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The registration fee, enrollment form, health form, and immunization records are required to
complete enrollment. If your child is exempt from immunizations, a statement that meets the
requirements of the Texas Minimum Standard Rules must be in our file. All children 4 years and
older must also have vision and hearing screening results on file. Your physician may do these
screenings. A child's immunization and health record must be maintained and current. Please
submit any new shot records or health information promptly.
The registration fee is due to reserve your child's place. The registration fee is non-refundable.
Tuition is due on the 28th of the month prior to attendance. The school year tuition may be
divided into 10 monthly payments, which remain the same for each month, regardless of holidays
or closing. School tuition paid as one annual payment, earns a 7% discount. School tuition paid as
two semi-annual payments, earn a 5% discount. A sibling receives 10% off the lower tuition.
Parents will be immediately notified of any policy changes in the school newsletter.
Arrival
The school day arrival time is from 8:30 to 8:45am. Please escort your child under the age of 5 to
the classroom door. Quietly say good-bye to your child at the door where he/she will be greeted
by the Guide or assistant and signed in. The children are very capable little people; they can hang
their coats and carry their lunch box, etc. Remember, we respect the child by allowing them
independence. If you need to speak with a guide or assistant, please do so with a note or make an
appointment with the front office so the guide can continue to give her attention to the children.
Please do not be offended if the Guide or Assistant does not chat with you, she is focusing on the
child. If you are arriving late (after 8:45am), please bring your child to the office, and we will take
him/her to class. Thank you. If you are unable to arrive before 10:00am, please consider it a day
off for you and your child.
Dismissal
Children must be picked up promptly when their school day ends at 3:00pm. After school care is
from 3:00 to 6:00pm. Parents must enter the building to pick-up their child. Be sure the Guide or
teacher signs your child out.
Late Pick-ups
If you are running late to pick up your child, please notify the office right away. There is a charge
of $1.00 per minute late fee, if your child is left after their program ends. After 6:00pm, the $1.00
per minute fee is immediately due to the staff in charge. If you wish to leave your child for after
school care occasionally, please call ahead and the office will let you know if we have space for
your child on that day. There is a $5.00 per hour charge for this service.
Dress
Please dress your child for an active day at school, in clothing that is easily managed in the
bathroom. Overalls, belts, etc., make it very frustrating for the child. Elastic waists are best for
young children; it is a "dress for success" approach.
All children need a change of clothing, correct for the season , in their backpacks or personal
boxes. We use aprons for messy jobs, but this is by no means foolproof. Clothing too good to risk
staining should not be worn to school. The children are very active and we do get messy
sometimes. Please send several changes for younger children.
We enjoy rainy day fun when it is a gentle, warm rain (no thunder or lightening), so send rainy
day gear if you like or just a change of clothing if your young person loves playing in the rain. All
the children should have a pair of galoshes or rubber boots to stay at the school. We wear them
often, when the grounds are muddy.
Cowboy boots, sandals, flip-flops and clogs are not appropriate for school. They are dangerous for
running and climbing on equipment. Soft-soled shoes or tennis shoes are safest for climbing
outdoors, mopping floors and other activities that call for sure footing. House slippers are
recommended for inside. The children enjoy changing from their dirty outdoor shoes, into nice
house slippers to be comfortable as well as help keep their floors cleaner. House slippers should
be a simple design, please no animal slippers, etc.
Snacks
WBMS provides a nutritious a.m., p.m., and late day snack for our full day children. Your child is
always welcome to bring a special snack from home to share with the class. The children feel so
honored when they "host" a snack, help serve, and receive thanks for sharing. Fresh fruits, nuts,
muffins bagels and cream cheese, kabobs of cheese and fruit and pretzel sticks etc., are some
examples the children appreciate. Please check with your child's classroom Guide for further
information. Thank you.
Birthday Celebrations
Your child's birthday is a very special time and the children enjoy celebrating their birthdays
together. If your child wants to share a birthday treat with the class, we recommend muffins or
finger sandwiches, etc., something out of the ordinary but fun and yummy (not full of sugar and
preservatives). Each environment has a beautiful birthday celebration and parents are
encouraged to come. A gift for the classroom from the birthday child is also fun. Please also send
candles and we will light them and sing! A gift for the classroom from the birthday child is also
fun.
