We are pleased to announce that we have significantly enhanced the security measures at our school to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

New Security Doors

We have installed three new security doors that require a code for access to the classrooms. These doors will always be locked, ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter these areas and providing an additional layer of protection for our children.

Collaboration with Long Hill Township

Our commitment to safety extends beyond our school grounds. We have been actively working with Long Hill Township Police Department and Long Hill Township Public School Security Specialist to integrate our security systems and emergency protocols with the township's resources. This partnership enhances our ability to respond swiftly and effectively in any situation.

ALERTT System

As part of our security upgrades, we have implemented the ALERTT system. ALERTT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) is a program that trains school staff and local law enforcement on how to respond to active shooter situations and other emergencies. This training equips our team with the knowledge and skills to act quickly and effectively, ensuring the safety of everyone in our school. We are proud to be the only school in New Jersey that has been trained in ALERTT, highlighting our dedication to leading in school safety measures.

CGR Mapping

Additionally, we have adopted CGR (Computerized Geographic Response) Mapping. CGR Mapping is a state-of-the-art tool that provides detailed, real-time geographic information. It helps us quickly identify and address any security concerns by mapping out the exact locations of incidents, optimizing response times, and coordinating efforts with local authorities.

Certified Staff

In addition to these measures, we are proud to inform you that all our staff members are CPR/AED and first aid certified. This ensures that they are prepared to respond to medical emergencies effectively and provide immediate care when necessary.

These enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to creating a safe and secure learning environment. We believe these measures will greatly improve our ability to protect our students and provide peace of mind for our families.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our school. If you have any questions or need further information about these security updates, please do not hesitate to contact us.

• label everything
• Children take their work home on Thursdays & Fridays
• INDEPENDENCE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME - encourage your child to take ownership of their belongings and responsibilities
• shoes - rubber soles, no flip flops (bring a change of shoes for wellies and snow boots)
• toileting & dressing- To help our children become more independent with dressing and using the bathroom, we want to create a supportive environment for them. If your child has trouble with fastening jeans, we suggest choosing clothes with elastic waistbands to make dressing easier. For shoes, Velcro footwear can help your child put them on independently. If your child is in the middle of potty training, we kindly ask for your support in reminding them to use the bathroom before coming to school. This will help them feel successful and happy.
• greeting - Children at LHMS pride themselves on being a courteous citizen of the world. It starts as soon as they walk through the door by greeting their teachers and friends by making eye contact, projecting their voice and greeting.

We are filled with excitement for the upcoming school year. As we prepare for our children to transition into the classroom, we emphasize giving them ample time to adjust and grow at their own pace. By encouraging and aiding each other, we can make a positive and welcoming environment for all.

Transitions can be both exhilarating and challenging for young children. It is during these times of change that they build resilience, develop new skills, and broaden their horizons. However, it's essential to remember that every child progresses at their own unique pace. Some may feel comfortable and adapt quickly, while others may require more time to acclimate to their new surroundings.

By recognizing and embracing these individual differences, we can foster an atmosphere of empathy, understanding, and encouragement. Here are a few reasons allowing children to transition at their own pace is crucial:

1. Individual Development: Each child has strengths, interests, and learning styles. By giving them the time to transition, we enable them to explore their potential and develop at a pace that suits them best. Celebrating their achievements helps to build confidence and a sense of self-worth.
2. Inclusive Community: Our school community thrives on diversity and inclusivity. By acknowledging that children develop at different rates, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted. Encouraging children to support and empower one another fosters strong relationships and a sense of belonging.
   
3. Emotional Well-being: Transitioning into a new classroom can evoke a range of emotions in children. Some may feel excited and eager, while others might experience anxiety or hesitation. We help them by providing time and support.
   
4. Collaboration and Friendship: As parents, we can model collaboration and friendship by being there for one another and our children. Sharing experiences, tips, and encouragement creates a strong support network. Together, we can overcome challenges and celebrate the milestones achieved during the transition process.

In this spirit, we encourage you to:

1. Be Patient: Recognize that each child has a unique journey. Be patient and understanding as they navigate this period of transition. Encourage them to express their feelings and concerns openly and provide reassurance and support when needed.
2. Celebrate Differences: Embrace the diversity within our school community. Help your child to recognize and respect the strengths and talents of their classmates.
   
3. Foster Communication: Open lines of communication with your child's teachers and fellow parents. By sharing experiences and insights, we can learn from one another and provide support during this transition period.
   
4. Lead by Example: As parents, we play a crucial role in modeling positive behavior and attitudes. Let's embrace our children's unique development and empower them.

By working together and supporting one another, we can create an environment where every child feels empowered, valued, and capable of achieving their full potential. Let's embark on this exciting journey of transition hand in hand, celebrating the growth and milestones of our children.

