Parent Meeting 2013-14

1. Parent Meeting 2013-14 The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori

2. Thank You!

3. Financial Comparison • Public Schools $10,685/pupil • Catholic Schools $7,000/student • The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori $5,000 • School Budget $362,000 • 5 Full Time Salaried Employees • 2 Full Time Hourly Employees • 5 Part Time Employees • Mortgage • Instructional and Testing Supplies, Professional Development (Some District Funds) • Everything Else!

4. Financial Challenges • Finding committed Catholic trained Montessori guides • Salary and benefits package to attract and retain these guides • Paying our employees on time • Budgeting and funding our expenses • Living “paycheck” to “paycheck” • Tuition not covering payroll; program fee not covering program fees

5. Meeting These Challenges • Financial Management Task Force • Consider serving on this committee • Recommendations regarding Cash Flow, Enrollment and Covenant Tuition processes, and Pricing • Finishing Enrollment Process • Paying Tuition on Time as outlined on the WOS Contract • Contributing School Supplies • Building Inventory • Knowledge of Supply Use for Future Budgets • Every Family Contributes a Little • Following Policies in the Student Parent Handbook

6. New Policies • Attendance and Tardy Policy • Drop off at 7:45 AM; Tardy at 8:00 AM • School determines excused or unexcused absences and days tardy • After 6 reported days tardy, the district will be contacted • Admissions Policy • Playground Policy • Board of Directors is responsible for approving policies in the Student Parent Handbook • See Tricia Menzhuber with any questions regarding policies and practices in the Student Parent Handbook.

7. Policies to Review • Attendance • Arrival/Drop Off • Pick-Up • Busing • Uniform • Full Uniform • Lunches • Forms

8. Parent Communication • Electronic “Weekly” Newsletter • Biweekly • Other week will have special reminders of events and news • Allow Mail Chimp to be accepted in your inbox • Let Ann Tellander know if you do not have an email address • Electronic School Calendar • Google Calendar on our website • Feed it into other electronic calendars • Hard Copy Calendar • Here tonight • Online with color

9. Who do I contact? • Children’s House or Elementary Classroom Issue—Your Child’s Guide (teacher) • Shannon Alinder—Children’s House • Fran Erling—Children’s House • Sara Feinberg—Lower Elementary (E1) • Jaclyn Gehrke—Upper Elementary (E2) • Atrium—Carolyn Kohlhass (Lead Catechist) • Forms and Business Pieces—Ann Tellander (Business Manager) • Volunteer Hours—Linda Olson (Volunteer Coordinator) • Anything School Wide—Tricia Menzhuber (Head of School)

10. Parent Involvement • Network with other families • During Phase in next Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00-10:30 AM • Day of Reflection on Friday, August 30th from 9:00-10:30 AM • Complete 30 hours of service with other families • Find a voice on the Home and School Committee • Parent Education Nights • Monday, Sept 23rd 6:30-8:00 PM Montessori 101—Independence and Nutrition • Thursday, October 24th Prayer in the Home • Monday, January 27th Montessori Geometry • Thursday, March 20th Parent Business Meeting • Thursday, April 24th Atrium Lessons • Parent Book Study • Second Tuesday of the month from 8:30-10:00AM at WOS • Montessori Madness: A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education by Trevor Eissler

11. More Information • Home and School Committee—Elizabeth Wickoren • Volunteer Policies and Hours—Linda Olson • Fundraising and Development—John Buchmann • Please report to your child’s (children’s) learning environment(s) to learn specific information from the Guide • Be sure to stop by the Volunteer Table and the Development Station! Enjoy some light refreshments!

12. Thank You! For supporting The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori!