Accidents/Incidents:

Despite our precautions, accidents/incidents do occur. In most cases minor first aid at the school is all that is required. When serious injuries occur, the parent or designated person is contacted and informed of the need of emergency medical attention. In the event of an emergency where we are unable to make immediate telephone contact with the parents or guardians, we will call for an ambulance and accompany the injured child to the hospital.

Age Requirements:

Toddler: This program highly recommends that children are between the ages of 18 to 36 months.

CASA: Children must be three years and three months old by October 15th, and they must be potty-trained. The school may admit younger children only if, he or she is developmentally ready to be part of the Casa program; this will be determined by the teachers and director. If a child is allowed to enters the Casa at a younger age, he or she will remain in the CASA until the age for lower elementary admission.

LE: The child must be six years and three months old by October 15th or have successfully completed Kindergarten at an accredited institution which must provide all transfer documents.

UE: The child must be nine years and three months old by October 15th or have completed the third grade at an accredited institution which must provide all transfer documents.

Arrival and Dismissal:

Please ensure that arrival and dismissal times are respecte. Faculty and staff are on duty from 7:45 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. It is very important for students to be on time in order to enter the classroom together become settled, and participate in Morning Circle. This punctuality also builds , a good habit for organization, discipline and time management. Tardiness is disruptive to both the teachers and the other students.

Please note that all children are to be dropped off at the rancho between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. Teachers will be using the mornings from 7:45--8:15 to plan and prepare the classroom; students at the rancho will be supervised by staff until . the teachers come outside to pick them up at 8:15.

The school day will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. with the Morning Circle. Since this opening activity is not to be disrupted by tardy students, parents who arrive late with their child will need to remain with him or her at the rancho until 8:45; otherwise they will be asked to contribute 1000 colones to our scholarship fund.

Casa Half-Day and Ttoddler children should be picked -up every day at 11:30 a.m. On Friday student half-days, regular students will be picked up at 11:45. , Full Day children are to be picked -up promptly at 3:00 p.m. (and no later than 3:15 when teachers go off duty). Habitually d ropping off and/or picking up your child late is disrespectful to the teachers, not to mention to your own child. Parents who arrive after 3:15, when teachers are off duty, will be assessed a child care service fee of 2000 colones for the first fifteen minutes and another 3000 colones for the next fifteen minutes.

For the protection of your child, Del Mar Academy will not release students to someone unknown to us without oral or written authorization.  An up-to-date list of persons with permission to collect your child should be in his/her file.  Please notify us immediately of any changes.  Please be advised that if an adult who does not usually pick up your child arrives to do so, that person may be delayed while a staff member confirms the pick-up.

Attendance:

Attendance is taken daily for our records and for the Costa Rican Ministry of Education. Whenever your child is ill, please call the office between 8:00 am and 8:30 a.m. to let us know that he/she will be absent. Extended or habitual absences negatively impact any student’s education. If a child returns to school without a doctor’s or parental note explaining the absence, the absence will be deemed unexcused. Twelve unexcused absences over the course of the school year typically results in a student not being promoted, but the academic director will evaluate this on a case by case basis. Please also notify the school in advance if your child is to be absent for an extended period of time due to family illness, emergency, or international travel.

For absences due to scheduled travel that necessitates the child missing more than two days of school, the trip should be discussed with the child’s teacher at least one week prior to the scheduled departure date. Teachers will provide the child with appropriate activities to complete. When possible these activities will include opportunities for the child to use the actual travel experience as the main source of these learning activities. Cultural experiences that facilitate the child’s development on the trip should be documented by the parents and a copy provided to the teacher upon the child’s return to DMA.

For absences due to short term illness (more than 2 days but less than 2 weeks), appropriate work will be prepared by the teacher and should be collected by the child’s parent or guardian. For absences due to long-term illness (more than 2 weeks) or due to serious illness we will work with the child’s health care professionals in the way that is determined to best meet the needs of the child.

Birthdays:

Birthdays are special events at Del Mar Academy. We will honor your child's birthday and welcome parents' participation. Parents may choose to send a healthy snack in honor of their child. If this is the case, please let the teachers know at least two weeks in advance. We ask that you refrain from putting notes (such as birthday party invitations) in students’ cubbies. Instead, please give them to parents directly or to your child’s teacher for distribution--only if the whole class is invited.