Thank you for your continued partnership, and we look forward to a wonderful year ahead.

As you talk with your child about school, be positive, brief, and consistent in what you say so they can begin to relax into the new routine before school has even started.

Some suggestions:

• "On the first day of school, we will get up early, get dressed, and eat breakfast together. After breakfast, we'll drive to your school and greet your teacher by the enterance. You and I will hug and say goodbye. Your teacher will bring you in. You'll go inside and work and play with friends in the classroom, while I do some of my work at home/office/etc. You'll have a snack, play on the playground, and have lunch at school. After you finish working and playing at school, I'll come back to pick you up, and then we'll go home together."

• "I know your new teacher and the children are very excited to meet you and play together."

• "I remember my first day of school. I was so excited to see my teacher and play on the playground. I got new school supplies for my first day, just like you did! You will leave your school supplies at school."

• Make "goodbyes" positive and brief: On the first days of school, as parents, we can easily fall into the trap of lengthy farewells with many hugs, because the separation is difficult for us as well. It's important to understand that lengthy farewells create separation anxiety for both child and adult and add confusion and stress to the child's experience of school.

• Convey confidence as you arrive: "I see some new friends. It's going to be a great day!"

• At arrivals, keep it short: "I love you, and I will be back after school."

The most important thing you can do is show your child that you are comfortable and trust the teachers and school. We want your child's first school experience to be a positive one.

Many parents find the book, The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn to be a helpful story to read before the first day. It also might be helpful to have a small 4x6 family photograph (as requested in What To Bring?) to look at should they miss you.

Us, as parents, set the tone of the year. Please understand that this is a continually evolving situation. If and when things change, read our announcement in private and discuss it with your partner, alone, out of ear-shot. Then come back and tell your children as cheerfully as possible how things will go. They are watching your reaction and will respond accordingly. In our opinion, it is okay if you feel entirely different (angry, sad, worried), we do too, just fake it, so your children have a smoother transition. They don't need to add our worries to their own.

At Long Hill Montessori School, we value the importance of creating a calm and respectful environment during arrivals and dismissals. These are key transition moments for children as they move between home and school, and we believe it is essential to approach these times with intention, Grace, and Courtesy.

Purpose of Arrivals and Dismissals: The primary purpose of arrivals and dismissals is to greet children, help them transition smoothly into or out of the school day, and model respectful behavior. Teachers and staff will focus on welcoming or saying goodbye to each child, ensuring they feel secure and supported during this time.

Parent Communication During Arrivals and Dismissals: While we understand that parents may have questions or concerns during arrivals or dismissals, we request that these matters be discussed at a scheduled time, through email, or via phone call. This approach allows us to provide you with our undivided attention, ensuring that your concerns are addressed thoroughly and thoughtfully without detracting from the children's transition process.

Respecting Family Privacy: We believe that each family’s privacy should be respected. We will do our best to write a discreet note and place it in the child’s lunchbox, Communication that pertains to personal matters, such as reminders to send extra clothes or suggestions about dressing for the weather. Our staff will do their best to maintain a tone of respect and privacy in all communications.

Guidelines for Sensitive Information: To preserve confidentiality and ensure a respectful tone, we ask that any sensitive information be communicated directly through a scheduled time, email, or phone call. Please avoid discussing private matters in front of other families during arrivals or dismissals, as this is a shared space meant to focus on the children’s transitions.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us create a respectful and positive environment for all families at Long Hill Montessori School. By adhering to this policy, we can maintain a peaceful and orderly atmosphere while ensuring the privacy and well-being of every child.

We wanted to address an important matter regarding the timely pickup of our students at school. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in ensuring your children are picked up promptly at the designated dismissal time.

While we strive to provide the best education and care for our students, it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of our teachers' breaks. When parents arrive late to pick up their children, it, unfortunately, cuts into the well-deserved break time our hardworking teachers rely on to recharge and prepare for their next session.

As you can imagine, ensuring a smooth transition between morning and afternoon is vital for maintaining an optimal learning environment. By promptly picking up your children, you contribute to the overall efficiency and harmony of our school community. This shows our educators that we respect their schedules and appreciate their dedication to our students.

To help facilitate timely pickups, I kindly request your help in the following ways:

1. Familiarize yourself with the school's dismissal schedule and try to be present a few minutes before the designated time.
2. Notify the school office in advance if you anticipate being unavoidably delayed, ensuring that alternative arrangements can be made for your child's care until your arrival.
3. Communicate with any designated pickup persons or family members responsible for collecting your child, stressing the importance of punctuality.

