A list of the most asked questions regarding policy and our school.
Montessori philosophy is new to many our of community families. If your questions is not here, please reach out to the front office or your teacher for clarification. You may also check the Student Parent Handbook located on the Parent Page.
How do you celebrate birthdays?
In keeping with the Montessori tradition, birthday celebrations help children recognize the passage of time and celebrate each child's unique journey of growth.
Families are welcome to provide a simple, healthy celebration snack for the class. To support student wellness, snacks should be modest and nutritious. Examples include fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, vegetables and dip, popcorn, pretzels, or other teacher-approved, allergy-conscious snacks.
Cupcakes, cakes, candy, soda, and other high-sugar treats are not permitted.
To ensure celebrations are safe and run smoothly:
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Schedule celebration snacks with the classroom teacher in advance.
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Follow classroom allergy and dietary guidelines.
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Water is available, so drinks are not necessary.
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Coordinate with the teacher to minimize disruptions to instructional time.
What are the lunch expectations?
Students must pack a lunch, not consisting of fast food, Monday through Thursday. Families are invited to attend lunch with their students on Fridays or send a fast food lunch treat. Any unapproved drinks, desserts, candy, water flavor aids, will be sent home with the student in their lunch box.
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*Please note, we do not allow drinks other than water, 100% juice, or plain milk, even on fast food Fridays. If you are sending food to the school through a delivery app, please add your child's name to the order to avoid delay and confusion in the front office.
What is the dress code?
Students are expected to dress in a manner that promotes safety, modesty, respect for self and others, and full participation in all school activities.
General Clothing Guidelines
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Shorts, skirts, skorts, and dresses must be no shorter than four (4) inches above the top of the knee when the student is standing.
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Leggings, shorts, or other appropriate coverings must be worn under skirts and dresses.
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Oversized clothing, including excessively baggy or sagging pants, is not permitted.
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Pants, jeans, shorts, skirts, and dresses with holes, tears, or frayed openings above the permitted length requirement are not allowed.
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Hair must be clean, neat, and groomed so that it does not obstruct the student's vision or interfere with learning activities.
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Bandanas, hats, caps, hoods, and other head coverings may not be worn inside school buildings unless approved for religious, medical, or school-authorized purposes.
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Clothing must fully cover the chest, back, midriff, and undergarments at all times. Strapless tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, exposed-back garments, and bare midriffs are not permitted.
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Clothing, accessories, or body markings displaying inappropriate language, symbols, images, or messages related to violence, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, gangs, weapons, or other disruptive content are prohibited.
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Permanent tattoos that display inappropriate, offensive, or disruptive content must be covered while on campus and at school-sponsored events.
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Facial piercings, including nose and lip piercings, are not permitted.
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Students must use only school-approved clear backpacks or mesh bags.
Shoes
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Closed-toe shoes with a heel of one (1) inch or less are required.
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Backless shoes, flip-flops, sandals, light-up shoes, and shoes with wheels (Heelies) are not permitted.
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Lower and Upper Elementary students must maintain a pair of indoor-only shoes for classroom use.
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Boots are permitted; however, they may not be worn during P.E. or other activities requiring athletic footwear.
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Tennis shoes with rubber soles are required for P.E. and outdoor activities.
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Parents are encouraged to select footwear that allows students to safely and comfortably participate in daily school activities.
Jewelry
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Students are encouraged to leave valuable jewelry at home.
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Jewelry that creates a safety concern or becomes a distraction to the learning environment may not be worn.
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Students may wear stud earrings. Hoop earrings are not permitted.
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Teachers and administrators may require students to remove or store jewelry that interferes with learning or safety.
Make-Up and Artificial Nails
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Students in Lower and Upper Elementary may not wear make-up or artificial nails to school.
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Because students regularly participate in hands-on learning, outdoor activities, and physical education, make-up and artificial nails are not appropriate for the school environment.
Field Trip Attire
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Students are required to wear an official Corpus Christi Montessori School shirt on all field trips unless otherwise communicated by the school.
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School T-shirts are available for purchase through the school office.
Health and Injury concerns.
At Corpus Christi Montessori School, we recognize that student health and wellness are essential to learning. Healthy children are better able to concentrate, participate in classroom activities, develop positive relationships, and fully engage in the life of the school community. Families and school personnel work together to support the physical, emotional, and social well-being of every student.
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First Aid and Health-Related Services
For the safety and well-being of all students, parents/guardians must complete a First Aid and Health-Related Services Consent Form each school year. This form allows families to indicate whether they consent to routine first aid measures, such as the application of ice packs, Band-Aids, or taking a student's temperature, and to communicate any allergies, sensitivities, or health concerns.
Parents may update this information at any time by contacting the school office.
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Illness and When to Stay Home
Students who are ill should remain at home to support their own recovery and help protect the health of the school community.
Parents should keep students home when they exhibit symptoms of a contagious illness, including but not limited to:
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Fever of 100°F or higher
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Vomiting or diarrhea
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Persistent cough
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Undiagnosed rash
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Symptoms of a communicable disease
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Head lice or nits requiring treatment
Students must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and free from vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
The school reserves the right to require medical clearance before a student returns following certain illnesses or communicable diseases.
Emergency Medical Care
In the event of a serious illness, injury, or medical emergency, school personnel will make reasonable efforts to contact a parent or guardian immediately. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached, the school may seek emergency medical treatment as deemed necessary for the student's health and safety.
Parents are responsible for maintaining current emergency contact information and notifying the school promptly of any changes to medical conditions, allergies, medications, or emergency contacts.
