Policy Statements
The Core Values of Knox Academy
We view education as a cooperative endeavor between our children, our staff and our parent body.
We emphasize the importance of fostering values and aspects of character.
These include:
We consider these aspects to be more foundational than academic achievement at this stage of child development; we do however encourage the child towards academic competence at developmentally appropriate levels in the Montessori Prepared Environment.
Furthermore, we encourage the development of the above through including nature as an integral part of the educational setting. Thus, the outside environment is considered part of the daily educational workspace of the child.
We believe our responsibility as staff is to model a worldview consistent with the above in all our relationships.
We also aim to respond appropriately to new challenges emerging in society but without compromising the integrity of the approach of the school as described herein.
Our Mission is to actively and with sensitivity, work towards affecting the core values of the school as described.
Non-discriminatory Policy
Knox Academy admits pupils of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to its students and does not discriminate on the basis of race in administration of its educational or admissions policies, scholarship programs or any other school administered programs.
Eligibility
Knox Academy will accept children from the age of 4 years old through to 6th grade, and we attempt to balance our student population by age and sex. We will accept children of all income and ability levels, and will accept children with physical, emotional, developmental, and behavioral disabilities on a two-week trial, offering continued care to those whom we feel we can offer quality care.
Application
Please read these carefully. You are welcome to contact the school Director with any questions you have concerning our policies on
Please note that your child will not start school until the payment of the registration fee and deposit have been received into the school account.
Vacation and Absence
As our budget is based on all children enrolled attending school the whole year, you will receive no reimbursement for days of absence.
Withdrawal of Child from the Program
One full term’s notice must be given before a child leaves the school or a term’s fees will be charged/deducted from the deposit, in lieu of notice. Children may be discontinued from the program if fee payments are more than a month behind.
On rare occasions, a child may display some valid reason such as being unable to adapt to this particular environment, not being ready to separate from parents, etc. We reserve the right to discuss the situation with that child’s parents/caregiver and the recommend the withdrawal of the child until the child under consideration is ready for the program. It is also at the discretion of the school director and staff that a child may be withdrawn on the basis of inappropriate conduct.
Payment Policy
The fees are specified in the annual registration information booklet. School fees are strictly payable only in advance. Payment may only be made by direct bank transfer or bank guaranteed check. Admission may be withdrawn if the person(s) responsible for payment of school fees is/are in breach of the fee agreement.
School Hours and Closure
The school is open Monday to Friday during school terms. It is closed during school holidays and public holidays.
Arrival time: 7:40 am – 8:00 am
School closes at 2:30 and children must be collected by 2:40 pm. It is important that these times be observed and respected.
We encourage to let your child carry their bag into school and to their locker, and to let them walk in rather than be carried. A brief positive goodbye to them is the best approach to follow when bringing them in the morning.
Afterschool care until 5:30 pm is available from Monday to Fridays.
Late Pick Up
If a child is not collected by the time Afterschool care ends, $50.00 per 15 minutes will be charged. Friends, family, or caregivers who are collecting ta child should be informed of these conditions. Please make every effort to ensure that the child’s transport arrives on time.
Health and Safety
Children’s Health Forms
Each child must have an authorization and registration form on file before attending the school. This authorization allows us to obtain medical treatment for the child in the event of medical emergency. We (or MRU) will make every effort to notify the parent as soon as possible of such an event
Illness Guidelines
Any child, who arrives at the school with a discharge from eyes and or nose, or any child who has a fever of 100F and over, is vomiting, or has had diarrhea within the previous 24 hours, should be kept at home.
Children developing those symptoms after arrival will be isolated, and the parents will be contacted to make arrangements for the child to leave the school.
If you have given your child medicine before coming to school, please inform a staff member so that we can be aware in case any side effects develop.
Children exposed to head lice who have not been treated, or those who have been treated but are not nit-free, may be asked to leave the school.
Staff illness guidelines are the same as stated above.
