LITTLE SPROUTS MONTESSORI

ABSENCES AND ATTENDANCE

Attendance every day is vital to your child’s success at Little Sprouts Montessori. Children thrive amid consistency, so it is important to attend school every day when possible, preferably by 9 am. However, we know there are times when your child must miss school. Please call, text 913.972.5750 or email msnatalie67@gmail.com to let us know that your child will not be attending for whatever reason. If your child is sick, please let us know of the illness so we can be aware.

 

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Little Sprouts Montessori does not discriminate in admissions or placement based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, or handicap. Acceptance is based on space availability, a family’s commitment to Montessori education for their child, and the child’s likely long-term attendance at Little Sprouts Montessori. All rights, privileges, programs, and activities of the school are made available to all students of the school.

Arrival & Morning Drop-Off

Please strive to have your child to school by 9 am. Little Sprouts Montessori is located at 2514 S. 49th Terrace KC. KS. 66106. We have off-street parking available in front of the school (also the home of Ms. Natalie) Please only park on the West side of the street only and NOT in the driveway. You may use our driveway to turn around but please do not use our neighbors’ driveways.

As you arrive, remember that you are entering the Children’s House, an environment created with love and respect for your child. When dropping off, please keep your voice low and cell phone off. Your responsibility is to deliver your child safely across the threshold. Once inside, they will learn to work independently at hanging up their coat and changing into school shoes. Remember that children often need more time and space to complete these tasks than you may have at that moment. They do not need to complete these tasks in order for you to leave. It is their first work of the day and they will work at it until it is done. Therefore, take those moments instead to enjoy your child and say goodbye. Since the classroom is not teacher-driven, the children’s day only begins once you have said goodbye, because only then are the children able to turn toward their environment, begin making their own choices, and seek out what they want to learn that day. If you do take a moment to peek into your child’s world, be respectful of the children’s space. Maria Montessori named it the Children’s House, and it is truly created only for them. Beyond the entryway, area is where the Children’s House begins. Though you may not realize it, whenever you enter the classroom area, your presence has an effect on every child who is working there. Before 8:30 in the morning, you are welcome to briefly step into the classroom to see a work your child wants to show you or to get a feel for the energy of the room. However, parents should not ever take work from the shelves, attempt to direct their child in choosing work or manipulate any of the materials. You are an observer of their world: enter quietly, move slowly, and please do not interrupt any children who are working (including your own!). (See Observing in the Classroom) Teachers are cleaning and preparing the classroom in the early morning and begin to give lessons as soon as the first child arrives. Once a good number of children are present and begin working, the teachers become very busy giving lessons and helping the children and may not be available to talk with you. Feel free to leave a note or send an email so that (s)he can be in touch later.

 

BEEKEEPING

A schoolyard full of kids, chickens, veggies, and bees is a one-of-a-kind schoolyard that we love. We teach the kids as much as possible about the bees, so they can learn to be safe rather than fearing them. We teach them to sit and watch how adults interact with the bees and when to leave them alone. We do everything that we possibly can to prevent students from being stung, however when it does occur, we scrape the stinger out and treat it with a baking soda paste. If your child has an allergy to bees, please understand our school is not an appropriate fit for your family.

 

BIRTHDAYS         

Birthdays at Little Sprouts Montessori are very special days, and we have a unique and fun ceremony. A few days before, your child will need to bring one picture from each year of his or her life to make a timeline. Your child will also bring a healthy snack to share with our class during the afternoon snack. During the birthday ceremony, all of the children sit in a circle on the floor around a candle that represents the sun. The birthday child walks around the circle carrying a small globe. Each trip around the candle represents one year in the child’s life. It is a wonderful concrete way for your child to experience his or her own growth. Of course, you are welcome to attend the celebration. If you would like to bring something to the celebration, you might choose to bring a book to donate to the school library in honor of your child’s birthday. A nameplate will be placed inside the book cover to mark the gift and occasion. If your child’s birthday falls on a holiday or non-school day, we will coordinate with you to celebrate it before or afterward. We do not celebrate half-birthdays.

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

As required by Kansas State Law, incidences of child abuse and neglect will be reported to Social and Rehabilitation Services. No unfounded or malicious reports will be made. All staff members are trained through child abuse classes as required for licensing.

