  • The official school start time is 8:30 a.m.
  • The official school dismissal time begins at 2:45 p.m. and ends at 3:05 p.m.
  • For the first few weeks of the school year we will have both Early Childhood Assistant Teachers, an Administrator, the Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher, and several Upper Elementary patrol students helping with morning arrival. For the first week of school, we will have cones in the parking lot to help establish the routines and lanes for the car-line.
  • For the safety of our children and our staff, and for the church to continue to allow us to use their parking lot, all drivers and passengers are to remain in their vehicles between 8:00-8:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:05 p.m.
  • An adult or student patrol will bring each student to and from the car into the front office of the school. Our patrols and school secretary will help the children from there if they need assistance getting to their classroom.
  • If your child has difficulty separating, please put a bright pink piece of paper on your dashboard so that we can make sure to have one of the Early Childhood staff come to your car to help your child out of the car.
  • After a few weeks (see academic calendars for exact date), every Tuesday will be a classroom visit morning. Parents park and walk their children through the front office into their classroom beginning at 8:15 am until 8:45 am. On classroom visit Tuesday mornings we will not have a car line.
  • Except for Tuesday morning visit days, if you need to come inside, even if you are volunteering or need to drop something off to us, please come to the front office between 8:35 and 2:30 OR between 3:05 and 4:00.
  • If your child is in one of the Early Childhood classrooms, and you would like to pick them up early, please pick them up at 12:00 p.m. in the school’s front office. Students will not be released for early pickup after 2:30.
  • If your child is in grades 1-6 and you would like to pick-up them up early, this must occur before 2:30. Students will not be released for early pickup after 2:30. Early pickup should be reserved for emergency situations. Non-emergency doctor, dentist and other appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours.
  • If your child arrives after 9:00 a.m. please make sure to bring a lunch as we must provide lunch counts by 9:00 a.m.
  • Please contact our front office BEFORE 9:30 a.m. if you wish to change the transportation mode (bus to car, car to bus, going home with a different family, etc.) for your child.
  • At dismissal, an adult will bring your child to your car. If you need extra time to buckle your child in, please pull into a parking spot after your child is already in the car.
  • We will only dismiss a student to the parents or people who are indicated on their emergency contact form.

ABSENCES AND TARDINESS

  • The official school start time is 8:30 a.m.
  • If your car has entered the arrival parking lot by 8:30 a.m. we will make sure that your child is accompanied from the school gate and not marked tardy. If your child has not entered the church parking lot by 8:30 a.m. please accompany your child to the front office to be signed in as tardy. In some instances, such as car line being held up by a car’s dead battery, our staff will extend the car line past 8:30 a.m. The way you will know for sure if your child will be considered tardy is that you will see the the sign displayed that says “Car line is now CLOSED. Your child must be signed in/out of the office by an adult.”

Lakeland Montessori is responsible to see that students arrive on time and that absences are kept to a minimum. Florida’s mandatory attendance laws require this. Due to the unique nature of the accredited Montessori curriculum, attendance is crucial to the Montessori classroom environment.

A habit of late arrivals and absences (more than 15 tardies and/or more than 15 absences per school year) could result in the student being asked to return to the appropriate district school. This is regardless of whether the absences and tardies are excused or unexcused.  In the event that a student incurs more than 15 absences and/or tardies, he/she may be dismissed to return to the district designated zoned school at the sole discretion of the Lakeland Montessori  administration.  

 

In an accredited Montessori environment, the learning takes place in the environment, therefore, the learning that is missed from an absence, regardless of the reason, can not be replicated.  Of course, we know that students may be absent from time to time, however, we monitor absences closely and work together to create an Attendance Plan when a student is absent and/or tardy 10 or more times during the school year regardless of the reason (we do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences or tardies).

 

An Attendance Plan meeting will be held in-person or virtually during the school day with members of LMS Administration and at least one parent.  This meeting is required at any point during the school year when a student reaches 10 or more absences and/or tardy arrivals, regardless of the reason.  LMS Administration will schedule a meeting with the parents to implement a plan of action in an effort to remedy the continued occurrence of excessive tardies and/or absences. 

FOOD POLICY & BREAKFAST/LUNCH/SNACK PROGRAM

FOOD POLICY

Our program incorporates practical life exercises that include training in a healthy lifestyle and diet. To support this aspect of your child’s education, and to ensure that all of our students eat nutritiously and healthfully during their school day, we ask that you abide by certain guidelines for snacks and other foods that are brought to school.

