Brookline, MA
Apple Orchard

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.8)
Conducts an open house at start of school year
Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year
Conducts regular parent teacher conferences
Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year
Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year
Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

source:

Savvy Source's Comments

Parent's Role Parents are very important to the both the success of the school. Their role at the school is critical. Parents have many opportunities to get involved in their child's learning. Some of the various ways parents participate at The Apple Orchard are listed below: Parent visiting days: Beginning November 1st through the end of April parents are welcome to sign up in their child's classroom to spend the morning with the class. We ask that only one parent sign up per morning. Parent Class Evenings: Parents plan and coordinate these occasions with staff help in October to invite parents to learn more about what actually happens during their child's typical school day. Parents are free to explore the classrooms, materials and/or ask questions about the program. Parent Conferences: Conferences are available whenever a parent or teacher express a need or have concerns about a child. However, they are formally scheduled three times a year for all parents in the program. The first conference is scheduled in November, phone conferences are in February, and a final conference is in April. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all conferences. Parent Representatives/Substitutes: Parents can also get more involved by signing up to be a class representative or a parent substitute. Parent representatives help coordinate parent evenings, or special events. Parent substitutes may assist in the classrooms whenever a teacher has a planned absence or professional day. Parent Memos: Teachers send home monthly memos to keep parents up to date on what is going on in the classroom. Reminders about special events (Pajama Day), Holidays, and themes being explored within the classroom are mentioned in the monthly memo. New Parent Evenings: In Late May, new parents joining the Apple Orchard community in September are invited to come meet the director and other new parents. This evening is an opportunity to ask questions and also to meet some current parents. Parent Workshops: Informal workshops are run throughout the year. The focus is on the challenges and difficulties that concern families with young and older children. In these groups, parents discuss issues such as sibling rivalry, discipline, effects from divorce, loss, toilet training, local area schools, and a range of other topics. Ref: http://appleorchardschool.org/parents.htm

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.8)

Parents:

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Encourage play dates out of school

source:

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Participate in fund raising activities hosted by the school

Parent #2
Participate in school events for fundraising and community building

Parent #3
Pairs old parents with new parents

Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?

What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?

View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.

Trace around your child's foot, with shoe on, on a piece of white construction paper or card stock. Have child cut out the shoe print and add a spooky face. Glue it to a popsicle stick and you have a ghost stick puppet!

Comment (3)

Share From Send A Link To Your Comments:

Take Our Expert Quiz

how is your toddler or preschooler progressing developmentally?