Child Abuse and Neglect:

Teachers legally are required to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Costa Rican Social Services.

Classroom Organization (mixed ages):

The Casa and Elementary classrooms at Del Mar Academy have mixed-age groups. Dr. Montessori observed that a child learns at his or her own pace, and most children do not work at one level in all subjects. In the mixed-age classrooms, children work together to help one another learn. They benefit from the teacher's guidance as well as from each other. This “peer tutoring” helps older children develop leadership skills, reinforcing their knowledge, while younger children benefit from the cooperative learning and respect shown to their older peers.

Clothing and Shoes:

Uniforms are mandatory for children in the Casa and Elementary Programs. The official uniform is either a green DMA shirt or a white DMA shirt with khaki pants. At times, the children will be outdoors observing, manipulating, exploring and discovering, and thus may get dirty. All Del Mar Academy students have the option of wearing a DMA white shirt with khaki bottoms, but must have a green shirt for community events, school pictures, and school productions. Uniforms are available for purchase at the school.

Children should wear comfortable shoes with rubber soles to school. Parents are asked to have a pair of indoor shoes ready at school so that children change their outdoor shoes which could potentially track mud, sand, etc. into the internal classroom environment. For Physical Education classes, elementary students must wear their white t-shirt and khaki shorts; on PE days, they must come to school prepared with sneakers or running shoes. Any students that participate in a team sport will be expected to purchase and wear the designated uniform for games.

All children at Del Mar Academy must have a hat and raincoat in order to participate in playground activities during sunny or rainy days. Please ensure that these items are permanently in your child’s cubby. In addition, all children are to have sunscreen available in their cubbies at all times. All children, including elementary students, must have a complete extra set of clothes to change into at school. This is necessary if a child has a bathroom accident or for other mishaps that may occur. Please label all articles of clothing that your child brings to school. If your child misplaces something at the school, please ask to see our 'Lost and Found' box.

Closures and No School Announcements:

Should the weather become volatile, warranting the closing of school while class is in session, parents or the ‘Emergency Contact’ adult will be notified to pick students up from the school as soon as possible. In the cases of inclement weather necessitating school cancellation prior to 8:00 a.m., the ‘Classroom parent head’ will aid teachers in making phone calls to parents. The school will also be closed in the event of any unforeseen circumstances that may occur, making the environment unsafe for children (e.g. flood within the school, smoke from nearby fire, etc.). The decision to cancel school for any reason is solely the responsibility of the administration or, in some cases, the Ministry of Education.

Communication Book and Folders:

Your child will be given a “communication book” in October.  This book will contain important information, messages, school news, notice of upcoming events, etc. from the administration and staff.   It will be a way for the teachers to schedule appointments and otherwise communicate with you about your child’s education.  Please make sure to check this book daily and please make sure that your child returns to school with the book every day.  In addition, each student will be issued a folder which is also to be brought home and back to school every day.  If your child loses either the communication book or the plastic folder, you will be charged $5 to replace each.

Confidentiality:

Records and information pertaining to an individual child or parent are treated as confidential, except as required by staff in working with the child and the family or by the Costa Rica Education Department.

Custody Issues:  Del Mar Academy observes the following guidelines that relate to the custody of a child:

The parent(s) who registers a child is financially responsible for all tuition, unless the other parent has signed a separate agreement.

Only persons listed on the child’s ‘Pick-Up Information’ sheet will be allowed to pick-up children.  If one parent is to be prevented from picking up a child, we must have a certified copy of the court order on file.

When custody is shared, all school registration and permission forms must be signed by both parents.  DMA will not be responsible for keeping track of parent’s schedules.  Please keep us informed about drop-off and pick-up schedules, phone numbers, etc.  It is our preference to communicate with both parents at the same time whenever possible (e.g. conferences, e-mails, etc.) to avoid misunderstandings.

