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Oakland, CA
Mills College Children's School
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Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Maxwell Park / Millsmont · Telephone: (510) 430-2118 · Website: www.mills.edu/campus_life...
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.2) | 
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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source:
Director's Comments
We hold two formal parent conferences each year, and meet with parents at other times as needs may arise; either the school or the parent may request a conference. As a laboratory school we display extensive photo and text documentation illustrating children's work and learning. There are classroom potluck parties, daily notices, a weekly school newsletter, semiannual journals, large boards which present both news and student work.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Parents in classroom early on
- Small group sessions
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Home visits by teachers
source:
Director's Comments
A home visit is scheduled before the start of school, the first days of school are limited to smaller groups, parents are encouraged to develop a goodbye ritual and a variety of models can be followed. Family pictures are posted in the cubby and children are supported in talking about their families and dictating letters.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
While fundraising is not required, it is highly encouraged. Additionally, there is a service requirement of 10 hours per parent each semester.
Parent #2
I feel I should elaborate on why drop in's, while not discouraged, are not recommended . . . what I've learned through my experience at Mills is how important routine is so important to the development of a child. Especially during the transition periods - separation or goodbyes at the beginning of the school day, and pick-up or hellos. I know from experience that if I drop in unexpected I disrupt my daughters day, and it changes that dynamic of the transition dramatically.
Parent #3
Rather than having rigid educational goals focused on learning the alphabet or numbers and so on, the beauty of the program comes from the way in which it allows children to explore their individual interests and then build upon them. The kids grow so much in their development of social skills with their peers and with teachers. Both my daughters felt safe and very much loved and valued, and this made it easier to be apart from their parents during the day. The communication between teachers and parents helped us build a good connection with activities happening at home also.
Parent #4
Mills College Children's School is a Laboratory School, whose purpose is to provide a high-quality program for children which serves as a classroom laboratory for teacher preparation and child study. The home-school connection is a combination of home visits with the family, and parent-teacher 'open house meeting' for a daily and yearly overview of the child's schedule.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.2) |
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Parents:
- Hold social events at the school to build community
- Fundraise
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Receive newsletters
- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)
- Encourage play dates out of school
- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Contribute 20 hours per year in helping school in various areas.
Parent #2
Serve on leadership committees to help forward the goals of parents and teachers.
Parent #3
Promotes social events at the school.
Parent #4
Much of the parent community does most or all of the above on a more informal basis.
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
- Notes
- Phone Calls
- Voice Mail
- Special Meetings
- Two or More Regular Conferences
- Drop-Off
- Pick-Up
- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Available at home during the evening for calls.
Parent #2
The teachers are pretty accommodating in this matter, time permitting.
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