Frequently Asked Questions
How is school information communicated?
Folders which contain your child’s work and important notices are sent home every Friday or the last day of your child’s week. We use email to provide timely updates as well as the school’s monthly Email Newsletter. Each classroom sends a weekly newsletter with class specific information
When is an appropriate time to talk to my child’s teachers?
You may email your child’s teacher at any time. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, you may leave a message at the front desk and you will receive a return call within 24 hours. Please refrain from having lengthy conversations in car line. Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled twice yearly (three times for new students).
How do I make an appointment to see one of the Administrative or Accounting staff?
Please call the front desk to make an appointment. We are more than happy to answer any of your questions.
What is the protocol for entering a classroom?
For the safety of our children, please sign in at the front desk and pick up a Visitor’s Pass:
a) before you visit the classrooms,
b) when you drop off your child after scheduled arrival time and
c) when you pick up your child before scheduled dismissal time.
ATTENDANCE
Can I walk my child into class the first week of school?
It is important that we establish a routine for your child to feel secure. It is an easier transition for your child to walk in on car line because they know what to expect and separation is not stressful. However, if you choose to walk your child in the first few days, do your goodbye ritual and kindly leave them at their classroom door with their teacher. Trust that the teachers are experienced in handling all situations.
Why does Turtle River use Car Line?
It is a traditional Montessori practice to pick up and deliver children to your car while you wait in the car line. This enables gentle separations and smooth transitions for both parents and children. It allows for personal contact between staff and families and helps establish a routine for dropping off your child. Please read the Carline Safety document for proper protocol in carline.
What if my child is going to miss a day?
We appreciate your advance notification or a call that morning if your child is going to miss a day. We are unable to provide credit for non-attendance.
What if I need to have someone other than my child’s parents pick up him/her?
Parents must send in a written permission note in advance designating the person, day and date their child will be picked up by anyone not on their designated list. That person must come into the school with their drivers’ license. If your child is going home with a friend from school, please let us know in advance.
What if I am late to pick up my child?
If your child has not been picked up at the end of car line, they will be returned to their room or to Aftercare. After a 5 minute grace period, a charge of $5.00 per ten minute increments will be applied. Turtle River does not provide aftercare for children who are not picked up on time unless the school has been notified by 9:00 am that morning, as State law mandates that all programs be staffed according to the number of enrolled children. Contact our office with questions about Aftercare rates.
CLASSROOMS
What does my child need for rest time?
Rest time is an important time for the children to take a break and renew their energy. Children under 4 are required to nap, and to help them be comfortable, please send in a small crib size sheet and a small blanket. Older friends also have a rest period, and should have a small crib sheet or king size pillowcase to rest on. Your child may also bring in a small toy or stuffed animal for use during rest time. They must fit inside your child’s cubby. The sheet and the blanket will be sent home on Fridays to be washed. Please send them back the following Monday or as soon as your child returns to school.
Why does my child need to bring in a family photo?
Montessori education revolves around family and it is very important to the child’s overall well being. We request that all children bring in a framed family photograph to keep on display in the classroom for the entire school year.
What are the Memory Books?
Traditionally we have created a wonderful keepsake for the children. Compiled by each class’s volunteers, they commemorate your child’s year at school with photos, comments and remembrances by the teachers, staff and the children.
Dress Code
What is Turtle River’s dress code?
A uniform is required for all Turtle River students. Turtle River logo shirt, blue or khaki uniform bottoms (pants, shorts, skorts, skirts), closed toe shoes with rubber soles, white socks only. A dark green shirt is required for events and activities during the school year. Elementary and Middle School students need a grey PE shirt with TRM logo and black or navy running shorts from Lands End.
Where can I buy Turtle River uniforms?
Lands’ End School Catalog 1-800-469-2222 or Embroidery Abacoa at 342 Toney Penna Drive, Suite #2, Jupiter, FL 33458, 561-277-9224. Our school receives a donation from Lands’ End of 3% of net sales from uniform purchases, and a percentage from Abacoa Embroidery. The proceeds go towards maintaining our exceptional learning environment. Turtle River’s preferred school number with Lands’ End is 90003054-5 and our logo number is 9825202K.
What happens if my child comes in without their uniform (top and bottom)?