We understand unforeseen circumstances can sometimes arise, and we are here to support you. If you encounter any challenges regarding pickup times, please contact the school office. Together, we can find suitable solutions to ensure the smooth running of our daily routines.

Be cautious and watchful for small children when backing out of a parking space. Please supervise your child to and from the parking lot. Also, please remember not to park in the church parking spots in front of the building.

There will be a $1 per minute late charge for children picked up after their scheduled time. If there are extenuating circumstances, please notify us prior to scheduled pick up time.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for proactively picking up your children on time. Your cooperation contributes to maintaining an environment that is conducive to the well-being of both our students and our teachers.

Morning: 11:10am - 11:15am

Grace & Courtesy Lunch: 11:30am - 12pm

Full Day: 2:40pm - 2:45pm

Extended Day: by 5:30pm

Please be careful, drive at a safe speed, and stay alert while driving and reversing in the parking lot. The two parking spots near the entrance reserved for the church are not available for use, even for drop-offs or pick-ups. Moreover, kindly avoid parking in spots designated for handicapped or Courtesy Parking (reserved for expectant mothers and parents with infants). Instead, please use the parking spots beyond the school.

We're will continue using Transparent Classroom, our online platform that helps parents and teachers stay connected and keep you updated about school activities.

Transparent Classroom allows our teachers to keep a close eye on your child's progress, keep family information organized, and promptly update attendance. You'll also receive important school notices and closures through TC, so you're always in the loop about any updates.

A cool perk of Transparent Classroom is the option to receive occasional photo updates of your child's day. Just a heads up, photos aren't uploaded every hour, and we won't be sharing detailed info about your child's napping, eating, and toileting through the platform.

Our teachers are dedicated to actively engaging with the children and fostering a supportive, encouraging atmosphere for learning. They're all about interacting with the students, rather than constantly taking and sharing photos or meticulously documenting every meal and bathroom visit. If we have any concerns, we'll reach out to you proactively. We're big on open and transparent communication, so feel free to raise any questions or concerns you may have.

Quick tip: If you notice a lot of food left in your child's lunchbox, it may indicate a smaller appetite, while an empty lunchbox suggests a bigger appetite. We encourage children to eat independently, but if your child needs a little extra after finishing their lunch, a teacher will help out and leave a note in their lunchbox for more food if needed.

In the unlikely event that your child has an accident or feels hungry, rest assured that our teachers will take swift and appropriate action. If a situation like this comes up, your child will be sent home with a bag of soiled clothes.

Lunch is such a fun time to practice our grace & courtesy manners. We begin lunch with all children washing their hands. They set up their lunch then stand behind their chair and politely wait for the teacher to start our Earth acknowledgment song, before joining in to sing "The Earth is good to me, and so I thank the Earth, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed, the Earth is good to me. Bon Appetit! Now you may eat."

They place their cloth napkin on their lap and enjoy polite conversation with friends and teachers while eating their growing food first.

Things to keep in mind while preparing lunch with your child:

• we are a peanut-aware school. Let's do our best to keep our school a peanut-free environment
  
• pack small rather than large
  
• containers they can open independently
  
• real utensils
  
• cloth napkin
  
• healthy snacks
  
• no juice boxes, prefer water in a recyclable container
• keep in mind that raw carrots take a long time to chew. Often, if there are too many carrots, children don't get to their other food.
• be mindful of potential choking hazards and cut food into smaller pieces (Potential choking foods for young children include but aren't limited to whole grapes, hot dogs, nuts and seeds, popcorn, large chunks of meat or cheese, hard candies, and raw carrots. Always make sure to cut these foods into smaller, more manageable pieces for young children to eat safely.)

We appreciate the effort to pack a nutritious meal, we kindly ask that you refrain from sending any soup, rice or go-gurts. These foods tend to be messy and difficult for your child to eat during lunchtime. Additionally, please be mindful of what you are packing for your child's snack. It's important to note that they are responsible for feeding and cleaning up after themselves, so packing a huge snack may not be necessary.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

With all that being said, a bagel with cream cheese from Dunkin Donuts and egg sandwich from McDonald's are a-okay!

We’re excited to share some tips to ensure that our Montessori approach to independence continues throughout the day, especially during mealtime (lunch and snacks). At Montessori, independence is the name of the game, and we want to set your child up for success in managing their belongings and meals.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

Pack with Success in Mind

• Make sure all of your child’s belongings, especially their lunch, snack items, and water bottle, are clearly labeled with their name. This will help them feel more responsible for their things.

• If your child has both a morning and afternoon snack, feel free to label those items "AM" and "PM" to help them understand when to eat what.

• Pack their lunch in one container, AM snack in another container, and PM snack in another container, along with a water bottle in one meal carrier, so it’s easier for them to manage independently.