In a place where learning is the overriding goal, we want to make every effort to keep sugar to an absolute minimum, and we hope you’ll help us whenever you send food to school. Please observe our rule that:  Soft drinks, gum, and candy are not allowed.

LUNCH PROGRAM

Option 1: Polk County School Lunch Program (K-8 students ONLY, PreK students must bring lunch from home)

The primary reason that we provide an option for a school lunch to be provided for a student is for those students that need access to free and reduced lunch through the Polk County School Board.

Option 2: Pack your child’s lunch

Children are encouraged to bring their own lunches from home. Please select healthy foods with proteins and complex carbohydrates. In addition to prohibiting soft drinks, gum, and candy, we discourage the use of many prepackaged lunches like “Lunchables” because they lack the necessary nutrition and fiber necessary to maintain good health.

 

Eating Lunch with Your Child on Campus: 

Each year, on the same start date as Tuesday Morning visits, parents and/or family members that are approved volunteers are able to eat lunch with their age 3 through 6th grade child at designated lunch tables campus.

We only have two designated family lunch tables, so we ask that no more than two family members per child come to eat lunch.  The classroom lunch times are listed below.  We are not able to accommodate eating lunch with siblings that have different lunch times.

Please click here to review the new procedure.

Lunch times:

Early Childhood (ages 3-6):  11:30 – 12:00

Upper Elementary (grades 4-6):  11:30 – 12:00

Lower Elementary (grades 1-3):  12:00 – 12:30 

 

 

SNACK PROGRAM

Families are asked to participate in a rotating schedule for bringing healthy classroom snacks. We request that each student in all classes provide snack for their class approximately once per month (no more than one day per month). The snack must be pre-packaged and unopened. Bringing snack is not a requirement for grades K-6, however it greatly benefits the classroom community as students are provided with healthy nutrition during the morning work period – which aids in the success of their morning. Snack time also provides an opportunity for the students to contribute to their community and to share in practical life activities.

Snack quantities
Early Childhood (PreK3, PreK4 and Kindergarten) classrooms: up to 30 students
Lower Elementary classrooms (grades 1-3): up to 30 students
Upper Elementary classroom (grades 4-6): up to 45 students

Please follow these healthy snack guidelines when bringing snack for your child’s class:

  • REQUIRED:
    A store packaged pre-cut FRESH (not canned or dried) fruit or vegetable snack. Whole fruit may be sent as long as long as there is enough for each child to have their own whole piece of fruit.
  • OPTIONAL:
    In addition to the fresh fruit or vegetable item please consider providing a protein and/or whole grain item to complement the fresh fruit/vegetable. At least one of the ingredients on crackers, chips, etc must have the word “whole” next to the type of grain. ALL optional items must have 3 grams or less of sugar per serving. Items with artificial sweeteners are not allowed.
  • ALL FOOD MUST BE STORE PACKAGED. Items that do not meet the guidelines above will not be returned.

The following lists are by no means comprehensive; they are provided to give you an idea of the types of foods that we recommend.

GOOD CHOICE EXAMPLES FOR REQUIRED ITEMS: 

    • Pre-packaged sliced apples (4 one pound bags)
    • Small whole apples (30)
    • Strawberries (at least 48 oz.)
    • Small whole bananas (30)
    • Whole plums (30)
    • Clementines (30)
    • Whole pears (30)
    • Whole peaches (30)
    • Pre-packaged cut up watermelon (at least 4 lbs)
    • Pre-packaged sliced watermelon (30 slices)
    • Pre-packaged cut up cantaloupe (at least 4 lbs)
    • Pre-packaged slice cantaloupe (30 slices)
    • Pre-packaged cut up honeydew (at least 4 lbs)
    • Pre-packaged sliced honeydew (at least 30 slices)
    • Pre-packaged pineapple chunks (at least 4 lbs)
    • Baby carrots (at least 32 oz.)
    • Pre-packaged cut up celery (at least 40 oz.)
    • Pre-packaged cut up broccoli (at least 36 oz.)
      • Pre-packaged cut up cauliflower (at least 30 oz.)
    • Sugar snap peas (at least 40 oz.)
  • NO GRAPES OR CHERRY TOMATOES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES

GOOD CHOICE EXAMPLES FOR OPTIONAL ITEMS: 

    • Cheese cubes (at least 36 oz.)
    • String cheese (30 sticks)
    • Cracker cut cheese slices (30 slices)
    • Babybell cheese rounds (30 rounds)
    • Cheese spread (one container)
    • Wheat Thins (one family size box)
    • Mini whole wheat bagels with cream cheese (30 bagels/1 container)
    • Multi-grain Ritz crackers (one family size box)
    • Triscuit (one family size box)
    • Vegetable Dip (one container)
      • Lunch meat slices-turkey, ham, salami, etc. (30 slices)
    • Pepperoni slices (at least one 6 oz. package)

Peanuts & other nuts: VERY IMPORTANT

Because some children have potentially dangerous allergies to peanuts and other nuts, do not bring any foods for snack containing peanuts or peanut byproducts (such as peanut oil), or foods that may contain peanuts or any other types of nuts. Labels on processed foods are generally very explicit about the inclusion of peanuts and nuts.

DISCLAIMER: Our facilities and activities are NOT peanut free.

FIELD TRIPS

Lakeland Montessori’s community outreach and extended classroom activities include various field trips for educational, cultural, physical and humanitarian experiences. The following are an example of the places we may visit during the school year:

Polk County
County Public Libraries and Parks
Recreational facilities of Polk County and its cities
Community services facilities of Polk County and its cities
Phosphate mine
Lakeland Center
Bok Tower Gardens
Polk County district schools and colleges
Explorations 5
Cypress Gardens
Fantasy of Flight
Restaurants for etiquette demonstrations
Publix supermarket and warehouses
Convalescent homes
Humane Society

Outside Polk County
Green Meadows Farm
Thornhill Farms
Lowry Park Zoo
Florida Aquarium
Seminole Indian properties
Walt Disney World
MOSI
Strawberry field
Sea World
Busch Gardens

Some of the trips may require fees. Good manners, exceptional behavior and full compliance with our uniform code are mandatory for field trips. Each student represents our school. Exceptional behavior is expected on the bus and at our destination.

Space on Field Trips is limited.  Some trips are limited by our host to students and teachers only. Some trips are only by invitation for a few parents to chaperone. Other trips, mostly the Early Childhood Trips, may include opportunities for parents (one approved volunteer per student) to accompany their student as a chaperone.  Your student’s class will send out the information on Chaperones for each trip.

All chaperones must be approved through Raptor and have a badge printed for the field trip.  For safety and security, we cannot allow any parents or family members to drive to the field trip location and join the field trip group.  Only approved chaperones are allowed to attend a field trip and must go to and from the field trip on the bus (if they are taking a bus).  We also cannot check students out to family members from a field trip.  All students must ride on the bus to and from the school to attend field trips if a bus is provided for the trip.

Chaperones are not allowed to bring siblings on a field trip.  Chaperones must stay with their assigned group until the field trip ends including on the bus to and from the trip.  Chaperones are responsible for the children assigned to them for the entire field trip including to and from the field trip and on the bus.

CELEBRATIONS/EVENTS/BIRTHDAYS

Families will receive emails concerning upcoming events and celebrations at the school as we will need parent participation for planning and implementation. As we are a small community and we will be teaching and modeling acceptance and respect of diversity, school celebrations and events will be planned so that they can include and be participated in by people regardless of their religious, cultural and/or ethnic backgrounds. LMS school policy is based on the First Amendment Center document “Religious Holidays in the Public Schools” located here (entire book is here). Celebrations and events such as the annual Friendship Feast, the annual Tea & Art show, the annual International Peace Day, and the annual Multi-Cultural Festival will be planned throughout the year with dates and times on our school Calendars.

In recognition of the day a child is born, we gather at group time and tell the child’s life story as they hold a globe and “orbit the sun” provided that we receive the Milestones Form with your child’s information before their birthday. You are welcome to join us for this activity. We are unable to accommodate birthday party type activities during classroom time.

Party Invitations-If you wish to invite children to a party, please use the Family Database in order to send the invitations. Inclusion on the Family Database is an optional family choice so may not include all student’s information.

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION

Parents are encouraged to observe their child at work. Visits times begin on the date shown on classroom academic calendars and are every Tuesday through April from 8:15 – 8:45 AM.