You will be contacted immediately and asked to bring in a uniform for your child. There will be no exceptions and this rule is strictly adhered to.
Does every child need a change of clothes?
All children need a change of clothing because of accidents, spills, etc. Please send your child’s labeled clothes in a Ziploc bag with their name on it the first day of school. If their clothes are sent home (for whatever reason) kindly send a clean change the next day your child is in school.
Does my child need clothing for gardening or outside projects?
A large t-shirt can be supplied for gardening or outside projects, as well as appropriate shoes, as the children can get dirty or wet.
Snack Guidelines
How do I know when I am to bring in snack?
The Preprimary teachers will send home a snack calendar monthly. You will bring a snack approximately once a month. You will also bring in flowers and bananas or cheese approximately once per year, which the teachers use in the work sessions. You may also be asked to bring in additional items such as cups, plates, napkins or wipes. Please follow the healthy snack list that is provided to you (see the following FAQ for more information).
Elementary students bring their own snack daily.
What are recommended snacks?
For the Preprimary shared snack, please bring a store-bought and packaged snack for the number of children in the class. Snacks may be:
- Fruit or Vegetable platters (no dips), Naturally dried fruits, Fruity or Veggie Booty
- Packaged Cut up Cheese or Cheese Sticks
- Whole Grain Crackers, Pretzels or Bread sticks, Granola or Granola bars, Popcorn
- Trail Mix, Graham Crackers, Goldfish
- Whole Grain Breads or Bagels (sliced at store)
- Banana Bread, Carrot Cake, Zucchini Bread (sliced) (low-sugar)
- Individually packaged Yogurt, Applesauce (please include plastic spoons)
- Multi-cultural Snacks
Please refrain from sending snacks which include any of the following:
- Partially hydrogenated oils, hydrogenated oils
- High fructose corn syrup, nutra-sweet, aspartame, highly sugared snacks, icing
- Artificial dyes, MSG, hydrolyzed soy protein (another name for MSG)
- Nuts or Fish products as many children are severely allergic
A resource for healthy eating is Nutrition Smart, with an extensive selection of vitamins, groceries and herbs all at up to 50% off suggested retail prices. Turtle River receives 10% of items purchased here, so it’s another great way to meet your healthy living goals and support the school at the same time!
Online at www.NutritionSmart.com
Locally at 4155 Northlake Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens 561-694-0644
Do I send a snack for my child the first week of school?
Snack is provided by Turtle River the first week of school only for Preprimary.
What if I am unable to send in a snack on my designated day?
Please call another parent and switch your snack day or if you cannot arrange to switch with another parent, call the reception desk so we can make other arrangements for your child’s class. Please send a non-perishable snack the next time your child comes to school.
*Snack Time – the snack table is open for two children at a time all morning. The child chooses when to have a snack, however, new children are reminded it is their choice when to have a snack.
Do I need to send a snack if my child is in Aftercare?
Yes, please send a separate snack for aftercare, as there is no group snack at this time.
What may I send for my child’s lunch?
Lunches that your child can eat independently are best. We do not heat or keep food refrigerated so please pack lunches accordingly. Include a drink, napkin and placemat. We encourage you to send in reusable ziploc bags or tupperware, cloth napkins and non-disposable silverware utensils. Uneaten items may be eaten in Aftercare as snack, or are returned home so parents may monitor eating habits.
What is Pizza Day?
Fridays are Pizza Day and your child must be enrolled in the Pizza Program (one-time fee assessed at the beginning of each school year) in order to have pizza. Most children enjoy sharing in Pizza Day and those not enrolled bring their own lunch.
Daily Schedule
What does my child do at school?
Please refer to the example schedule on the Daily Schedules page.
May I observe a Montessori classroom?
ou are welcome to observe your child’s classroom from our one way windows
at any time during the school year. The more you learn about the Montessori
philosophy, the more you will appreciate the unique experience your child is
having. You may also contact our office to schedule an observation within the classroom, beginning in January, allowing each child to settle in to the environment. Our environment is structured, and we welcome adult observers while requesting a minimum of disruption to the classroom. Visitors are less distracting when they sit down to observe silently, encouraging children to continue with their normal activity.
Birthdays
Can we celebrate my child’s birthday at Turtle River?
