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Frequently Asked Questions
New -August 2010
Drop off- Pick up Procedure
ISM Tardy Policy
Academics
What is the curriculum at ISM?
What instructional techniques does ISM employ?
Academics
What is the curriculum at ISM?
We challenge students through a rich and rigorous curriculum encompassing traditional core subjects and much more. Our teachers and administrators have high expectations of each student, and high expectations of themselves to arm those students with academic skills that equal or exceed grade level.
We help children acquire knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that will allow them to connect with the larger world throughout their lives. This includes development of broad tools for self-expression, positive interaction, and human understanding including communication, drama, human movement, language, mathematics, music, reading, science, visual art, and writing.
We follow the International Primary Curriculum for grades K-5. During Grades 6-8 students experience a dramatic shift in their cognitive abilities as they move from a concrete mode of thought to a more abstract way of thinking. To foster this growth, the curriculum is structured to guide students in making connections and seeing relationships among subject areas and with the world beyond the classroom.
We teach Spanish every day starting in kindergarten. We emphasize bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish as an important product of our primary and middle school education, because it establishes a foundation for lifelong learning of other languages.
We also implement a Schoolwide Enrichment Model by providing Friday afternoon clusters for all students during regular school hours. SEM provides the opportunity for students to participate in a broad mix of co-curricular options such as gourmet cooking, Mandarin language introduction, Mexican crafts, nature hiking, swimming, surfing, and Taiko drumming.
Please see the Academic Program page for more information.
What instructional techniques does ISM employ?
We adhere first and foremost to the principles of inquiry-based learning and to teaching for understanding. Inquiry-based learning calls for beginning thematic units with guiding questions; facilitating student questions about the subject matter; and empowering students to research, explore, and present on the answers to their own questions.
Teaching for understanding implies putting Multiple Intelligence Theory into effective practice, and designing units with a reverse-engineering approach that involves identifying the central idea and methods for assessment of learning before developing guiding questions and classroom activities. Instruction is very much hands on.
Classroom instruction assumes enthusiastic family involvement in the overall learning process at home where regular homework assignments reinforce classroom learning.
Enrollment
How do I know if my Kindergartener is ready for ISM?
For information regarding kindergarten readiness and prescreening, please go here.
How do I know if my child’s application has been received?
You will receive email notification that your child’s completed application has been received within two weeks of submission. If you do not have email you can provide a self-addressed envelope including postage stamp with the application and ISM will mail you a confirmation.
After the lottery, how do I know if my child has a space?
No later than two to three weeks after the lottery you will receive a notification of your child's placement, either in a class or on our waiting list for the next academic year.
What is the minimum age for admittance to kindergarten at ISM?
Consistent with the California Education Code and the ISM Charter, we require that a child reach the age of five on or before December 2 to be admitted to kindergarten that school year.
Can exceptions be made to the age requirement if my child's birthday falls after December 2?
From a strictly legal sense, the California Education Code and ISM Charter allow for the possibility of enrolling a student who reaches the age of 5 after December 2, but only on or after that student's 5th birthday and only if the director of the school determines that it is in the best interests of the child. In other words, the student would have to start mid-year, not at the start of the year, and a strong case would have to be made for this late start.
From a practical sense, it is not possible for a child whose birthday falls after December 2 to enroll in kindergarten at ISM because we never have available space. Students cannot apply during an open enrollment window until eligible to enroll, and, because our first open enrollment window results in full classes and a long waitlist for kindergarten, we do not have additional enrollment windows in the middle of the year when the child might have become old enough to apply and enter under the legal exception.
School Hours & Attendance
What time does school begin?
The academic day begins at 8:00am. Classroom doors open by 7:53am, which allows your child to enter, get comfortable, and get organized. Teachers take attendance at 8:00am and instruction begins at 8:05am.
When can I drop my child at school?
Staff supervision begins at 7:45am. Students may not be dropped off and left unsupervised before that time. Parents needing to drop students off before 7:45am must sign them into the Before School International program as early as 7:00am. This is an optional paid program. For rates and additional information, please contact Special Programs Coordinator Lisa Wichael-Loomis at 583-2170.