Giving Medication
The school will only administer medication prescribed by a physician with written authorization from the parents. There is a special book for these records. The medication must be stored in the original labeled container. We recommend that parents store the full amount in another container at home and transport each day’s dosage in the prescription container. Medication must be handed over to a staff member and not left in the child’s bag. Ask a staff member to store the medication.
Hand Washing
Hand washing is mandatory after using the bathroom, wiping your nose, changing clothes after a toileting accident, before and after eating, when serving or preparing food, and whenever you are sneezed or coughed upon.
Clothing Changing
Although most children will be using the toilet by the time they attend school, we will assist children with using the bathroom and changing clothes after an accident. New children will be reminded to use the bathroom for the first few days before occasions for hand washing, such as lunch and snack, after nap, and before going outside to play.
Please make sure your child has clothing which he/she can easily remove and pull on as needed.
Please make sure you provide clothing that your child can change into in the case of an accident. We suggest providing a few clean pairs of underwear, pants, shirts, one jacket, socks, and an extra pair of shoes. All items must be labeled with the child’s name so that it does not get lost or mixed up with other children’s clothing. In the case of an accident, you will receive wet clothes in a plastic bag to be washed at home. Teachers will send out reminders when backup clothing needs to be replenished.
Incident Reports
These will be completed whenever there is an injury to the head, a fall that could be serious, or when a wound, scratch, or bruise occurs that requires first aid, or when a child becomes ill at school. Furthermore, a report will be completed when discipline other than redirection is called for; or when a child raises a tantrum, has a bad dream, or requires serious concern. Such incidents will be discussed with the parent if deemed necessary.
Release of Children
Authorized release of children to non-designated adults/parents:
We will release children only to persons for whom the school has written authorization. We will make exceptions only if the parent speaks directly, in person or by phone, with the teacher responsible for the child at dismissal time. In this case the child may be released to someone the child knows, provided that person produces valid photo identification.
Discipline
When a child misbehaves the teacher will use respectful verbal communication to point out why that is unacceptable in the school and will suggest acceptable alternatives. A last resort will be to isolate the child from the area and give them an activity to complete. If disrespectful and gross misbehavior persists, the director may contact the parents towards a cooperative effort to address the matter. Our view is that it is primarily in the family that appropriate respect for others and appropriate social behavior is learnt.
We prefer to address behavior issues by encouraging the children to act and speak respectfully and considerately. The teacher’s model this in their interactions with the children.
Personal Belongings
Please label all belongings the child brings to school with the child’s name. Each child will be provided with a locker for storing personal items, but as space is limited, limit your child to necessary items only.
Things NOT to Bring to School
Show and Tell
Items that correspond to our cultural study area may be brought for the “Show and Tell’ on any day. Please check with a staff member regarding the appropriateness of the child’s choices. Live animals and special guests are welcome with prior notice.
Parent Participation
We view the responsibility for the education of the child as a partnership between the school and home. This requires cooperation between the school and home for the best interests of the child. We encourage parents to incorporate these principles in their home and family life.
We encourage the ongoing establishment of a parent teacher committee (PTA) providing an additional forum for community and communication between staff and the parent body families.
Parent–Teacher Discussions
We encourage communication between our parents and the school. Should you wish to speak to staff or pay fees, please restrict this to the period before 8:15 am. After 8:15, all staff need to be available to the children.
Volunteer Participation
Parents are encouraged to become part of Knox Academy. Parents are welcome to volunteer or aid the staff in a variety of ways which can include sharing with the children about a hobby or your profession, or through sharing/showing artifacts from your culture heritage.
Visiting the School
You are welcome in the classroom, but remember that the school is primarily the environment of your child and that it is preferable to wait for your child to invite you in. Ask your child’s permission rather, to come for a scheduled visit. A few hours spent observing in our environment is a helpful way to gain appreciation of the Montessori approach.
Meals and Snacks
Lunches and snacks will not be provided by the school.
Children arriving before 8:00 am may bring breakfast to school to eat at the snack table.
ESA Approved Provider
At Knox Academy, we believe every child deserves an education tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.