Children's Urban Garden & Atelier
Family Handbook
2015-2016
Contact Information:
403 W. Eighth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Phone: (231) 633-1018
www.childrensurbangarden.weebly.com
Dana Goodwin, Director
[email protected]
Rhythm of the Week
Monday- handwork day (color of the day- purple)
Tuesday- baking day (red)
Wednesday- gardening day/botany/soup day- winter (yellow)
Thursday- painting day/art/crafts (orange)
Friday- music day (green)
Rhythm of the Day
Morning
9:00 arrival at your child(ren)'s designated drop-off area: Oak Leaf- Front Porch/Garden Gate & older siblings- Back Porch
outdoor neighborhood walk/nature hike, outdoor activity, large motor
mid-morning snack offered such as students' homemade bread w/ butter & jam, oatmeal, whole grain muffins & fruit, water
free/imaginative play (indoors & outdoors) alongside daily activity (handwork, baking, gardening, soup, painting, music)
11:00 clean up time & care- bathroom, drink of water, other needs
11:15 morning circle- music, movement, eurythmy, drums, puppetry, books & verses
11:40 hand washing, table setting (outdoor picnic lunch in season)
11:50 lunch
12:30 Half Day option pick-up time
Afternoon
1:00 jobs and quiet choices
afternoon circle- music, movement, eurythmy, recorder, drums, puppetry, books & verses; Oak Leaf- lessons
clean-up time & care- bathroom, drink of water, other needs
1:30 get ready for home and outdoors
2:00* Pick-up at your child(ren)'s designated pick-up area: Oak Leaf- Front Porch/Garden Gate & older siblings- Back Porch
* Extended Day option may be arranged up until 3:30pm.
Calendar
We follow the Traverse City Area Public School's schedule for the academic school year, holidays, vacations and snow day school closures. Snow days are posted by 6:00am on the TCAPS home page. The calendar is available here as well.
TCAPS Home Page
Tuition Agreement & Schedule
A Tuition Agreement & Schedule with convenient monthly calendars and payment slips will be provided with your welcome packet information via E-mail approximately one week prior to the start date of school. Tuition payments are due at the beginning of each month.
Festivals & Events
As the year unfolds, you will have the opportunity to take part in seasonal festivals drawn from cultural traditions around the world. During our community celebrations of the seasons, we will join our children in song, verse, and dance, experiencing the year's rhythm, an enriching experience for us all. Some festivals are celebrated more quietly within the class, while others are community revels to which family, friends, and guests are welcome.
September: Michaelmas (Friday closest to Sept. 29th and week prior)
October: Family Fun Day at Michigan Legacy Art Park (Sunday in early October)
November: Martinmas Lantern Walk
December: Winter Garden of Light
May: May Day Festival (First week in May)
Birthdays
School Birthdays are always very special days at school and are celebrated with the entire class. Individual student teachers will discuss the details of the celebration with each family at the start of the school year and as the birthday celebration date approaches.
Supplies/Gear list
Sunscreen Child-sized scissors (rounded)
Lip balm w/ sunscreen Band Aids (1 box)
Sun/shade hat Tissues (1 box)
Rain coat w/ hood or rain hat, rain pants & rain boots Watercolor paper tablet (11x15)
Snow pants, boots, coat, hat, mittens A photo of your child(ren) with their family for our "Friends Book"
(weather appropriate and easily managed on child's own)
Wellingtons* (rain boots, farm boots, outdoor boots)
*to leave here
Comfortable, safe & properly fitting soft indoor shoes or sturdy slippers (please no flip flops or loud/hard heeled soles, crocs w/ back strap okay)
Comfortable, safe & safe properly fitting outdoor shoes for walking, hiking, playing, climbing (sneakers, athletic sandals/shoes, walking boots)
Extra clothes (complete change plus extras)
Toileting & Self-Care Supplies
Packed Lunch in soft container/bag (picnic-friendly as we frequently eat outdoors on the front porch or during our walkabouts to nearby parks)
Note: We will "pack out what we pack in" as we are evolving into a zero waste and zero plastic program. Please keep this in mind when planning your child's lunch choices (good packing materials for lunch items include mason jars, waxed paper, reusable fabric bags)
Instrument (if practicing)
* we have found that it is practical for each child to have his/her own pair of Wellies/muck boots to leave here. We are outdoors a large percentage of our time, and the back area is more like a farm than a school playground:0)
Bringing Things from Home
It is natural for children to wish to show friends things that are precious to them. We have found, however, that bringing toys or books from home can create situations involving possessiveness, competition, anxiety, lost/broken items, and other difficulties. Generally speaking, it works well when children bring beautiful natural things they have found outdoors, or handcrafted things. We also welcome gifts for the nature table, such as a feather, leaf, acorn, stone, or flower.