When should I pick my child up?
Pick up begins at 3:00pm in front of the school. Students line up by class on the hill in front of the MUR. Parents picking up children must follow the line of cars by entering the driveway and turning into the parking lot prior to picking up their children in the loading zone at the top of the hill in front of the MUR. We want to keep all children safe, so parents may not take children into their cars in any location at the front of the school other than the designated area in front of the MUR. Cars should not pass to the left of the line, and are not allowed to stop or load there. Parents who want to pick up their children behind the school on Miguel Court, must provide the ISM office with written permission for their children to leave campus unsupervised unless parking and escorting them from the school grounds. Parents of students who walk home must also provide the ISM office with permission for their children to leave campus unsupervised.
You can pick up children participating in ISM's After School International program as late as 6pm. This is a paid program. For rates and more information, please contact Special Programs Coordinator Lisa Wichael-Loomis at 583-2170.
How do I handle picking my child up early?
First, you should tell your child to watch the clock to prepare to depart early. Second, you or your child should inform the teacher in person that morning or by email. Third, you should step into the front office to sign your child out at the planned time. The office staff will call the classroom when you arrive to have your child sent down. If steps one and two were covered, then you should only have to wait a couple of minutes for your child to arrive. To minimize impact on front office operations, please do not ask the staff to handle informing the teacher for you or to have your child come down and wait in the office prior to your arrival. Please do allow ample time for pickup given that even the best planning and advance notice may not offset the tendency for some students to take their time getting from the classroom to the office.
How do I inform the school when my child will be absent?
As soon as you know your child will miss school, please email info@ismonterey.org with your child's name and “Absent” in the subject line.
Are there any special attendance rules?
The fact that state funding is based on Average Daily Attendance means that, when your child is not at school, ISM does not receive money for your child on that particular day. Sick children should stay home. Other than that, we expect students to attend every day. When missing school time for appointments with the doctor, dentist, etc., your child should miss school only for the hours of the appointment. You should schedule vacations and other scheduled days away from school for weekends or school breaks. When this becomes unavoidable due to family circumstances such as conflicting vacation schedules, the ISM Board asks that families consider reimbursing the school for the lost state revenues by contributing an additional $33 per day per student to the Family Share. Checks can be made payable to the ISM Foundation and deposited in the Foundation box in the office. Please include “ADA makeup” on the memo line.
Why are classroom doors closed at 8:00am?
In order to ensure that students entering late do not disrupt morning instruction, the classroom doors are closed promptly when the school day begins. Students arriving after this time need to go to the front office for a tardy slip before heading to the classroom.
Funding & Contributions
How is the International School of Monterey funded?
As a charter school, ISM receives basic funding from the State of California based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA), as do all California public schools. Unfortunately, this funding does not cover the full cost of providing the quality education that ISM delivers. In fact, the difference between state funding and our spending needs in 2009-2010 is estimated at $1,800 per student. The ISM Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to raising funds for the school, administers an annual Family Share campaign to cover the difference.
What is the Family Share Program?
Each year the school administration and board put together a budget for the ensuing year. It sets the expenses necessary to sustain our International School curriculum, and it calculates the state allocations that we will receive based on our anticipated enrollment. The difference between projected expenses and the guaranteed income gets divided by the total number of students to determine what we call the Family Share. As such, the Family Share is the difference between what the state provides and the actual cost of educating your child. The amount has been set at $1,800 for the 2009-2010 school year, far less than most have paid for preschool.
The ISM Board of Trustees chose Family Share as the name because the board believes that all families with the financial means should, as a matter of responsibility, cover that difference for their children. At the same time, the board also believes that, to be true to our charter status and our commitment to creating open access to International School education regardless of socioeconomic status, we must find other means to cover the Family Share for those who cannot afford to contribute the full amount themselves. The ISM Foundation administers the Family Share program and also raises funds through other activities to help cover the funding gap for the families who really cannot afford to contribute themselves.
