Student Handbook

Mission Statement

Dater Montessori School is a diverse, inclusive and supportive community where the whole child develops, through team teaching, individualized instruction and unique learning opportunities. Children attain a deep base of knowledge that allows them to become independent thinkers, considerate citizens and leaders equipped to surpass academic expectations.

Description of Classes

Montessori education is an effective model of learning that focuses on the whole child including the intellectual, physical and emotional development of the student. Montessori education is not limited to strengthening only mental capabilities but helping the student unfold their potential talents and skills as a person. Students are grouped in multi-age classrooms according to their stage of development, not grade levels (3-6-year-olds, 6-9-year-olds, 9-12-year-olds). The multi-age environment provides rich teaching and learning interactions between various age groups. Learning happens in a variety of settings including individually, partnerships and small groups arranged according to skill and age level as well as the subject area. Each classroom is equipped with specific learning materials that provide hands-on experiences to explore learning. As the student progresses through the developmental stages of growth, learning is transformed into more complex explorations that demand research and problem-solving.

Office

The school office will be open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our office staff is available to help answer any questions that you may have regarding Dater Montessori School.

Our office is a very busy working environment. We ask that all parents remind small children who accompany them to the office that they are to use quiet voices inside of the office and are to stay with their parents at all times. We thank you for being courteous to our staff that has to answer the telephones and assists many people in the school office. Our lobby is open for parents to meet and talk with each other.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Bus Riders, Walkers, and Car Drop Off

We had the driveway repainted for better visibility when entering and exiting the school grounds. You may enter the grounds using the two lanes (painted) and only one way to exit (turn right) on Bouidnot (arrow painted); 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 on Ferguson. A left turning signal was installed to make it easier to turn left into the lot from Boudinot.

Huge thanks to CPD District 3, City of Cincinnati DOT and CPS Facilities for their expertise and help getting this completed for our community.

After the first two weeks of school, parents will not be permitted to escort their child beyond the main doors. This is to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff as well as to promote the independence of our children.

Bus Riders: Arrivals

Student safety is of the utmost priority. The following procedures are to ensure the safety of all students.

Children should remain seated on the bus until an adult greets them. Once dismissed from the bus, children are expected to unload the bus in an orderly fashion and proceed to the cafeteria for breakfast or the auditorium. Once the bell has rung, they are to walk directly to their classroom traveling on the right side of the hallway. If it is before 9:00 a.m., all students will wait in the cafeteria or auditorium until it is time to go to class.

Bus Riders: Departures

An adult will walk students to the buses at 3:35 p.m. Students are to walk quietly with their class and stay in line until they reach their bus. Once on the bus, children are to sit down and remain seated for the bus ride home.

Deviated bus requests will only be considered for long-term childcare purposes. Daily bus requests cannot be honored. In the event of a late bus, the administration will be in contact with the bus company.

Walkers and Car Drop Off: Arrivals

Walkers should enter the main entrance of the building no earlier than 8:40 a.m. There is no adult supervision prior to 8:45 a.m., therefore students should be dropped off. Students will not be permitted in the building before 8:40 a.m. except if they participate in the YMCA before school program, have a Suzuki lesson, or are with a parent. Walkers are to report to the cafeteria for breakfast or the auditorium between 8:40-9:00 a.m. School begins promptly at 9:10 a.m.

Students that arrive at school after 9:10 a.m. must report to the office for a tardy slip. Parents of students that are consistently late to school will be held accountable for their child's attendance. Our school social worker will investigate excessive tardiness or absenteeism as defined by state and local laws as well as school district policies for attendance.

Car Drop-off Service

We ask that all parents use the car drop off service for students that come to school in private automobiles. Our driveway and parking lot are very busy in the morning and this service is provided for the safety of your child.

Drop Off for Preschool Only

Parents proceed to the lower lot and a paraprofessional will unload your child from your car and escort your child to the cafeteria from 8:40-9:00 a.m. You will be given a sign-in sheet to sign your child in. The classroom paraprofessional will be waiting at the cafeteria table.

