Our School at a Glance

8:30am Group Time

During the first two weeks of the new school year, the teacher often starts the day with a group time to include a variety of activities such as singing, finger plays, stories, discussions, or Grace and Courtesy lessons. Once the class is established, sometime within the first month, the children will arrive and immediately choose work with classroom materials instead of starting the day with a group activity unless something special is planned such as a birthday celebration.

Children are excused to choose work with the classroom materials. The Head Teacher gives individual and small group lessons throughout the morning work time. Snack is available for the child to prepare throughout the morning class time. In addition to snack, food preparation activities are also available in the Practical Life area of the classroom. The child independently makes choices throughout the morning work time with the guidance of the Head Teacher. To support the development of concentration, we strive to provide an uninterrupted three-hour work period in the morning. Included in the child’s morning classroom work choices is work in the outdoor vegetable and flower gardens and gross motor activities with special equipment.

Children are invited to put away work and join a short group time that might include a variety of activities such as sharing, songs, stories, movement games and Grace and Courtesy lessons, etc., with the Head Teacher or the assistant.

11:30am Outdoor Play

Outdoor Play for children who go home at noon, as well as 1st year students with a 3:00 or later dismissal time.

11:55am-12:00pm Dismissal for Half Day Students

Children with a noon dismissal line up and prepare to go home. The children are dismissed to the parents one at a time. 1^st year students with a 3:00 or later dismissal time return to the classroom for lunch.

11:30am-1:00pm Lunch and Outdoor Play

The 2^nd and 3^rd year children who stay for the afternoon have lunch and clean up in their classroom. After lunch, the children go outdoors for play.

1:00pm Nap and Afternoon Work

Nappers transition to the Pre-Primary classroom for naps. Students who have recently stopped napping participate in the Restorative Program with additional outdoor music, movement and art activities. The remainder of the children return indoors and begin the afternoon work time with a relaxation activity such as stories or quiet music with the Head Teacher.

The afternoon work session includes individual and small group lessons as in the morning.

One afternoon each week our Spanish teacher gives small group lessons throughout the afternoon work period.

2:50-3:00pm Clean Up

The children clean up the classroom so it is ready for the next day, and often end the day with a short group time.

3:00pm Dismissal

The children are dismissed one at a time when a parent arrives to pick up. Children who stay at school after 3:00 are walked to AfterCare and are supervised by the afternoon staff.

3:00-6:00pm AfterCare

AfterCare begins with indoor activities which include art projects, baking, music and singing. In addition to indoor activities, the children also have the opportunity to play outdoors each day. A snack is served each afternoon after 3:30pm. Children are also given the opportunity to finish eating any uneaten food from their lunch box. After-school enrichment classes are offered some afternoons. Information about these classes is available in the front office or here.

8:15am Morning Work Period

Most mornings begin with the children entering the classroom, putting away their belongings, and beginning the work period straight away. On occasion, the whole group will gather in a circle for a morning meeting if there is pertinent or special information to discuss for that day. The children also get out their Daily Journals, where they record their work choices throughout the morning and afternoon work periods. Morning work period is a time where lessons are given, presentations are made, groups are meeting, and individuals are working by themselves or in collaborative settings. This is a busy and active time with students immersed in a variety of subject areas and work settings.

11:30am Lunch

Students enjoy lunch from 11:30 to 12:15. During this time, the classroom tables are set with place mats. Two students work as lunch leaders to direct the lunchtime procedures, including setting up the tables before lunch and a thorough cleanup afterwards.

12:15pm P.E. /Music/Free Play

The Lower Elementary classes alternate between physical education (P.E.), Music and free play at the park. P.E. is a time twice per week when the children are introduced to a variety of organized games and sports, and practice the skills that correspond to these activities. Our Elementary P.E. program utilizes the playing fields and playground two doors down at the Terra Linda Recreation Center.

Once a week in addition to P.E., the students have music with our Elementary music teacher. Free play is a time when the children can play on the play structure, swing, make up their own games, or gather into small groups and play a sport of their choice. Occasionally, Lower Elementary classes hike the hillside behind our school. This is a great opportunity for the group to exercise while experiencing nature.

1:00pm Afternoon Work Period

This is a time when students continue work from the morning work period. Lessons are also given during this time.

3:00pm Clean up

During this time, each child will put away his or her work, and make sure the classroom is in order before leaving for the day. Each classroom has a rotation of jobs and responsibilities that the students take turns doing.

3:00- 3:15pm Afternoon read-aloud / Dismissal

Most days end with the children gathering in a circle to listen to a book read aloud by the head teacher. Students are dismissed once the assistant teacher sees that the child’s parent is present.

3:15 – 6:00pm Elementary AfterCare

AfterCare is provided on a contracted or drop-in, space available basis. It is a program that allows students to unwind, play games, make crafts, and cook depending on what the group decides to do.

8:15am Elementary class begins

Morning Work Period Often the teacher will open the day with a class meeting to make any announcements or give reminders or direction for special activities occurring that day. The morning work period begins afterwards with students taking out record books and recording what work they will begin with for the day. Morning work period is a time where lessons are given, presentations are made, groups are meeting, and individuals are working by themselves or in collaborative settings. This is a busy and active time with students immersed in a variety of subject areas and work settings. Also during this time composting and garden work may be attended to, especially in times of transition and harvest.

11:15am Snack

11:30am P.E./Music/Free Play

On Mondays, the students have music time with our Elementary music teacher followed by some outside time. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Upper Elementary students have physical education (P.E.) at the park. P.E. is a time when the children are introduced to a variety of organized games and sports, and practice the skills that correspond to these activities. On the other days, Wednesdays and Fridays, there is free play time for the Upper Elementary students. They are free to play on the play structure or to play a game on the field or basketball court.

12:15pm Lunch

Students have their lunch from 12:15 to 12:50. They enjoy lunch at tables around the room and may also eat outside at the picnic tables in the Upper Elementary garden. When lunch is finished, everything is cleaned: tables are wiped, the floor is swept, scraps are composted, and the dishes are done by the students.

12:50pm Reading Time

From 12:50 to 1:05, there is a silent reading time when children return from lunch. This provides a calm atmosphere to transition them from outside play to the afternoon work period.

1:05pm Afternoon Work Period

Afternoon work period is a time when students continue work from the morning time. Lessons are also given during this time to small groups of students.

3:00pm Clean up/Jobs/Gardening

During this time, the classroom is cleaned and prepared for the next day. Each child completes the job to which he or she has been assigned for the week. After finishing the indoor jobs, students will begin the outdoor jobs, which include composting and taking care of an assigned garden area.

3:15pm Afternoon read-aloud/Dismissal

The teacher reads a book aloud as the children relax and draw if they choose to do so. At 3:00, students are dismissed once the teacher sees that the child’s parent is present.

3:15-6:00pm Elementary AfterCare

AfterCare is provided on a contracted or drop-in, space available basis. It is a program that allows students to unwind, play games, make crafts, and cook, depending on what the group decides to do.

We also offer After School programs and after school music lessons. Click here for more information.