Illness
A child with any of the following symptoms will be isolated and the parent(s) notified and asked to remove the child from the school as soon as possible.
Fever of 100.5 °F
Diarrhea (more than one abnormally loose stool per day)
Vomiting
Nausea
Severe Cough
Unusual yellow color to skin or eyes
Skin, eye lesions or rashes that are severe, weeping, or puss-filled
Stiff neck and headache with one or more of the symptoms listed above
Difficult breathing or wheezing
Complaints of severe pain
Thick, green mucus that continues to flow throughout the day
If your child is not feeling well in the morning, please observe them closely before sending them to school and risking the health of other children. Children must be free from symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school. If your child develops any of these symptoms while at school, you will be called immediately. If a child has mild cold symptoms that do not impair his/her functioning, the child may remain in the classroom and the parent(s) notified when they pick up their child. If your child is diagnosed with any communicable disease (chicken pox, whooping cough, fifth disease, pink eye, etc.) please inform us as soon as possible.
Emergency Information Form
Please fill out an Emergency Information and Immunization Record Form for your child (emergency information cards will be provided to you). We also need the latest copy of your child’s immunization record (waivers are available). It is important to complete every blank even with “not applicable: N/A” if appropriate. Please complete and return the emergency form as we need to have it on file no later than the first day of school.
We are required to have two additional emergency contacts besides parents/guardians (there are spaces for up to four on the gold form). The persons you designate should be in town and available to pick up your child in case we cannot reach you. If you need to change or add an emergency contact you must make the changes yourself directly on the yellow emergency card.
Please inform us of any changes in telephone numbers and addresses as needed. These emergency forms should have the most up-to-date information! Thank you!
Discipline
Childhood is a time for the child to learn about the world we live in, as well as to relate to others in a group. Feelings are strong in childhood and we try to encourage children to express their feelings in ways that help themselves and others. Anger is a natural feeling, but "people, animals and things are not for hurting". When a child is having difficulty, an opportunity for the child to use the “peace rose” and/or go to the "peace area" may also be encouraged when appropriate to help children work out a conflict or to simply calm down. When the child returns to the group, or the “peace rose process” is completed, that is the end of the incident and the child is treated with the same love and respect as other children.
Discipline in Early Childhood
All teachers strive to be worthy role models, so that by imitation, the children will have the opportunity to become respectful of themselves, others, and their surroundings. An essential element of the Early Childhood program is teaching the children how to behave in various situations by lovingly directing their behavior and redirecting them to appropriate play and activity if the situation warrants. Anecdotal teaching stories (usually involving animal characters) are also read during story time to assist young children in understanding the effects of behavior.
Discipline Process
In the Children’s Urban Garden & Atelier, our goal is to support the development of self-discipline within the child and to help the child develop social skills. The rhythm of the Children’s Urban Garden day goes a long way toward helping the children develop inner form and the impulse to care for others, their playthings, and their environment. The teacher(s) work with the children, supporting their natural awe and reverence for the world, their innate need for form, and their compelling desire to imitate, so that they can flow through their days and follow along with the group.