Encourage Independence

• As part of our Montessori approach, we encourage the children to eat independently. You can support this at home by letting them practice opening containers, unwrapping food, and cleaning up after themselves.

• Giving them the tools for success, like easy-to-open containers and packing portions they can manage, empowers them to feel autonomous.

Allow for Flexibility

• If you are particular about what your child eats and when you can guide them by labeling or talking about the food order, we encourage you to let them make choices as part of their independent learning.

• Remember, it’s all about fostering autonomy, so encouraging them to self-manage their meals is a significant step in their growth.

Another option is you can totally send them to school with a mix of food options

and let them pick what they want to eat for each meal.

Labeling them for am, pm, or lunch is unnecessary -

just focus on serving good, nutritious food. ;)

By allowing your child to take ownership of their meals and belongings, we collectively foster the independence at the heart of Montessori education. We’re excited to partner with you to help your child grow into confident, autonomous learners!

Our aim is to provide a safe learning environment for all people in our school community. To support this, LHMS is a ‘Nut Aware School’. This policy aims to increase our community awareness in order to minimize the risk of children with documented allergies to nut products.

Our school has developed and will maintain a school action and implementation plan when dealing with students who have critically life-threatening allergies.

Please take a moment to read the attached Long Hill Montessori School Nut Aware Policy.

We are diligent about disinfecting at the end of the morning and end of the day and directing children to wash their hands at arrival, before snack, before lunch, and whenever they sneeze, or hands are in contact with their eyes, mouth, and nose.

It is important for us to monitor the health of our school community.

Please notify the school at info@lhmsnj.com and your classroom

(acornroom@lhmsnj.com, goldenoakroom@lhmsnj.com, and/or redoakroom@lhmsnj.com)

when you are going to be absent (for any reason).

If your child becomes ill at school, is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to other children, you will be called to come and take him/her home from school. Please make arrangements to have a caregiver available in case your child becomes ill while in school. Be sure to keep your child’s emergency contact form current with name and phone numbers to reach someone who can pick up your child or in case of an emergency.

Following these simple guidelines will assist the school in decreasing the spread of illness.

Please take a moment to read the following announcement and Illness Guide:

At Long Hill Montessori School, the health and safety of our students, staff, and families continue to be our top priority. As of September 2024, we have updated our COVID-19 policies. These policies outline what to do during COVID-19 exposure, testing, or illness in the household and the required timelines for keeping children home and their return to school.

1. Symptoms of COVID-19

• Children exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, headache, etc.) should remain home. Testing is recommended, particularly if symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.

• If symptoms develop during the school day, the child will be isolated, and parents will be notified to pick up the child promptly.

2. Positive COVID-19 Case in the Household

• If a household member tests positive for COVID-19, the child must remain home and follow quarantine guidelines.

• Quarantine period: The child should quarantine for 4 days from the household member’s positive test or onset of symptoms.

• The child may return to school on Day 5, provided they remain symptom-free and test negative on or after Day 5.

3. Testing Timelines

• If the child or a household member is exposed to COVID-19, testing should follow these steps:

• Day 0 (day of exposure or onset of symptoms): Test immediately or when symptoms appear.

• Day 4 post-exposure: If the child remains asymptomatic, they should test on Day 5.

• If symptoms develop after exposure, retesting is advised.

4. Positive COVID-19 Test in a Child

• A child who tests positive for COVID-19 must stay home and isolate for at least 5 days.

• Isolation period: The first day of symptoms or the positive test result is counted as Day 0.

• The child may return on Day 5, provided they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication, their symptoms have improved.

• If symptoms persist past Day 5, the child should continue to isolate until symptoms improve.

6. Returning to School After Illness

• Children returning to school after illness must meet the following conditions:

• Fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.

• Symptom improvement or full recovery.

7. School-Wide Quarantine or Closure

• Should multiple COVID-19 cases occur in a classroom or the broader school community, class quarantines or temporary closures may be implemented based on local health authority guidance.

• Parents will be notified immediately of any closures or quarantines.

8. Communication and Reporting

• Parents must notify the school immediately if a child or household member tests positive for COVID-19.

• Updates regarding potential exposure and changes to school policies will be communicated promptly via email or the school’s online portal.

We appreciate your ongoing support and cooperation in ensuring the well-being of our school

Before children arrive, there's a lot of work to do inside and outside the home (and classroom). To help ease some of the stress and keep you on track before the school year begins, here is our back-to-school checklist.