Discipline:

The Montessori and progressive classroom is always democratic.  Rules for behaviors and expectations are shared classroom policies, established during the first week of the school year, and procedures are explained and discussed with the children.  Within the school environment, children are expected to treat one another, staff and materials with respect.  Students are not permitted to do anything that will disturb someone else’s work.  This includes verbal as well as physical behaviors.  Some typical student-generated classroom rules include:  being kind to others, being responsible for your actions, doing your best, courtesy, listening, sharing, etc.   Consistency is the golden rule of any disciplinary action and the emotional ability of each child to solve the problem is always considered.

Behavior that is not tolerated includes, but is not necessarily limited to:  fighting and physical violence; taunting and/or teasing; willful destruction of school or student property; disrespect toward adults and children.  Behaviors of this nature will be reported by the teacher on an incident report.  The report is to be signed by the parent, the director, and the teacher.   The original report will be filed in the child’s school file and a copy will be issued to the parent.  

If the behavior is on-going, a decision will be reached on how to handle any further disturbance or harmful activity.   If necessary, professional guidance will be suggested and the school will make every effort to work with the professional to ensure that the individual child’s needs are being met while ensuring the safety of the other children.  DMA reserves the right to call parents and request that they come and pick up any student engaged in violent or grossly disruptive behavior.

E-Mails and Communication:

During the school year, Del Mar Academy will communicate with parents primarily through student communication books and e-mails.  Parents should let administration know of a current e-mail address that is checked regularly, as all school notices are communicated this way.  We understand that everyone may not have an e-mail address, so please inform us if you do not, so that we can send you a hard copy of any notices.  The parent bulletin board is located outside of the office.  Any hard copies of upcoming events, newsletters, calendars, sign-up sheets, reminders, etc. also will be posted there.

Emergencies:

Most of our staff members are trained in first aid and CPR.  In the event of any medical situation that requires immediate medical attention, parents will be contacted.  It is crucial that all emergency contact numbers and information are kept up-to-date in your child's file.  We must be able to reach you at any time during the school day.  If a parent cannot be reached, the school will use the emergency information in your child's file.  If your child needs immediate medical attention, and you cannot be reached, we will seek medical care in your name.  We will call emergency authorities as necessary.  Naturally, we will continue our efforts to contact you.

Field Trips:

Field-based learning expeditions are a central part of our innovative experiential learning curriculum.  Field trips are defined as any educational activity occurring off school grounds.  The “classroom without walls” may include nature walks or hikes; visits to farms, businesses, seashores, ecological preserves; trips to museums, libraries, towns, or other schools; even activities like campouts and water rafting.  Field trips will be planned throughout the year to enhance the understanding of subjects like science, history and geography. Every field trip will be preceded by a reading and/or research activity and followed by a reflective writing and creative activity.  These are not only fun and memorable experiences for students, they are highly stimulating and deeply educational.

A general field trip permission form will be provided to all parents at the beginning of the school year.  Please read this form carefully.  An accurate itinerary, as well as a listing of children and staff on every field trip will remain at the school.  Del Mar Academy will assume that parents/guardians understand the terms of the permission form when it is signed. Transportation may include a chartered bus service and/or parent volunteers to drive and chaperone.  Parent volunteers are especially welcome.

Field trips not covered in the general permission form require special permission slips furnished by the school.  Students must turn in special permission slips before they will be allowed to participate on such trips.  If a student is late on a day that a field trip is scheduled, it will be the parent’s responsibility to get their child to the class in the field.  Any parent who elects not to have his/her child participate in a field trip MUST advise the school at least 3 days prior to the scheduled trip so that arrangements can be made for supervision of the child at the school (although not necessarily with the child’s age group).

Fire, Earthquake, and Lock-down Regulations:

Fire, earthquake, and lock-down drills are held regularly throughout the school year.  In the event of a real emergency, parents will be located by administration or classroom parents.

Half Days:

Every first Friday of the month (in general), students will be dismissed at 11:45 so that teachers can use the afternoons for professional development, collaboration and curriculum planning.  These student half days enhance your child’s education because, as the research shows, by providing time for teachers to plan, collaborate and evaluate student work, teacher efficacy is greatly improved. Similar half days will be devoted to parent-teacher or student-led conferences; parent empowerment meetings (where you can offer your feedback to improve our school); and school festivals.  There will be no lunch served on these days (unless there is a potluck picnic planned).  Please make sure to pick your child up promptly at 11:45.  Toddler and Half-Day Casa students are to still get picked up at their normal time (11:30am) on these days.