At times, children need more support than the daily work with form, rhythm, and the social group can offer. Teacher(s) and staff will intervene immediately when behavior becomes disruptive or dangerous. Consequences will ideally:
1. Fit the situation.
2. Fit the temperament and the developmental stage of the child.
3. Provide an opportunity for reconciliation or restoration, and an opportunity to set things right. The “peace rose” is used by children to help talk and work through a conflict. The book, The Peace Rose, is introduced to the children and acts as a model for this process.
4. Aid in the development of self-discipline and in the moral development of the child. We follow a multi-step approach which may include the following:
1. The teacher redirects the child to a more positive behavior.
2. If redirection is not sufficient, the child is brought to an activity with or near the teacher, and if need be, away from the social group to the “peace area”.
3. On rare occasions it is necessary to send a child home during the school day. This may occur because of extreme behavior (e.g. a behavior that endangers the student or others), or because the student seems unable to manage being in a social group that day. Depending on the behavior, and at the discretion of the teacher, one or more of the above steps may be skipped in an attempt to support the student and the class. The types of interventions used require creativity on the part of the teacher. Consequences in addition to those steps listed above include making reparations, assisting an adult in helping another child, helping to bring order to the physical environment, and performing a task that fosters positive behavior, self-respect, and self-discipline (e.g. sweeping the floor or sanding wooden playthings). Parent follow-up at home is important to help a child transform inappropriate behavior. Teacher(s) will let parents know about patterns of behavior they have observed. It is also important for parents to communicate if there are changes that add stress to a child’s life.
Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility: Expected Student Behaviors and Attitudes
Among the highest goals of Waldorf education is to foster a sense of respect among people. This includes honoring one another’s thoughts, feelings, physical bodies, personal space, and possessions. Furthermore, we recognize the importance of protecting children from inappropriate and harmful physical behavior. We also strive to create a safe environment where the children honor reverence and beauty. We also promote cooperative play, as well as community building and working together.
Discipline in Waldorf schools is achieved through the establishment of love and respect between children and their teacher(s). Close relationships and good communication among parents, children, and teacher(s) help to develop this discipline in children.
Sunscreen/Sunhat Policy
Please apply sunscreen to your child prior to arrival. Children's own sunscreen is also applied as part of our daily routine prior to outdoor time in the spring, summer, and fall. The children learn to apply to themselves when developmentally appropriate (with teacher assistance). We provide sunscreen if forgotten and have your permission to apply.
Children are required to wear sun hats in the fall, summer & spring.
Food & Nutrition
Children’s bodies expend much energy in order to grow, learn, and play. The young child needs wholesome, nutritious foods to sustain them throughout the busy school day; this remains true through adolescence. We request that parents choose healthful, nutrient-rich foods for their children’s snack and lunch. Foods such as vegetable sticks, fresh fruits, and wholesome yogurts make wonderful snack time meals. Healthful sandwiches, warm pasta or rice, legume dishes, or any wholesome, healthful carbohydrate-rich fare is a boon for your child’s developing body at lunchtime. It is good to note that a steady blood sugar level is desirable to support the children’s activities of the day. Therefore, please do not send your child to school with snacks or meals that are high in processed sugar, which will not sustain them through the day. Please do not send candy, gummies, gum, etc. In general, we ask that parents choose foods that are beneficial for a child’s body and enhance their educational experience.
We encourage minimal use of packaging and are going away from all plastic. Ball jars, stainless, fabric, waxed paper are recommended). We do recycle, compost and do dishes as part of our daily routine. Please refrain from sending packaging containing corporate logos and/or cartoon characters.
A wholesome snack is offered at mid-morning. Snack is whole food focused, organic, in season and local as often as possible. Students bring a home-packed lunch to be eaten at lunch time. Children help prepare for lunch- polishing our lunch table, washing hands, putting out place mats and napkins, filling the water pitcher, placing food on plates, pouring their own water, helping each other as needed. We have a lunch verse and eat together family style. Note: Lunches are not refrigerated, so please include a freezer pack if necessary.
Lunch Verses
Earth who gives to us this food,
Sun who makes it ripe and good,
Dearest Earth, and dearest Sun,
We'll not forget what you have done.
or
Blessings on the blossoms,
Blessings on the roots,
Blessings on the leaves and stems,
Blessings on the fruit.
