Partnership Agreement

West Side parents place a high value on their children’s Montessori education because they believe the school environment provides all of the elements to nurture children to develop to their fullest potential. 

From tiny toddlers engaging in their first school experience to middle school graduates who have explored the full range of Montessori learning opportunities, West Side students exhibit the qualities that allow them to become balanced, independent, self-motivated, caring, involved individuals.  They are poised to become engaged citizens, community leaders and scholars.  The partnership between the school and families produces these dramatic results.  Working together we consistently create maximum learning opportunities for our children.

Because we believe it is important for parents to understand, acknowledge and accept their role in the education of their children at West Side Montessori Center, parents acknowledge their commitment annually when they re-enroll their children for the next year.  The commitment is an affirmation of your responsible parenting practices and clarifies the level of involvement expected from and by the school.

Our Commitment to Parents

West Side Montessori Center is committed to children and families by doing the following:

Create an environment where families feel welcome and valued in a healthy, safe, well-prepared school-wide surrounding.

Develop an in-depth understanding of each child’s learning style, developmental level, interests, strengths and needs.

Set high (but realistic and consistent) expectations for each child.

Nurture each child to develop to his/her fullest potential.

Arrive each day prepared to provide a culture of peace, respect, responsibility and learning.

Engage parents in each child’s learning process by providing communication and feedback mechanisms relating the progress of each child on a timely basis dependent on the program level and the child’s needs.

Engage the school’s student services personnel with families in a proactive and timely manner if the child is not thriving in the classroom.

Provide communication and education tools that inform all families of the values, goals, educational practices, policies, procedures and expectations of the school prior to enrollment and throughout the child’s West Side experience.

Provide an ongoing parent education program that keeps parents informed of Montessori philosophy and practice at each developmental level.

Provide an observation program appropriate to each developmental level so that parents can develop a deeper understanding of the goals, curriculum and teaching methods as well as their child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth from year to year. 

Help build community by working with the Parents’ Association Coordinating Committee (PACC) to create and participate in school-wide events.

Support the PACC and ensure that the parents’ organization and school work together to provide optimum learning and enrichment opportunities for children and families.

Provide and communicate ample volunteer opportunities for parents, acknowledging the possibility that some parents have limited time for volunteering.

Consistently and systematically evaluate the programs and services of the school with the input and participation of all constituencies.

Provide a fiscally responsible budget that supports program excellence and provide fund raising opportunities that make it possible for enhancements and capital needs to be met.

Strive to provide adequate ongoing financial aid to retain families who are committed to Montessori education and to encourage the inclusion of new families who enrich the economic, cultural and racial diversity of the school.

Follow through with families, when needed, to ensure that partnership expectations are being met.

Parent Commitment

West Side Montessori Center parents are committed to their children and the school by doing the following:

Ensure that my child arrives at school in sufficient time to be in class and ready for the day’s activities when class starts.

Ensure that my child arrives at school ready to learn each day – including having had adequate sleep and proper nutrition, being free of communicable disease, and with appropriate dress and designated supplies.

Support the school’s curriculum at each level by engaging in developmentally appropriate home activities such as reading daily with my toddler or pre-school child, practicing skills as needed with my lower elementary child, monitoring homework as needed for my upper elementary child and enabling my child to participate fully in all classroom programs such as field trips, including overnight trips for older students.  (Any religious or health restrictions will be shared with the school prior to enrollment and at each new program level in order to plan appropriate accommodations.)

Be knowledgeable regarding the school’s policies and procedures, upcoming events, classroom activities, etc. by reading the weekly school newsletter, parent handbook and classroom communications.

Communicate honestly with teachers about circumstances outside of the school that impact my child.

Actively seek appropriate ways to get my questions or concerns addressed through established channels.

Attend scheduled parent/teacher conferences and participate in additional conferences if my child does not appear to be thriving in school.

Observe my child’s class annually for a minimum of 2 hours through a program designed by classroom teachers that is appropriate for the age level.

Attend:
--a required Montessori parent education program (Montessori 101) when my family first becomes involved with the school,

--a required parent education program when my child prepares to move to a new program level,

--additional optional parent programs as my schedule permits.

Commit to one or more volunteer opportunities offered each year by the school.

Help build community by actively participating in school-wide events.

Support the Parents’ Association Coordinating Committee (PACC) and its activities.

Participate in an annual Parents Survey provided by the Board, administration, teachers or PACC that is used for the ongoing school improvement process and provides input for strategic planning.

Participate at the level of my ability in fund raising activities that support school programs, financial aid and capital needs such as the Annual Enhancement Fund, spring event and capital fund raising.