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We are getting close to the first week of school at J. Allen Axson Montessori School. What do I do?
Registration Forms
Registration forms have been updated for the 2010-2011 school year and are much simpler to navigate. The majority of registration materials can be found here. Please print these forms and bring them no later than the first day of school (if you have not already registered). We also have a bank of twelve computers located in our media center if you would like to complete the registration process at school. The advantage of electronic forms is that you have the ability to cut and paste. Forms are expected to be posted Friday, August 13th.
School Hours
Three and four year olds: 8:30am-1:30pm
Kindergarten through fifth grade: 8:30am-3:00pm
Note: Parents of kindergarten students are required to complete a dismissal procedures form prior to the first day of school.
Morning Car-Rider Drop-Off
Students are tardy if they arrive to school after 8:30am. However, we will gladly hold tardies if a bus arrives late or if there are major traffic tie-ups. Students may arrive as early as 8:15am. Students sit on the floor nearest to their classroom inside each building. School officials and safety patrol students are present to ensure safety. Each morning, children are greeted by a school official and safety patrol students and may be escorted to their building when utilizing the car unloading/loading zone located in front of the administration building. Carriders are prohibited from using the bus loading zone. There is also additional parking available behind building 3. The speed limit on campus is 15 mph. There are several speed bumps in the bus loading zone to serve as a reminder of our speed limit.
Afternoon Car-Rider Pick-Up
No matter of your child is being dismissed at 1:30 or 3:00pm, please place a paper plate on your dash with the name of your child(ren) along the top of the plate, and the name of the teacher(s) along the bottom of the plate. Mrs. Renfro and Mrs. Kathy Bear radio teachers while you are in the car line and your child will be waiting to greet you as you approach the loading zone. This process is rather quick. If you need to speak with a teacher, feel free to do so but please park and walk to the car loading zone. The teachers stay in the same area in the car zone throughout the school year.
Bus Transportation
Bus routes are expected to be released Monday, August 9 at http://www.duvalschools.org. Simply click on the "Routes and Times" link and select J. Allen Axson. Students are to be at their bus stops ten minutes before their appointed time. During the first seven days of school, the busses may run late because drivers are stopping at every scheduled bus stop and meeting parents. If your child will be a bus rider for any portion of the school day, you will need to utilize this transportation at least two days of the first seven days of school to ensure the stop is not eliminated. Ashley Larramore is our bus coordinator, among the many other hats she wears. If you have a concern about the bus driver or schedule, feel free to contact Ashley at 992-3600, x107 or larramorea@duvalschools.org. Note: students must weigh a minimum of 40lbs. to ride a dcps school bus.
Extended Day
Extended day begins at 7:00 am in the cafeteria. We suggest you park in the rear parking lot for easy access to the cafeteria. When picking up your child, you will need to sign him/her out in the main office first. If your child is in pre-kindergarten, you will then walk to his/her Extended Day class. Elementary-age children will meet you in the main office.
Changes in Mode of Transportation
For whatever reason, if you decide that your car rider will be a bus rider or vice versa, please send this change, in writing, to your child’s teacher. If someone else will be picking up your child, please send a written note to your child’s teacher as well. Emergencies occur and if this happens, please call the school and follow up with an email if at all possible. The email can be sent to Wendy Stallworth, school receptionist at stallwortw@duvalschools.org. Our phone number is 992-3600. Our fax number is 992-3605.
School Meals
J. Allen Axson Montessori is high fructose corn syrup-free school. Our nutrition policy is included in the school registration materials and can also be found on this website. We strongly believe that the foods children eat during the school day should feed the mind and body the healthy energy needed to accomplish the multitude of tasks children engage in each day. Therefore, you will never see sugary cookies, cakes, sodas, artificial fruit drinks or candy during the school day. Please refrain from sending such food items to school for snacks, lunches or birthday celebrations.
Breakfast is served daily from 8:00-8:20 am in the cafeteria, located adjacent to our rear parking lot. The cost is $1.00. Children always have the choice between a hot or cold meal. Chartwells is the food service provider for Duval County Public Schools.
Lunch costs $1.50 per day. You may pay with cash or check directly to the cafeteria manager or you may utilize the online service, www.mylunchmoney.com. You only need your child’s student number (the teacher can provide). There is a $1.95 transaction fee but there are many nice features to this online service, such as alerting you when your child’s account is running low. Students may run a negative balance not to exceed $1.50.
Many students bring their lunch. Please remember to include a small placemat or cloth napkin for your child to lay his/her food. Also, please refrain from candy, sodas, and cookies/cakes (i.e chocolate chip cookies, Twinkies). You will find many healthy alternatives in the nutrition policy and on our website.
Writing Checks
CHECKredi is the district’s service provider for recovering returned checks. When writing a check to J. Allen Axson Montessori, the account holder’s name and address must be imprinted on the check. This is a requirement of CHECKredi.
What do I do if my child is crying when I drop him/her off?
Children handle separation differently. If your child cries, tell him how much you love him and your confidence in his strength. Ensure her that you look forward to hearing about her school day when it ends. Then, walk away as he enters the classroom. This is probably the hardest part and you might find yourself tearing up. This is normal. Fellow Axson parents and school staff will be there to support you. The classroom teachers, and support staff will nurture your child through any separation anxieties.
This should get you through your first week of school. We are here to help you and we are truly glad to do so. Please look for Mrs. Renfro’s weekly e-news reminders and monthly newsletters. If your email changes during the school year, please notify the school of the change.
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