"Tobin helps children become true learners and approach new opportunities with a spirit that is independent, curious, and self-assured."

TOBIN MISSION STATEMENT

The Tobin School mission is to engage students in a rich, challenging, and developmental curriculum that represents best teaching practices and meets the diverse learning needs of our students. The Tobin School provides a safe, nurturing learning environment in which diversity is respected and celebrated, with the goal of helping each student become a responsible citizen within our democratic and multicultural world. We seek to extend students' learning beyond the school walls and into the community around us, and to build partnerships for learning with that community.

We firmly believe that each Tobin student is capable of achieving at high levels, and that it is the collective responsibility of teachers, administrators, parents, and students to create a school where every student reaches his or her full potential. We actively support faculty collaboration and ongoing professional development, as this is the cornerstone of dynamic teaching and classrooms. As well, we believe that active parent participation in the education of children, both at home and at school, is vital to students' successful learning.

TOBIN CORE VALUES

The Tobin School community developed and adopted these core values: (1) We value the diversity which is our community. (2) We are respectful. (3) We strive for excellence in everything we do. (4) We are responsible. (5) We are resourceful lifelong learners. (6) We care about each other.

SCHOOL-WIDE THEME

In September 2007 our school is opened a Montessori program for ages 3-6. Within the framework of state requirements, innovative teaching tools are used to enhance a curruiculum which emphasizes fluency in basic skills as well as creativity. Resources such as the Connected Mathematics Project, TERC (Investigations) and the Literacy Collaborative are utilized with great success.

PROGRAMS

In 2007 the Tobin School opened the first Montessori school in Cambridge for children ages 3-5. We will add an age level each subsequent year until we become a full Montessori School pre-K to grade 8.

Currently, we are dedicated to providing a quality educational experience for children ages 3 thru 14 years (3-5 years old in the Children’s House,  6-9 years old in the Lower Elementary program), and eventually to children through the eighth grade, in a caring environment that is conducive to learning.  The classes are grouped in a multi-aged model with trained Montessori teachers in each classroom. 

In the Children’s House classrooms a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities are provided in order to stimulate intellectual, physical, and social growth.  Our carefully prepared environments include lessons in the areas of: practical life, sensorial, math, language, geography and cultural studies, science, foreign language, art, and music.  There is also daily group time and outdoor play.  As part of an individualized program we attempt to help each child become independent.  Every child is given the opportunity to progress at his or her own pace and developmental level, build self-confidence and establish good work habits which will enable them to become life long learners. 

The Lower Elementary classrooms build upon the base of knowledge children acquire in the Children’s House. Children 6 to 9 years of age are inquisitive about the world around them and they are ready to develop and refine the skills necessary for inquiry. The Lower Elementary children study an integrated curriculum, which builds skills in the core areas of reading, writing, and math as they explore cultural subjects such as physical science, biology, geography, history, social studies and Spanish. Manipulative materials support learning in all subject areas. These introductory lessons point the children toward further learning through hands-on experiments, reading, writing, calculation, and presentation. Additionally, the children use and expand the practical life skills they need in order to become independent learners.

In addition to academics, children learn how to become responsible members of the school community.  Self-respect, respect for others, respect for the environment, compassion, and cooperation are key elements that exist and are modeled throughout the school.

SCHOOL HOURS and BREAKFAST

School Office : 617-349-6600 x150            7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Schedule

7:15AM - Early bus drop-off begins, breakfast program begins

7:40AM - Students allowed into classrooms

7:55AM - Instruction begins

11:00AM - Optional three-year old pick-up

1:55PM  - dismissal

2:00PM - bus pick-up

The Tobin After School program is available to all students age 3 years and up.  Please contact the After School Program Office for more information (617-349-6300; Liz Lewis, Director).

• 3 year olds MUST be walked to their classroom by a parent or guardian and will be greeted by a teacher AFTER they hang up their coats/bags.  NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• 4 and 5 years old parents are encouraged to walk children to their classrooms and will be greeted by a teacher AFTER the child hangs up his/her coat/bag in their cubby outside the classrooms.
• Parents may NOT park on the right side of the drop-off circle.  This side of the circle is for buses ONLY!!!  Parents may pull up on the left side of the circle and walk their child(ren) into the school.

Excessive Absences and Tardiness

According to the state of Massachusetts, students may not be absent more than 7 times or 14 half-days in one calendar year.  Tardiness is marked by a teacher at 7:55am at the beginning of formal instruction, though we encourage all students to arrive at 7:40am for morning activities in their classrooms.

If your child will be out sick, please call your child’s teacher(s) directly to report the absence and bring in a note from the doctor for any significant illness.  Their extension is their room number.  This is important so that teachers know whether or not to expect a child at school each day.  

LATE ARRIVALS

Children who arrive after 7:55 a.m. must sign in at the main office before going to class. The student will be given a late pass to take to the teacher.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

School cancellations will be announced on all major radio and television stations starting at 6:00 a.m.

EARLY PICKUP

Anyone picking up a child before the end of the school day must write a note to the teacher stating the time of dismissal and who is to pick up the child. Check the child out from the main office by writing in the sign-out book. Your child will be called to the office upon your arrival. If anyone other than the parent or guardian is to pick up a child from school, or if a child is to ride a different bus than usual, arrangements must be made at the beginning of the school day by calling the office at 617-349-6600.

3 year-old optional                                                                                    11:00 am

All School                                                                                                1:55 pm

• All children should be picked up at the front door of the school, including 3 year olds.
• Parents may NOT park in the drop-off circle.  This circle is for buses ONLY!!!  Parents may pull up across the street and walk their child(ren) back to their cars.

BUSES

Routes and bus stops can be obtained from the transportation office, 617-349-6862. Students riding the bus are given a copy of the bus rules at the beginning of the school year and are expected to follow them. Tobin staff monitor the departure of children each day. Additional late buses may be available on certain days for children taking part in after-school activities. Please check with your child's teacher for details.

MEDICATION

Medication prescribed by a doctor can be administered to children in school. It must be taken to the nurse's office in its original container. A liability form, completed and signed by the child's physician, must accompany the medication. Over-the-counter medicine can be administered by the school nurse if accompanied by a note from the parent/guardian. Any health concerns can be addressed by calling the school nurse at (617) 349-6619. 

ALLERGIES

Before the school year begins, each parent is required to fill out a form listing any of your child's known allergies.  Every classroom and the cafeteria will visibly post a list of all classroom allergies, which can be referred to by faculty and staff.  If a child has severe food allergies, The Tobin Montessori School may ask the entire class to refrain from bringing that food to school.  We need parents to be aware of the seriousness of this issue and to keep the school updated.

Health

Please notify the school if your child will be absent.  You may call your child’s teacher directly; 617-349-6600 x(extension is your child’s classroom number).

The following is a guideline of symptoms to be used in deciding whether or not your child should be in school.  Please do NOT send your child to school when any of these symptoms are present:

• temperature over 100 degrees
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• any discharge from the nose that is not clear
• any discharge from the ears
• any changes in his/her mental alertness
• eye inflammation and/or crusting

If any of these symptoms are present, parents will be called to take their child home.  Children may return to school when they have been symptom-free for 24 hrs.

LUNCH PROGRAM

Hot lunches, including milk, cost $1.80 (or $9 per week) at full price; pre-paid discounted meals are 5 days for $8. Additional milk or juice may be purchased for 25 cents. Free and reduced price lunches ($.40 ) are available upon application. More information can be obtained from (617) 349-6858 or by writing to jack_mingle@cpsd.us.

Birthdays

The celebration of a child’s birthday is beautiful and we are happy to share in the event..  Among other things, it includes making a timeline of the child’s life.  For this we will need a picture for each year of the child’s life.  On the back of the picture please tell us about it.  These should be sent to school one week prior to the child’s birthday.

In honor of your child’s birthday we invite families to contribute a book to the child’s classroom library.

It is suggested that parents provide a healthy snack for their child’s birthday celebration.  Some options might be cut-up fruit, cheese and crackers, or vegetables and dip.  No cakes please.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

The lost-and-found is located on the second floor lobby near the Parent Liaison's office. Toys and items such as skateboards and electronics are not permitted at school. We can not be responsible for any loss or damage to students' personal property.

DRESS CODE

All children under age six should have a complete change of clothes (including socks and underwear) packed in a clear plastic bag and labeled with their name on each piece of clothing.  Please be sure to change out clothes seasonally and replace the next day if used. 

Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for all school activities and to maintain a high standard of dress. We encourage parents to guide youngsters in exercising good judgment in their choice of appropriate attire. Shirts advertising inappropriate products or with inappropriate language will not be permitted. Head gear is not to be worn in the building except for religious practice. Tank tops, muscle shirts, short shorts, low-cut pants, bare midriffs, halter tops, net shirts and beach wear are not to be worn at school. It is also important that students dress according to weather and safety considerations.

Communication

Every child in Children’s House and Lower Elementary will have a communication folder that will go home in their backpack/bag daily.  Please check this folder for handwritten notes from the teachers, newsletters, or notices home.  If you need to write a note to the teachers, please write your notes in the communication folder.

 

TELEPHONE USE

Students are asked to use the office telephone only in cases of an emergency.