Birthdays are special events for a child, and we invite you to join us in celebrating this special day in the classroom. In keeping with the Montessori tradition, the child takes a “Birthday Walk” during morning circle time, where the child walks around the “sun” for each year of his/her life. At the end of each year’s “walk” the child tells the class something about what they did during that year. We request each family to send in photographs for each year starting at birth. We will use this to make a time-line of his/her life to be shared with the class.
We request a special Birthday snack that morning. Plates, cups and napkins must be provided. Some snack suggestions are: mini muffins, banana or zucchini bread (no icing), crackers or pretzels with cheese, fruits or vegetable platters, water.
Children are encouraged to contribute a book to the Turtle River library in honor of their birthdays. Suggestions can be obtained from the teachers.
What if we’re having a birthday celebration outside of school?
We encourage these fun social celebrations, and there are a number of age-appropriate venues in our area that accommodate large parties. No birthday party invitations may be handed out at school unless the entire class is being invited.
Volunteering
Am I required to participate at the school as a Volunteer?
Parental involvement is a requirement at Turtle River. We encourage all families to participate actively at our school as we greatly value the community spirit that it creates as well as the enhanced learning environment it produces. Each family agrees to contribute a minimum of 25 hours of parental involvement time per school year as agreed upon in the Enrollment Agreement.
When can I volunteer inside the classroom?
The Montessori philosophy encourages parental participation. There are a variety of volunteer needs, which your Classroom Coordinator will discuss monthly at the Volunteer meetings. Volunteer needs are broad and satisfying, offering you an opportunity to interact with your child and his/her friends by helping with lunch, special celebrations and class projects in the classroom. Your contribution can also be outside of school hours, for example, picking up needed library books, helping with playground maintenance, preparing classroom materials, assisting with our fundraising events, etc. See the following FAQ for more complete information about volunteer options, or contact your Classroom Coordinator to learn of specific needs. We do suggest that parents refrain from volunteering in the classroom if they feel their child will be distracted by their presence or distressed when they leave. Many times simply waiting a few months before being in the classroom is advisable, and there are other volunteer needs outside the classroom.
What are the volunteer jobs and what do they involve?
Lunch Helpers are present with the teachers during lunchtime to assist and supervise the children with hand washing, eating lunch and cleanup. Opening drink boxes, ensuring that the children eat, and maintaining a calm atmosphere are all part of your role. A monthly sign-up sheet is on the class bulletin board. Non-disruptive siblings are permitted with prior approval.
Library Assistants go to the library and check out approximately 10 books on the monthly subjects being studied in the class. Many parents find this to be a great time to obtain a library card for their child.
Craft Material Makers do the cutting, pasting and organizing for hands-on projects, on an as-needed basis. As the teachers need assistance, they call the parents on the list with specific tasks.
Garden Helpers take the children out to the class’s garden in groups of 5 or 6 for weeding, watering and planned garden activities including planting, harvesting, and discussions about garden topics. Usually requires an hour of time and appropriate clothes.
Class Photographers are present at special events to take photos of the children, parents and teachers. Digital format cameras are best and typically are provided by the parent.
Special Event Volunteers During the course of a year, the school holds special events such as the Cultural Peace Festival, Thanksgiving Feast, Holiday Crafts and Valentine’s Day Tea which require additional help. Usually organized by the Classroom Coordinator a monthly sign up sheet is provided at the Volunteer meetings for parents to bring in food, materials, or to assist for a few hours in the classroom, helping the children create crafts, assisting in event preparation or cleaning up.
Coordinators for Calendar, Garden, Book Fair, Teacher Appreciation At the beginning of the school year, or as needed, the Classroom Coordinator will request volunteers for various activities. A Coordinator takes responsibility for a particular task for the year, and may coordinate other volunteers.
Parent Social Hosts open their homes to our Turtle River Families for Parents-Only Evenings. Attending parents each bring a food item and beverage.
Facility Improvement Volunteers have cleaned up after hurricanes, assisted with site improvements and helped install play equipment.
Auction Gala Volunteers are critical to Turtle River’s fundraising efforts. A Chairperson oversees the Annual Auction, with a board of volunteers coordinating donations, planning venue and decor, and organizing catering and entertainment.
How is my Involvement kept track of?