Hats:

Hats are required for each child.  It is mandatory that your child has a hat that is kept in his or her cubby.  In the tropics, UV rays can be extremely damaging to a child’s tender skin, even on cloudy days.  Hats provide the added protection necessary.  If a child does not bring a hat to school, he or she will not be permitted to play in the playground or participate in physical education activities.

Head Lice and Tick Policy:

If you discover that your child has head lice or ticks, please contact the school immediately.  All nits and ticks must be removed before the child will be allowed back in school.   This policy will be strictly enforced without exception. Regular checks for head lice and ticks are made.  If head lice or ticks are found, parents will be required to pick up their child immediately and begin treatment.  When a case is detected, all parents will be notified by e-mail and/or notices in the communication book.  If the child returns to school with ticks or lice on more than one occasion, the administration reserves the right to hold a meeting with the parents to decide what further steps should be taken.  In the case of ongoing lice, the child may not be able to return until he or she has cut his hair and until there is proven documentation from a health care professional that the child no longer has lice.

Health Policies:

Immunization Records and Physical Exams: Before your child is to commence school, an updated copy of his/her immunization and a complete physical (or general medical) exam are required.  Dates will be given out to see the school appointed doctor(s), or if you prefer, you can take your child to his/her own physician.

Allergies or Health Problems: If your child has any allergies or health-related problems, please be sure to make a note of it on his/her application form and health questionnaire. 

Administration of Medication: When, in the opinion of your child’s physician, it is necessary that medication be administered during school hours, a representative of the school will give it to your child
in accordance with the following procedures:

• Any medication brought to school must be labeled with your child’s name and given directly to a staff member who will store it away from the children.  Please do not leave medications with your child or put them in his/her lunch.
  You must supply complete and proper instructions for dosage, dosage preparation and storage.
  
• You must supply authorization to administer the medication.  If you desire, you may come to school to administer the medication yourself.  Do not give your child medication to take by him/herself.   It could get lost, ingested by someone else or result in an overdose.
  As a parent/guardian, you are responsible for administering the first day’s dosage of any new medication at home.
  
• Medication schedules should be arranged to cause minimal interruption in the student’s school day.

To school or not to school?:  This is the question facing many parents at the breakfast table when their usually exuberant, hungry child sits listlessly ignoring breakfast.  The following guidelines were developed to assist parents struggling with this dilemma.  Your child should not be at school if he/she is experiencing any of the following symptoms:  temperature (98.7 or higher); cough; discolored and/or an extreme amount of nasal discharge (unless your child has a chronic condition such as sinusitis or an allergy, which has been verified by a physician); diarrhea; vomiting; sore throat; lethargic behavior; head lice.  In the event that your child has a fever, he/she should be fever-free for twenty-four hours before returning to school.   These policies are strictly enforced.  While we understand that many parents work, these precautions protect your child as well as the other children (and teachers) in the school from infection.  In addition, weather permitting, students will go outside to play every day.  If you feel that your child may be too sick to go out to play, he/she is probably too ill to be at school. 

Sick at School: If your child appears to be sick at school, he/she will be removed from the classroom and taken into the office.  If he/she seems to be fairly sick, or if after a brief stay he/she feels too ill to return to class, we will contact either yourself or another responsible adult (as indicated on your child's application form) to take him/her home.  You are expected to pick up your child immediately!  We understand how difficult it can be for working parents to break free during the day, and yet all of our children get ill from time to time.  You will want to make arrangements with a friend or relative in advance.  If your child is sent home, please sign him or her out in the office. If your child falls behind in his/her schoolwork due to an extended absence, please contact his/her teachers to develop a strategy to help him/her catch up.

Contagious Diseases and Lengths of Time to Recover: If a child is diagnosed with a communicable illness such as hepatitis, measles, mumps, diphtheria, rubella, tuberculosis, etc., Del Mar Academy is mandated by law to immediately notify the local health department, all staff, and all parents/guardians of children at the school.  The child’s confidentiality will be maintained. Before a child is accepted back into school after having a contagious disease, the school requires a written note from the doctor stating that the child is no longer contagious.  Following is a list of contagious diseases and the length of time it takes for the child to recover to act as a guideline for you.  All parents will be informed of any communicable diseases within the school community through notices posted on the bulletin board or through e-mail notices.  If you require any further information, you can contact the school and we will provide you with a contact number for the Costa Rican Health services in our area.