 

COMMUNICATION

Communication between home and school is a high priority at Little Sprouts Montessori. With clear, easy communication between teachers and parents, we are all able to show consistency and follow-through at home and at school. This, in turn, creates a harmony that helps children feel more secure, calm and confident. Anytime you have a question or concern please contact Ms. Natalie or your child’s teacher. In the classroom, you will find current information and announcements on the bulletin board at the entrance of the school. Sign-up sheets are found on a clipboard on the entryway table. You will have direct communication with your child’s teacher and the ability to check in briefly from time to time on your child’s progress. (S)he may contact you any time (s)he feels there is something you need to be aware of or if (s)he would like to partner with you to help your child. Remember to honor the classroom work time and schedule an appointment with your teacher if need be.  Email is the primary form of communication by the director. You will receive emails with announcements, dates to remember, illness alerts, snow day information, tuition invoices, requests or needs from the school or staff, and information about special activities or opportunities. Our website (www.lsmontessorikc.com) has the school calendar, announcements, forms to download.  Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year. All parents need to attend each conference every year. This is an opportunity to have an uninterrupted discussion about the progress and development of your child. CONFERENCES ARE FOR PARENTS ONLY. Childcare arrangements should be made during your conference time. A sign-up sheet is available the week before conferences and spots go quickly so sign up right away.

 

CONSERVATIONISM                          

Little Sprouts Montessori believes that teaching our children about conservation will help them become educated stewards of planet Earth. Teaching about the environment and nature is a fun and exciting way to take advantage of their natural curiosity and educate them about their surroundings. We use that curiosity to give them the tools to help preserve our planet for generations to come. At Little Sprouts Montessori we teach conservationism by being good stewards of the planet through organic gardening practices, composting, recycling, rainwater collection, worm and mealworm farms.  We also keep bees and host a certified Monarch Waystation.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

All personal information regarding you and your child is protected and respected at Little Sprouts Montessori. See also Photography & Video.

 

CONTAGION NOTICE

So that we can communicate accurately and in a timely manner about health issues affecting the school, Little Sprouts Montessori asks parents to provide information about their child’s illness when calling in an absence. This is most important when your child has been exposed to or diagnosed with a communicable illness. Once we have been informed about the condition, if necessary we will email to all families a Contagion Notice. This notice will be sent when a child has been diagnosed with chicken pox, croup, Fifth disease, hand foot and mouth disease, head lice, impetigo, influenza, mononucleosis, pink eye, or strep infections. If your child has been diagnosed with any of these or another communicable condition, please let us know as soon as possible. Be assured that the name of the child is never identified in any communication about a contagious condition. The Contagion Notice will indicate symptoms and incubation times. For the safety of all of the children, please keep your child home for the required time.

 

DISCIPLINE

“Freedom Within Responsibility” is a core principle of Montessori education. Self-discipline and self-control of the will are developed at Little Sprouts Montessori School, therefore a child rarely has discipline issues. Usually, redirection is all that is necessary. If needed, a child will be asked to sit and observe another child working for a short time before being invited to join in when ready. As the teachers support conflict resolution between the children, the children learn to communicate with each other and solve their own problems. Teachers use firm but loving, direct communication with children to convey their expectations. Corporeal punishment is never used.

 

DRESS CODE

Dress your child in clothing that is comfortable and allows your child to run and play freely. Learning can be messy, so please don’t send your child in his or her “best” clothes. Check your child’s cubby regularly to make sure they have clothes, in the event that they have an accident or get extra muddy. Also, keep your child’s independence in mind when selecting clothes. How is his or her independence facilitated through these clothes? Certain accessories such as jewelry, purses, sunglasses, toys, and money can be dangerous and a distraction. Excessive branding or costumes can also be distracting. These items should not be brought to school.

 

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

In the event that we lose the use of a required utility such as water, electricity, heat (in the cold months), air conditioning (in the hot months) for a period of time that would threaten the safety and welfare of the children, the parents will be contacted to pick up their child/children or notified of the schools closing.