 

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS

When a child first enrolls at Lakeland Montessori or when a child moves up from the Early Childhood program to the Lower Elementary program, we give much thoughtfulness, time and consideration to the best classroom placement for each and every child.  The entire Early Childhood and Elementary team and the Administration meet to carefully consider the placement of each incoming Lower Elementary student.  Our entire team then takes the summer to continue to give thought to what is in the best interest of each child.  We reconvene during our staff planning days before the start of the next school year to make final decisions on classroom placement.  Classroom lists for all levels are released a few days before school begins.  We do not take parent requests for specific classroom assignments.

During the school year, if the school or parent feels that changing a child’s classroom assignment may be in the best interest of the child, this would be addressed on an individual basis and decided by the Principal as part of the Parent Concern Process or the Child Study Process.  Please see the Types of Meetings at Lakeland Montessori document for more information on these two types of meetings.

PARENT/TEACHER/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

At Lakeland Montessori, we believe it is important to a child’s development that the parent, teacher and school form a solid partnership. Throughout the school year there are many opportunities for Parent/Teacher/School communication.

All official school communication will come to you through our messages on Montessori Compass, the school’s record-keeping and communication program.  We will automatically add your email to your Montessori Compass account once you are enrolled at the school using the email accounts listed on your enrollment forms. We highly suggest that you download the Montessori Compass App to your smartphone and enable push notifications so that you are alerted as soon as communications are sent.  Messages will contain essential information, such as weekly classroom newsletters, so please make sure that you are receiving the communications.

Teachers report formally to parents four times per year on the same dates as the other Polk County public schools. First quarter reports provide an opportunity to set goals for the remainder of the semester as well as to discuss academic, social, or emotional concerns that need to be addressed. The evaluations at the end of each quarter are also comprehensive reporting periods and are a record of the student’s progress through the three-year cycle of our Montessori curriculum.  Teachers are readily available via email communication and are expected to respond to emails within three business days.

Parent conferences take place for all students during the first quarter of each school year. Additional parent-teacher conferences may be scheduled at any time at the request of either teacher or parent.

Please see the Types of Meetings at Lakeland Montessori document for information on the many types of meetings and opportunities for communication offered.  

PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS

Charter law mandates that students who attend a public charter school that does not have athletic teams be allowed to participate in sports at public schools in the county.  Please see the guidelines below:

From the Polk County Schools Athletics documentation:

If your child attends a charter school that doesn’t offer his/her sport of interest, your child will automatically be allowed to participate for the public school they are zoned for based on their residence or the school they would normally attend.  If they want to participate for a public school they are not zoned for, they are required to complete a Controlled Open Enrollment for Sports Participation application.  The application period the first Monday in April and concludes the last Friday in April.  All applications submitted during this period will be applied to the subsequent school year.  They are also allowed to participate at another charter school, if that charter school will allow it.  Please contact that charter school directly for their open enrollment procedures.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

VIEW OUR OUTSTANDING STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TESTING SCORES
VIEW THE CURRENT STATE ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

Lakeland Montessori has taken the steps to make sure our students are prepared for the required standardized testing, which tests students on their annual progress.  All Florida Department of Education Statewide Assessments are administered to students in grades PreK4  through 8 during the State of FL DOE testing windows.  Assessment scores indicate whether the student is on grade level for Reading and Mathematics and give comparative data on all of our students. In order for our school to remain open, all students must take the state required assessment tests.

Reading takes place at the school during all subjects and students will be evaluated for growth and comprehension often. In addition to an enriched academic advancement, it is important to remember that character education, community service, self-esteem, leadership training, time management, and organizational skills are essential life-long skills that are part of our program.

GROUND RULES AND DISCIPLINE POLICY: FREEDOM WITHIN LIMITS

Montessori education is based on empowering the student to make appropriate decisions about behavior in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. There is no place for corporal punishment or emotional intimidation in a Montessori environment.

One goal of our school is for the children to be self-disciplined. There is a wide age span within the range of “normal” for the development of self-discipline. To encourage self-monitoring of behavior by our students, we control the environment instead of the child as much as possible. We want it to be easy for the children to behave appropriately.

Appropriate behavior is taught when children are not in a stressful situation. Then children can learn by role-playing acceptable alternatives to hitting, screaming, biting, scratching, name-calling, etc. These lessons are given individually and at group time throughout the year as needed. We use peer problem solving whenever possible when children have disagreements. Children who are out of control stay with a teacher or sit alone until they can control themselves. Whenever possible, children are allowed to experience the natural and/or logical consequences of their actions. For example, when you throw a puzzle, you pick it up and then find other work that can be handled more appropriately. For more serious situations such as biting, hitting, or refusal to cooperate – parents will be called to pick up their child.