Disease	Quarantine of Patient
Chicken Pox	Scabs must be off.
Measles (Rubella)	7 days from appearance of rash
German Measles (Rubella)	5 days from appearance of rash
Mumps	5 days from appearance of rash
Viral Hepatitis	During first 2 weeks of disease
Meningitis	48 hours after onset of chemotherapy
Scarlet Fever	7 days if not treated/48 hours with antibiotics
Strep Throat	7 days if not treated/48 hours with antibiotics
Whooping Cough	3 weeks after onset of spasmodic cough
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)	Once treatment has been completed
Scabies	24 hours after treatment starts
Vomiting	24 hours no vomiting without medication
Fever	24 hours fever-free without medication
Diarrhea	24 hours after treatment starts
Ringworm	24 hours after treatment starts
Impetigo	Once treatment has been completed
Tuberculosis	Once treatment has been completed

Holidays:

Del Mar Academy will include as many multicultural holidays in our curriculum as possible. If you and your family celebrate a specific holiday, please feel free to share it with us so that we can incorporate it into our program. Holidays that are celebrated at our school are intended to honor all of the world´s wisdom traditions, not to endorse any one religion or creed.

Homework:

Most of your child’s academic work takes place daily in school; homework, then, is a way for parents to facilitate their child’s educational independence and to strengthen new concepts and insights. It may be used to follow up on a child’s topics of interest, to reinforce a child’s bilingual language instruction, or to complete a creative thematic project. The amount of homework is gauged to the developmental level of each child.

At the elementary level, students will be assigned books to read independently and with their parents at home. Current events, mathematical problems, and information to study for tests may also be assigned. As students transition from lower to upper elementary levels, we want to continue to nurture independence and self-discipline and to continue developing a pattern of good work habits and a sense of responsibility. Students are given thematic research projects and deadlines for completion. Students will be expected to complete work at home that was not completed during designated class time or that was not completed by the assigned deadline.

Library:

If your child is in Lower or Upper Elementary, he/she will bring home a signed out book from the DMA school or class library at least once a week. Please make sure to read with your child and to fill out the reading log created by his/her teacher. Your child will be responsible to pick his/her book at school, bring it home, and bring it back to school.

The school librarian will scan the book to be taken home once before it leaves the school and once more when it returns to the library. Each book can be out for up to one week (please note due date on the back of the book). If your child is not done with the book by its due date, please simply have him/her return and sign out the book again Failure to return the book on time will result in a late charge of $0.25 a day to be invoiced to you. A missing, misplaced or irreparably damaged book will be invoiced to you for the cost plus shipping and handling of the book.

Lost and Found:

A lost and found is maintained at the school. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to identify items in the lost and found. All items not claimed by the last day of each school term will be donated to charity.

Lunch:

Nutrition is taught in each class and we believe it should be reinforced at school and in the child's home environment. Children should be encouraged to help pack their own lunch, choosing foods from the different food groups. This will reinforce the importance of nutrition in their daily diet. Please note that due to allergies and family nutritional preferences, we do not permit the sharing of food; however, this is extremely difficult to monitor, so if you do not want your child sharing food, it is a parental responsibility to emphasize your desire to your child. Also, if we have any students with nut allergies we will ask that parents avoid sending in foods/snacks that contain any type of nuts. We will inform all parents at the beginning of the school year. Your child's name should appear on the outside of his/her lunch box. Necessary utensils should be included with the lunch.

In an effort to teach the lifelong importance of health and nutrition, as well as a sensitivity for environmental awareness, we respectfully request that:

1. Foods high in sugar and artificial additives, such as chocolate bars, chips, candies, packed fruit juice, and especially sodas NOT be sent to school for snack or lunch.
2. Your child pack his or her food in a re-usable plastic or aluminum container in order to reduce trash and litter.
   

