Northstar Policies

Parents are asked to sign their children in and out each day using our automated system. This is for the safety of the children, as well as for billing purposes.

In the case of inclement weather, Northstar Montessori will follow the Saline Area Schools closure policy.

• If Saline Area Schools close because of hazardous road conditions, Northstar will also close.
• If Saline Area Schools close due to extreme cold temperatures only, Northstar will remain open, provided the building can operate safely and adequate staffing is available.
• Northstar reserves the right to make independent decisions regarding delayed openings, early dismissals, or closures based on local weather conditions or operational needs.

Closure announcements will be communicated as early as possible through:

• Procare
• Northstar's Facebook and Instagram pages
• Local media, when appropriate (Channel 7 or Detroit-area TV stations)

Occasionally, Northstar may close for the day due to circumstances beyond our control.

Examples include:

• Power outages
• Loss of water service
• Heating or cooling failures
• Plumbing emergencies
• Building safety concerns
• Severe weather
• Public health emergencies
• Other situations affecting the safe operation of the school

If an emergency occurs during the school day, families will be notified immediately through Procare and, when necessary, by telephone.

To protect your child, our staff members, and the other students, we request that your child NOT be brought to Northstar when the s/he exhibits any one of the following symptoms or behaviors:

• sluggishness or unusual drowsiness without explanation
• extreme irritability or inconsolability
• difficulty breathing
• diarrhea that cannot be contained by diaper or use of toilet
• blood or mucus in stool
• vomiting
• mouth sores or drooling
• unexplained rash
• an oral temperature of 102°F or more
• inability to participate comfortably in routine activities
• requiring more care than the staff can give while they care for the other children

We reserve the right to send any child home whom we deem too ill to be at school. We will do our best to provide you with information about symptoms and observations so that you can obtain appropriate treatment and/or plan for the possibility of your child needing to stay home. If we send a child home sick (i.e., with any of the above symptoms), the observation form will indicate that the child should not return to the center until he or she is well, or being treated by a physician, and meets our other criteria for particular illnesses.

We post notices on the parent information boards when children have been exposed to any communicable disease. We will care for a child that has symptoms of a communicable disease away from other children until a parent or authorized adult arrives.

After leaving Northstar ill, a child must be free of symptoms and fever for 48 hours before returning to school. A child may return after being on an antibiotic for 24 hours if they are feeling better and there has been no fever for 48 hours. All parents must have an emergency contact card filled out so we know who to call in case your child falls ill.

Parents are encouraged to medicate children at home when possible. For example: once before school, once after school and once before bed. In the event that this is not possible, a staff member will administer medications. When medication must be given during school hours, Northstar Montessori Preschool will administer medication in accordance with the Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules. A completed Medication Permission and Instructions Form is required before any medication may be administered.

Northstar accommodates documented food allergies, medical diets, religious practices, and cultural dietary preferences whenever possible.

Parents must notify the school of any dietary restrictions before their child's first day of attendance and provide any required documentation.

Families will be informed of classroom food restrictions that affect all children.

Northstar Montessori Preschool is a peanut and tree nut-free facility.

As Northstar Montessori Preschool requires that families supply all meals, snacks, formula, breast milk, and beverages, parents are asked to formally accept this policy through the Formsite enrollment process. This agreement ensures that each family recognizes their responsibility to provide for their child's nutritional needs throughout the school day.

Meals & Snacks

• Parents are responsible for providing all meals, snacks, formula, breast milk, milk, and beverages.
• Infants and young toddlers (under 18 months) are fed on demand according to their individual schedules.
• Children 18 months of age and older enjoy meals and snacks together during scheduled mealtimes.
• No child will be denied a meal or snack if a parent forgets to send food. When necessary, Northstar will provide an appropriate substitute in accordance with Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules.
• Filtered drinking water is available throughout the day in every classroom.

Northstar Montessori Preschool is a peanut and tree nut-free facility.

Families are welcome to send a special treat to school on their child’s birthday. Due to allergies and special dietary needs, non-edible treats (stickers, bubbles, etc.) are preferred. If you choose to send in an edible treat, it must be individually packaged with ingredients and nutritional information listed on the package. Edible treats will be sent home with students for them to enjoy at their parents' discretion.

Annual authorization may be provided for topical non-prescription medications, including diaper cream, sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm, and first aid ointments, as part of the annual enrollment process.

Sunscreen

We try to take the children outside whenever possible, especially on warm sunny days. Our general policy is to put sunscreen on all children. We ask families to send in a bottle of non-aerosol sunscreen at the beginning of the year and it then becomes a “communal” bottle to share with the class. If you do not wish to have sunscreen put on your child, or if you have special sunscreen (for sensitive skin, for example) please let a staff member know ahead of time.

Insect Repellent

It is not our policy to put bug spray on our children. If you wish to have bug spray put on your child, you need to send in a bottle of non-aerosol spray, with your child’s name on it, as well as specific instructions for our staff.