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Injuries and Parent Notification
Active play, outdoor exploration, and physical activity are important parts of the Montessori experience. As children learn and grow, minor injuries such as scrapes, bruises, bumps, and falls may occasionally occur despite appropriate supervision and safety precautions.
School personnel will assess injuries and provide appropriate first aid within the scope of their training. Parents will be notified of injuries when deemed appropriate by school staff.
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As a precaution, parents will be contacted whenever a student experiences a bump, blow, or impact to the head, even when the student appears well and no serious injury is suspected. This notification allows families to monitor their child after school and seek medical advice if concerns arise.
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A call regarding a head injury does not necessarily indicate that the injury is serious or that emergency medical treatment is required. School staff will communicate the nature of the incident, observations made at school, and any recommendations for continued observation.
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In cases involving serious injury, loss of consciousness, significant symptoms, or a medical emergency, emergency medical services may be contacted and parents will be notified as soon as possible.
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Health Screenings
Texas law requires schools to conduct certain health screenings for students in designated grade levels. Certified screeners conduct screenings throughout the school year.
Parents may choose to have screenings completed by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider and submit written documentation to the school office by September 1.
Parents will be notified if screening results indicate that additional evaluation may be appropriate. These screenings are not intended to replace routine medical care provided by a healthcare professional.
What if my student is absent?
At Corpus Christi Montessori School, regular attendance is essential to a child's academic growth, independence, and sense of belonging within the classroom community. It is also how the state bases school funding. To the state and absence is an absence. Any day a student is not here according the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook from TEA, the school will not recieve funding. This equates to tens of thousands of dollars lost each year.
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The Montessori classroom is carefully designed so that learning unfolds through uninterrupted work cycles, individualized lessons, collaborative experiences, and daily participation in the life of the community. Because lessons and responsibilities build from day to day, consistent attendance allows students to:
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Fully engage in the uninterrupted Montessori work cycle.
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Receive individualized and small-group instruction.
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Develop concentration, independence, and responsibility.
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Build strong relationships within the classroom community.
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Practice habits that support lifelong learning and success.
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Families play a vital role in supporting student success by ensuring that children attend school regularly and arrive on time each day. Because Montessori lessons are individualized and often presented one-on-one or in small groups, missed instructional experiences cannot always be fully recreated through make-up assignments or independent work.
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Attendance and Texas Law
Texas law requires students enrolled in school to attend regularly. In addition, Texas Education Code §25.092 requires students to be in attendance for at least 90% of the days a class is offered in order to receive credit or be promoted to the next grade level, regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused.
Students who miss excessive instructional time may be required to complete attendance recovery measures as permitted by law.
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What Happens When a Student Falls Below the 90% Requirement?
Falling below this threshold triggers specific actions:
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Loss of Credit: Students who attend class less than 90% of the time may not receive credit or a final grade, regardless of how high their grades are.
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Attendance Committee Review: If a student has attended at least 75% of the time, the campus committee may allow the student to complete a principal-approved plan to regain credit.
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School Hours
Monday–Thursday
7:50 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.
Friday
7:50 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Students should arrive in sufficient time to be in their classrooms and prepared to begin the school day at 7:50 a.m.
Students may not arrive on campus before 7:40 a.m. unless enrolled in Before Care or participating in a school-sponsored activity under staff supervision.
Transportation to and from school is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
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Arrival and Tardiness
Punctuality is an important life skill and contributes significantly to student success. Students who arrive late miss classroom routines, community gatherings, lesson opportunities, and valuable work time.
Students arriving after 7:50 a.m. are considered tardy and must check in through the school office before reporting to class.
Tardies may be excused for verified medical or dental appointments. Documentation from the provider should be submitted upon the student's return.
Excessive tardiness may result in parent conferences, attendance interventions, or other actions required by state law.
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Reporting an Absence
When a student is absent, a parent or guardian must provide written documentation that includes:
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Student's name
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Date(s) of absence
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Reason for absence
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Parent or guardian signature
Documentation should be submitted to the Attendance Coordinator/PEIMS Specialist.
Parent phone calls are appreciated but do not replace the requirement for written documentation.
Documentation should be submitted within three (3) school days of the student's return to school.
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Excused Absences
Absences may be excused for reasons permitted by Texas law, including:
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Personal illness
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Serious illness of an immediate family member
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Contagious illness requiring the student to remain at home
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Death in the immediate family
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Religious holy days
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Medical or dental appointments verified by a healthcare provider
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Court appearances or other absences specifically authorized by Texas law
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Dangerous weather or road conditions
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Other circumstances approved by school administration and permitted under state law
Whenever possible, appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours.
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Unexcused Absences
An absence may be considered unexcused when:
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Appropriate documentation is not submitted within three (3) school days.
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The reason for the absence does not meet excused absence criteria.
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The student leaves campus without authorization.
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The absence is for a family trip, vacation, recreational activity, or other reason not recognized under Texas attendance requirements.
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Medical Appointments
When possible, parents are encouraged to schedule appointments outside of school hours.
Students who attend school for part of the day and leave for a medical appointment should return to school following the appointment whenever practical. Documentation from the healthcare provider should be submitted to the school office upon return.
Attendance Interventions and Support
When attendance becomes a concern, Corpus Christi Montessori School will partner with families to identify barriers and support improved attendance.
Interventions may include:
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Attendance notifications from Dean of Students and PEIMS Specialist.
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Requests for medical documentation
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Parent conferences
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Attendance improvement plans
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Attendance committee review
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Referrals or actions required under Texas law
The goal of these interventions is to support student success and maximize instructional time.
More FAQs Soon
Check our studnet parent handbook for more detailed informtion.
More FAQs Soon
Is it available for download on the parent page along with other helpful information regarding clubs and helpful forms.