Teaching about diet and nutrition, and learning to appreciate the food we eat are just two more examples of our holistic education curriculum.  Thus, during lunch, the following non-sectarian blessing will be used:

Gracias por estos alimentos	Thank-you for this food.
Gracias por la vida	Thank-you for life
Buen apetito para todos	Good appetite to all
Disfrutemos esta comida	Let’s enjoy this meal

Newsletters and Calendars:

Informative newsletters/calendars are prepared by Del Mar Academy and sent home with the children, emailed, or posted on the parent bulletin board on a regular basis. These newsletters/calendars help to keep parents up-to-date on the activities at DMA and any other pertinent information. Parents are encouraged to contribute and/or assist.

Observations:

Our school has an open door policy. We welcome parents to observe our learning community in operation. This will increase your appreciation of our unique curriculum and will answer many questions about your child's day at school. However, please understand that when there is a new adult in the environment, the dynamics of the classroom change. As such, we request that you make an appointment before observing. Observations will not be scheduled until after November 1st as October is time dedicated to the students adjusting to school.
When observing, please join us quietly, have a seat and enjoy without disrupting the children's activities. Be as unobtrusive as possible. Guidelines will be given to all observers in order for you to gain the maximum benefit from your visit. Please refrain from asking the teachers questions during this time. An appointment with a teacher can be scheduled for a time outside of class.

Permanent Dismissal from School:

Del Mar Academy reserves the right to expel any child whose parent(s) fail to pay tuition, or any child whose conduct significantly disturbs the wellbeing and order of the school, other children, or staff. Should a student be dismissed, a refund will be prorated.

Probation Period:

The first four to six weeks of school are a probationary period for all new students. If during this time the teacher or administrator feels a child is not yet ready for school, then the parents will be informed and the balance of tuition will be refunded.

Promotion Requirements:

As an accredited Costa Rican private school, there are certain requirements that are to be met by a child for him or her to get promoted to the next level. Various factors are considered for promotion, including: attendance, quality of class work, tests and assessments, class conduct, and homework. If you would like more information about the methods used, please feel free to schedule an appointment with the school’s administrator.

In instances where a child’s behavior, academic performance, number of absences, or family’s choices
negatively impact the child’s progress:

The family will be notified in a meeting that may include the child’s teachers and/or administrators of the school, where the situation will be presented and the school will present choices for the family.   Once a plan of action has been agreed upon it will be implemented for a specified trial period after which time it will be evaluated and any further actions decided upon.

The child may be required to remain in the program for an additional time before transitioning to the next level (ex. Toddler to Casa, or Casa to Lower Elementary)

The child may be required to complete additional work (during non-school hours) or receive additional instruction (at the parent’s expense) to ensure adequate progress.

The child may transition to the next level with the understanding that he/she is receiving work that is suitable for him/her (but may differ from work of other students in the program).   This may impact the child when he or she transitions out of DMA.

Rainy Day Play Policy:

The children WILL be allowed to go outside and play while it is raining, unless it is lightning.  It is the parent’s responsibility to let us know if they do not want their child to go outside while it is raining.  In addition, if a parent would like their child to go outside, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide the child with a raincoat to keep at the school.  A child will not be allowed to go outside in the rain if he/she is not appropriately dressed.

Records:

Documents regarding information identifying children or their families are not open to the public.  School records, health reports, social or psychological reports are available only to professionals with parental permission.  However, personnel and children’s records must be available, upon request, to authorized personnel of the Costa Rican Education Department.  All records will be kept at the school and on file for at least 3 years.  Your child’s record will include the following:  (* Indicates paperwork to be submitted upon registration.)

Admission forms*
Up to date immunization and medical exam records*
Special needs cases (e.g. educational or psychological evaluations, IEPs, etc.)*
DMA Progress reports
Academic records
Attendance/Tardiness Records
Copy of passport or Cedula number*
Permission forms (for field trips, etc.)
Information concerning the student’s prior schooling in another location (e.g. proof of enrollment and grade level, report cards, permanent records, portfolio work, etc.)*
DMA Portfolio pieces (this includes work from each core subject that both the teacher and student have selected).

Re-Enrollment:

At the end of January 2010, re-enrollment forms will be sent to all parents of students currently enrolled in the school. After the due date, enrollment is open to new students. We cannot promise there will be a space for continuing students not re-enrolled by the due date.