Parents will be notified as soon as possible in the event of an EMERGENCY CLOSING, if and when these unforeseen inconvenient life circumstances arise. There will be no tuition refunds for school closings due to power outages, flooding, plumbing issues, damages caused to property due to severe storms, or any other issue that would threaten the safety of the children. In the past 18 years, LSM has been forced to close on only 5 occasions due to unforeseen events. These events are inconvenient for parents and staff but please understand that it is a safety concern that is out of our control. This policy includes any school closures due to Covid 19 and any other variants.

ENROLLMENT FEE

A signed Enrollment form must be accompanied by a non-refundable Enrollment Fee to hold your child’s spot. A re-enrollment fee of 220.00 is due Jan. 1st. 

 

FOOTWEAR

We wear slippers or “school shoes” in the classroom to limit the amount of dirt brought into the classroom space. It is also a sign of respect and helps the children transition into school mode each day. Changing into school shoes is your child’s first work of the day. Please help your child learn how to do this by allowing your child the time and space to put on school shoes all by himself or herself. Make sure that your child has shoes that can be taken on and off all by himself or herself. Your child needs a pair of slip-on shoes: loafers, sandals, canvas sneakers or mules, moccasin, crocks, or velcro slippers with non-slip soles. No cartoon characters or branding of any kind, please. These shoes will stay at school. Your child also needs a pair of rain/mud boots. We go outside almost every day and having rain/mud boots allows your child to run and play anywhere on the playground. Slip-on “wellies” style rubber boots work best. They are easy for the child to slip on and off, and they are easy to clean. Rain boots will be switched out for snow boots in the winter. See Winterwear. Also, please be aware that our Montessori classroom is a shoeless environment. We kindly request that parents and guardians remove their shoes before entering the classroom.

 

FORMS

All forms are due on or before the first day of school. These include the Enrollment Form, Medical Records form, History of Immunization, Child Health Assessment, Authorization for Emergency Medical Care, Photography and video consent form, Food Program Enrollment, and if necessary Authorization for Dispensing Medication forms. Copies of the medical forms are available on the website under the parent tab.

Help With Health and State Forms

Complete the mandatory forms required by the state of Kansas as follows: Authorization for Emergency Medical Care Fill in your child’s name, on the first day of school. This form will be in effect until the end of care. Sign and date the form and have someone other than your spouse witness and date the document. Please include your child’s health insurance information. The state of Kansas does not require this form to be notarized. Be sure to include people authorized to pick up your child, emergency contacts, doctor and dentist contacts, and allergy information. Sign the form. History of Immunization In Section 1, enter the date of each of your child’s vaccination, or send this form to your pediatrician to complete -OR- In Section 2, select which exemption option you prefer. Sign and date the form. Child Health Assessment Send this form to your pediatrician to complete and sign. Some offices take days or weeks to complete and return this form, so give yourself enough time to get it back before school starts. Authorization for Dispensing Medications, these forms are only for children who need to take medication at school on a regular basis or who use a rescue inhaler, epi-pen, allergy medication, or other similar items at school. Note that all medications must be in their original packaging. You may also include an Asthma Action Plan by your child’s physician which we will keep on file.

Health Records

Your child’s records are available to you anytime upon request. Your child’s health records will be returned to you upon request when your child is no longer enrolled at LSM.

 

ILLNESS

Children will be sent home if they:

