“It is necessary for the teacher to guide the child without letting him feel her presence too much, so that she may always be ready to supply the desired help, but may never be the obstacle between the child and his experience.”
~Dr. Maria Montessori
First Day of School:
HALF DAY, NO Kids Club
September 5th
11:30 a.m. dismissal for all students
Pre-Primary & Early Elementary Curriculum Night:
September 7th, 6:30 p.m.
(childcare provided, see details below) FCMA's Family Potluck Picnic:
September 8th, 5:30 p.m. Lower Elementary &
Upper Elementary
Curriculum Night:
September 11th, 6:30 p.m.
(childcare provided, see details below) Middle School
Curriculum Night/
Overnight Trip to
Washington D.C.
Parent Meeting:
September 20th, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
(childcare provided, see details below)
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 hug or kiss. 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.
- Avoid sneaking out. This seems to encourage children to become less trusting, and makes the second day of school even harder.
Arrival Procedures:Students may arrive at FCMA between 7:30 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. Staff will be present to assist students beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Herbert entrance and 7:45 a.m. at the Gardenia entrance. Main building students are to be dropped off at the Herbert Street gym door entrance (not the main door). Modular building students are to be dropped off at East Gardenia entrance (following the diagram provided in your July packet). This entrance is located at the back of the school, across from Rosies Park.
Parents who plan to stay and come in to the school must park in a parking spot in the lot. For safety reasons during morning arrival, everyone must enter either through the gym doors or the Gardenia main entrance.
Departure Procedures:For pick-up please use the same entrance assigned to you for arrival. Morning pre-primary, half-day, students are dismissed from their modular building at 11:30 a.m. All other students will be dismissed at 3:15 p.m., except on half days when the WHOLE SCHOOL is dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Curb-side pickup. Each family has been provided two window pick-up cards containing their child/children’s family name. Cards should be placed either on the
back of your vehicle’s visor or on the passenger side dashboard, visible at all times. Parents/guardians are asked to pull up to the cones as far as possible. Staff members will radio the name from your card to your child’s classroom. Please do not turn off your car or get out for any reason. Also, for safety reasons do not pull out of the car line before a volunteer or staff member directs you to do so.
Breakfast and Lunch Forms are due tomorrow,
Tuesday,
September 5th
FOR SALE1 Full Size Deluxe Sand or Water Play Table with Top
Measures 24"H x 45"L x 28"D.
If you are interesting in purchasing this table for $250 please contact
Ms. Chris or Ms. Stacy at
(248) 542-7001.
This year the FCMA Parent Guild is seeking business sponsors to help defray the cost of the Fun Run T-Shirts. Sponsorships are $250. We welcome sponsorships from family-friendly businesses from within the FCMA community and beyond. Click here for a sponsorship letter you can print out to use in soliciting local businesses. As an incentive, each sponsorship a student/family procures, they will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Target gift card. Thank you!
Pre-Primary &
Early Elementary Curriculum Night:
September 7th,
6:30 p.m. Lower Elementary &
Upper Elementary
Curriculum Night:
September 11th,
6:30 p.m. Middle School
Curriculum Night/
Overnight Trip to
Washington D.C.
Parent Meeting:
September 20th,
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you
Tuesday, September 5th!Reminder this is a HALF DAY. All students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.
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