On this page you will find information about parent orientation, recommended reading, volunteering, and fundraising. Please contact us if you have any questions.
The Montessori approach to learning is most successful when a child’s school and home life work in unison. We believe in maintaining an open line of communication and dialogue, encouraging parents to be part of our Parent Association and to take full advantage of our various parent workshops, classroom observations, conferences, parent communications and volunteer opportunities.
Parent Orientation and Education
Children at SSMS will reach their fullest potential when schoolwork is combined with each family’s understanding of Montessori philosophy and every parent’s cooperation at home. Therefore, parent education is a necessity.
Parent orientation is usually held the week prior to the beginning of school. Parents of both new and returning students are expected to attend the Parent Orientation Meeting.
Parent education meetings include guest speakers, discussion or study groups, and classroom material exhibits, depending on the needs and interest of the parents. Parent education meetings that occur on an annual basis consist of:
- Parent Orientation (August)
- Curriculum Night (October)
- The Importance of Montessori Kindergarten (January)
- The Importance of Montessori Elementary (January)
Parent Library & Recommended Reading
SSMS has a wide range of books and periodicals relating to the Montessori approach, including ones on parenting, education and child development:
- Toddlers & Parents by T. Berry Brazelton
- Kids Can Cooperate by Elizabeth Crary
- Children: The Challenge by R. Dreikurs
- The New Approach to Discipline by Rudold Dreikurs
- Miseducation:Preschoolers at Risk by David Elkind
- The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon by David Elkind
- How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk by A. Faber
- The Magic Years by S. Fraiberg
- Between Parent and Child by Dr. Haim Ginott
- Your Child’s Growing Mind by Jane Healy
- Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius by Dr. Angeline Lillard
- Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Lillard
- Montessori Today by Paula Lillard
- The Child in the Family by Maria Montessori
- The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori
- Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson
- The Friendly Classroom for a Small Planet by Priscilla Prutzman
- Maria Montessori: Her Life and Her Work by E. Mortimer Standing
Parent Volunteering
Parents are asked throughout the year to help the school with fund raising events, repairing classroom equipment, doing laundry, providing snacks, etc. All families are required to donate a minimum number of volunteer hours.
Fundraising
As a Not for Profit Organization, SSMS relies on a certain amount of fundraising to help defray expenses that would result in higher tuition costs. Although there is no prescribed monetary amount, each family is asked to participate at the level they feel they can afford. Families are also welcome to help secure fundraising dollars, auction items and/or sponsorships through outside sources such as grandparents, friends, colleagues, United Way and company matching donations, etc.