• have a fever of 100 degrees or above

• are vomiting

• have diarrhea

• have unusual rashes

• have red or draining eyes

• are crying excessively or are irritable or lethargic for 2 or more hours

A child who is sent home with any illness will not be able to return to school for 24 hours. Your child must be fever-free without medication and/or have not vomited for 24 hours before returning to school. The only exceptions are vomiting episodes due to car-sickness or choking or gagging in the absence of other infectious symptoms. If your child is sick, keep him or her at home. If your child becomes sick at school, we will notify you or call someone on your contact list to come to pick up your child. You will be notified by email if your child is exposed to communicable diseases (see Contagion Notice). Some common sense parenting will promote health. Keep children home until they are fever-free without medications for 24 hours. This reduces the spreading of germs, and it gives your child extra time to rest and fight off the illness. Keep children home if they have had vomiting or diarrhea. Usually, they feel physically drained if they have had these symptoms. They may return to school when they are symptom-free for 24 hours. For other illnesses, please consider keeping your child home to be able to rest and regain strength. Keeping your child home for an extra day can be a healthy investment in your child and your family. The following symptoms will require your child to stay home sick as instructed by the Kansas Health Department: Appearance/Behavior: Unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficulty to wake, confused, excessive crying or irritable for 2 or more hours. Diarrhea: 3 or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if a child acts or looks ill. Eyes: Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye, or pink eye. The child can return to school after using antibiotic eye drops for 24 hours if the pus is minimal. Fever: Has a fever at present or within the last 24 hours. Your child must be fever-free with no fever-reducing medication for 24 hours.  A child will be sent home if his or her temperature is at or above 100 degrees. If other symptoms exist such as a sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, irritability, or confusion, your child may be sent home with a lower temperature than stated above. Please understand these policies are in place to protect your child and all of the other children at school. Impetigo: Bacterial skin infection causing 1 or more coin-shaped sores. The child may return to school 24 hours after treatment is initiated. Lice: Children who have lice may not return to school until they are louse and nit (egg) free. Rash: Body rash not associated with heat, or allergic reactions, especially with fever or itching. A sore Throat: Especially if associated with fever or swollen glands in the neck. Vomiting: Vomiting on 1 or more occasions within the past 24 hours. If your child is vomiting, please keep him or her home.

 

IMMUNIZATIONS

Please keep your child’s immunization records up to date and inform the school when your child has had additional immunizations. If you are not vaccinating your child, please fill out the certificate of immunization found on our website under forms.

Kindergarten Year Policy

Little Sprouts Montessori’s Primary program is a 3 yr. interrelated, cumulative curriculum during pre-K and Kindergarten years. For your child to reap the greatest reward from the program we ask you to invest in your child completing their Kindergarten at LSM.  

 

LICE POLICY

A child will not be allowed to return to school until after proper treatment and all adult lice, as well as nits, are removed. Teachers will check children’s heads upon arrival at school. If lice- and nit-free, the child may stay. Nap mats and other personal items will be sent home to avoid spreading. Our policy is different from public elementary schools because the American Academy of Pediatrics states: “Little information is available on the incidence and control of head lice outside of the school-aged population and outside of school. Because head lice are most readily transmitted by direct head-to-head contact, child care programs, and camps where children share sleeping quarters may allow for easier spread. Therefore, it may be prudent to establish stricter criteria than in the school-based setting for identifying and treating others in these special settings once an index case is identified.” Children must be nit free to return to school for several reasons.

• Nit removal guarantees the child has been fully treated.

• Nit removal may decrease future diagnostic confusion.

• Nit removal may decrease the possibility of unnecessary re-treatment.

Although over-the-counter remedies can be used, they are harsh chemicals that are often not administered correctly and may not ultimately kill all of the lice. According to a research team at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, in 25 states lice has become resistant to pyrethroids, the active ingredients in most OTC lice treatments. In Kansas and Missouri, 100% of the tested lice contain the so-called “knock-down resistant mutations”, a triple set of genetic mutations that render the lice immune. Instead, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a professional lice removal salon. They perform a head check, and if evidence of lice is found, they shampoo the hair, remove all adult lice, comb through the hair extensively to remove bugs and nits, then use a strand by strand method to check for and remove nits or any remaining evidence of head lice. See below for some salons in the area. Recommendations from the CDC Head lice survive 1–2 days if they fall off a person and cannot feed; nits (eggs) cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they are not kept at the same temperature as that found close to the scalp. If your child does have lice, the cycle of reinfestation can be broken using some simple steps at home:

• Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp).

• Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes.

• Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Disinfect combs and brushes used by an infested person by soaking them in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5–10 minutes.

• Do not sit or lie on beds, couches, pillows, car seats, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infested person.

• Consider placing items in a trash bag to avoid contact.

• Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an infested person wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using the hot water (130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. This can kill both head lice and nits. Items that have been in contact with the head of the infested person in the 48 hours before treatment should be considered for cleaning. This includes clothes, bed linens, pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, rugs, jackets, car seat covers, etc. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.

• Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay. However, spending much time and money on housecleaning activities is not necessary to avoid reinfestation by lice or nits that may have fallen off the head or crawled onto furniture or clothes.

• Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

• Lice Removal Salons In lieu of using chemical treatments, consider scheduling a salon appointment.