If you walk your child through the main doors, you will sign your child in at the office and a paraprofessional will escort them to the cafeteria. The expectation is that the child stays seated independently at the cafeteria table. It is extremely important that we follow this safety procedure.

If you arrive after 9:00 a.m., you will need to park in the front parking lot and walk your child into the office.

Pick Up for Half-Day Preschool

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 your child out on the clipboard provided. Your child will be escorted out to you by a 3-6 staff member.

Pick-up is by Noon. Those who develop a pattern of late pickups 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. A staff member will hand you a clipboard to sign out.

Walkers Dismissal

Student safety is of the utmost priority. The following procedures are to ensure the safety of all students. Families will not be permitted to park on school grounds for walkers. Walkers will get escorted by a staff member to the large tree next to our marque.

walker map

Car Line Pick-Up

The pickup car line will follow the traffic flow pattern on the diagram that was given at the beginning of school. It is important that you wait at the designated stop location until directed to move forward along the front of the building. For the car line to function more efficiently and to improve communication, a large sign with your child's first and last name is mandatory to be posted in the passenger sign visor. Your child will exit the building and wait for you to pull up safely alongside the building. Parents may choose to exit out the Ferguson exit.

Pick-up ends at 4 p.m. Those who develop a pattern of late pickup will be charged a monitoring fee and referred to our school social worker. Students who have not been picked up by 4 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 cannot 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.

Students must have a note from their parent or guardian if their transportation changes. This note must be presented to the teacher the morning of the intended change. In the event you need to change your child's transportation, you must call the main office no later than 2 p.m.

Students who walk home unaccompanied by an adult must leave the school grounds immediately upon dismissal. They may not stay to play on the playground after school.

Bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, or animals are not allowed on the playground at dismissal time.

Parents are responsible for supervising their children as soon as the adult has dismissed them. Parents who allow their children to play on the playground at this time are expected to know and enforce the rules for playground safety.

School ends at 3:40 p.m. and it is extremely important that children are picked up in car line no later than 4 p.m. Supervision ends at 4 p.m. Students not picked up by 4 p.m. will be taken to the office. Those families who develop a pattern of not being on time will be charged a supervision fee of $1 per minute.

Early Dismissals

Students should remain at school all day. In the event of an early dismissal:

Send a note with your child explaining the reason for early dismissal.
Children are to give the note to their teacher first thing in the morning.
Parents should report to the office to sign out their child.
The office staff will call the child to the office once the parent has arrived.
In the event of extenuating circumstances, please call the office at (513) 363-0900, not the classroom.
All calls for changes of dismissal need to occur by 2:00 p.m.

Building Security

It is our job to keep your children safe while in school. To do this, we need all parents, volunteers, visitors and guests to obtain a badge through Cincinnati Public Schools Security Office. This will require a background check through the Justice Center. Anyone that would like to be in the building or attend field trips is required to have a badge. Once you have received your badge you are asked to sign in and out of the office before and after going to the classroom. This badge lets staff members know that you have signed in at the office and are permitted to visit a classroom. Please do not be insulted if a teacher or other staff member asks you to return to the office if you are not wearing your badge. They are required to do this as part of our safety plan. *All visitors will be asked to provide a driver's license for the Lobby Guard machine if they do not have their badge.

The Board of Education is committed to providing a quality education to students in an environment that is conducive to learning and protects the health and safety of the school community. Random searches will be conducted quarterly for 9-12 level students. This is following Board Policy 5771.

Observing Classrooms or Volunteering

Visitors are always welcome at Dater Montessori. We are proud to share our program. For the educational process to proceed smoothly, please follow these guidelines:

Please make an appointment to observe or volunteer at least one day in advance. Too many observers can be disturbing to the children. Also, if you are volunteering, the teacher will need time to prepare work for you that will be beneficial to the children and enjoyable for you.
Stop at the office first and sign in at the front desk and please have your badge or present your driver's license and use the Lobby Guard machine. The office staff will announce your arrival.
In the classroom, enter quietly and sit in the space designated for you by the teacher.
Do not interrupt the children and staff while they are working. Wait until an appropriate break to ask the teacher any question you might have.
Remember that as an observer or volunteer, you are bound by the same code of ethics as any other adult at Dater. You are not free to discuss any child's behavior or personal information with anyone else. Please do not ask staff members questions about children other than your own.
If you would like to discuss your observation or a classroom issue with the teacher, please request a conference time or a phone call. The teacher will not be able to engage in a lengthy discussion during the school day.