Safety Drills
Fire drills are conducted each month and wind drills are conducted in season. Emergency routes are posted. For more details, you are welcome to review our entire Preparedness Plan available in the Licensing Binder.
Telephone Communications During Programming Hours
Our focus is on the safety of all of the children. Telephone will be used for emergency only during our programming hours (9:00am - 6:00pm). We check our phones as we are able, and will return necessary (emergency) calls as soon as possible. Please leave a voice message (please do not leave text messages). If you have an important communication, please feel free to do so in person at pick-up time, or leave a voice message as we are with the children and our focus and attention needs to be with the children (i.e. we are crossing streets, managing a group and providing wonderful programming). We will return your call as soon as possible. Sometimes we are unable to respond to calls that are not emergencies due to where our focus needs to be. Our attention is needed to keep all of the children safe. Please know that we desire the best and safest environment for our children, and will make decisions based on this.
Media
We are a media-free environment, with the exception of music cds and/or our music play lists via i-tunes. Please leave all media devices (i.e. phones) in your cars at drop off and pick-up. There are exceptions, of course, for photo taking when appropriate. Thank you for respecting our wish to maintain a media-free environment.
Resources for Parents
Websites
www.WhyWaldorfWorks.org
www.theparentingpassageway.com Peaceful Parenting for a Hectic World
www.waldorfinthehome.org
www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com
www.themagiconions.com
peaceofmindparenting.com
thewaldorfconnection.com
ahaparenting.com
simplicityparenting.com
Articles
Seven Important Aspects of Mindful Parenting by Chuck Barbieri
http://www.waldorfearlychildhood.org/uploads/GW53barbieri.pdf
Books
Waldorf Education: A Family Guide edited by Pamela Johnson Fenner and Karen Rivers
Free to Learn: Introducing Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Education by Lynne Oldfield
Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Nurturing Our Children from Birth to Seven by Barbara J. Patterson and Pamela Bradley
You Are Your Child’s First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Endangered Minds by Jane Healy
The Hurried Child by David Elkind
The Millennial Child by Eugene Schwartz
Understanding Waldorf Education- Teaching From The Inside Out by Jack Petrash
The Absorbent Mind by Dr. Maria Montessori
More Recommended Books on Waldorf Education and Parenting
Please link to Amazon.com through our link (link located in fundraising/giving page of our Web site) to be effective for school rewards- thank you!
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
Understanding Waldorf Education- Teaching From The Inside Out by Jack Petrash
Waldorf Education- A Family Guide by Fenner and Rapisardo
Heaven on Earth- A Parent Handbook by Sharifa Oppenheimer
Beyond The Rainbow Bridge- Nurturing Our Children From Birth to Seven by Barbara J. Patterson
Seven Times The Sun- Guiding Your Child Through The Rhythms of the Day by Shea Darian
You Are Your Child's First Teacher- Encouraging Your Child's Natural Development From Birth to Age Six by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour by Susan Perrow
Tell Me A Story- Stories From the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America Edited by Louise DeForest
The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book by Lisa Hildreth
The Waldorf Book of Breads by Marsha Post
The Waldorf Book of Poetry by David Kennedy
The Waldorf Book of Animal Poetry by David Kennedy
Supplies
Paper, Scissors, Stone
www.waldorfsupplies.com
http://www.steinercollege.edu/store/
www.bobandnancy.com Has a nice book selection/book store
Links
State of Michigan Childcare Licensing Rules
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/BCAL-PUB-0724_212611_7.pdf
Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America
http://www.waldorfearlychildhood.org/
Posts
403 W. Eighth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Phone: (231) 633-1018
www.childrensurbangarden.weebly.com
Dana Goodwin, Director
[email protected]
Rhythm of the Week
Monday- handwork day (color of the day- purple)
Tuesday- baking day (red)
Wednesday- gardening day/botany/soup day- winter (yellow)
Thursday- painting day/art/crafts (orange)
Friday- music day (green)
Rhythm of the Day
Morning
9:00 arrival at your child(ren)'s designated drop-off area: Oak Leaf- Front Porch/Garden Gate & older siblings- Back Porch
outdoor neighborhood walk/nature hike, outdoor activity, large motor
mid-morning snack offered such as students' homemade bread w/ butter & jam, oatmeal, whole grain muffins & fruit, water
free/imaginative play (indoors & outdoors) alongside daily activity (handwork, baking, gardening, soup, painting, music)
11:00 clean up time & care- bathroom, drink of water, other needs
11:15 morning circle- music, movement, eurythmy, drums, puppetry, books & verses
11:40 hand washing, table setting (outdoor picnic lunch in season)
11:50 lunch
12:30 Half Day option pick-up time
Afternoon
1:00 jobs and quiet choices
afternoon circle- music, movement, eurythmy, recorder, drums, puppetry, books & verses; Oak Leaf- lessons
clean-up time & care- bathroom, drink of water, other needs
1:30 get ready for home and outdoors
2:00* Pick-up at your child(ren)'s designated pick-up area: Oak Leaf- Front Porch/Garden Gate & older siblings- Back Porch
* Extended Day option may be arranged up until 3:30pm.