 

Miracle Sisters Lice Removal
913-381-5423 8991
West 75th St.
Overland Park, KS
(near Shawnee Mission Medical Center)
Mon-Fri: 8am – 6 pm
Sat: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Sun: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Combers
913-451-2662
11972 W 119th St.
Overland Park, KS
(near 119th & Quivira)
Mon-Fri: 9 am – 8 pm
Sat: 8 am – 5 pm
Sun: 8 am – NOON

Check your child’s hair daily at the nape of the neck or over the ear for white nits. Dry scalp pulls off the hair follicle, nits cling.

Suggestions for Prevention

• If your child has long hair, wear it up in a bun, braids or ponytail.

• Use tea tree mint shampoo.

• Use a tea tree rosemary peppermint spray or just hairspray on your child’s hair

 

MEDICATION

To administer medication to your child, Little Sprouts Montessori must have the Authorization for Dispensing Medications to Children or Youth form completed and signed by a parent or guardian. Prescription medications must be in their original containers labeled with the child’s first and last name, the date the prescription was filled, the name of the licensed physician or nurse practitioner who wrote the prescription, the expiration date of the medication, and specific and legible instructions for administration and storage of the medication. All medication will be administered according to the instructions. Non-prescription medications can be given with permission from the parent or guardian based on general advice received from the child’s physician. Non-prescription medication will be administered from the original container labeled with the child’s first and last name and according to the instructions on the label. A record of doses will be kept.

 

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Little Sprouts Montessori provides an authentic Montessori education to all children regardless of ability, race, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, socioeconomic status.

 

NOTICE OF DISMISSAL

Little Sprouts Montessori may at any time, in its sole discretion, discontinue a student’s enrollment if it determines that the student’s behavior is detrimental to the well-being of other students or the staff; or the student or any parent or guardian repeatedly fails to follow rules and policies as established for the harmony and safety of all of the children and staff, or tuition has not been paid for 30 days. Written notice of a student’s dismissal will be emailed or delivered to the parent or guardian and no refund of tuition, enrollment fees, or supply fees will be made.

 

ORDER OF ADMISSIONS

Enrollment preference is given to returning students, siblings of current students, siblings of former students, and students transferring from other Montessori schools.

 

OUTSIDE PLAY

Fresh air and outdoor play are very important for children. We try to go outside every day of the year. If weather conditions are unsafe, we will not go outside. If it is 19 degrees or warmer, expect to go outside. With the appropriate dress, children can play outside even in cold temperatures if only for 5 to 10 minutes. Plan on your child’s going outside every day and have your child dress accordingly. In the summer, send a hat for sun protection and rain/mud boots. In the winter, send snow boots, snow pants, hats, mittens (they’re easier to put on than gloves), and a warm coat with a working zipper for fun in the cold and snow. See Winter wear.

 

PARENT NIGHTS

We host mandatory Parent Night events during the year where we discuss Montessori education and parenting. You’ve already chosen a superior form of education, now come learn more about it! Bring any questions you may have and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about your child’s education. Parent Night dates and times are listed on the school calendar and on the website. These nights go towards your volunteer hours. We ask that you please RSVP in advance with Ms. Natalie.

 

PARENT OBSERVATION

Observation is an excellent way to gain a better understanding of the Montessori Method and all the parents are encouraged to observe periodically. Parents who come to school to observe children at work are given guidelines for observation and are asked to be seated during the observation. The purpose of the observation is to view the environment and the children’s interactions with the materials, other children, and the teachers. Observation must be scheduled with Ms. Natalie. Observations may be scheduled beginning six weeks after the start of school. This allows for a period of adjustment for the new students.

 

PARKING

All families need to park on the West side of 49th Terrace, preferably on the off-street parking in front of the school. Please DO NOT park in Ms. Natalie’s driveway or turn around in our neighbors’ driveways. You may turn around in Ms. Natalie’s driveway.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

Throughout the school year, we take photos of your child working and playing at school. Because Montessori work is done mainly with the materials themselves, often there is little “paperwork” sent home to show the work your child is doing each day. These photos show your child happily learning and growing, and we use them in gifts. We like to post photos on our website and Facebook page so that other families can see our school and get a feel for the work that the children do. In addition, our website is a place where you can send family and friends to see photos of your child at school. However, the safety and privacy of your child are of great importance to us. The Photography and Video Consent Form gives you the opportunity to decide under which conditions you give consent regarding photography and videography by Little Sprouts Montessori.