Smoking and use of alcohol are not allowed around children, either at school functions or on field trips.

Adults must use appropriate language around children at all times.

Emergency Procedures

Safety drills are conducted monthly. Families are encouraged to discuss safety procedures with their children at home as well.

In the event of a lock-down situation within the building, the entire building will be secured and no one will be permitted to enter under any circumstance.

In the event of a crisis in which staff and students must be evacuated from the building, students and staff will walk to the closest Cincinnati Public School facility which is considered to be safe.

Our trained School Incident Response Team (SIRT) will ensure all safety procedures are followed.

Parking

Parents and visitors are asked to park in any designated parking spot. Only use the field level lot during drop off or pick up as it is used for recess during the school day. Do not park in the circle or along the preschool fence line.

Inclement Weather

The announcement of Cincinnati Public School closing or delay of yellow bus service on days of inclement weather conditions is made over most radio and television stations.

On clear days when the temperature is reasonable, students will go outside for recess. This is at the discretion of the teaching staff. Please make sure your child has dressed appropriately. Gloves, hats, and appropriate footwear are required.

Breakfast and Lunch Procedures

Dater Montessori offers breakfast and lunch to students daily. The breakfast program begins at 8:40 a.m. and ends at 9:00 a.m.

At lunchtime, students will come to the cafeteria with their class. If a child wishes to purchase a school lunch, they will line up alphabetically and say their name clearly to the lunchroom manager. Menus are distributed monthly and are also printed in the local newspaper and on the CPS website. Children who pack lunch may purchase milk. Please note that the lunchroom manager cannot lend money or give lunches to students who forget lunch money.

Children will sit at the tables designated for their class. All children are responsible for taking up their trays, removing all trash, and wiping off their tables. Paraprofessionals will monitor the children at lunch and on the playground.

Children are asked to use a friendly indoor voice while in the cafeteria. When the lights are turned off, all children and adults must be silent.

Health Rules and Procedures

If for any reason your child cannot take part in any regular play or physical activities, a note of explanation from the parents is necessary. Please do not send a child to the school that has a fever, severe cold, sore throat, inflamed eyes, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is unfair to other children to expose them to illness. It is school policy that a child sent home with a fever must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

There will be times when we may have to exclude a child from school until medical attention is received. The law is very specific regarding these exclusions. You will be required to send a note from your physician or clinic stating that your child is permitted to return to school.

Head Lice

It is very common for a few cases of head lice to surface during the school year. Our school health assistant, teachers, and assistants do their best to check all students in classrooms where reports of head lice occur. Children that are sent home with lice are to remain home to be treated for the condition before they can return to school. All live bugs must be removed in order for the child to be allowed to return to class.

Chronic cases of head lice will be evaluated on individual bases with guardians, nurses, and school administration.

Medicines at School

Cincinnati Board of Education Policy (5141.3) requires signatures of the parent or guardian and physician before medication can be given to a child by school personnel. A special form for this purpose is available in the school office. No medication will be given unless we receive complete instructions from the parent and physician in writing. This policy includes all over-the-counter medicines.

Hats in the Building

All adults and children should remove their hat when entering the building. This is a school rule for students. Adults can help set a good example by serving as positive role models and removing their hats when entering the building as well.

Emergency Cards

Every child must have an updated emergency card on file in the school office. These cards are by far the most important information regarding your child's safe care. In the event that you or a designated emergency contact person cannot be reached during an emergency, these cards give us the consent to seek medical attention for your child. Parents must provide at least three working telephone numbers on the emergency card. These cards will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. Please fill out the forms and return them to your child's teacher. Also, it is important for you to update the cards if any information changes.