Nap
Each preschool age child will have a rest time as required by state law. Please send a plastic
covered child-sized nap mat, a crib sheet and a small blanket for your child. Linens are sent home
on Fridays to be laundered. The mat must be plastic so we can sanitize it properly.
Toys - Show & Tell
Toys, gum, candy, jewelry, and money may not be brought to school. The children do have a
Sharing Time or Show & Tell. Any item of educational value or of significance to the child is
welcome at this time. Parents and their talents are welcome also. Books to share and nature
items are great. We do not allow weapons, superheroes, fantasy or animated charactes on
clothing, backpacks, shoes or lunchboxes.
Field Trips and Extracurricular Activities
Children in the Primary class may go on a small field trip to neighborhood sights - such as the
Assisted Living Center or hiking in the woods. Parents are notified on the monthly calendar of
planned activities and a notice will also be posted on the front door. Parents must let us know if
they do not want their child to participate in a field trip. Parents are always welcome to join us
on our outings, we appreciate your help. If a child is over 3 years, but we do not feel they can
safely go on an outing, that child will be asked to be a "helper" in another classroom until we
return. We phrase this request so the child feels honored and does not feel left out. Parents are
notified if their child is staying on campus. The staff on field trips carries children's files,
emergency kits and a cell phone.
In the summer, the children over 3 have "sand and water" days, with wading pools and sprinklers.
The Young Children's Community (under 3) have sprinklers and water tables to play in.
Elementary age children may go to the neighborhood pool to splash around and swim. Spanish,
Dance/Creative Movement and Musical expression are incorporated in your child's daily program.
We strongly feel the young child should not be over scheduled and extracurricular classes are not
necessary, but can be fun if the child is interested. On the White Bird campus, the following
programs are available for an additional fee to the individual instructor's: Spanish Club, Dance
and Creative Movement, Gymnastics, Piano and Swimming in the summer. Please inquire at the
office for more information.
Lunch
Each child brings his/her own lunch in a thermal lunch box with a little freezer pack.. We
recommend a nutritious lunch, including the four basic food groups -protein, cereal/grains,
fruits/vegetables, and dairy. Please prepare your child's lunch limiting sugar, artificial coloring,
and preservatives. Such ingredients often affect behavior adversely. Doughnuts, pop-tarts,
chocolate, candy, and other high sugar sweets are not allowed. Independence is a basic principle
of the Montessori environment, so please pack your child's lunch so it is easily managed, the lunch
box, thermos and packaging. Do not send pre-packaged food - squeeze yogurt, juice boxes
or bags, lunchables, canned items and sodas, for example. These are not child-friendly;
they squirt out, spill or are simply unappetizing and unhealthy. The children love simplicity;
baggies of cubed ham and cheese, fresh fruit, a peanut butter and jelly on wheat bread, or
"left-overs", it is a bit of home for them at school. If you wish to send ravioli or yogurt, please
place it in child-friendly containers. "Real food" in containers like plastic or baggies are more
practical and healthy. Please place juice or milk in a thermos. We are hoping to start good
lifetime habits at this age, these little things are important. Let us know if you need a list of
suggestions. If you forget to send a lunch for your child, there is a $4.00 fee for preparing a simple
lunch for your child.
Friday Lunch
Friday is Pizza Day. Cheese pizza, fruit or veggies, juice or water - $4.00. Please pay monthly by
check or money order. Thank you.
School Calendar & Holidays
As closely as possible, we follow the schedule of holidays of the Austin Independent School
District. A list of days when the school is closed can be found on the annual calendar. A monthly
calendar is sent home with your child at the beginning of each month highlighting our upcoming
activities. WBMS is open year round. If your child will only be attending during the 10 month
school session, be sure to register your child before leaving for the summer. WBMS closes the 1st
two weeks in August to prepare for school.
Medication & Illness
A child with a fever, diarrhea or vomiting will be sent home immediately. The child may not
return for 24 hours after the symptoms are gone to help prevent spreading the illness to the other
children. If a child is sent to school after a fever has been lowered with medication, the child may
give that illness to his/her classmates - please help us keep the children well by not sending your
child when they do not feel well. Please notify the school of a contagious illness.