Calendar
We follow the Traverse City Area Public School's schedule for the academic school year, holidays, vacations and snow day school closures. Snow days are posted by 6:00am on the TCAPS home page. The calendar is available here as well.
TCAPS Home Page
Tuition Agreement & Schedule
A Tuition Agreement & Schedule with convenient monthly calendars and payment slips will be provided with your welcome packet information via E-mail approximately one week prior to the start date of school. Tuition payments are due at the beginning of each month.
Festivals & Events
As the year unfolds, you will have the opportunity to take part in seasonal festivals drawn from cultural traditions around the world. During our community celebrations of the seasons, we will join our children in song, verse, and dance, experiencing the year's rhythm, an enriching experience for us all. Some festivals are celebrated more quietly within the class, while others are community revels to which family, friends, and guests are welcome.
September: Michaelmas (Friday closest to Sept. 29th and week prior)
October: Family Fun Day at Michigan Legacy Art Park (Sunday in early October)
November: Martinmas Lantern Walk
December: Winter Garden of Light
May: May Day Festival (First week in May)
Birthdays
School Birthdays are always very special days at school and are celebrated with the entire class. Individual student teachers will discuss the details of the celebration with each family at the start of the school year and as the birthday celebration date approaches.
Supplies/Gear list
Sunscreen Child-sized scissors (rounded)
Lip balm w/ sunscreen Band Aids (1 box)
Sun/shade hat Tissues (1 box)
Rain coat w/ hood or rain hat, rain pants & rain boots Watercolor paper tablet (11x15)
Snow pants, boots, coat, hat, mittens A photo of your child(ren) with their family for our "Friends Book"
(weather appropriate and easily managed on child's own)
Wellingtons* (rain boots, farm boots, outdoor boots)
*to leave here
Comfortable, safe & properly fitting soft indoor shoes or sturdy slippers (please no flip flops or loud/hard heeled soles, crocs w/ back strap okay)
Comfortable, safe & safe properly fitting outdoor shoes for walking, hiking, playing, climbing (sneakers, athletic sandals/shoes, walking boots)
Extra clothes (complete change plus extras)
Toileting & Self-Care Supplies
Packed Lunch in soft container/bag (picnic-friendly as we frequently eat outdoors on the front porch or during our walkabouts to nearby parks)
Note: We will "pack out what we pack in" as we are evolving into a zero waste and zero plastic program. Please keep this in mind when planning your child's lunch choices (good packing materials for lunch items include mason jars, waxed paper, reusable fabric bags)
Instrument (if practicing)
* we have found that it is practical for each child to have his/her own pair of Wellies/muck boots to leave here. We are outdoors a large percentage of our time, and the back area is more like a farm than a school playground:0)
Bringing Things from Home
It is natural for children to wish to show friends things that are precious to them. We have found, however, that bringing toys or books from home can create situations involving possessiveness, competition, anxiety, lost/broken items, and other difficulties. Generally speaking, it works well when children bring beautiful natural things they have found outdoors, or handcrafted things. We also welcome gifts for the nature table, such as a feather, leaf, acorn, stone, or flower.