REPORT CARDS

Student Report cards are sent home four times a year for students in grades 1-8. Two formal Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled during the school year, after the first and third terms. In addition Middle school students will receive 4 progress reports and weekly reports. The Montessori program will be sending progress reports out throughout the year. Should you wish to discuss your child's progress at any time, please feel free to make an appointment with the teacher by calling the main office at (617 349-6600.

School Visits/Parent Observation

Parents are always welcomed at school, but should call first to schedule a convenient time to visit.  It is expected that all parents will observe in their child’s class two (2) times during the school year.  Please schedule these observations with your child’s teachers.  We only ask that you give your child one month to settle in to a routine before visiting/observing in their class.

Snacks

All families will participate in contributing a class snack for their child’s class on a rotating basis.  Each class will have its own schedule and your child’s teachers will inform you of the details.  We do ask that these be healthy snacks such as fruit, vegetables, cheese and crackers, graham crackers, pretzels, etc.  If you feel that you cannot participate in this program, please let your child’s teachers know as soon as possible.

Toys

Children may NOT bring toys to school.  We do welcome books or other educational material for sharing.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

One of the keys to a positive school experience is a discipline structure which promotes the development of responsible behavior. The emphasis at the Tobin School is on maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning, working, achieving and developing basic moral values. Our goal is to practice and develop the following values: honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, self-discipline, perseverance and giving. When a student does not exhibit behaviors that demostrate respect and responsibility, appropriate consequences will be provided.

While we want to focus on the positive, it is important to know that certain behaviors will not be tolerated and will be met with strong consequences. These behaviors include: inappropriate language or obscene gestures, harassment of any kind, intentional damage to property, disrespect to adults, possession of a weapon, tobacco or drugs and intentional injury.

Behavior Guidelines/Discipline

Discipline is approached in a positive manner, stressing what can be done and providing the child with positive choices.  Faculty members do not use punishment that would be detrimental to the child’s emotional security or self-image.

Respect and kindness towards others and responsibility for one’s own behavior are important throughout the school.  The student’s behavior is reinforced by the respectful ways in which the teachers work with them.  Students are involved in developing and understanding these rules within their classroom environments when appropriate and feasible.

Teachers recognize the importance of instructing and assisting their students in life skills so that they become productive and responsible members of the school community and society at large.

When a student’s behavior is unacceptable, it is the goal of the teacher to help the child learn appropriate behavior.  The teacher works with the student(s) to develop behavior skills.  Parents will be notified of any behavior modification program that may be necessary.  After an initial time period, the program will be reevaluated, revised or eliminated, depending on the progress of the child.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent volunteers are always needed in our school. Please contact Mary Frawley, our Family Liaison, at 617-349-6610 to learn more about the the Sci-Tech Committee, Multicultural/Minority Parents at Tobin, the School Council, and the Middle School Parent Group. Parent help is needed in the library and assisting teachers on individual projects and field trips.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

The state of Massachusetts mandates that every school elect a group of family members and staff to advise the administration on the creation of the School Improvement Plan and to set goals and objectives for the community.  The Council meets the first Friday of the month from 8-9AM in room 315 and is open to the public.  Agendas will be made available a week in advance.

SAC Leadership – Two co-chairs of the council are elected to design the agenda and facilitate the meeting in conjunction with principal.

Science Council

Arts Council

Admissions Procedures

If you are interested in the Tobin School, registration begins in January for the following school year.  Information is available at the Cambridge Public Schools website at www.cpsd.us , in the newspaper, and at the Family Resource Center.  There is NO early registration!  Acceptance is conducted by a lottery.  Preference is given to those with a sibling currently at the Tobin School and/or live in close proximity to the school.

Admissions Guidelines

Sibling Admissions

Siblings of children currently enrolled at Tobin \ School are given special consideration when they meet the admissions criteria.  Tobin \ School strongly supports that siblings be placed in separate classes to allow each child to develop his/her own individuality in an environment separate from an older or younger sibling.  The school administration, with input from the faculty, is responsible for all placement decisions.

Age Criteria

Children entering the Children’s House program must be at least three (3) years of age by September 1.

Children entering the 4-year-old Program must be four (4) years of age by September 1.

Children entering the Kindergarten Program must be five (5) years of age by September 1.

Children entering the Lower Elementary Program must be (6) years of age by September 1.

Class Assignments

The Montessori multi-age model suggests that children remain in the same classroom for the duration of their time in a specific program: Children’s House, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School.   Students in grade 3-8 will be placed for one year and will be promoted at the end of the year.  Spaces in these classes is subject to the SES formula guidelines concerning free, reduced and paid lunch status.