Parent Involvement hours are tracked in the Visitor Check-In/Check-Out book at the front desk, so that when you sign in and out of the school, you can simultaneously record your volunteer hours.
What are the Parent Awareness Meetings?
These Meetings provide in depth information about the Montessori methodology and its philosophies. Seminars are run by noted speakers and our staff, and are invaluable in assisting you to maximize your child’s educational experience both at school and at home. You must attend at least three (3) Parent Awareness meetings per year and you will receive credit for two (2) hours of involvement time for each meeting attended.
Why does the school have Fundraising Events?
Turtle River’s success is linked to our strong community participation – our “Extended Family” of supporters. As we strive for continuing excellence, we seek to supplement the tuitions with additional funding which allows us to maintain our exemplary facility and educational standards. Yearly fundraising provides us with monies needed for unexpected repairs and maintenance, for upgrades and additions to the facility, for teacher education, and for improved materials and experiences for your children in the classroom.
Gala
What is the school’s Annual Gala?
The Annual Gala is a fun evening, focused on our children! Held at a large venue, with cocktails and seated dinner, the event is a beautiful way to honor our parents, staff and children. The event is themed differently each year, with entertainment, activities, games, silent auction items and fabulous live auction items. Families enjoy this upscale evening of socializing and the fun of bidding on great buys and child-made artwork.
Emergency Plan
What is Turtle River’s Emergency Plan?
Turtle River has a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to provide planning for a variety of circumstances and the handling of the aftermath of personal or local disasters. Our highest priority is the safety of children enrolled at Turtle River while always providing a family-friendly, loving environment children thrive in. View our complete Emergency Management Plan in the Policy Handbook for guidelines that shall be followed in the event of emergencies.
Immunizations & Sick Policy
What Physicals or Immunizations are required for my child?
Florida Department of Health requires that a child must have a current Florida Certification of Immunization (State of Florida form DH 680) with either proof of immunization or exemption for the form to be valid along with an up-to-date physical form from a Florida physician (Student Health Exam, form DH 3040). No child will be allowed to start school without submission of current physicals and immunization records to the front office prior to the first day of school. A new Student Health Exam is required every two years. Each time shots are given you must provide the school with an updated record of immunizations.
What is the procedure if my child is sick?
In the interest of safeguarding the health of all the children, we will not accept a sick child in the classroom. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms you will be notified and requested to make arrangements to have them picked up within one hour:
- Fever (100F or higher)
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Difficult/Rapid Breathing
- Stiff Neck
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- Nasal Discharge
- Head Lice
Your child must remain at home until he/she is symptom-free for 24 hours.
At the discretion of the school, we may request a doctor’s note for any of the following symptoms before your child returns to the classroom:
- Cough
- Sore Throat
- Rash or Open Sores
If your child needs medication to be administered at school, you will need to fill out the Authorization for Medication.
How does Turtle River help prevent infectious illnesses?
In the school, as in your home and community, your child will be exposed to colds, flu and potentially other contagious conditions. Good hygiene remains the most effective preventive measure against illness. Use these guidelines at home and in the school to create lifelong healthy habits:
- Careful handwashing is the single most effective way to avoid infection. Wash thoroughly with soap and water. Sanitizers may be used in conjunction with handwashing, but not as a substitute.
- Keep all cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a clean bandage until healed. Wash hands immediately after changing a bandage.
- Keep shared surfaces clean.
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has uncovered skin infections.
- Do not share personal items like towels, clothing, hairbrushes.
- Encourage children not to put items into their mouth.
- Properly cover a cough or sneeze by directing it into the upper arm. Potentially infectious microbes can be trapped by clothing and become inactive.
Tuition
What is Tuition Express?
Tuition payments can be made at the school, by mail or automatically via electronic bank account withdrawal, debit or credit card charge using Tuition Express. Tuition Express offers parents an easy way to automate their tuition payments, with online account management and secure payment. To sign up, click here to access the necessary forms, complete and return to the Office. You will receive a unique id number and will then go online to activate your account. You will receive monthly payment receipts via email, and you can manage your account or discontinue the service at any time. For more information on Tuition Express, go to www.TuitionExpress.com
When are tuition payments due?
Tuition payments are due the first of each month and Tuition Express payments are deducted on this date.