Parents
At Aurora Montessori School, staff and parents alike are dedicated to fostering the development of capable and confident young individuals in order to ensure that they have a bright and hopeful future ahead of them. AMS is a place where every child is promised safety, opportunity, respect, comfort, dignity, and acceptance.
Good manners and behaviour are the foundation of the teaching and learning philosophy at AMS. We believe that it is only through adopting good manners and practicing positive behaviour that students are able to gain from the learning opportunities that are available to them.
It is our goal to help our children understand that they are here to learn and by placing great emphasis on the AMS standards of behaviour we are able to effectively teach each and every one of our students to accept responsibility for their actions.
All AMS students, both Casa and Elementary groups, are responsible for maintaining the order of their school environment (inside the classrooms, in the corridors, and outside on the playground). Students are expected to respect and care for their personal belongings as well as the school equipment and property. As such, Elementary students are to maintain their assigned lockers as part of the weekly checkups (on Friday afternoons).
Allergies AND Anaphylaxis
We have a very strict *NO NUTS AND NUT PRODUCTS* policy at the school.
Sabrina’s Law (An Act to Protect Anaphylactic Pupils)
Since nuts and nut products are the most common allergens, we have a very strict *NO NUTS AND NUT PRODUCTS* policy at the school.
An Act of Ontario Parliament, Legislature Bill 3, also known as Sabrina’s Law came into effect January 1, 2006. The purpose of this legislation is to protect anaphylactic students.
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The Act requires that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy, which must include, among other things,
- Strategies to reduce risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents,
- A communication plan for the dissemination of information on life threatening allergies,
- Regular training on dealing with life threatening allergies,
- A requirement that every school principal develop an individual plan for each pupil who has an anaphylactic allergy, and
- A requirement that every school principal maintain a file for each anaphylactic pupil.
The individual plan for a pupil with an anaphylactic allergy must include details on:
- The type of allergy
- Monitoring and avoidance strategies and appropriate treatment
- A readily accessible emergency procedure for the pupil
- Storage for Epinephrine auto injectors
In order to protect students within our school community, it is critical for parents of children with an anaphylactic allergy to do the following:
- Inform the school principal of your child’s allergies
- Work with the school to complete an Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan which has the child’s photograph, allergy information, contact information and emergency plan
- Provide a medic alert bracelet for your child to wear at all times
- Provide at least two epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPens) that may be kept in the office or in a mutually agreed upon location with the school
- Parents should keep a log of expiry dates and replace outdated auto-injectors
We encourage all those within our school community to become familiar with signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to respond or access assistance in the event of an anaphylactic emergency. Together we can help create a secure and supportive learning environment for all of our students.
AMS Uniform Policy
- Aurora Montessori School students are to wear their appropriate uniform every day, unless instructed otherwise.
- All uniform items should be clearly marked with the student’s names and maintained in a clean and presentable condition.
- While AMS has a mandatory uniform policy for all Elementary and Casa students, uniforms are not mandatory for the Toddler students.
GYM UNIFORM POLICY
- Elementary students are expected to have their fitness uniform at school every day to change into before their fitness classes.
- All students must wear soft soled, non-marking shoes in the gym.
- Students in grades 1 and 2 may come to school in their gym uniforms on their gym days.
In order to maintain consistency with the uniform policy, we appreciate that individual teachers should prompt students/parents who are not following the uniform guidelines. In cases where students are repeatedly in violation of the uniform policy, teachers are expected to report such ongoing situations to the school’s Vice Principal.
Uniform items are available from the current uniform service provider. For more information, please refer to our Uniforms page where you can find order forms and more information.
Code of Conduct
All students, parents, teachers, and staff of AMS have the right to safety and security. Nonetheless, in order to maintain a safe and secure environment, all parties must abide by the laws of the land as well as the school’s policies and regulations.
In accordance to the AMS Code of Conduct, all students, parents, teachers, and staff of AMS are expected to engage in non-disruptive behaviour in order to maintain the warm, friendly, and respectful environment that is critical to the success and growth of our students.
All members of the school community are to be treated with respect and dignity. Parents, guardians, volunteers, teachers, and other staff members (whether on AMS property or at school-authorized events/activities) are required to adhere to the AMS Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with the AMS Code of Conduct will result in expulsion from AMS.
Bullying
At AMS we have a strict policy on bullying for the Casa and Elementary students. As such, all Elementary students are expected to participate in our annual seminar on bullying. The Casa students are routinely instructed on appropriate behaviour and the Code of Conduct is reviewed frequently with them.
Our Code of Conduct is based on the following fundamental beliefs:
- The education of a child is the shared responsibility of parents, teachers and the child.
- Children learn best in a positive, safe and inviting atmosphere.
- Parents and staff share in the task of encouraging the development of academic skills, social and emotional growth, and positive creativity in our students.
- Members of the school community have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
- There is no place at AMS for insults, disrespect and other hurtful comments or acts which disrupt our warm, friendly, safe environment.
- Excellence in education is our goal and we have high expectations for every student.
- Strong communication between home and school is essential.