• Health Forms (*please see Health Records for details and links below)
• school supplies (*please see School Supply List below)
• labeled change of clothes (please see Change of Clothes below)
• snack (please see Snack below)
• child-sized rest mat (if applicable) (*please see Rest below)
• lunch (if applicable) (*please see Grace & Courtesy at Lunch below)
• monthly donations of disinfecting wipes and baby wipes (to keep up with supply & demand)

• pull-ups with velcro sides OR diapers & wipes (if applicable)
• (1) 4x6 family photo
  
• (1) 4x6 child's photo

If possible, please drop off any or all items at Meet & Greets and the first day of school. The first day of school is hectic and things run smoother if we can have a change of clothes, supplies, etc organized beforehand. :)

We just wanted to remind you about our services for your child. We are happy to offer diapering/toileting assistance in The Acorn Room and The Oak Rooms to ensure the best care for your child.

For children in The Acorn Room, there is a diapering fee of $100.00 per month, which is added as a service charge in addition to the monthly tuition. This fee will be incurred until the child has been accident-free for a minimum of a two-week period. Our dedicated staff is committed to helping your child through the toilet-training process.

For children in The Oak Rooms who are not yet reliably potty-trained, the diapering fee may also be included as a service charge in the monthly tuition.

Please remember to pack a change of clothes, wipes, and diapers for your child.

According to state law, we cannot allow your child to attend school unless we receive evidence that all health requirements are met by the first day of school. The New Jersey Department of Health requires the following health records, http://bit.ly/ImmunizationRequirements to be submitted before the first day of school:

1. up to date immunizations including POLIO #1 #2 #3 (#4), DTaP #1 #2 #3 #4 (#5), MMR #1 (#2), Hib #1 #2 (#3 #4), Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 13) #1 #2, VARICELLA (chickenpox) #1 (#2)
   
   
2. proof of yearly flu vaccine (an updated flu vaccine for the 2024-2025 school year is required to return to school after the holiday recess, January 2, 2025)
   
   
3. annual Record of Physical (attached form named must be completed, dated, and signed by a physician)
   
   
4. Allergy Treatment Plan (completed and signed by physician) and Epi-pen in the original box with prescription sticker, if applicable.
   
   
5. Asthma Treatment Plan (attached form completed and signed by physician), if applicable.

Current families, please review your current immunization records on Transparent Classroom, http://bit.ly/ImmunizationRecordsonTC. If any of these immunizations are marked available or overdue, please visit your pediatrician or local health department’s Child Health Conference (CHC) immunization clinic to get the required immunization(s).

For an appointment at the free CHC immunization clinic, call the Community VNA 908-725-9355 Ext. 0 www.communityvna.org

New families, please submit your child's immunization records, proof of flu vaccine and annual record of yearly physical before the first day of school.

Families with a provisional schedule, please refer to the required immunization requirements and submit a note from your pediatrician outlining the provisional schedule.

Exempt families, if immunization(s) was not given to your child because of medical reasons, please bring us a letter from your doctor (licensed physician).

All families

Again, according to state law, we cannot allow your child to attend school unless we receive evidence that the above requirements are met by the start of school. Your child’s record must include a date for the immunizations checked above and the doctor’s signature or stamp. You can often retrieve patient records through your pediatrician's patient portal, by email, fax or snail-mail.

We appreciate your cooperation in this very important matter.

From time to time, families bring in a special treat to share with the children that may contain certain ingredients such as milk, dairy, eggs, oats, or gluten.

Suppose your child has allergies or dietary restrictions. In that case, we request a special treat that is individually packaged or a treat that can be stored in our freezer in a labeled freezer bag or a clear container that can be defrosted later when a student brings in a special snack so they can have a special snack with the rest of their class.

Please provide the school supplies:

Acorn Room

• package of glue sticks (the more the merrier)
  
• markers (preferably Crayola® washable)
• tissue boxes
• monthly disinfectant wipes
• Ziploc bags
• Baby wipes*

Oak Rooms

• assorted colored pencils (preferably Crayola®* - regular or erasable)
• small box of large Crayola® crayons
• Colors of the World crayons, markers OR pencils
• eraser
  
• pencil sharpener with cap
• child-sized metal scissors
• package of glue sticks (the more the merrier)
  
• markers (preferably Crayola® washable)
• tissue boxes
• monthly disinfectant wipes
• Ziploc bags
• Baby wipes*

* In our Montessori environment, one of the essential pillars is instilling a sense of care for the environment in the children. Alongside activities like walking around the rugs and watering plants, the children also take pride in maintaining a clean and tidy classroom. To further promote environmental responsibility, we also use biodegradable baby wipes to clean the environment, as this aligns with our values of fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to caring for our surroundings.

** We are requesting these brands because they flow fluently on the paper and don’t dull as fast. Some brands such as RoseArt and Wexford leave a lighter mark on the paper, require frequent pencil sharpening, and tend to splinter.

