Dear RPMS Families,

Welcome Packets are on their way to families this week, with important information such as your child's teacher, any orientations, forms to complete and more. Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions!

Also, please note that payments for the school year start 8/1. You can pay via your Tads account, or avoid the credit card fees and pay via check or cash in the school office. More changes and notices for the year are listed below.

2023-2024 News and Highlights

Highlights of Changes and Important Information

Drop-in Care Changes

• Lunch care is no longer an after care option for morning Toddler and Children’s House students.
• In order to balance extended care needs with proper staffing, we are increasing drop-in care prices as follows:  
• Before Care (7:20-8:10 am) - $5
• Students may be dropped off to school anytime between 8:10 and 8:30 a.m. for the regular start to the school day.
• Montessori Enrichment (11:30am-3:30pm) - $40
• After Care past 3:30 pm - $5 per half hour
• As a reminder, a 48-hour notice is requested. Acceptance is based on availability. Notice must be given to cancel drop-in care requests.

Late Payment Policy

Payments are due by the 1st of the month.  There is a 5-day grace period before Tads applies a late fee (see section below).  Enrollment for accounts more than two weeks late will be suspended unless there is a hardship, in which the family must contact the office.

Tads Late Fees

Tads, the third-party company that handles our enrollment and billing systems, charges a $50 late fee for invoices not paid after a 5-day grace period past the due date.  We do not receive this money, and we cannot remove these fees.  Also, returned payment fees will be $50 to Tads for each payment that is returned by the bank.  If you want to pay online via the Tads, we suggest paying by connecting to your bank account since paying online via credit card costs 3% per transaction.  You are always welcome to pay via a check in the school office (made out to RPMS) and avoid the credit card/bank payment fees.

Snack

We will continue with the process of families providing their own snacks and lunches for their children. For morning only students, only 1 snack is needed. It is helpful to have snack in a separate container/bag from their lunch container.  Those students who stay past 3:30 pm  will be provided a snack by the school.   We will continue to provide milk and water during snack and lunchtimes.  Please also send your child with their own water bottle daily. 

Contact for Appointments/Sick Days/Vacations

Please contact Ms. Amber in the office whenever your child will be out for an appointment, has an early pickup or other occasion when they will be out of school.  She will contact the teachers to let them know.  You can reach her by phone at 608-868-4844, or by email at agrefsheim@rockprairiemontessori.com.

Text Alert System

For important communications such as unexpected school closures or an emergency situation RPMS will use a Text Alert System.  All families' primary contact numbers will be placed on the contact list.  

Handbooks online 

We have the family handbook and program handbooks (Toddler, Children’s House, Elementary, Middle School) online. Please take the time to read through these to find updates and more program-specific information.  A handbook acknowledgment form is included in this welcome packet. After reviewing our policies please sign and return the form by the first day of school.  To access handbooks, visit our website:  rockprairiemontessori.com, go to the Parent Resources tab, and then click on “RPMS Resources''