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Dear FCMA Families,
The FCMA Team of educators, support staff, school administration, and the board of directors would like to extend a special welcome to all of the new families joining Four Corners Montessori Academy (FCMA) and welcome back all of our returning families as well! We are thrilled that you have begun, or are continuing your journey with FCMA. Dr. Maria Montessori said, “Education should no longer be mostly imparting of knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities.” The FCMA staff is committed to helping each child, of all abilities, reach their full potential, in all areas of life, by preparing them for 21st-century opportunities through a curriculum rooted in the Montessori Method, regardless if they are learning in-person or remotely.
The following information will provide you with an overview of the guidelines that will be enacted for the 2020-2021 school year. Families will be updated if any of these measures are changed or updated.
Please note as you refer to FCMA’s Preparedness and Response Plan, there is the potential for all students to return to remote learning if our region moves back to phases 1, 2, or 3 in the Michigan Stay Safe Plan during the school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If we do return to all remote learning, the following still applies to every student.
We are looking forward to seeing you in-person or 'remotely' soon! Please stay safe as you enjoy this last week of summer!
The 100% remote learning option complements the school's classroom instruction and is a combination of self-paced and live opportunities for instruction, participation, and feedback.
Learning Management System
FCMA will provide a consistent Learning Management System (LMS) for all grade levels. Canvas has been selected as the LMS FCMA staff and students will use.
All FCMA students learning remotely will retrieve weekly coursework directly from their teacher via Canvas. Students will be able to complete assignments at a flexible pace, according to due dates provided.
All FCMA students will be provided access to online resources, via Canvas, to supplement teacher provided instruction (IXL, RAZ Kids, Reflex Math, Spelling City, etc.).
Teachers and staff will be providing tutorials on the Learning Management System during the upcoming Curriculum Night and the next few weeks.
Montessori Program and Instructional Materials Available
Guided by principles established by Maria Montessori over 100 years ago, and internationally recognized as providing an exceptional learning foundation, the FCMA curriculum will target the individual needs of each student. All of our teachers, who are Montessori trained, will support and challenge FCMA students as they strive to meet not only the CCSS, NGSS, and Michigan’s Social Studies Content Expectations, but their personal educational goals as well.
Classroom teachers and teacher assistants will be available to answer questions during school hours via email, Zoom, Google Hangout, or Class Tag for students working remotely. Therefore offering a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning for both onsite and remote learners.
All instructional staff (Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Instructional Coaches, Special Education Teachers, Specials Teachers, and Administration) will have access to a video/resource library to support remote learning through Canvas. These videos/resources consist of Montessori presentations and supplemental materials to reinforce concepts being introduced.
All FCMA students will be provided with printed materials (planner, workbooks, Montessori print-outs, etc.) during the Meet the Teacher Parade/Resource Pick Up on Tuesday, September 1st.
Technology
FCMA will provide students enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year a school issued device (Chromebook & power cord) for use during remote learning, upon request.
MacroConnect, the schools’ identified technology support will assist with tracking and
maintaining of devices. All student devices will have GoGuardian, a CIPA compliant filtering and monitoring software, installed.
All students and parents/guardians will be required to complete an updated FCMA Technology and Internet Acceptable Use Policy, which includes home policies and loss/replacement costs for use of a district issued device off campus.
The academy should be notified if internet access is unavailable in the remote learning (Learning at Home) environment by the student, parent/guardian or FCMA staff.
Additional resources for internet access will be shared through the academy’s various modes of communication (email, School Messenger, website, social media).
Ownership of Learning
As a participant in our remote learning (Learning at Home) program, we have worked to provide our students with a rich online Montessori learning environment. Parents and students who plan to pursue the remote learning option understand that you are the owner of your success in the program. Of course, the FCMA teachers and staff will support you, but we ask that parents:
-support their child(ren)'s management of their remote learning experience.
-provide flexibility and consistency.
-understand the importance of prompt communication with teachers and the school staff on a regular basis, particularly when you are having difficulties with technology and/or class work.
-have reliable access to a device and WiFi/Internet connection. If you do not the school will assist you.
Students who do not abide by the policies, guidelines, and rules regulating the remote learning option will be required to meet with the school leader, accompanied by a parent, to discuss successful strategies.