Dater Dress Code

Students at Dater Montessori are expected to dress in a manner that is not distracting to the learning process. We ask that all parents review the following guidelines with their children and ensure that they come to school properly dressed.

Sweatshirts are permitted, although hoods should not be worn in the building.
Hats, bandannas, kerchiefs, or other headgear are not to be worn in the building.
Spaghetti straps, tube tops or any shirts that expose the midriff area are not allowed.
Shorts that are an appropriate length (not to be shorter than half of the distance from the upper leg and knees) can be worn throughout the school year.
Pants must be held up with a belt. Undergarments should not be showing.
Clothing with profanity or violent messages is prohibited.
Shoes should be comfortable and enable the student to walk safely about the school grounds.

Attendance

If your child is going to be absent from school for any reason, parents must call the attendance line (513) 363-0923 and report the absence by 10 a.m. If we do not receive a call on the day of the absence, we will call your home to verify the absence. This policy is for your child's safety. Please help us minimize unnecessary phone calls by letting us know of absences. Chronic absenteeism will be investigated by the school social worker at the discretion of the principal. Parents that fail to improve a child's poor attendance may be cited in court and a judge will assign corrective measures. Any child who is absent from school is not permitted to attend any afterschool event such as a dance, try-out, or enrichment class.

Students can arrive at school as early as 8:40 a.m. Our teachers try to make the most of every minute children are in school. Please be sure that your child is in the class by the 9:00 a.m. starting time. Chronic tardiness will also be investigated by the school social worker.

Homework

Homework is a responsibility that Dater Montessori students must take seriously in order to be successful in their studies. The quantity of homework varies from level to level and from classroom to classroom. Generally speaking, you can expect about five minutes of homework per year of life. A first-year 6-9 student may have about 30 minutes of homework each night. A third-year 9-12 student may have up to 60 minutes of homework each night including long-term projects. If the homework demands seem inappropriate for your child, please contact the teacher so that modifications can be made. Students are responsible for completing and turning in the assigned task on time. Not all homework is in written form. Often students are asked to do research, read or study without doing a written assignment. Parents can help children learn that this type of work is just as important as written assignments by monitoring the number of time children spend on these types of tasks.

Progress Reports

Progress reports are sent home four times during the school year. Preschool reports are sent home twice during the school year. These progress reports give important information regarding how well your child is progressing. Any questions or concerns about the child's progress should be directed to the teacher. Please sign and return the bottom portion of the report and return to school.

Placement, Promotion, and Retention

Dater Montessori classrooms are multi-age environments. Students usually remain with their teacher for a period of three years. During these three years, students can be retained, placed, or promoted. At the end of an academic year, teachers make decisions based on how well students are mastering the Ohio Department of Education Standards. A student will be promoted to the succeeding grade level when she/he has:

Completed the course and Ohio State mandated requirements at the presently assigned grade;
In the opinion of the professional staff, achieved the instructional objectives set for the present grade;
Demonstrated the degree of social, emotional and physical maturity necessary for a successful learning experience in the next grade. Interventions are put in place when a child begins to fall behind her/his peers. The parent is a member of the team who determines the interventions used to help the child make adequate progress.

A student may be retained when she/he has, in the opinion of the professional staff, failed to achieve the instructed objectives set forth at the current grade level. (See Board Policy 5410).

Classroom Placement

Children are placed in a classroom on the based on of gender, race, ability, space and grade. The teachers, as well as the administration, determine the placement of students. Once placement assignments are complete students will be invited to participate in a school-wide transition day to meet their new teacher(s) and classmates. Changes to classroom assignments will not be granted once the placement process is complete. We kindly ask parents to "trust the process!"

Fees and Fines

Each family with children in the Cincinnati Public Schools is asked to pay an instructional fee to help cover consumable classroom materials. The fee varies based on income, the number of children in school and grade levels. Parents will receive a letter explaining this policy during the first week of school.

All fees must be paid in cash or with a money order. Sorry, but we cannot accept checks. Please send any money in an envelope marked with your child's name, room number and the purpose of the payment. Children will be given a receipt.