Religious Affiliation:

While Del Mar Academy is not affiliated with any specific religion, we honor the religious beliefs of all of our families. Educating the “whole child” includes cultivating a healthy respect and appreciation for all the world’s spiritual traditions. We acknowledge the rich and diverse heritage of our planet through classroom studies and celebrations of traditional multicultural holidays.

School Directory:

We encourage families to give permission to have their child's name, your address, your e-mail address and your telephone number published in the school directory for inner school use only. The directory will be available to the respective families in October. The option to be in the school directory is given to families prior to publishing the directory.

Sharing (Show and Tell):

Sharing or “Show and Tell” is highly encouraged at the school. It is an excellent educational method for developing oral communication and listening skills in young children. Items brought from home should be of an educational nature, such as books, memorabilia from trips, cultural artifacts, nature materials, or things that are special to your child. Items are shared during group time and put away during class work periods. Please do not allow your child to bring in toys for show and tell.

Snack Policy:

Each student should come to school with a healthy snack from home. Snack time takes place a couple of hours before lunch (each time varies from class to class). All snacks should be healthy—that is, NO candy, chips, sodas, etc. Fruits, vegetables, or nuts make excellent snacks. If a child brings anything outside of these guidelines, he or she will be asked to put it away and save it for when he or she gets home. (Please see the lunch section for more details on DMA’s nutritional food policy.)

Special Needs:

With regard to students with special educational needs (including learning disabilities, neurological disorders, and behavioral disorders) we believe:

Every child learns best at his/her own pace, when all his/her needs are met.
Every child (barring significant neurological impairment) has the desire to learn and can learn.
The Montessori environment is beneficial to students with many different types of needs and learning styles.
When the situation is appropriately managed, every child can benefit from interacting with a child with special education needs.
Home/School collaboration and communication facilitates the best progress of all children, especially those with special education needs.
DMA may not be equipped to meet all the needs of every child depending on the nature of their special educational needs

With our aims and beliefs in mind, our position on special education needs is as follows:
DMA accepts students with special educational needs on a case by case basis, initially on a probationary period as with all students.
DMA reserves the right to allocate staff and physical compound resources as necessary.
Outside support may be needed when a special need is identified, and DMA either does NOT have the resources for the child’s specific need or has exhausted all of its resources. Any cost incurred will be at the parent’s expense: This includes but is not limited to testing, tutoring, and hiring an assistant.
DMA reserves the right to disclose, to the relevant community members, the full nature of special educational needs in order to promote understanding, although the source of the need (i.e. the individual child) may not be disclosed.
All discussions with students are conducted in an age-appropriate manner based on discussions with health care/educational professionals and the family involved.
DMA may require additional participation from the family and/or support team of the child with special educational needs in order to best meet the needs of all the students in the program.
DMA may institute “special procedures” aimed at facilitating the needs of the child with special educational needs that may require additional parental support/involvement.

Substitute Teachers:

In the event that a classroom teacher is out, we may call upon other staff members, educational assistants, parent volunteers, or volunteers in the community who have provided us with references and resumes to substitute teach. If you know anyone willing and qualified to serve as a substitute teacher, please contact the academic director.

Student Work:

All students will have a portfolio to contain their academic work, research projects, and creative artifacts. This is an important form of “authentic assessment” which will provide you with evidence of your child’s progress throughout the year, as well as from year to year. These portfolios will be kept at school and used during parent-teacher or student-led conferences. It is up to your child’s teacher to decide when other work completed at school will go home. Please acknowledge your child’s work when it is brought home.

Sunscreen:

Because of the dangers of the sun's rays, sunscreen should be applied on your child's body before he/she leaves for school. Please be advised that it is your responsibility that sufficient sunscreen be applied to your child as you know his/her sensitivity to the sun best. All children should bring in a bottle of sunscreen to be reapplied during the day. Hats must also be sent in for additional protection from the sun.

Supplies Request List:

At the beginning of the academic year, each classroom teacher will send home a “supplies request list.” You are to purchase the small items indicated on the list so that your child’s daily operations run smoothly. Each class will have different items. If you have multiple children in different levels in the school, please make sure to attain all lists. The following items need to be brought by each child: sunscreen, hat, raincoat, change of clothes, indoor shoes, outdoor shoes, school uniforms.