Attendance
Attendance is required daily, if your child is unable to attend, please call the office to report your excused absence, just like you would for in-person learning. Similar to a traditional day, if your child is not present in class, they will be marked absent and the office will notify the parent/guardian. All state of Michigan truancy laws still apply to online/remote learning. See below attendance guidelines:
-After 1 missed day of online learning, FCMA staff will reach out to you to get a return date.
-After missing 2 more days of online learning, your teacher or teacher assistant will call you.
-After 3 days of no contact, the Office Manager will be calling you to set up a home visit (or school visit outside of daily school hours).
-If no response within 24 hours, the school will call your emergency contacts.
-The home visit will be during school hours to ensure you have all the necessary support you need for learning at home.
-If needed, the school will work with local support networks to ensure services are available to those that need it.
-If contact continues to be an issue, a meeting will be set up with FCMA school administration to coach the student(s) into in-person school, if possible. During this meeting, the Head of School, parent, and student will review the online learning expectations and take notes to keep as reference.
We are asking all families who selected remote learning to sign the following FCMA Remote Learning Agreement/Consent Form.
All remote learners will participate in synchronous (real-time/live) and asynchronous (self-guided/independent) learning Monday through Thursday and will be working independently (asynchronous) on Fridays.
The 100% in-person learning option is committed to prioritizing the health and safety of all our community while adhering to the Montessori Method.
Learning Management System
Ensuring that staff and students are prepared for a smooth transition to remote learning through the Learning Management System, Canvas, in the case of COVID related school closures, all FCMA students will utilize Canvas and be provided access to online resources to supplement teacher provided instruction (IXL, RAZ Kids, Reflex Math, Spelling City, etc.).
Montessori Program and Instructional Materials Available
Students working in the physical buildings will have access to all Montessori materials
and resources with proper cleaning and disinfecting practices in place.
-There will be a shelf designated, in each classroom, for items students used to go
on until they are disinfected with fast acting disinfectant spray or UV wands and returned to their proper place by staff.
First Week of School:
We understand the experience of coming to school can be quite stressful for some children. New situations and change can, at times, be unsettling for all of us. For many children this may be their first experience of separation from parents. It is common for even the most outgoing child to be anxious during their first few days of school.
Listed are some simple suggestions of ways to make this transition a little easier for your child (and for you!) during this time. Remember that we are readily available to provide support and assistance in making your child’s first school days and weeks happy ones.
Tips on Helping to Ease the Transition:
- Prepare your child for the new school experience by explaining to them what they can expect. Answer all questions directly and honestly.
- Convey a positive attitude. Children are aware of your feelings. Your enthusiasm will assure your child that school can be a fun and exciting place.
- Establish a routine involving both the night before a school day as well as morning preparation. Rituals and routines add predictability and are comforting in unfamiliar situations.
- For young children, clearly state to them where you will be and when you will return. It may also be helpful to discuss what will happen when you are reunited.
- Also for young children, maintain a clear good-bye routine. This may include letting your child know in advance that you will be leaving after a wave goodbye. Then, once you tell your child you are leaving, it is important to follow through (even though it might be hard). Prolonging or extending a good-bye with phrases such as, “O.K. Just one more kiss, then I really, really have to go,” or things such as this tend to heighten a child’s anxiety rather than relieve it.
If you are unable to attend Meet the Teacher Parade/Resource Pickup, on Tuesday, September 1st, please be sure to contact Ms. Alex via email, alexandriabyrd@choiceschools.com, to make alternate arrangements.
Thank you in advance!
FREE/REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION
Please fill out the Free/Reduced Lunch Application, below, and return to:
Four Corners Montessori Academy
Attn: Mikaela Kolka, Food Service Director
1075 East Gardenia Avenue
Madison Heights, MI 48071
Email Address: mikaelakolka@choiceschools.com
Fax Number: (248) 542-7901
More information regarding the hot lunch program will be provided at a later date.
August 31st
Early Elementary Orientation:
Herbert Entrance
September 1st
Meet the Teacher Parade/Resource Pick Up:
Herbert Entrance
September 1st
Curriculum Night:
5:30 - 6:30 pm
September 8th
First Day of School:
Half-Day, 11:30 am dismissal
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1075 E Gardenia Ave, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Phone: (248) 542-7001
fourcornersmontessori.com
Proudly managed by Choice Schools Associates – choiceschools.com
