Parent Involvement
Community Montessori is a parent cooperative that depends upon its member families to contribute service hours to the school. This enhances everyone’s experience at CMS as it is seminal to building strong bonds within the parent community. All CMS parents have an obligation as members of the cooperative to participate in the school by donating 50 service hours per year or opt to pay the standard fee rate of $500
annually. In addition, at least one member of each family is required to
attend the two parent membership meetings that are held in January and April to
facilitate policy making and execution of business matters.
CMS now uses the Volunteer Information Center (VIC) to keep track of hours donated and tasks completed. You may register for VIC at the VIC Registration Page. Once you have registered and have had your registration confirmed, you may log in to report your hours at the main VIC Login Page. Each family is required to register to report hours. Families who are unable to meet their service obligation will be invoiced for nonparticipation fees.
There are a number of ways to complete service hours. Parents may serve on the board of directors, a planning committee, become part of the service pool, help a classroom with projects, by attending parent education nights and meetings. The VIC site will have jobs you will be able to sign up for. We have a Service Hour Coordinator in the office to help match parents with jobs.
Library
The Community Montessori School has over 5500 books in our lovely library. Guides use the books to supplement classroom collections and children enjoy this cozy space for reading and musical activities. Elementary students are able to visit the library independently to check books out for reading and research. Our volunteer librarians are available to assist the children each morning from 8:30 -11:15.
Library Fridays
The library is also open for additional hours every Friday. Parents and children are invited to join us from 11:15am-noon and 2:45-4:00pm to relax in the tranquil environment while browsing through our growing collection. Books may be checked out two at a time for one week. A librarian is present during this time to help with any questions you may have.
Birthday Book Program
Looking for the perfect gift for a friend, teacher, child, parent, or grandparent? Consider our Birthday Book Program! Simply purchase a book in honor of your loved one’s birthday and donate it to our Library. Generous support of this program has allowed us to continue to expand our collection – a gift that will be enjoyed for years to come! More information is available in the office.
Playground / Fun Fridays
The playground is open to parents and children after the school closes at 6 p.m. and on weekends. The only exception to this is during Fun Friday events. These are Friday afternoons during the school year when families can be on the CMS playground with their children from 2:45 - 4:30. During these events we expect that parents bringing their children will supervise their children closely as they play with their friends.
Annual Giving
All CMS families are asked to participate in the school's Annual Giving Campaign to the best of their ability. Annual Giving allows the school to increase funding for the school library, PE program and other "extras" that are important for educating the Whole Child.