Television and Video Viewing:

Television and videos are used occasionally at Del Mar Academy either in celebration of a special day or as part of academic instruction.

Temporary Withdrawals:

A child withdrawn for an extended length of time for illness, vacations or any other reason will lose his/her space unless tuition payments are continued during the period of the child’s absence.

Testing and Evaluations:

At the lower and upper elementary levels, students are gradually introduced to a variety of tests in order to develop their test-taking skills, including concentrated focus, time management and performing under pressure--skills necessary in today’s world. Moreover, our students will be required by the Ministry of Education to take standardized tests when they enter the DMA middle and high school. We use other forms of assessment too, and will not overemphasize or “teach to the test,” but we do recognize that test taking is an academic fact of life, especially for students going on to college.

Tests range from simple recall, such as spelling lists and math facts, to more complex analyses which present information and concepts in a variety of formats. While results will be noted, students also will be encouraged to evaluate their study habits and their strengths and weaknesses in particular subject matter in order to become meta-cognitive thinkers.

Toilet Training:

All children enrolled in the CASA preschool program at DMA, must be toilet-trained. Del Mar Academy’s policy on toileting follows:

A 6-week transitional period from the student’s start date will be permitted in recognition of the fact that enrollment commitments may need to be made before toilet training has been completed.
During the 6-week transitional period, the occurrence of toileting accidents will be charted for each child.
During the 6-week transitional period, parents will be notified if toilet accidents are a persistent concern. Parents will be asked to focus on consistent toilet training at home.
Each child is required to have a change of clothing, labeled and placed in a zip lock gallon plastic bag, to be kept at school.
When a student has a toileting accident at school, he/she will be guided to change his/her own clothing. He/she will be assisted with hygiene and things that he/she cannot do for him/herself. Soiled clothing will be sent home. Please remember to replace the change of clothing the next school day.
Parental involvement, as detailed below, will be required for students who are still consistently having toilet accidents (as recorded on the chart) after the 6-week transitional period.
After the 6-week transitional period, a toilet training plan will be developed and implemented between the teacher and the parents which may include:

     - A change in the child’s schedule to allow parents more time for toilet training with their child.
     - Parents on call to come and change the child when accidents occur.
     - Behavioral modification techniques employed at home and school to reinforce toileting success.
     - Alignment between home and school on toilet training expectations, clothing used and consistent         follow through with the child when an accident occurs.
     - Other options as the teacher and parents see fit.

Toys:

Toys are not allowed at the school at any time. They are most often lost, fought over, or broken. We do, however, encourage children to bring in books and other artifacts to share with their friends.

Transfers:

If a child is transferring to Del Mar Academy from another academic institution, he or she must have transfer documents presented to the school. If a child has not completed a grade, that child will have to repeat or extend his/her experience in that grade until completion.

Uniforms:

Uniforms are mandatory for children in Del Mar Academy. Every child will be required to have at least one clean Green shirt uniform for school outings. The official uniform is either a green shirt with khaki bottoms or a white t-shirt with khaki bottoms. Uniforms are available for purchase at the school. Casa and Elementary students have the option of wearing the Del Mar Academy white t-shirt and khaki bottoms, but must have a green shirt for community events, school photos, and school productions. (Please refer to the ‘Clothing’ section of the handbook.) Your child is to wear the DMA uniform to school every day. Failure to do so will result in a phone call or communication notice sent home. If the problem persists, a meeting will be scheduled with the parents.

Water Procedure:

TODDLER, CASA, and LOWER ELEMENTARY: Each student is to bring a hard plastic cup to school in the beginning of the school year. Please make sure to write your child’s name in permanent marker on the bottom of the cup.

UPPER ELEMENTARY: Each student is allowed to bring a water bottle filled from home each day. Refills during the school day are up to the teacher and the situation.

Withdrawals:

Your tuition agreement contract is NOT a monthly one, and it constitutes a commitment to pay all tuition and fees for the entire school year. If for any reason, your child's enrollment is discontinued before the end of the year, you are required to give Del Mar Academy one-month written notice.