You can pay your Family Share by dropping checks in the Foundation box in the front office, or online. Either way, you can pay in a lump sum, or in monthly installments. All monetary contributions to the ISM Foundation qualify as tax-deductible.
I would like to donate a computer, printer and peripherals. What resources will ISM accept?
Please review the technology guidelines and then contact the ISM administration for donation approval.
Volunteering
Are Volunteer Hours mandatory?
Yes, volunteer hours are mandatory. ISM is a unique and special environment for learning and would not exist without parental involvement. Volunteering at ISM is critical to the success of our students and our school. Families are required to contribute three hours per month for the first child and an additional hour per month for each additional child. Most families volunteer well beyond the requirement.
How do we fulfill the Volunteer Hours commitment if we are working during the school day?
There are many different ways to help at ISM. Many of the opportunities fit into weekends or evening hours, including monthly Saturday work days.
What steps do I take to volunteer?
You can find volunteer opportunities and log your hours using our PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) Manager. This web-based and password-protected program can be accessed from any computer, anywhere by ISM community members. All of the data sits on a secure location and is backed up daily.
The PTO Manager Volunteer Builder component facilitates signing up for events, matching your volunteer interests to school needs. The system tracks the number of volunteer hours worked based on your input, and the times and days you are available.
We run background checks on all volunteers chaperoning fieldtrips or helping in the classroom. Please talk to your Room Parent or visit the front office for details.
When volunteering on campus, you must first sign in at the office and wear a visitor’s badge.
Communication
How do I keep informed about school events and activities in the classroom?
We post daily bulletins in PowerSchool, our web-based student information system. All parents and students receive unique logins for PowerSchool shortly after the start of the school year, and families should check there every day for essential schoolwide information.
Teachers and room parents send frequent emails with class-specific information on projects, fieldtrips, events, and important dates.
The Family Association meets monthly to discuss parent issues and schoolwide activities, and all parents and guardians are encouraged to attend.
Emails are sent out periodically for single item updates through the school office.
How do I meet other ISM families before my child begins school?
The Family Association hosts a schoolwide social gathering in July where new families can mix with existing families, buy used uniforms, and sign up for the Family Share and volunteering opportunities.
The Family Association also co-hosts New Student Orientation in August where new families meet current families, tour the campus, learn about the typical school day, and meet some of the school staff.
Transportation
Is transportation provided to and from ISM?
Families are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from school. Many families participate in self-arranged carpools. The ISM school directory is a good way to find out who lives in your particular neighborhood.
There is also an ISM Carpool Blog that may help families coordinate ride shares with others from the same neighborhood. Go here for more information.
Who can park in the disabled parking spots out front?
Only those with a valid disabled parking placard or plate can park in the designated spaces. Others are subject to a substantial fine.
Policies
What are the uniform requirements?
The ISM dress code, established to support a “positive and serious attitude about school” is meant to “reduce distractions and disruptions caused by clothing, minimize any economic disparities between students, and promote student achievement.” Please refer to the ISM Uniform Guidelines to ensure that you know the details about shoes, shirts, jackets, etc., and the consequences for noncompliance.
Where can I get uniforms?
Uniforms may be purchased at Target, Penney's, WalMart, Gymboree, Jimenez Fashion on Broadway in Seaside, re-sale shops (such as Goodwill), Lands End, and ISM’s used uniform sale.
General
Is the International School of Monterey a private school?
No, the International School of Monterey is a Public Charter School. This means we receive public funds and must follow the California Educational Code, yet have the flexibility to offer unique and challenging educational programs and attract teachers who support the school’s philosophy. Most ISM parents feel that our school offers the equivalent of private school quality and experiences, and they typically become highly involved in their children's education through educational support at home, volunteer hours at the school, and financial support to cover the appreciable amount of money we spend per student beyond the state allocation.
Is there a School Lunch program?
A nutritious, fresh lunch is served daily. Food is prepared on-site, and includes fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables, and low-fat main courses. Vegetarian options are available by request. Menus and information can be found here.
Does ISM still share the Manzanita campus?
ISM now enjoys exclusive use of the entire Manzanita campus.
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