Garden of Discovery Montessori School (GDMS) has been granted 20 Georgia Pre-K spaces for the 2009-2010 school year.   GDMS is an AMI accredited Montessori school serving children 18 month- 12 years.  The Georgia Pre-K Program offered through this school faithfully adheres to AMI standards.

Instructional Day

Garden of Discovery Montessori School provides a 6.5 hour instructional day.  This includes lunch, outdoor time, and a quiet time.  The school day commences at 8:00 AM and concludes at 2:30 PM.  Morning Carpool is from 7:45-8:00 AM.  Afternoon Carpool is from 2:30-2:45 PM.  Please see the School Handbook carpool procedures and policies.

Academic Year Calendar and Daily Schedule

A copy of the 2009-2010 academic year calendar is included in the GDMS School Handbook given to parents/guardians on Orientation Day prior to the first day of the academic year or upon enrollment.
A copy of the daily schedule is posted in the classroom.

Enrollment

GDMS has a rolling open-enrollment.  Any child who meets the Georgia Pre-K age and residency requirements as set forth in Section 2 of the Georgia Pre-K Program Operating Guidelines (age 4 by September 1, 2009 and resides in Georgia) may be admitted into the program provided that:

• the parent/guardian register the child in person using the Bright From the Start Pre-K Enrollment Form (available on-site at GDMS)
• the child has not previously attended a Georgia Pre-K program as a four year old
• can provide proof of age documentation by the first day that the child starts school
• can provide proof of residency by the first day the child starts school
• parents/guardians agree to send the child for 6.5 hours each day, five days per week,  for 180 days
• there is space available for the child
• priority is given to those children enrolled as private paying into the Pre-K class for the current year, have  registered on the Wait List, and meet the age and residency requirements
• three year old children enrolled as private-pay for the current year, will be given next priority when the child meets the age and residency requirements for the school year in which the child will be eligible for the Georgia Pre-K program
• remaining spaces, if there should be any, will be granted by lottery held each spring.  The lottery date and time will be announced at least 30 days in advance.  Parents/Guardians must be present to register for the lottery

Wait List

GDMS has established a Waiting List in accordance to Section 3.6 of the Georgia Pre-K Program Operating Guidelines.   To be on the Wait List,

• the child’s parents/guardians must complete the form on-site
• priority is given to those children enrolled as private paying into the Pre-K class for the current year, have  registered on the Wait List, and meet the age and residency requirements
• three year old children enrolled as private-pay for the current year, will be given next priority when the child meets the age and residency requirements for the school year in which the child will be eligible for the Georgia Pre-K program

Attendance

Chronic Absenteeism/Tardiness

• Chronic Tardiness is late arrival and/or early departure more than once per week, as defined in Section 3.9 of the Georgia Pre-K Operating Guidelines
• Chronic Absenteeism is missing more than two days per month without medical or other reasonable explanation, as defined by the Georgia Pre-K Operating Guidelines.
• Chronic Absenteeism and/or Tardiness is also any regular established attendance pattern, such as tardy every Monday and leaves early every Friday, as defined by the Georgia Pre-K Operating Guidelines
• parents/guardians must submit a medical note within 48 hours after a child is brought in late/picked up early for a medical appointment.  The note will be kept on record
• children who are absent, are late, or leave early for 10 consecutive days will be removed from the Georgia Pre-K program
• we will make every reasonable effort to assist the parents/guardians of children who are regularly absent, regularly tardy, or regularly leave early
• children of deployed military personnel meeting the specifications stated in Section 3.9 of the Georgia Pre-K Program Operating Guidelines are granted an additional five days absence with written documentation provided to the school

Health

In accordance with section 3.10 of the Georgia Pre-K Program Operating Guidelines, upon enrollment, parents/guardians must submit to the school the Certificate of Eye, Ear and Dental Examinations (Form 3300) and DHR Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) or appropriate waivers within 30 days of commencing attendance.

Parental Involvement

Garden of Discovery Montessori School offers all parents many opportunities to be involved in their child(ren)’s process of education.  These include:

• Montessori Moments Coffee Hour -- a once monthly informal conversation with the school’s Education Coordinator and other parents to explore the Montessori approach to learning.
• Montessori Method Education Meetings -- formal parent meetings held regularly throughout the year to further help parents/guardians and care-takers understand and appreciate their child(ren)’s development and the Montessori approach to life-long learning.
• Social events -- the Fall Festival, the Winter Peace Celebration, and International Day, and the Spring Planting Picnic provide the parents, teachers, and staff opportunities to interact socially as well as celebrate and appreciate cultural experiences and connect with nature.
• Carpool Assistance --  parents/guardians are encouraged to volunteer to  provide assistance during carpool by reading to and singing with the children.
• All-School Work Days -- parents/guardians are invited to help the teachers and staff maintain, beautify, and improve the school grounds and building.
• Silent Journeys & Open Houses -- parents/guardians are invited to tour the school and experience first-hand their child(ren)’s direct learning experience.
• Conferences -- parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year in the Fall and Spring on scheduled days.  Parents are always invited to contact their child(ren)’s teacher with questions or concerns.

Dress Code/School Uniforms

The Georgia Pre-K program follows the School’s dress code and uniform policy as outlined in the School Handbook.

Meals/Nutrition

The school does not provide meals, except snack, milk, and water.  Parents/Guardians are expected to help their child(ren) pack a nutritious lunch each day, as outlined in the School Handbook.  
On Fridays, the school offers Pizza Day.  Parents/Guardians may choose to allow their child(ren) to purchase, through the school, a catered lunch of pizza, a fruit, a vegetable, and milk or water.  The charge is $5 per week.  Again, a child’s participation is at the parent/guardian’s discretion.

Transportation

The School does not provide transportation to or from school.  

Before-Care and After-Care

Before-Care and After-Care programs are available for additional fees.  Before-Care and After-Care fees are available from the Office Manager.  To enroll your child(ren) in Before- or After-Care, contact the Office Manager.

Afternoon Enrichment

Afternoon Enrichment activities are not included as part of the instructional day, incur additional fees, and occur outside instructional hours.  Afternoon Enrichment programs are conducted by professionals in their respective fields and are not employees of the school.  Fees are determined by the organization/instructor offering the activity and payable to them.  Participation in these activities is at the discretion of the parents/guardians.  The school arranges for these activities based on demand and/or interest.   Activities generally include music, art, PlayBall, martial arts, and Spanish instruction.