As we prepare to start the new school year, we wanted to remind you of some things not allowed at school. To help keep our classrooms safe and organized, we kindly ask that you not allow your child to bring backpacks to school. These can be quite cumbersome and difficult for young children to manage on their own.

In addition, we ask that you do not allow your child to bring toys or stuffed animals to school. While we understand that these items can comfort your child, they can also distract other students and take away from the learning environment we strive to create.

Lastly, we ask that you refrain from allowing your child to wear flip-flops or crocs to school and avoid lunch boxes with straps. These items can pose a safety hazard, and we want to ensure that all of our students are able to enjoy their time at school without any unnecessary accidents.

Lastly, we are noticing an increase in children wearing valuable and meaningful trinkets/jewelry to school. We understand these are special and children may want to share and show them to their friends and teachers, however, these items are either getting lost, misplaced, broken, or becoming distractions during the work cycle. The children become upset when something gets broken or lost and it affects their entire day. We would appreciate if you kept these special items at home.

Thank you for your cooperation in these matters. We look forward to a wonderful school year ahead.

For families enrolled at Long Hill Montessori School, we’d like to provide a clear understanding of the different early childhood education options available. This helps you appreciate the unique benefits of the Montessori approach compared to traditional preschool and daycare settings. While you’ve chosen Montessori for your child, understanding how it stands apart from other options can align expectations and fully support your child’s development.

By understanding the differences between these educational environments, you can see how the Montessori philosophy at Long Hill Montessori School aligns with our focus on independence, curiosity, and holistic development. This comparison offers insight into Montessori education's unique expectations and benefits, reinforcing why it’s such a valuable experience for your child’s growth.

Group 1* (HALF DAY students)

Group 2** (HALF DAY with GRACE & COURTESY LUNCH students)

Group 3*** (FULL DAY & EXTENDED DAY students)

Mrs. Chester grew up in Basking Ridge, and still resides there today with her husband and two children. She received a BS in Early Childhood Education from West Virginia University. Megan went on and received her Toddler Montessori training from Princeton Montessori. She worked at The Albrook School in Basking Ridge as a toddler teacher for over 10 years.

Mrs. Londoño is a native of Colombia. Her fluency in the Spanish language coupled with the Montessori Method facilitates children through the various stages of language development. She completed her assistant training at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Diane is a mother of 3 boys and enjoys singing and conversing with the children of Long Hill Montessori School in Spanish.

Mrs. Love is originally from Las Cruces, NM, where she grew up dancing classical ballet and earned her BA in Theater Arts from New Mexico State University. She spent 15 years in NYC, starting her own non-profit theater company, getting her MA in Dance Education: American Ballet Theatre pedagogy from NYU, and working in the education department at American Ballet Theatre. She has taught ballet for ages 3 through adults at the JKO School at ABT, the Mason Gross Extension Division at Rutgers University, and the Franklin School for the Performing Arts in Franklin, MA. She is the mom of 2 young kids and loves being in NJ.

Mrs. Zecca was born and raised in Hungary. She has a great connection with young children. They gravitate toward her because of her loving nature. She completed her Montessori training in 2018. Before joining Long Hill Montessori. She spent two years in London, England, caring for two wonderful children, and most recently at The Children's Montessori Academy in Springfield, NJ. She lives in Berkeley Heights with her husband with their three children.

Mrs. Bhatia (Mrs. B) was born and raised in Virginia. Her family lineage, heritage, and culture spans from Balochistan to India. She studied English Literature at Virginia Tech, and completed a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University. She is a graduate of West Side Montessori School’s Teacher Education Program, and is certified by AMS. She lives with her two daughters and husband in New Providence.

Mrs. Raymond has been a resident of in Long Hill for over 14 years with her husband and 2 daughters. She originally received her Montessori Certification in 1999 from the St. Nicholas Training Center at Christopher Academy. Prior to her career at Long Hill Montessori School, Christine has worked at Lil' Reading Scientists as a reading instructor for 11 years and at Rainbow Montessori and Diamond Hill Montessori.

Mrs. Saraf received her Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from India. She completed her Early childhood education through Montessori Center for Teachers development in Morristown, NJ, and received her certification from the American Montessori Society. She loves working with young minds and has been teaching since 2017. Prior to that, she was an Interior Designer. She is a mother of two boys, ages 10 and 12. Her passion for working with young children in a Montessori setup began when she saw the growth in her own children in a Montessori school.

Mrs. Waiman has spent the last 17+ years of her professional career working with children. Besides teaching the Montessori method, she is also trained in the Kumon learning program, where she formerly worked as a reading and math instructor. Janet completed her Montessori assistant training at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Janet also completed the Early Childhood Education program at the Montessori Center for Teacher Development in Morristown and is certified by the American Montessori Society. This is her 11th year with Long Hill Montessori School.

