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Kid Mail
Newsletters and reminders that come home via lunch boxes, totebags, or by hand delivery in car
line are known as “Kid Mail”. Please remember to check your child’s lunch box or tote bags daily
for newsletters or other notices from school.
Separated Families
In situations where parents are separated or divorced, please advise the school of an additional
address for mailing purposes.
Free and open communication between all parties is encouraged so that everyone is fully
informed, invited to school functions, made a part of parent/teacher conferences, etc.
In the event of a change in custody, CMS requires a notarized document stating the terms of the
custodial agreement to be placed on file as soon as possible.
Classroom Observations
Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit and observe their child’s class. Observations are
scheduled from October through April. We recommend observing the classroom at least once per
year. If you would like to visit, please contact the Admissions Office to schedule an appointment.
Parents of children in our Young Child Community are invited to observe our other environments,
but we do not offer parent observations within the YCC. The YCC guide will provide frequent
photos and updates to give you a peek into life within the Young Child Community without causing
disruption to their independence.
When you observe, please sit quietly in the location designated by the teacher. Feel free to take
notes and to speak softly when spoken to by one of the children. If a child tries to engage you in
conversation, please quietly suggest that he/she return to the work in progress. The calm and
order of the classroom work should be respected. Elementary Community students may invite
their parents to join them in an activity. The Adolescent Program offers observations through a tour
as well as a student and parent panel.
Parent Education
A variety of parent meetings and events are scheduled during the school year. They will include
meetings to discuss the Montessori classroom and materials, meetings for each program level,
meetings to assist in transitioning to a new program, and invited speakers. Parental participation in
school is closely correlated to a child or adolescent’s success in school, so please support our
parent partnership efforts. All parents are welcome to attend any school event. You are
encouraged to learn as much as you can about our school and the Montessori philosophy.
Orientation meetings are held during the first and second weeks of the school year. Dates for the
meetings are sent home during the summer along with the calendar for the coming school year.
These meetings are designed to help students and parents transition into school or a new program.
Teachers will discuss the particular classroom traditions they have created.
Parent Ed Circulating Library
We encourage parents to read about Montessori theories and methods. Every CMS parent is urged
to read the following:
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