 

PICKING UP YOUR CHILD LATE

If you are late picking up your child, we will apply a penalty of $1 per minute for each minute that you are late. The penalty will be calculated based on time kept on the school clock. There will be a Late pickup form filled out at the time of your arrival with the classroom teacher. Within 24 hrs (next school day) you will be required to pay the teacher directly with cash, check, or Venmo.

 

PLAYGROUND

The playground is available to you before and after school. Do not leave your children unattended and please be sure that younger siblings do not walk, play in or pick flowers from the flower beds.

 

REST TIME

After lunch, the children nap from 1:30-3:00. Children that are transitioning out of nap time and Kindergarteners will work quietly with a teacher following a short rest time. Please send a nap mat with an attached pillow that rolls up and is labeled with your child’s name. Check out Lillian Vernon’s Lilly’s Kids Personalized Reversible Nap Pad. Please, no sleeping bags, full-size pillows, or large resting mats. Your child may bring a very small stuffed animal or blankie for comfort. Storage for resting things is limited. We will have to send home items that are too large for our storage area. Bedding will be sent home to be laundered on the last Friday of every month. If we are on a  break the last Friday of the month it will be sent home the last Friday that school is in session that month.

 

REFUNDS

Enrollment Fees and supply fees are non-refundable.

 

SCHEDULE CHANGES

If you need to change your child's school schedule, we will do our best to accommodate your request. We require 30 days’ notice for schedule changes.

 

SEPARATION

Some children have a hard time separating from their parents when transitioning to school. Just relax. You’ve made the decision to send your child to Montessori school, and you are both ready! Make it exciting and say goodbye quickly and lovingly to show your child that you trust the new environment and new teachers. Keeping goodbyes short and sweet once you’re inside the classroom is a good way to diminish separation anxiety. You should not help your child find his or her first work because all lessons are presented by the teacher. It’s the children’s classroom and they will make their own way. We are here to support you and your child. We are available to discuss any concerns you may have during this transition. If you or your child is upset at your leaving, just ask for a phone call. We will give you a call on your cell phone as soon as your child has settled into the day’s work. If for any reason your child is struggling, we will call you to share his or her emotional state. You’ll be surprised! The call that your child has stopped crying and is busy with his or her first work of the day usually comes within minutes!

 

SHARING

On the last Friday of the month, your child may bring something from home to share, but this is not required. Many children like to share a story. If your child does bring something from home to share, it must be educational. It could be a story, a photograph, a souvenir from a family vacation or event you attended, or something from nature. Children have plenty of time with their toys outside of school and they are only a distraction in the classroom. Please leave all the toys, dolls, costumes, sports equipment, weapons, etc. at home.

 

SNACKS

Organic, healthy snacks are served at Little Sprouts Montessori. The children serve themselves a snack when they are hungry during the morning work period. There are also opportunities to eat healthy food as children work in the Practical Life area of the classroom and learn to prepare a variety of foods using different culinary utensils. They serve themselves and others the food they have lovingly prepared, thus practicing grace and courtesy and contributing meaningfully to the classroom community.

 

SNOW DAYS

Little Sprouts Montessori follows the Shawnee Mission School District’s snow day schedule. If Shawnee Mission Schools are closed due to weather, then we are closed.

 

SUMMER PROGRAM

The Summer Program is intended to avoid the “summer brain-drain” by providing an uninterrupted work period each class morning. We play outside, work in the garden, water play days, sing songs, play games, as well as do challenging Montessori work. The Summer Program has proven to be an excellent opportunity for already-enrolled students to make great strides in math and reading. For many children, their grasp of reading and mathematical concepts just begins to “click” in the springtime. By attending the Summer Program, children are able to continue strengthening and mastering these new skills without the period of re-learning sometimes present after a long summer. And the Summer Program is fun. There is no additional enrollment fee for enrolled families for the summer program.

 

SUPPLY FEE

Our supply fee is due August 1st. It will be prorated for any families beginning school any other month. The supply fee helps cover the cost of organic snacks, special projects, classroom supplies, and art supplies.

 

TOYS AT SCHOOL

Certain items such as toys, sporting equipment, jewelry, purses, sunglasses, and money can be hazardous and a distraction. These items should not be brought to school.