The special student of the week is a special week to honor the child.

We will do our best to schedule their special week around their birthday or half-birthday. Parent(s)/Special Guest(s) are invited to join us in person or via zoom for the birthday walk and their life story.

The birthday walk is a special and fun event in the Oak Room. The children sit outside the ellipse (circle) and the teacher explains that it is a very special day for the birthday child. The birthday child holds a globe while the teacher places the candle in the center of the ellipse and explains, "This represents the Sun, the center of our universe, and that we on the Earth orbit around the Sun and this takes one whole-year and then we tell the very exciting story of their life."

During their special week children may bring in:

• story of their life timeline (Birthday Walk)
• bouquet of flowers (for floral arranging)
  
• special treat to share with friends (and teachers ;))
• favorite book
  
• 3-5 of their favorite things to share with their friends (suggestions: shell from a special walk on the beach, souvenir from a family trip, photo of their family/pet/special event, etc.) Please, no fantasy toys - superhero, princess, Disney, etc.
  
• no goodie bags, please

The children will have the opportunity to share a few of their favorite things. Another wonderful opportunity for public speaking.

* Birthday Walk Timeline can also be found on Transparent Classroom.

For birthday invites and thank you notes, family contact information can be found in Transparent Classroom. The teachers time is in the classroom engaged with the children.

8/28-8/29: School Closed - Staff In-Service
8/29: Acorn Room ONLY Meet & Greet (please see sign up below)

8/30: School Closed

2: School Closed - Labor Day

3: Acorn Room ONLY (see Phase-In Schedule below)

3: Playground Meet & Greet (9am: Red Oak & 10am: Golden Oak)

4: Phase-In Day #1 (Oak Rooms: 11:15am dismissal), followed by PIZZA IN THE PARK PICNIC (Lake Stirling Pavilion) *Acorn Room see Phase-In schedule below

5: Phase-In Day #2: (Oak Rooms: HD: 11:15am/G&C, FD, ED: 12PM dismissal) *Acorn Room see Phase-In schedule below

5: Caregivers Meet & Greet Coffee (8:30am) – details to follow (tbc)

6: Phase-In Day #3: (HD: 11:15am/G&C: 12pm, FD&ED: 2:45PM dismissal)

9: Regular Schedule:

• all Half Day students: 8:30am - 11:15am

• all Half Day w/Grace & Courtesy students: 8:30am - 12pm

• all Full Day students: 8:30am - 2:45pm

• all Extended Day students: 8:30am - 5:30pm

12: Caregivers Meet & Greet Coffee (8:30am)

19: Caregivers Meet & Greet Coffee (8:30am)
25: Picture Day - details to follow

26: Back to School Night (6:30-8 pm) adult-only event

27: Caregivers Meet & Greet Coffee (8:30am)

The first week(s) of each year is known as Phase-In days, a time of gradual introduction to the school environment. Shorter classes are scheduled for all students, for both new and returning. Regularly scheduled classes begin on September 9th. This careful attention early in the year helps children adjust to school routines and feel safer and more secure.

Should your child need additional time to adjust to school, we are happy to extend the phase-in period on an as-needed basis.

Tuesday, September 3: ACORN ROOM ONLY

8:30am - 9:30am: Group 1* (Tommy Aull, Adler Kruegel, Rio Fuentes, Grace Shapiro, Mimi Zou) & Group 2** (Julian Daidone)

10:15am - 11:15am: Group 3*** (Abir Bharara, Christopher Calandrillo, Eden Chadwick, Lily Grasso, Luke McMahon, Lily Potros, Joanna Provost, Aveer Shah, Gaby Verdi)

9:00am - 9:45am: Red Oak Room Playground Meet & Greet

10:00am - 10:45am: Golden Oak Room Playground Meet & Greet

Wednesday, September 4: Phase-In Day #1

Acorn Room: (8:30am - 9:30am - Group 1 & 2) & (10:15am - 11:15am - Group 3)

Oak Rooms: 8:30am - 11:15am (pack a snack)

followed by PIZZA IN THE PARK PICNIC (Lake Stirling Pavilion) - see details below - TBC

Thursday, September 5: Phase-In Day #2

half-day (HD) students w/Grace & Courtesy (G&C) & Full-Day (FD) students

Acorn Room: (8:30am - 10am - Group 1) & (10:15am - 12pm - Group 2 & 3)

Oak Rooms: 8:30am - 11:15am - (HD) students (pack a snack)

Oak Rooms: 8:30am - 12pm - HD w/G&C, FD & ED students (pack a snack & lunch)

