J. Allen Axson Montessori Elementary School

What is the GATE Program?

THE MONTESSORI GATE CLASSROOM

The Montessori classroom is “child-centered” not teacher centered, and we model that in the GATE classroom as well.  We start the day with morning meeting, where we discuss the day's work plan and give groups lessons.  The children then have the freedom to choose their works in their own order of preference.  We do, however, expect that work from previous weeks be completed before students move on to the current week's work. The number one guideline in the classroom is RESPECT. We want each child to learn and grow as far and as fast as he/she is able. Children are given the chance to work at their own pace to discover, solve, and explore their surroundings. We will guide the students towards appropriate work, to help develop independence, concentration, coordination, and a sense of order. Our goal is for the children to have a love of the work and learning.

 

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Attendance is important. You are helping to set a pattern for your child’s life.  School is the child’s work. Regular attendance promotes continuity. Please have your child at school on time. Please share all information with your child prior to them entering class and give a quick, confident and cheerful goodbye at the classroom door. This consistent routine will ensure the smoothest transition into class. 

 

Every child should be prepared to enter the class by 8:25 a.m. Class starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. with morning announcements and morning meeting. If your child arrives late, he or she will need a tardy slip from the front office to enter into the classroom.  Please remind them to enter quietly. Please say all goodbyes at the door. 

 

DISMISSAL

We dismiss our students back to their regular classroom at the end of the day for dismissal.  The expectation is that ALL students will return to their regular teacher, including those enrolled in extended day.  If your child's dismissal routine changes, even for one day, those changes should be communicated with the GATE teachers and regular classroom teachers via a note in writing. Please include the following information: child's name, date(s) the change applies to, and what the change is. It would be great if you would include phone numbers as well, if there are any questions.

 

PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATIONS

Any communication must take place outside of class time.

• At the end of each day, we have our students write in their planners (or on a piece of paper if they don't use or forget their planners) telling you about the works they did in our class that day.  Our goal here is for the planners to be used as a springboard for conversation about your child's day.  The teachers will also use the planners as a way to inform you about behavior, as needed.  Likewise, you can also write us a note in the planners with any questions or concerns you may have.

• Notes:  Send a note with your child or place it in my box in the front office.  

• Phone:  (904) 992-3600 ext. 119. 

• E-Mail:  buddt@duvalschools.org or oreillyc@duvalschools.org (We check e-mail daily.)

• Conference: This will allow us to discuss your child’s progress without disrupting class routines. Please contact me to set-up a time to meet. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

 

ILLNESS

If your child is ill, please email us or  call the school to let the front office know (992-3600), then send a note the next day so that the absence may be marked, “Excused.”

 

If you are not clear on the school board policy on sick children, please check with the office staff or school nurse. Basically, sick children do not belong at school. They do not have a good day when they are not feeling well, and they may infect other children and teachers.  Do not send your child to school with a note asking that we “let them lie down” or “keep him or her inside because he or she is not feeling well.” We are not set up to handle a sick child. Please keep your child at home if they have a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, spots, etc until he or she is symptom free for 24 hours. If your child becomes sick at school, the office staff will call you to come pick him or her up.  PLEASE BE SURE THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO CURRENT NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS LISTED ON THE BACKS OF THE BLUE INFORMATION CARDS YOU WERE GIVEN TO FILL OUT.  

 

SNACKS

We encourage healthy eating at snack and lunch. Please do not send candy or sugary foods. Each family is asked to provide snack for the class on days identified on the snack calendar.

 

OBSERVATIONS/VOLUNTEERING

You are always welcome to help in the classroom.  You will need to complete a Duval County Schools volunteer application before being allowed to volunteer in the classroom or chaperone field trips.  This can be found at the Duval County Public Schools website under the  parents tab - volunteers. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer or observe. 

 

DRESS CODE

Please dress your child comfortably for the day. Children need to be able to remove or adjust their clothing themselves when using the restroom. Shoes should cover their feet to protect them when playing outside. Flip-flops are not permitted for safety reasons.

 

Please label your child’s items with his or her name to avoid confusion. This includes book bags, lunch boxes and water bottles. 

 

WORK PLANS

Work plans are bi-weekly assignment sheets that we provide for your child. Each student is expected to complete his or her work in a timely manner.