In keeping with Montessori philosophy, we redirect the following behavior patterns:

  • Unbecoming behavior (i.e. nose-picking)
  • Behavior destructive to the environment (i.e. throwing work)
  • Behavior destructive to others or their work (i.e. disturbing another’s work)
  • Unproductive behavior (i.e. walking aimlessly through the room)

In a serious situation, such as a physical fight between children, the following steps are followed:

  1.  Check that everyone is safe
  2. Remove those not involved
  3. Describe what is happening in a non-judgmental way
  4. State the appropriate ground rule
  5.  Separate the child from the situation as gently as possible
  6. Preserve self-dignity
  7. A parent will be called to pick up the child.

Children may be required to sit at a table by themselves and work will be provided for them. They will lose their freedom of movement for a period of time according to their development. This could range from a short amount of time to an entire work period. If a child’s behavior (for example: temper tantrum) is disruptive to the classroom the child will be taken out of the classroom. Parents will be notified of these situations either by email, phone call, and/or incident report.

If the student repeatedly needs office support to deal with his or her behavior, the parent will be called to take the student home. There will be a conference with the parent before the student returns to the classroom.

If the situation cannot be rectified in a timely fashion, especially if the behavior presents a danger to other students or faculty members, our out of school suspension or dismissal procedures, consistent with the LMS Parent Contract and the Polk County Code of Student Conduct, will apply. The final step is that the student is reassigned to the appropriate district school.

Admission to LMS is by choice, not mandate. LMS does provide services for ESE students as required by Federal law and our philosophy is to give children a chance to improve. However, under the terms of our charter application with the Polk County school district, LMS is not obligated to retain any student who cannot progress to and maintain minimum standards of behavior appropriate to an integrated classroom environment.

Lakeland Montessori will also utilize the Polk County School Board Code of Conduct to handle discipline matters that occur at the charter school.

POLK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD BULLYING POLICY AND FORMS

 

COMPUTER POLICY

Student Google Apps for Education Accounts

Third grade students will be assigned a school-managed Google Apps for Education account allowing them restricted access to Google Slides for use as part of their instruction in research processes.

The Lower Elementary classrooms each have 5 student laptops.

Upper Elementary (ages 9-12), the students’ Google Apps for Education account will be upgraded with a school-managed lakelandmontessori.com student email account. This account will be considered the student’s official Lakeland Montessori email address until such time as the student is no longer enrolled in Lakeland Montessori Schools.

The Upper Elementary classroom has a 2:1 ratio of students to laptops.  Students will be assigned a shared laptop to use during the school day.t

Lakeland Montessori follows the Polk County School’s Code of Conduct which includes Technology Policies.   It is the responsibility of all students and families to review and adhere to these policies.

Student Responsibilities

  • I will treat equipment with respect, keep it in working order, keep food and drink away from the equipment, and conserve resources.

  • I understand that if I return a laptop to the computer cart rather than giving it directly to a teacher, I am asserting that it is undamaged and fully functional.

  • If a laptop is damaged or does not work properly, it must be turned into the office the day that the problem occurs and a teacher must be notified

  •  I understand that if the computer assigned to me is found to be damaged in any way, my parents and I will be responsible for the entire repair costs, including parts and labor.

  • I will not change the desktop background or screensaver on any laptop.

  • I will not interfere with another student’s use of their assigned laptop in any way.

  • I will only use the computer assigned to me.

  • I will completely sign out of my computer before I walk away from it.

  • I will sign out of and turn off my computer before I put it in the computer cart.

  • I will put my laptop in the correct slot and with the assigned cord in the computer cart when I am not using it.

  • I will not use the computer to listen to music because research has shown that listening to music while doing schoolwork is not effective.

  • I understand that if I am not accomplishing my goals in a timely manner I will lose access to classroom technology for a period to be determined by the staff.

Access Restriction

Access to and use of Google Apps for Education is considered a privilege accorded at the discretion of Lakeland Montessori Schools.  The school maintains the right to immediately withdraw the access and use of the account when there is reason to believe that violations of law or Lakeland Montessori Schools’ policies have occurred. In such cases, the alleged violation will be referred to the Principal for further investigation and application of necessary consequences as indicated in the Family Handbook Age 3 through Grade 6 and/or the Polk County School’s Code of Conduct.

