LIFE AT VMS
by Ann Clark, Head of School
Dear VMS parents,
Re-enrollment Week
Each year during the first week of February, we offer priority re-enrollment to our currently enrolled families before making offers to new families. This year, Re-enrollment Week is February 1-5. Online re-enrollment will be offered through FACTS - a system we currently use for Tuition Management and Tuition Assistance applications.
Adding the re-enrollment process to this platform is part of our strategic plan to integrate our systems allowing parents to use one login to access multiple applications through a parent portal. We are excited about this new integration because of the benefits and ease of use it will provide our families. In addition, we will soon be opening class directories within the family portal that are set up based on family preferences!
Re-enrollment opens Monday, February 1, 2021. Look for an email at 7am to complete this process. Once your online re-enrollment packet is received, the VMS Business Office will finalize your total and send you an invoice through FACTS. This amount will be withdrawn beginning February 25, 2021 via your selected payment method. Re-enrollment must be completed by 5pm on Friday, February 5.
Student Progress Reports
Montessori education is based on the fundamental principle of respect for the child. It is guided by close observation of each child, coupled with a deep understanding of the development periods each child will experience. At VMS, our teachers devote time twice a year to create a written progress report to capture each student’s development.
As educators, we focus on the total development of the child and see parents as partners in the process of assisting children to develop to their full potential. Communication between parents and the school is an essential part of this process. It enables a positive and productive relationship between home and school, with a focus on the needs of the child.
I encourage you to take time to review your child’s progress report and contact your child’s teacher with any questions you might have. We appreciate your partnership as we strive to offer the best Montessori education for every student at VMS.
Summer Camp
We are starting preliminary planning for our summer program. Exactly how it will look will depend on county guidance regarding the pandemic at that time. For your planning purposes, the summer schedule will run 6/14/21 through 7/30/21 with several session options, depending on the age of your child. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
Covid Protocols
Although the Stay at Home Order was lifted this week, our safety protocols will remain the same as mandated by the Alameda County Public Health Department. Compliance with their guidance is required to continue to mitigate risk for our students and staff, ultimately allowing us to stay open and offer our on-campus programs. We appreciate the commitment from our on-campus families remaining patient and diligently adhering to county protocols both at VMS and elsewhere - wearing masks, socially distancing, washing hands and avoiding indoor gatherings.
As part of our commitment to keep our community informed, we will continue to notify you, as recommended by the ACPHD, if there is a confirmed case on campus, which classroom was affected, the date the individual was last at school, and if any course of action is required by you or VMS.
Thank you again for your ongoing support. We are hopeful as we look to the months ahead of us!
With Gratitude,
Ann
