2025-26 School Year

Our motto this year is “Fired-Up!” — a bold declaration of the energy, passion, and purpose we’re bringing into every classroom, hallway, and conversation. Being “Fired-Up” means we’re ready to ignite curiosity, spark creativity, and fuel a love for learning in every student. It also reflects our collective commitment to equity, excellence, and community as we move forward together.

At Dater Montessori, education is more than academics — it’s about developing confident, compassionate leaders who are grounded in Montessori principles and prepared for the future. Whether your child is stepping into the building for the first time or returning for another year of growth, we are thrilled to support them on this journey.

This year, you’ll see us Fired-Up about:

Student agency and empowering every child to take ownership of their learning.
Family partnerships that strengthen our community and enrich every classroom.
Equity and inclusion, ensuring all students feel seen, valued, and inspired.

K-6 Start Time

Our official school hours are from 9:10 a.m.-3:40 p.m. At 8:40 a.m., staff will be on duty in the upper lot car line. No student is to be dropped off unless a staff member is present on duty until 8:40 a.m. Dater Montessori will continue to partner with Costars Early Education Center. The Costars onsite program will be available for before and after school care for students K-6. Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Dayna Coleman (School Age Care and Enrichment Manager) at dcoleman@costars.org or 513-662-2287 for more information.

Preschool Hours

The preschool day is from 9:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Preschoolers may be dropped off as early as 8:40 a.m. Families should come to the lower playground to drop off their child. Please use the curb lane as it will be easier to enter the lower lot. As you pull around the cones, staff members will provide you with a sign-in sheet and carefully/safely escort your child up the stairs. If you arrive after 9:00 a.m., you will need to drive around to the front and walk your child into the school to drop them off at the office.

Pick Up for Half Day Preschool Only

Please park in the front parking lot or around the circle. Walk up to the main doors where a 3-6 staff member will greet you and sign out your child on the clipboard provided. Your child will be escorted out to you by a 3-6 staff member.

Please note: Pick-up is 11:50-12:00 noon. The teacher’s lunch begins at noon so children will be escorted to the office until you pick up. Those who develop a pattern of late pick-ups will be charged a monitoring fee and referred to the school social worker.

All-Day Preschool Dismissal: This will take place at car-line pick-up in front of the school and it makes it so much easier for families to pick up all children in one location.

Car Drop Off and Car Line Pick Up

We will follow the same car line procedure as last year. Please be patient and follow the established traffic flow patterns as described in the attached document. We ask that you refrain from talking on your cell phone during drop off or pick up. For the car line to function more efficiently and to improve communication, a large sign with your child’s first and last name MUST be posted (in large block letters) in the passenger sign visor. We need each driver to be alert and please drive slowly around our precious children and our hard-working staff on duty.

You may enter the grounds using the two lanes and only one way to exit (turn right) on Boudinot; this is for both morning and dismissal drop-off. You will not be able to exit left on Boudinot at all when dropping off, picking up, or during school hours. You can always drive around the building and exit onto Ferguson. A left turning signal was installed to make it easier to turn left into the lot from Boudinot. Please DO NOT enter the school via Ferguson-this is ONLY an exit (major safety issue). Staff will be on duty in the back and direct you to turn around.

Walkers

Families will not be permitted to park on school grounds for walkers. In addition, families can not illegally park directly across the street from our school on Boudinot. We have an established relationship with Metzcor and we want to continue the partnership. Walkers will get escorted by a staff member to the large tree next to our marquee. Please see attached map of the available parking for families.

Pick-up ends at 4:00 p.m.

Those who develop a pattern of late pick-ups will be charged a monitoring fee and referred to the school social worker. Students who have not been picked up by 4:00 p.m. will be brought to the office by the staff member on duty, to wait for their parents/guardians. If a child is waiting and we are unable to locate a parent/guardian or emergency contact by the time the office closes (4:30 p.m.), 241-KIDS will be called and a social worker will see that the child’s parent/guardian is located. Please be sure that your child is informed about dismissal procedures and that emergency contact and all phone numbers are always current to prevent this from occurring.

Bus Transportation

Visitors

All visitors must report to the front office to sign in using the Lobby Guard system. To proceed in the secured areas, a visitor must have a badge created by the Lobby Guard or an official CPS badge (see directions below). The Lobby guard will produce a badge using your driver’s license after a standard background check. Unfortunately, we will not allow you to enter the secured areas if access is denied via the Lobby Guard. This is for the safety of all students and staff.

Volunteer Badges

CPS has a security policy stating all volunteers must have a CPS-issued Volunteer Badge. All parents are asked to get their badges in order to volunteer for field trips, work at school-wide events, and help in the classroom. A background check is required for the badge, and this procedure is in place for the safety of the entire school community. The procedure for obtaining a badge will come home in the first Tuesday Folder. Badges are good for 5 years.

Office Hours

Morning Reflection

Dress Code

Dates to Remember

August 2 Back to school CPS event at Washington Park 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
August 12 Dater Montessori New Family Meeting (only new families attend)
- 5:30-6:00 Meet & Greet (Pizza & Kona Ice)
- 6:00-6:30 Presentation in the auditorium
- 6:30 Building Tours Begin
August 18 3/6 Level Parent Orientation Meeting 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (lockers will have student names on them)
August 20 First Day of School (K-6) *Calling on all Dater Montessori Men to come greet and encourage all students. Please meet Dr. Gumm at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby
August 25 All Preschool Attend
August 28 OPEN HOUSE 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
August 30 Montessori, Music & More Event
August 31 Maria Montessori’s Birthday

We are Fired-Up for an exciting and positive school year ahead, filled with discovery, growth, and joyful learning! We look forward to seeing each and every family involved in their child’s educational journey. The strongest partnerships happen when school and home work together to support student success.

As Maria Montessori so wisely said, “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” Let’s stay Fired-Up as we nurture that promise and build a vibrant, connected, and thriving school community—together.

Go Gators!