Online Educational Services

Lakeland Montessori Schools may the following online educational services as supplements to our Montessori curriculum.  Parents must contact LMS administration if they have any questions or concerns with these programs:

Lower Elementary:

Reading A to Z: Raz-Kids Student Login

Learning A to Z statement of privacy

Khan Academy:  Khan Academy Student Login

Khan Academy statement of privacy

Upper Elementary:

Khan Academy:  Khan Academy Student Login

Khan Academy statement of privacy

INTERNET SAFETY POLICY

The Lakeland Montessori Schools’ (Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse and Lakeland Montessori Middle School) Internet Safety Policy was approved by the Governing Board on September 16, 2023.

UNIFORM POLICY

Lakeland Montessori uniforms promote school unity, establish a level playing field, increase safety, and reduce distraction during the school day. In order to retain and enhance the integrity of the dress code, the following expectations have been established:

  • Uniforms are required every day. Specific exceptions are on your classroom’s calendar (such as Pajama Day).
  • Parents new to the school after the school year begins will be given two weeks to obtain uniform items.
  • There are two authorized vendors: 1) Lands’ End School Uniform Catalogue – for all of our uniform items 2) Target Uniform Section online and in store – FOR BOTTOMS ONLY (Target labels must read “Cat & Jack”, “Cherokee Uniform”, “French Toast”, “@Class”, “Classroom”, or “School Colors”. Regular Target clothing, such as a label that says “Cherokee” but not “Cherokee Uniform, is NOT acceptable). These vendors are the ONLY authorized vendors. Lands’ End is the preferred vendor as they carry higher quality, longer-lasting clothing. See the Authorized Vendor section below for specific ordering and contact information.
  • Uniform Shirts – shirts and blouses may be short or long sleeved – with collar – of any solid color (no stripes, designs, multiple colors, or multi-color banding) and must be long enough to be able to be tucked in. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Jumpers MUST also have a logo.
  • Uniform Shirts for cool days – On cool days, we prefer that students wear a long sleeved LMS logo uniform shirt. However, if absolutely necessary students may wear a plain, white turtleneck or plain white long or short sleeved shirt under their short-sleeved LMS uniform shirt. Plain is defined as plain white fabric that has no stripes, designs, multiple colors, multi-color banding, ribbing or other embellishments. The white shirts can be purchased from any vendor as long as they remain within the guidelines. Students will be asked to remove any shirts that are worn under their uniform shirts that do not follow these guidelines.
  • Field Trip Shirt- on field trip days all students must wear a Chambray Blue (light blue) uniform polo shirt for safety purposes. Students will only be allowed to attend a field trip if they have a field trip shirt.  For the 6th grade overnight trip, the Upper Elementary classroom teacher coordinating the trip can determine appropriate attire.
  • Students in Upper Elementary may wear their official K-Kids t-shirt with uniform bottoms on the weekly K-Kids meeting days as determined by the Upper Elementary classroom teachers.
  • Outer garments- All outer garments (Example: cardigan sweater, pull-over sweatshirts, and light jackets) that are worn inside the school or during class time (this includes the outdoor classroom environments such as lunch tables) must have a LMS logo. Authorized selections are listed on our Land’s End dress code list. Items with hoods are not allowed to be worn in the classroom at any time. Items worn only outside during PE/recess do not need a logo, however, they must not contain inappropriate wording, images, etc., as determined by the discretion of the classroom teacher and LMS administration.
  • Bottoms – ONLY bottoms from authorized vendors are permitted. Bottoms may be any Khaki UNIFORM shorts, skirts, skorts, slacks, or jumpers (no sweatpants). Jumpers MUST have a logo. All bottoms must be Khaki official uniform bottoms and no more than 2″ above the knee. Shorts must be worn underneath skirts and jumpers (purchasing skorts will eliminate the need for shorts). (Target labels must read “Cat & Jack”, “Cherokee Uniform”, “French Toast”, “@Class”, “Classroom”, or “School Colors”. Regular Target clothing, such as a label that says “Cherokee” but not “Cherokee Uniform, is NOT acceptable).
  • Preschoolers-Land’s End school uniforms start in size 2T and Target school uniform bottoms start in size 3T. If you are in need of sizes smaller than 2T, please consult with the Director about appropriate items to be ordered before ordering. All items that are sent in as a change of clothes must be approved uniform items.
  • Belts with a buckle must be worn if the bottom has belt loops and the student is in first grade or higher (any color or design is fine as long as there are no characters and the belt has a buckle).
  • Tennis shoes or rubber-soled shoes must be worn with the uniform. All shoes must have closed toes and heels. Boots, crocs, and shoes with wheels are not allowed due to safety and storage concerns.
  • Socks, stockings and ankle-length leggings (allowed to be worn ONLY under school uniform dress) can be any color, however they must be free of holes and runs.
  • No makeup, visible tattoos or fake fingernails. Earrings must be small-no hoops. Fake tattoos will be removed if they are visible.
  • Hair styles – no numbers, writing or designs, no unnatural color (green, blue, ….), no picks, hats, sweatbands, curlers or other head gear.
  • ALL items must be free of frays and holes. In the event an item has a hole in it a parent will be called to bring a replacement or the student will be loaned an item for the day.
  • If a family is in need of financial aid, Lakeland Montessori will purchase two uniform bottoms for each child. We will also provide free access to any donated shirts or bottoms we have on hand. Financial need is based upon qualifying for free lunch, which we are  able to verify through the Polk County School district records. If you think you may qualify, just let us know and we will check your status in the district records.
  • We have a parent run uniform closet available for families to get free gently-used uniform items.  A link to the Inventory is here.  Please email the parent volunteer coordinator at lmsuniformcloset@gmail.com to coordinate the pick up or drop off of any uniform items.
  • STUDENTS FAILING TO WEAR ANY PART OF THE LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOLHOUSE UNIFORM WILL RECEIVE A UNIFORM INFRACTION. Four uniform infractions will result in a parent conference being scheduled with the principal to discuss the best course of action.