Fines are charged when students lose or damage any library or textbook that is assigned to them. The amount varies according to the original cost of the book, the condition, age and the extent of the damage. Student progress reports will be withheld for the nonpayment of instructional fees and book fines at the end of the fourth quarter. Fees that accumulate over the years will continue to be charged to students. Records will not be released until fees are paid in full.

Parent Communication

Communication with parents is extremely important to the staff at Dater Montessori. We ensure clear and consistent communication with families by utilizing the Tuesday Parent Folder. Every Tuesday, parents should expect a blue folder to be sent home with their child. The packet inside will notify parents of upcoming school activities, fundraisers, and other pertinent information. All Tuesday folders are stored electronically on the Dater Montessori website.

We also communicate with parents through parent conferences, email, telephone calls, newsletters, planners, and weekly student work contracts. Conferences are offered (or more frequently if the parent or teacher feels it is warranted) at the end of the first semester. The school district has designated schools to have evening conferences. Our evening conference dates will be placed on the master calendar.

Parents find information about our school events in Mr. G's weekly blast. Additional information is sent out at the beginning of each month via our Dater Gator Newsletter.

Finally, individual teachers will also share with parents their best means of daily communication utilized in their classrooms.

Parent/Family Responsibilities

Dater Montessori School is a magnet program within the Cincinnati Public Schools. Families who select Dater for their children have, by that choice, become members of the Dater community. Families are expected to show support for the program through volunteering, fund-raising, participating in Dater community events, or supporting the educational process by working at home with their child. By selecting Dater as YOUR school of choice, you have made a commitment. You will be asked to sign a contract that will outline your parental responsibilities while your child attends Dater Montessori.

There are many ways in which parents can support the program. Volunteering in the classroom, coaching, shopping for classroom supplies, attending meetings, participating in fund-raisers, paying student fees immediately, helping your child with homework and projects and participating in one of the parent-teacher organizations described in this handbook are just a few ways of becoming involved. The presence of active, caring parents in the building shows our students how much our program is valued and supported. We hope and believe that your participation will prove to be an as pleasant experience for you as it is for the children whose lives you touch.

You will need to return the Green Volunteer Hours Form at the end of each semester to our new School Community Coordinator to document your volunteer hours. You are vital to the success of your student and our community.

Dater Montessori Organizations

Parent Teacher Network (PTN)

The Parent Teacher Network of Dater Montessori is an organization made up of parents and teachers who work together for the benefit of Dater Montessori School. PTN sponsored activities are scheduled monthly. The Board meets once a month. One of the major goals of this group is to provide activities and events that will enrich the lives of the Dater student body. The Dater PTN sponsors arranges teacher appreciation week activities, organizes Unity Fair, arranges parent education nights, as well as many other enriching activities. Dater PTN also supports all the fundraising efforts at Dater by actively encouraging parents to participate.

Friends of Dater Montessori (FODM)

The Friends of Dater Montessori School is an Ohio non-profit corporation and its main responsibility is to raise funds to purchase needed items for the classrooms and the school. It also provides funding to the PTN so they can plan the many special events the children participate in throughout the school year. FODM consists of parents, teachers, administrators, and any other interested person. FODM meets once a month. FODM needs volunteers that are interested in grant writing, fundraising, and serving on the FODM board. Parents are always welcome to attend the FODM monthly meetings.

Local School Decision Making Committee (LSDMC)

The Local School Decision Making Committee of Dater consists of parents, teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and community representatives. They meet once a month. The major goal of Dater's LSDMC is to support the mission and vision of the school. This involves gathering and evaluating information, supporting the Montessori philosophy at the school and district level, and making important decisions for the benefit of the students of Dater Montessori.

Dater Montessori Athletic Association (DMAA)

The purpose of DMAA is to sponsor, promote, support and encourage athletic programs and activities at Dater Montessori. In addition, DMAA seeks to teach the student-athlete the fundamental skills of the respective sports to instill the athletic values of teamwork, excellence, effort, leadership, and integrity.