Illness
A child with any of the following symptoms will be isolated and the parent(s) notified and asked to remove the child from the school as soon as possible.
Fever of 100.5 °F
Diarrhea (more than one abnormally loose stool per day)
Vomiting
Nausea
Severe Cough
Unusual yellow color to skin or eyes
Skin, eye lesions or rashes that are severe, weeping, or puss-filled
Stiff neck and headache with one or more of the symptoms listed above
Difficult breathing or wheezing
Complaints of severe pain
Thick, green mucus that continues to flow throughout the day
If your child is not feeling well in the morning, please observe them closely before sending them to school and risking the health of other children. Children must be free from symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school. If your child develops any of these symptoms while at school, you will be called immediately. If a child has mild cold symptoms that do not impair his/her functioning, the child may remain in the classroom and the parent(s) notified when they pick up their child. If your child is diagnosed with any communicable disease (chicken pox, whooping cough, fifth disease, pink eye, etc.) please inform us as soon as possible.
Emergency Information Form
Please fill out an Emergency Information and Immunization Record Form for your child (emergency information cards will be provided to you). We also need the latest copy of your child’s immunization record (waivers are available). It is important to complete every blank even with “not applicable: N/A” if appropriate. Please complete and return the emergency form as we need to have it on file no later than the first day of school.
We are required to have two additional emergency contacts besides parents/guardians (there are spaces for up to four on the gold form). The persons you designate should be in town and available to pick up your child in case we cannot reach you. If you need to change or add an emergency contact you must make the changes yourself directly on the yellow emergency card.
Please inform us of any changes in telephone numbers and addresses as needed. These emergency forms should have the most up-to-date information! Thank you!
Discipline
Childhood is a time for the child to learn about the world we live in, as well as to relate to others in a group. Feelings are strong in childhood and we try to encourage children to express their feelings in ways that help themselves and others. Anger is a natural feeling, but "people, animals and things are not for hurting". When a child is having difficulty, an opportunity for the child to use the “peace rose” and/or go to the "peace area" may also be encouraged when appropriate to help children work out a conflict or to simply calm down. When the child returns to the group, or the “peace rose process” is completed, that is the end of the incident and the child is treated with the same love and respect as other children.
Discipline in Early Childhood
All teachers strive to be worthy role models, so that by imitation, the children will have the opportunity to become respectful of themselves, others, and their surroundings. An essential element of the Early Childhood program is teaching the children how to behave in various situations by lovingly directing their behavior and redirecting them to appropriate play and activity if the situation warrants. Anecdotal teaching stories (usually involving animal characters) are also read during story time to assist young children in understanding the effects of behavior.
Discipline Process
In the Children’s Urban Garden & Atelier, our goal is to support the development of self-discipline within the child and to help the child develop social skills. The rhythm of the Children’s Urban Garden day goes a long way toward helping the children develop inner form and the impulse to care for others, their playthings, and their environment. The teacher(s) work with the children, supporting their natural awe and reverence for the world, their innate need for form, and their compelling desire to imitate, so that they can flow through their days and follow along with the group.
At times, children need more support than the daily work with form, rhythm, and the social group can offer. Teacher(s) and staff will intervene immediately when behavior becomes disruptive or dangerous. Consequences will ideally:
1. Fit the situation.
2. Fit the temperament and the developmental stage of the child.
3. Provide an opportunity for reconciliation or restoration, and an opportunity to set things right. The “peace rose” is used by children to help talk and work through a conflict. The book, The Peace Rose, is introduced to the children and acts as a model for this process.
4. Aid in the development of self-discipline and in the moral development of the child. We follow a multi-step approach which may include the following:
1. The teacher redirects the child to a more positive behavior.
2. If redirection is not sufficient, the child is brought to an activity with or near the teacher, and if need be, away from the social group to the “peace area”.