Friday, September 6: Phase-In Day #3

all HD students (please pack a snack): 8:30am - 11:15am

all HD w/G&C students (please pack a snack & lunch): 8:30am - 12pm

all FD & ED students (please pack a snack & lunch): 8:30am - 2:45pm

Monday, September 9: Regular Schedule

all HD students (pack a snack): 8:30am - 11:15am

all HD w/G&C students (pack a snack & lunch): 8:30am - 12pm

all FD students (pack a snack & lunch): 8:30am - 2:45pm

all ED students (pack 2 snacks & lunch): 8:30am - 5:30pm

On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 11:30am, LHMS will host Pizza in the Park at Stirling Lake Pavilion after our early dismissal on the first day of school.

This is an event for all LHMS children and their caregivers. For those who are not familiar, Stirling Lake is very close to LHMS. It has a beautiful playground and picnic area.

Please help us make this a special LHMS community event by volunteering to bring a requested item, help set up, clean up after the picnic, etc.

Please note:

• They permit no one on the docks or near the water.
• The bathrooms will be closed. A port-o-John is available in the parking lot.
• All garbage must be bagged and removed at the end.

Please bring a labeled water bottle for your child/(ren) to minimize waste.

We are looking forward to a fun gathering:)

We'd love for you to get involved and help us make our events extra special. You're invited to sign up (on the button below) to bring something for the following occasions, but of course, feel free to suggest other ideas too:

• Pizza in the Park (9/4/24)
• Oak Room Thanksgiving Celebration
• Acorn Room Holiday Sing-Along
• Oak Room Performance and LHMS Holiday Celebration
• Oak Room Grace & Courtesy Soiree
• End of Year Picnic

Just a heads up, the sign-up information for Teacher for a Day, Parent Teacher Conferences, Oak Room Birthday Walks, and Observations will be sent directly to you by your child's classroom teacher. Keep an eye out for communications from them about these events. Thanks for being part of our community!

Accounting-related inquiries and billing concerns can now be directed to our dedicated accountant, Lisa Curran. If you have any questions or need assistance with your account, please contact Lisa at billing@lhmsnj.com.

LHMS will continue to partner with TUIO, a leading online platform for schools and childcare organizations.

Our invoices will be generated through TUIO; parents can access them anytime in their dedicated online space. Paying the invoices online via credit card or direct debit (bank account withdrawals, also called ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments) will be possible. A service fee of $1.50 will apply to all invoices processed, and payments made by credit card will incur an additional service fee of $0.75 + 3.5%.

What is TUIO?
TUIO is a billing and payment app used by schools, preschools, and daycare centers across North America. Using TUIO provides the following benefits to families:
● Access invoices at any time
● Electronic alternatives to post-dated checks
● Auto-billing
● Emailed invoice notifications and payment reminders to avoid NSFs
● Responsive and friendly support team

Who will be processing my payments?
Regarding processing payments, TUIO has partnered with the industry-leading top player, processing over US$80 billion annually in more than 40 currencies and has 3,000 employees globally. Due to their extensive presence in the payment processing industry for the last 20 years, you likely have already had your payments processed by our partner without knowing it.

Where will my data be stored?
Please note that TUIO does not store sensitive financial information like your bank account or credit card details. Instead, those data points are encrypted as soon as you enter them and transmitted to the large financial institutions that run payments. For the data points that TUIO does store to let you access your TUIO account, such as your email address and TUIO password, TUIO works with the industry leader AWS (Amazon Web Services), which is Amazon’s branch for server infrastructure. AWS offers the most secure cloud infrastructure on the market and is used by hundreds of government agencies, such as the CIA, and many Fortune 500 companies, such as Netflix and Kellogg’s.

What are the next steps?
You will receive an activation email (one per family) from TUIO containing instructions to set your account password. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder, and if that does not help, send a note to support@tuiopay.com to ensure they have the correct email address on file. Once your account is activated, you can change your name and email address and log in at app.tuiopay.com anytime. You can also set up your payment instructions for your next upcoming invoice(s). For detailed instructions to activate and set up your account in under 3 minutes, visit https://parentsupport.tuiopay.com/.

"The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of Responsibility and the wings of Independence."

This is the quote that inspired our logo!

The 'roots of Responsibility' symbolize children building confidence, creating peace and building a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning. Butterflies emerge from their chrysalis with 'wings of Independence', just like our children develop into independent thinkers.

They join us as "caterpillars" and emerge as "butterflies"... confident and independent ambassadors of peace.

Email: LongHillMontessoriSchool@gmail.com
Website: www.LongHillMontessoriSchool.com
Location: 158 Central Avenue, Stirling, NJ, United States
Phone: (908) 647-1852