Medications must be signed in by the parent daily and left in the medication cabinet, in the
original container with the child's name on it. WBMS staff are not allowed to dispense any
medication with phone permission. It must be signed in to protect the child.
Emergency Situations
Staff at White Bird are CPR and First Aid trained. In a medical emergency, the child will receive
immediate attention and then the parent will be called to pick-up the child. In an extreme
medical emergency, the child will receive immediate attention, 911 will be called, and then the
parents will be called.
In a situation requiring evacuation, our safe place will be at the large Church of Christ next door
to White Bird. Police will be notified of our location, and parents will be called.
Parents will be notified of any situation that may have endangered their child, such as exposure
to as severe illness, injury (minor or major) or situations that render the school unsafe.
Emergency Numbers
It is imperative that the office have current daytime numbers where a family member can be
reached in the event of an emergency. If your contact number should change, please advise the
office immediately in writing.
Parent Participation & Conferences
You are invited to observe your child's class time by appointment. It is important we do not
disturb the children by having too many visitors at one time. We invite parents to share with us
and be a part of their child's day as much as possible. Your are welcome to go on field trips, tend
our garden, or come in the classroom and share a special activity such as baking, art, or music.
Please speak to your child's teacher concerning dates and times. Parent-Teacher conferences are
held once a year and the parent may notify the office if an additional conference is desired.
The state Minimum Standard Rules may be reviewed in the office at the parent's request.
Licensing inspections and reports are also available in the office.
Guidance & Discipline
The school is interested in any information providing insight into your child's behavior, such as
inability to sleep well for several consecutive nights, the birth of a sibling, stress occurring at
home or in school, etc. Parents are asked to inform the staff of such matters either by phone or in
writing. Any unobserved incident occurring at school, which has disturbed your child, should be
reported in the same manner.
In the classroom and on the playground, the children are redirected before a behavior problem
develops if possible. For a recurring problem, the child may be asked to sit and "cool down" a bit
and then rejoin the group when he/she feels better. Parents will be called for a conference if we
have a repetitive behavior problem we may need help with.
Biting is a natural response of a frustrated child who may not have the language skills to express
himself. We try to be vigilant of such a situation so the other children are not injured. We
redirect the biting child to other physically expressive options such as clay work or using a child
size hammer and pegs, to release energy. If a child bites repeatedly, he/she is subject to dismissal
from the school until he/she matures a bit and is more comfortable in a group environment.
Contributions
Please check with your child's teacher to see what treasures you might bring from home for use in
the classroom. Such items as buttons, fabric scraps, ribbons, art supplies, plants and pots for the
garden, science objects, and much more are welcome. Thank you.
Classroom Pets
An important part of our learning at White Bird are our pets. We have a variety of pets, often
including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians. All our pets are healthy and clean and
have their shots when required. Health certifications are held on all pets as required with
minimum standards. The children are not allowed to touch reptiles and amphibians or chickens.
The children do help care for the animals. The children always wash their hands after helping
with their pets. If a child wishes to bring a pet to share with their class, please notify the guide
ahead of time, so notice can be posted for children who may have an allergy to a certain pet.
Grievance Procedure
We want you to be happy and comfortable with the staff at White Bird Montessori. Our greatest
concern is the safety, happiness, and education of the children. If you have a question or concern,
please feel free to discuss the issue with your child's teacher in writing or in a conference. If you
feel the issue is not adequately addressed, please bring it to the attention of the Director. Usually
we are able to remedy any situation with good communication - if you do not talk to us, the small
molehill may turn into a mountain. We do not want that to happen. Our door is always open to
you.
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
If you have questions or concerns, the following contacts should be helpful:
Licensing (512) 834-3195
Child Abuse Hotline (800) 252-5400
PRS Website www.tdfps.state.tx.us/childcare
"A person having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been
adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person shall immediately make a report..." Texas
Family Code 261.101
White Bird Montessori School, Inc. * 9000 Manchaca Rd. * Austin, TX * 78748 * (512) 291-0090