 

TUITION PAYMENTS

Tuition payments are due on the 1st day of each month. The school must allocate its classroom spots and contract professional teachers on an annual basis, and because in-school days vary month to month, tuition is not considered a monthly charge for monthly services rendered. Upon acceptance of the Enrollment Form, the following agreements are expressly understood: that parents intend for the child to complete the school year, that tuition is an annual charge, and that the twelve-monthly payments represent payments upon an annual obligation. Any payment made after the 5th day of the month will be subject to a $25 late fee. Tuition is not based on the number of attendance days each month. Full monthly tuition payments are due regardless of the number of days that a student actually attends school. There are no refunds for missed days, whatever the reason, nor will there be compensatory days for absences. Tuition can be paid by cash, check, or through Venmo.

 

VOLUNTEER HOURS

We request that our parents volunteer 10 hrs every school year at LSM. Your attendance to Parent Nights, All School workdays, and Parent-teacher conferences go towards these hours.  We ask that all families share their special gifts and talents with our classroom. If you feel you do not have a talent or gift that can be shared with our age group, you can always help with classroom materials. Laminating, cutting cards, tech support, gardening/farm chores or projects are all things that we encourage our parents to help with for volunteer hours. Little Sprouts Montessori loves working with parents as this is the foundation for building our community. Please sign up for volunteer hours with Ms. Natalie.

 

WAITING LIST

There is no fee to apply. Being on the waiting list gives you first-right-of-refusal once your child is of age.  If your child is placed on the Waiting List, you will be called as soon as space becomes available. Enrollment preference is given to returning students, siblings of current students, siblings of former students, students enrolled in the Summer Program, students transferring from other Montessori schools, then the general public.

 

WATER                                                             

Drinking water is crucial to maintaining our health, and it's important to keep our children well hydrated throughout the day. Research has shown us that poor hydration adversely affects a child’s mental performance and learning abilities. To ensure your child remains hydrated we have their water bottles available to them at all times in the classroom and outdoors. Our facility has installed the Radiant Life Water System to ensure our children are getting the best quality water throughout the day. All of our tap and garden watering systems go through a 14 stage bio-compatible filtration system, so whether we are in the classroom or outside in our gardens the water is the highest quality possible. Please feel free to read more about the Radiant Life Water System at www.radiantlifecatalog.com

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WATER PLAY

On hot, sunny days during the summer program, we often change into swimsuits and play in the sprinkler or with other water toys.  Younger children need assistance changing clothes and are not able to get their swimsuits on by themselves. Some older children feel more comfortable changing in the restroom by themselves.  We change quickly, get sunscreen on, and go outside to have fun.

 

WEBSITE

www.lsmontessorikc.com is the best place to stay current on all activities, updates, and news about the school. Be sure to check our website often. For the most current school calendar, newsletters; to download forms and applications; and to view valuable information about Montessori education, access the For Parents section of our website.

 

 

WINTER WEAR

With the appropriate dress, children can play outside in cold temperatures even if only for 5 or 10 minutes. Plan on your child going outside every day and have your child accordingly. For fun in the cold and snow during winter months, send a warm hat, a warm coat with a working zipper, snow pants or bibs which are easy to put on, mittens (they’re easier to put on than gloves), and slip-on snow boots. Please remember to label every piece of outerwear (each mitten, both boots) with your child’s name. Masking tape and a Sharpie work great.

 

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

Notice of withdrawal must be made directly to Ms. Natalie. Parent(s) or guardian(s) must give notice of intent to withdraw 60 days in advance. Parent(s) or guardian(s) are still responsible for the final months of tuition. We require that a notice of withdrawal be submitted to the director in writing.

 

WORK

Work is a term lovingly applied to the children’s daily activities in a Montessori classroom. They take great pride in their work. From this work, concentration, confidence, and true happiness are manifested. A Montessori classroom is a joy to watch because you will find children happily engaged in work. There is a pervasive sense of community as the children learn to take care of themselves, each other, and their environment. Ask your child, “What work did you do today?” Something that may seem inconsequential to the adult, such as water pouring, sweeping, or scrubbing, but these activities are important work to the young child. Through this work, your child becomes self-confident, independent, focused, calm, and happy.