Addressing Concerns

If your child comes to you with a complaint or concern about how an incident involving him/her directly has been handled, please follow these guidelines:

Discuss the incident thoroughly and objectively with your child.
If you have questions about the incident or are dissatisfied with how the situation was handled, make an appointment to discuss the incident with your child's teacher.

Telephone Messages and Usage by Students

All classrooms at Dater Montessori are equipped with a telephone that has voicemail as well as a mailbox in which the teacher can leave an outgoing message about class assignments, events, and field trips. The teachers will not be able to receive incoming calls during the school day. Calls made to the teacher during the school day will be sent to the teacher's voicemail. The teacher will return the telephone call as soon as it is convenient. Parents can reach their child's teacher's extension by calling the main telephone number and dialing the teacher's extension.

Messages for a child may be given to the Senior Support Specialist. The message will be placed in the teacher's mailbox. Please remember that no classroom will be interrupted to deliver a message to a child except in an emergency. A student must have the teacher's permission before using the telephone.

Cincinnati Public School's Code of Conduct

A District-wide Code of Conduct booklet is sent home to parents. It states the District's rules and the consequences that will result from breaking those rules. Teachers discuss and teach lessons from the District-wide Code of Conduct with their students and revisit these lessons throughout the year as necessary. Parents are asked to discuss the information contained in the booklet with their children as well.

Cell Phones and Electronics

Cell phones and electronic devices are not necessary for school. Children are only allowed to have out electronic devices during morning arrival in the auditorium. Children bring devices at their own risk. All devices must be turned off and put in their book bag at the first bell. All devices that are seen after 9:15 a.m. will be taken from the student. Parents or guardians will be asked to retrieve electronic devices at their earliest convenience.

Dater Montessori Rules and Expectations

Dater Montessori Staff works hard to monitor students and maintain a respectful, safe and healthy learning environment. Our three primary expectations are to be respectful of self, others and the environment, be responsible, and be safe. We engage students in ongoing lessons about treating each other with respect. Additionally, our expectations are:

Students will be present and arrive at school on time
Students will walk on the right side of the hallway and use quiet indoor voices
Students will remain silent during all transitions
Students will have permission and a hall pass to be in the hallways
Students will show respect to all people and materials
Students will interact positively with each other
Students will follow the directions of all school personnel
Students will control themselves at all times, keeping hands and feet to themselves
Students will allow others to learn by being quiet and orderly in our school
Students will leave all toys, gum, candy, makeup, and other non-learning materials at home
Students will be prepared for class and will complete all class work and homework on time
Students will follow the Dater Dress Code
Students will leave jackets and purses in lockers with the exception when the use of a purse is needed

Consequences of Misbehavior

Consequences of a student's failure to meet the above expectations vary according to the nature, severity and frequency of the misbehavior. Consequences may include:

A reminder or a warning/restoration conversation
Loss of privileges
Community service
Reflection letter
Time out in another classroom
Conference between student and teacher
Referral to an administrator for support
Team conference (administrator, teacher, parent, and student)
Suspension (under circumstances described in the CPS Code of Conduct)
Expulsion (under circumstances described in the CPS Code of Conduct)

Playground Rules

Always walk and wait your turn around the equipment
One person at a time on slides, going feet first and sitting on bottoms
Always use bars for balancing, not standing
Running games need to be played on the blacktop, not around the equipment
Jump ropes, balls, etc. need to be used on the blacktop, not around the equipment
Refrain from tumbling, tackle football, punching and shoving type games
Line up in your designated area quietly when the whistle is blown. Take equipment immediately to its designated container. Do not throw or bounce a ball after the whistle is blown. Lines will be straight and quiet
Students will be in control of their bodies (i.e. hands and feet to self)

Consequences of Misbehavior on the Playground Rules

Student will be given a reminder or warning.
Student will lose the privilege of certain playground activities.
Student will take "time out" on the benches. The timeout may range from 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the age of the child and the nature of the misbehavior.
Student will remain next to an adult for "time in"
Parent will be notified by teacher
Student will be referred to the administrator for intervention.