3. On rare occasions it is necessary to send a child home during the school day. This may occur because of extreme behavior (e.g. a behavior that endangers the student or others), or because the student seems unable to manage being in a social group that day. Depending on the behavior, and at the discretion of the teacher, one or more of the above steps may be skipped in an attempt to support the student and the class. The types of interventions used require creativity on the part of the teacher. Consequences in addition to those steps listed above include making reparations, assisting an adult in helping another child, helping to bring order to the physical environment, and performing a task that fosters positive behavior, self-respect, and self-discipline (e.g. sweeping the floor or sanding wooden playthings). Parent follow-up at home is important to help a child transform inappropriate behavior. Teacher(s) will let parents know about patterns of behavior they have observed. It is also important for parents to communicate if there are changes that add stress to a child’s life.
Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility: Expected Student Behaviors and Attitudes
Among the highest goals of Waldorf education is to foster a sense of respect among people. This includes honoring one another’s thoughts, feelings, physical bodies, personal space, and possessions. Furthermore, we recognize the importance of protecting children from inappropriate and harmful physical behavior. We also strive to create a safe environment where the children honor reverence and beauty. We also promote cooperative play, as well as community building and working together.
Discipline in Waldorf schools is achieved through the establishment of love and respect between children and their teacher(s). Close relationships and good communication among parents, children, and teacher(s) help to develop this discipline in children.
Sunscreen/Sunhat Policy
Please apply sunscreen to your child prior to arrival. Children's own sunscreen is also applied as part of our daily routine prior to outdoor time in the spring, summer, and fall. The children learn to apply to themselves when developmentally appropriate (with teacher assistance). We provide sunscreen if forgotten and have your permission to apply.
Children are required to wear sun hats in the fall, summer & spring.
Food & Nutrition
Children’s bodies expend much energy in order to grow, learn, and play. The young child needs wholesome, nutritious foods to sustain them throughout the busy school day; this remains true through adolescence. We request that parents choose healthful, nutrient-rich foods for their children’s snack and lunch. Foods such as vegetable sticks, fresh fruits, and wholesome yogurts make wonderful snack time meals. Healthful sandwiches, warm pasta or rice, legume dishes, or any wholesome, healthful carbohydrate-rich fare is a boon for your child’s developing body at lunchtime. It is good to note that a steady blood sugar level is desirable to support the children’s activities of the day. Therefore, please do not send your child to school with snacks or meals that are high in processed sugar, which will not sustain them through the day. Please do not send candy, gummies, gum, etc. In general, we ask that parents choose foods that are beneficial for a child’s body and enhance their educational experience.
We encourage minimal use of packaging and are going away from all plastic. Ball jars, stainless, fabric, waxed paper are recommended). We do recycle, compost and do dishes as part of our daily routine. Please refrain from sending packaging containing corporate logos and/or cartoon characters.
A wholesome snack is offered at mid-morning. Snack is whole food focused, organic, in season and local as often as possible. Students bring a home-packed lunch to be eaten at lunch time. Children help prepare for lunch- polishing our lunch table, washing hands, putting out place mats and napkins, filling the water pitcher, placing food on plates, pouring their own water, helping each other as needed. We have a lunch verse and eat together family style. Note: Lunches are not refrigerated, so please include a freezer pack if necessary.
Lunch Verses
Earth who gives to us this food,
Sun who makes it ripe and good,
Dearest Earth, and dearest Sun,
We'll not forget what you have done.
or
Blessings on the blossoms,
Blessings on the roots,
Blessings on the leaves and stems,
Blessings on the fruit.
Safety Drills
Fire drills are conducted each month and wind drills are conducted in season. Emergency routes are posted. For more details, you are welcome to review our entire Preparedness Plan available in the Licensing Binder.
