COVID-19 and Our CMP Community

Dear CMP Families,

We are writing to address the concerns of COVID-19 and to inform you of the steps that Countryside is taking to best ensure the health and safety of our CMP community. To stay informed and proactive in our approach, we are monitoring all guidelines and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Health.

Here is what CMP is doing to stay informed and minimize risk:

  • We’re implementing recommended cleaning and disinfecting precautions, especially on ALL high-touch surfaces

  • Consistently requiring hand washing with soap and water.

  • We are minimizing any tours or visits at this time, until after spring break. 

  • Asking families to not bring siblings into the school or playgrounds.

People/families should follow simple steps to avoid getting sick, including:

  • Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water.

  • Covering coughs and sneezes.

  • Avoiding touching your face.

  • Set the emotional tone with your child by not panicking and encouraging the preventative measures. Children will pick up on anxiety, stress and panic.

  • Eliminate and evaluate the need to be in public places that can be vulnerable to transferring illness.

  • Staying home when sick or if your family member is sick. Children need to be symptom free for 24 hours (medication free) before returning.

We encourage you to regularly visit the CDCWisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Public Health Madison and Dane County websites to stay informed. You and your families’ health is a priority of CMP. 

Thank you for partnering with us, entrusting us, and strengthening our relationship together. 

March 2020 Newsletter

Enrollment Updates:

  • Summer Camp registration is still being accepted.
  • 2020-21 School Year is now in open enrollment so spaces are beginning to fill quickly. Please turn in your completed Letter of Intent, Material Fee, and 1st week tuition by April 1st to secure your spot for next year.
  • Our Tax ID # is: 39-17-53172

REMINDERS:

Muddy Days ahead so we recommend your preschooler to have rain boots and rain pants if possible as we continue to enjoy the outdoors.
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A reminder “home toys” need to stay home or in the car.  When they arrive in the coat room or backpacks it can be a distraction for others and of course we want to be sure items don’t get lost.
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Thank you for your assistance in keeping our indoors and outdoors tidy!  We are always grateful for the extra help in picking up garbage around the school, coatrooms, etc. let your school pride show and trickle down to your children.
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Helpful Healthy Hints:

1.- Hand washing (share reminders to complete all the steps, sing a little song, make it fun!)
2.- Sleep, and more sleep!
3.- Wash belongings that are used frequently- water bottles, mittens, hats, blankets
4.- Coughing/ Sneezing in elbows
5.- If you’re sick or not feeling well, stay home please until symptom free for 24 hours

ATTENTION PARENTS: CMP is seeking to update it’s website and make it as parent friendly and current as possible. We have the content, Are you a parent with those skills or know someone who does? If so, please contact Ms. Patty.
Thank you in advance for your help; we are really excited for new possibilities!

Parentsinspiration:

Creative Ways to Say No To A Child
by Kathryn Kvol

Saying no to your child can be difficult. Sometimes we end up feeling like a broken record that
says NO all the time. Sometimes our kids just wear us down. Yet saying no is a necessary ingredient to help children grow and to be able to say no to sex, drugs and other dubious things we want our children to refuse. Here are 19 variations of saying no to add to your parenting repertoire.

For younger children:
1. Give them an alternative. “Walls are not for coloring. Here is a piece of paper”
2.  Tell them what to do instead “Water needs to stay in the tub”
3. Use distraction.
4. For a youngster who has something you don’t want her to have say “That’s not a toy. However, this is a toy you can play with”
5. Sing, “no, no, no”
6. Say it in a funny way, “Never in a million trillion years!”

For older children:
1.  “That’s not an option”
2. “I am unwilling….”
3. “That’s not appropriate.”
4. “I am not ready for you to do that yet”
5. Ask, “What do you think you would need to do before I would be willing to say yes to that?”
6. Ask “What do you think? Is this a good choice for you?” (If you choose to use this, make sure
you are willing to abide by their answer.)
7. Ask, “What are your other options?”
8. “No,  but I would be willing to…”
9.  “I appreciate your asking, however…”
10. “This is not negotiable.”
11. “Yes, as soon as (task) is done….”
12. “I’d love to, now is not an option, let’s go put it on the calendar.”
13. Do the unexpected!

