How does a Montessori-classroom look like?
Answer:
A Montessori- classroom is a prepared environment where it is centered on the child. You will see children working on different activities or work either with the rug on the floor or on a desk, individually or as a group. A child is given the choice to select a work he/she wants to do. The head teacher or lead guide inside the classroom provides lessons to a child individually/collectively according to the child’s present need to learn a work material.
Does WMI provide meals?
Answer:
WMI provides morning and afternoon snack for the primary and toddler children. Parents should pack lunch for their children if they are enrolled in a full-day or 3-quarter day program.
For infants, food (snack and lunch) is provided by the parents. However, with coordination with parents, WMI can serve children snack options as well.
Where do children go during outdoor time?
Answer:
WMI has an indoor play area facility as well as have the opportunity to walk to the nearby Magnolia Park. Children do go out twice a day, rain or shine. Children enjoy the walk safely to the park or to the indoor play area with their teachers and spend 30-45 minutes there.
Is WMI an all-year round school?
Answer:
Yes, WMI is an all-year round school. From September to June, a 10-month program following the standard Beaverton/Hillsboro district school-year calendar; and a July-August (8 week) Summery program,
What does a normal day look like for a child enrolled at WMI?
Answer:
Below is a general schedule followed by each classroom at WMI. More details of the schedule will be discussed by the lead guide during the Parent Orientation session, so that moms and dads are informed of what a day looks like for a child at WMI:
8:00-8:30AM: DROP-OFF time. Kids are received by the teachers in front of the door and led to the classroom, They are encouraged to first wash their hands and may start choosing an activity they want to do or explore. If there is a need to drop-off a child earlier than 8:00AM please coordinate with the lead-guide and/or with our school director.
8:30-10:30 AM: Children usually start to choose activity works to do. Children would normally do 2-3 activities during this period.
9:30-10:00AM: AM snack is served and incorporated into the normal morning routine. Children in Primary and Toddler classrooms get their snacks individually served in plates within this time period.
10:30-10:45AM: Children are gathered together for circle time or group activities. Teachers read them stories, they get to sing songs, and/or do some fun social activity together
10:45-11:00AM: Children prepare to go outdoor. They prepare themselves by wearing coats/jackets, outdoor shoes, and in rainy season children wear their rain gears.
11:00-11:45AM: Morning Outdoor time. Children walk to the nearby park (Magnolia Park or Magnolia-Meadows Park) using a guided rope, with teachers hold both ends of the rope. Teacher-to-children ratio is strictly maintained even during outdoor time. At the park they normally will have time to use the playground, and run around the open field. After park time, they all walk back to school and once they reach the school, children are asked to use the rest room and wash their hands and prepare for lunch. Children enrolled in a half-day program are usually picked up during this period.
For the older children, we occasionally integrate an outdoor sports activity like inviting SOCCER SHOTS to have soccer lessons for 2 weeks or invite basketball/baseball coaches to do the same. Outdoor sports may be an extra cost to the parents, and they have the option to allow their children to participate or not.
11:45AM -12:30PM - Lunch time: All children eat their lunch together around this time.
12:30-2:00PM - Nap time: Children less than 4 years old usually will take their naps in their designated cots and sleep area. Older children in the primary school may choose to take-up more lessons with the lead guides in the classroom.
2:00- 3:30PM: As children wake-up from their naps, they either take time to eat their PM snacks or do some lessons, activities, or just rest. They also start preparing for their afternoon outdoor time. Children enrolled in a 3/4 quarter day program are usually picked up during this period.
3:30-4:30PM: Afternoon Outdoor time. Children will have their second outdoor time either by walking to the park or do activities at the outdoor premises of the school. As soon as they return from outdoors, they are asked to use the rest room and wash their hands.
4:30PM-5:30PM: After-school activities. Children will have the choice of doing art activities or projects, play with floor puzzles, legos and/or building blocks while they wait for their pick-up time. We occasionally invite an external trainer to integrate music(thru the MUSIKGARTEN program), dancing and/or gymnastics for children.
Does WMI accept ERDC/DHS- supported families?
Answer:
YES WE DO! We will work with families to optimize their government-funder support.