Authorized Vendor Information:

FOR BOTH VENDORS, PLEASE ORDER WITH PLENTY OF TIME TO RECEIVE ITEMS BEFORE THE START OF SCHOOL.

  • Lands’ End School Uniform Catalogue – www.landsend.com. Items must be SCHOOL UNIFORM items. Our preferred school number is 900095167. Don’t forget to check the overstock section for special deals on uniform items! The quality of the shirts and other uniform items are excellent and the service is outstanding. Items are delivered to your doorstop with the logo completed. If you have any problems placing an order, or if you have questions about an existing order, please call 1-800-469-2222. Items can be returned by mail or any local Sears, Kmart, or Sears Essential store for a full refund.

HOMEWORK

Students in grades 1-5 will be asked to do occasional homework that relates to specific classroom projects.

Students in preschool and Kindergarten will not be given homework other than to read with a parent 20 minutes per night (Monday – Thursday) and turn in the reading log form every Friday. Let your child hear the sound of your voice as you read to them. Hold them close or put them on your lap. With older children, take turns reading to them and have them read to you. Whatever the subject matter, allow your nightly reading to be for pleasure. We suggest that you do not force children to read to you if they don’t want to or are not ready to do so. Let them know you value reading by doing it together every night. Even if your child cannot read the words himself/herself, hearing you read aloud stories like Gulliver’s Travels, Journey to the Center of the Earth, the Magic Treehouse series, Amelia Bedelia, or the Biscuit series will light up a child’s imagination and motivation to read for themselves.


MEDICAL CARE

If your child has symptoms of sickness such as fever at or above 100.4, vomiting, or diarrhea we will contact you to pick up your child.  In an emergency, we will call the numbers and persons listed on the student emergency card. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you call us with any email address or phone number changes throughout the year.

No medications of any kind (including cold, non-medicated cough drops, medicated cough drops, aspirin, and vitamin products) can be administered at school unless there is an Authorization for Medication form for the treatment on file. Students are not allowed to have any of these items with them on campus at any time. All medication must be transported to and from school by adults only and must be given directly to the School Secretary.

Kindergarten Buddies

Our Kindergarten Buddies program is a wonderful leadership opportunity for our sixth graders.  Once a month, our sixth grade students host the kindergarten students in the Upper Elementary outdoor classroom for a fun time of educational games, art projects and science experiments.  Regardless of the activity, the benefit is in the familiarity and friendship that is forged between the little buddy and their big buddy!