Lunchroom Rules

Stand and talk quietly in line
Walk at all times
Talk quietly while eating
Stay seated while eating
Use good table manners
Clean up your area
Raise your hand to be dismissed by an adult
Keep all the food and drink inside the cafeteria.
Stay in alphabetical order in the lunch line
Paraprofessionals will supervise students in their seats
When lights are turned off, students must be silent.
A maximum of two snacks may be purchased
Students should not share food

Bus Rules

Remain seated at all times
Always obey the bus driver
No fighting/pushing/tripping/hitting
All body parts must remain inside the bus
Don't throw objects in or out of the bus
Objectionable language is prohibited
No littering
No eating or drinking on the bus
Follow the directions of the bus driver

Consequences for Bus Misconduct

Misconduct on the bus will be addressed by the driver and school administration.

1st referral — Warning letter sent home with the student to be signed by parent/guardian and returned to school.
2nd referral — Warning letter sent home with the student to be signed by parent/guardian and returned to school.
3rd referral — Bus privileges suspended for three (3) days. Letter sent home with the student from the school administration. Office staff will attempt to notify parent/guardian by phone 24 hours prior to suspension.
4th referral — Warning letter sent home with the student to be signed by parent/guardian and returned to school.
5th referral — Bus privileges suspended for five (5) days. Letter sent home with the student from the school administration. Office staff will attempt to notify parent/guardian by phone 24 hours prior to suspension.
6th referral — Warning letter sent home with the student to be signed by parent/guardian and returned to school. Meeting with parents, Bus Company and administration
7th referral — Bus privileges suspended for five (5) days. Letter sent home with the student from the school administration. Office staff will attempt to notify parent/guardian by phone 24 hours prior to suspension.
8th referral — Bus privileges suspended for ten (10) days. Letter sent home with the student from the school administration. Office staff will attempt to notify parent/guardian by phone 24 hours prior to suspension.
9th referral — Meeting with parents, Bus Company and administration for possible permanent removal from bus transportation.

Chronic misconduct on the bus may result in the student losing bus privileges for the remainder of the school year.

Classroom Management Plans

Teachers have a working discipline plan in place in their classrooms to support students in meeting school expectations. The classroom management plan is developed with the students. Teachers will review the plan as necessary. While teachers may find it necessary to review rules with their entire class, consequences for misbehavior will be applied individually to students. Group consequences will not be used to correct one or two misbehaving students. In addition, teachers use Positive Discipline in the classrooms to proactively handle potential discipline concerns.

Specialist teachers also have a classroom discipline plan in place. They are responsible for behavior incidents that occur in their classes and will follow up with appropriate consequences when necessary.

Dater Montessori Assistance Team (DMAT)

The Intervention Assistance Team is available for the staff and parents to consult. It consists of the administration, a school psychologist, a visiting teacher and other specialists, such as the occupational therapist, speech therapist, special education teachers, and counselors, as needed. The team designs alternative strategies for students who may be having academic or behavioral difficulty meeting school expectations.

Discipline and the Child with Special Needs

Our goal at Dater Montessori is to provide fair, consistent discipline for all children. For most children with special education needs, this simply means that the regular classroom management plan will be used by them as with typical students. However, some children with special needs do have a behavior plan included in their Individual Education Plan. The teaching team, intervention specialists, and parents develop the plan and carry out the plan for that child as it is written. Should a child develop a need for a behavior plan, the teacher will document the evidence of that need and contact the Intervention Assistant Team.

Student Recognition

We encourage all students to:

Consistently follow classroom, building, playground and special subject classroom expectations and rules
Complete classroom and homework assignments to the best of his/her ability
Be a positive role model for others as a good citizen and responsible student
Be respectful of self, others and the environment
Be safe, obey the laws of the community

Students who exhibit positive academic efforts and positive school behaviors are recognized regularly by school staff with the goal of helping each child move from external rewards to internal peace, happiness, and self-confidence.

Dater Gator Tracks - read every Wednesday and Friday
Dater Gator Fist Bump Stickers
Student birthdays are called each month