Telephone Communications During Programming Hours
Our focus is on the safety of all of the children. Telephone will be used for emergency only during our programming hours (9:00am - 6:00pm). We check our phones as we are able, and will return necessary (emergency) calls as soon as possible. Please leave a voice message (please do not leave text messages). If you have an important communication, please feel free to do so in person at pick-up time, or leave a voice message as we are with the children and our focus and attention needs to be with the children (i.e. we are crossing streets, managing a group and providing wonderful programming). We will return your call as soon as possible. Sometimes we are unable to respond to calls that are not emergencies due to where our focus needs to be. Our attention is needed to keep all of the children safe. Please know that we desire the best and safest environment for our children, and will make decisions based on this.
Media
We are a media-free environment, with the exception of music cds and/or our music play lists via i-tunes. Please leave all media devices (i.e. phones) in your cars at drop off and pick-up. There are exceptions, of course, for photo taking when appropriate. Thank you for respecting our wish to maintain a media-free environment.
Resources for Parents
Websites
www.WhyWaldorfWorks.org
www.theparentingpassageway.com Peaceful Parenting for a Hectic World
www.waldorfinthehome.org
www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com
www.themagiconions.com
peaceofmindparenting.com
thewaldorfconnection.com
ahaparenting.com
simplicityparenting.com
Articles
Seven Important Aspects of Mindful Parenting by Chuck Barbieri
http://www.waldorfearlychildhood.org/uploads/GW53barbieri.pdf
Books
Waldorf Education: A Family Guide edited by Pamela Johnson Fenner and Karen Rivers
Free to Learn: Introducing Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Education by Lynne Oldfield
Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Nurturing Our Children from Birth to Seven by Barbara J. Patterson and Pamela Bradley
You Are Your Child’s First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Endangered Minds by Jane Healy
The Hurried Child by David Elkind
The Millennial Child by Eugene Schwartz
Understanding Waldorf Education- Teaching From The Inside Out by Jack Petrash
The Absorbent Mind by Dr. Maria Montessori
More Recommended Books on Waldorf Education and Parenting
Please link to Amazon.com through our link (link located in fundraising/giving page of our Web site) to be effective for school rewards- thank you!
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
Understanding Waldorf Education- Teaching From The Inside Out by Jack Petrash
Waldorf Education- A Family Guide by Fenner and Rapisardo
Heaven on Earth- A Parent Handbook by Sharifa Oppenheimer
Beyond The Rainbow Bridge- Nurturing Our Children From Birth to Seven by Barbara J. Patterson
Seven Times The Sun- Guiding Your Child Through The Rhythms of the Day by Shea Darian
You Are Your Child's First Teacher- Encouraging Your Child's Natural Development From Birth to Age Six by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour by Susan Perrow
Tell Me A Story- Stories From the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America Edited by Louise DeForest
The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book by Lisa Hildreth
The Waldorf Book of Breads by Marsha Post
The Waldorf Book of Poetry by David Kennedy
The Waldorf Book of Animal Poetry by David Kennedy
Supplies
Paper, Scissors, Stone
www.waldorfsupplies.com
http://www.steinercollege.edu/store/
www.bobandnancy.com Has a nice book selection/book store
Links
State of Michigan Childcare Licensing Rules
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/BCAL-PUB-0724_212611_7.pdf
Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America
http://www.waldorfearlychildhood.org/
Posts
Safety Recalls
Safe Kids Worldwide
link to 2014 Product Recalls
www.safekids.org
Licensing requirements state that we must post a no smoking sign (we are a smoke free environment):
Safe Kids Worldwide
link to 2014 Product Recalls
www.safekids.org
Licensing requirements state that we must post a no smoking sign (we are a smoke free environment):
Family Handbook Acknowledgement (slip below)
Please print, sign return the following slip
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Family Handbook Acknowledgement Slip
The information contained in the family handbook is intended to provide helpful information and general guidelines for our community. This is considered a working document and adjustments may be made as deemed necessary for the safety of our school, students, staff and general community.
I have read and understand the discipline policy.
__________________________________________________________________________
Parent Name (printed) Parent Signature/Date
I have read and understand the information contained in the Family Handbook.
__________________________________________________________________________
Parent Name (printed) Parent Signature/Date