Of course there are times when you should say, no and mean no. At those times it is helpful to make direct eye contact with the child and in a firm and neutral tone of voice, say the word “no” ONCE. Some children do best with a brief reason why they are being told no. However, it is essential that this explanation is very short. Keep it short to avoid turning this into a lecture. Do not get into an argument. If you do, your child will learn that if he wears you down, you will give in.

Parents may also be wondering…
What happens in my child’s classroom?

 Your child is valued as a unique individual. Montessori education recognizes that children learn in different ways, and accommodates all learning styles. Students are free to learn at their own pace, each advancing as he is ready, guided by the teacher and an individualized learning plan.

 Beginning at an early age, Montessori nurtures order, concentration, and  independence. Intentional classroom design, materials, and daily routines support the student’s emerging “self-regulation” (the ability to educate one’s self, and to think about what one is learning), in toddlers through adolescents.

 Students are part of a close, caring community. The multi-age classroom—typically spanning 2.5 —5 years re-creates a family structure. Older students enjoy stature as mentors and role models; younger children feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead. Teachers model respect, loving kindness, and a peaceful conflict resolution.

 Montessori students enjoy freedom within limits. Working within parameters set by their teachers and the classroom community, students are active participants in deciding what their focus of learning will be.

 Students are supported in becoming active seekers of knowledge. Teachers provide environments where students have the freedom and the tools to pursue answers to their own questions. Internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and interest and results in joyous learning that is sustainable over a lifetime.

 Self-correction and self-assessment are an integral part of the Montessori classroom approach. As they mature, students learn to look critically at their work, and become adept at recognizing, correcting, and learning from their errors.

 Montessori supports social-emotional skills. Contemporary research supports the 100-year- old Montessori Method’s effectiveness, indicating that children who learn in Montessori classrooms demonstrate stronger social-emotional skills in many areas than children in more traditional environments.

Parent Advisory Board News:
Thank you teachers and parents who came out to our PAB meeting last month. We are working on many projects for this year, while also identifying needs for the 2020-2021 school year!

We recently created a Parent Survey Committee to assist with developing a semi-annual process to collect important parent feedback. We are also in the process of exploring the ability to set up electronic transfer tuition payments and electronic donation payment capabilities from the CMP website for 2020/2021!

The Truck Touch Fundraising Committee also met last month to continue efforts organizing our biggest fundraiser of the year!  WE STILL NEED TRUCKS to participate so PLEASE reach out if you can makes some calls to help us reach more area businesses to invite them to our May 16th event. Last year we raised $1,200.00 to help cover some classroom school improvements and below we highlight some needs for this year:

  •  ~$500 to cover the initial setup costs associated with Truck Touch community event. This includes costs for permits, set up needs, food, etc.
  • ~$500+ Teacher appreciation efforts – this is on going annual support to our teachers’ continuing educations/staff bonuses/teacher appreciation week in May.
  • ~$1,000 – $10,000+ School Improvement Needs – this is on going costs associated with upkeep and support of preschool. CMP will need to install a new furnace and central air unit this summer and looking at $9,000 – $12,000 cost.
  • ~$1,000 – $10,000+ Tuition Scholarship Fund – Emergency Funds – this is a creation of a fund to help families in need.

The Parent Advisory Committee works as an organizing body of volunteers for the school and functions successfully when we have contributions and participation of as many CMP community members as possible. Our successes this year highlight the strengths of many and the importance of a group like ours to continue to work to foster opportunities for engagement, connection and communication between parents and staff. We are supporting each other and shaping amazing young people at the same time!