Advertisement
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
The action you're trying to perform is only available to registered users of the Savvy Source. Please sign up or sign in now.
log in now
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
 |
· | · | Bookmark |  |
· | Post | 
|
Altadena, CA
Saint Mark's School
|
Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
 |
Review this preschool |
neighborhood: East Altadena · Telephone: (626) 798-8858 · Website: www.saint-marks.org
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.1) | 
|
| 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:
Director's Comments
A Parent Play Day in the spring allows parents to come to school for a morning of fun interaction with their child, followed by a discussion session with the school's counselor. There are annual Parent Conferences in November, Kindergarten readiness conferences in January, and an Open House in May. Class-created books are sent home often to connect parents with what is occurring in the classroom, as are regular teacher letters explaining upcoming class learning goals and activities. Teachers write daily message boards about something specific that was done that morning to spark parent-child conversations at pick-up time.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
|
Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Parents in classroom early on
- Small group sessions
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
source:
Director's Comments
An open house is held for parents and children to play together before the start of school. Every effort is made to accommodate children having difficulty adjusting to school, including parent-director conferences and abbreviated schedules at the beginning of the year, if necessary.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teachers write a letter to their students and include a photo. It's special to my children and helps them feel comfortable with their new teachers. Teachers also accommodate worried children in a number of ways, including dedicating an assistant to holding hands, etc.
Parent #2
Both my children did not have separation anxiety, but see that the staff is well equipped to deal with the separation process.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.6) |
|
Parents:
- Sit on the board of trustees
- Hold social events at the school to build community
- Fundraise
- Are required to make donations ourselves
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Go on field trips
- Volunteer in the classroom
- Receive newsletters
- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)
- Pair "old" parents with "new" parents
- Encourage play dates out of school
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Many, many volunteer opportunities too numerous to list.
Parent #2
There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer throughout the school.
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
You can talk to the teacher(s) about general things at drop off/pick up, but more in depth you may schedule an appointment (besides the conferences).
Advertisement
Being Savvy Today
Joy Through a Child's Eyes
It was a cold and soggy day at the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo. Cold, that is, for March day here in Austin. Of all the sights to see, my son spent most of our visit at the petting zoo. He picked out his
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.
Today's “Preschool’s Out” Activity
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) |  |
Take Our Expert Quiz
how is your toddler or preschooler progressing developmentally?
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
The action you're trying to perform is only available to registered users of the Savvy Source. Please sign up or sign in now.
log in now
Join My Savvy Source Now
My Savvy Source helps you connect and share with friends, family, experts and your community on the best of parenting advice and resources.
Just fill in this short form to get started:
This Week's Poll
Off the Beaten Path
Plan fun activities to do in:
