Technology
TVM utilizes the forty-five desktop computers, forty-two laptops, and eighth SMART Boards in a variety of ways. Beginning in middle school, all students enjoy the use of a personal laptop while here at school. These computers are wireless providing the users with internet access throughout the day. These students, along with the rest of the student body enjoy the services of a computer instructor during the week in a small group environment. Students in grades K through 5 access multiple computers within each classroom throughout the day and are responsible for completing many assignments from the computer teacher as well as the classroom teacher. Students 3rd grade and up also enjoy Gaggle, a student based email account used to communicate with fellow students and staff. SMART Boards, wall sized computers, are used in most classrooms to access technology that compliments the lessons and subject matter taught in the classrooms.
Florida Virtual School
Students in middle school that meet the minimum daily requirements in work load and in competency with grade level curriculum concepts are invited to participate in the virtual classroom opportunities presented through the Florida Virtual School and other such programs at the school’s discretion. These opportunities present challenges to our students that enhance the learning process as they gain the necessary skills used in on-line learning processes. Students begin being offered on-line classes during the second semester of sixth grade. When invited, these students do most of the work if not all outside of school. After the initial prerequisite typing course, students are free to choose from a wide variety of classes based on interest. This system will be similar to the high school and college system of taking electives and eventually choosing a major. All classes are taught by Florida certified teachers. For many assertive eighth graders, the potential to gain high school credit is an option many will take advantage of in addition to handling their regular daily schedule.
Field Trips
Field trips are utilized on a monthly basis and act as an extension to the classrooms and the curriculum. Every classroom schedules monthly trips that explore an aspect of their studies in one form or another. Monthly newsletters notify parents of the field trip schedule and any associated costs involved as well as special arrangements to be considered. These trips extend from Key West to Miami, as there are many resources that are available to our students and staff in the surrounding area. In addition to these trips, starting in 3rd grade, students look forward to yearly over night trips that will further compliment their studies. The following is the schedule of trips.
3rd Grade St. Augustine, Florida
4th Grade Williamsburg, Virginia
5th Grade Washington, D.C
6th Grade Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7th Grade New York City, New York
8th Grade Virginia, Team Building
Students either raise funds to cover the cost of these trips or parents elect for a payment plan, to be paid throughout the school year. Staff plan interesting and full itineraries for these trips that include many historical aspects that connect to there grade level studies, as well as sporting events and cultural activities. A parent is welcome and encouraged to attend, as the school field trip experience is one-of-a-kind and offers them an ability to view their child and their friends in a whole new light.
Student Council
The school has developed many methods for giving stakeholders a voice in the continuing development of the school and students are no exception. Through an elected student council, both senior and junior, students in grades four and up are given the opportunity at monthly council meetings to ask questions or voice concerns based upon student body input. The main goal of the student council is to instill school spirit through activities of their choosing, including school spirit week, dances, group fundraising, community service, promote Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) activities and other relevant events. Involvement in the student council and the democratic process promote independence, responsibility and leadership in students at all levels, ages and grades – a cornerstone to the Montessori Philosophy. Students not working at grade level in one more areas will not be eligible to participate in the student council, but may attend events. Student elections are held throughout the first month of the school year.
Community Service
One of the many reasons for the success of the program, is due in large, to the support from community members over the years. People in the surrounding community donated countless hours of time, effort and energy to ensure that TVM, a new and developing program succeeded. As members of a local community and a global community, TVM values the role each and every individual plays in society in order to make the world a better place. High schools and colleges, as well as many community groups like Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and other clubs; organizations and institutions value community service work and consider individuals who participate in these types of activities to be people of quality.
To promote and support the school, local and global communities, to teach the value of the power contained in every individual, to show the difference that collaboration can have on a community, TVM requires that students in grades three through eight satisfy a community service component each year outside of school hours. The hours are recorded by students on the community service record, confirmed by signature of the supervisor of the service and recorded quarterly at the end of each term. Community service hours are reflected on the report cards and affect overall GPA in middle school. Approved activities include those in which a group or organization, preferably 501C3, is the benefactor of the time, effort or energy expended by the student. Examples of organizations that have benefited from service or activities that have been utilized include church or temple groups, humane society, food shelters, MARC House, bird center, collecting books for local libraries, creation of flyers that promote anti-smoking campaigns and handing them out at functions, Chamber or Rotary events that raise funds for scholarships, or promote good will etc… Through these experiences students develop the value of working together for the greater good and learn how to contribute in a wide variety of ways to improve their community.
The value that this requirement presents is often immeasurable as often students exceed the requirement as they learn to enjoy the benefit of helping others without any monetary gains. With this in mind, students beginning in 3rd grade are required to fulfill a minimum number of hours per grade level, per year. The following is a schedule of hours.
3rd Grade 15 Hours
4th Grade 20 Hours
5th Grade 25 Hours
6th Grade 30 Hours
7th Grade 35 Hours
8th Grade 40 Hours
Parent Expectations
Treasure Village Montessori is a community within a community. Families and students are enthusiastic about learning and willingly participate in daily school activities and events to maximize learning potential and achieve overall success. TVM encourages parent involvement in all aspects of their child’s education, including the reinforcement of Montessori principles at home. An outstanding education requires commitment not only by the school, but by the family and community as well. Parents (and that can include extended family and friends) are expected to volunteer 25 hours per family, per year. Activities include chaperoning field trips, preparing classroom materials, serving as room parent, reading with students, assisting in the library, fundraising, and serving on various committees. Ultimately, it is the partnership of the student, the family, and TVM teachers and staff combined to offer the most effective route to a great education.
After School Adventures
Before care is provided from 7:00 AM. to 8:30 AM free of charge to encourage parents and students the ability to arrive on time, allow for social or physical activity for VPK -5th grade on the playground, study hall for middle school students and enable all students an easier, on time transition into the school day which begins promptly at 8:30 AM.
In the afternoon, TVM offers after school adventures for students in all grades from 3:30 until 6:00 PM sharp. Certified teachers utilizing a variety of subject areas including cooking, cultural, science and physical activities manage this program. A schedule of events is provided monthly and posted on the After Care Adventures bulletin board. There are three available plans that can be changed at monthly intervals with notice to the office.
Plan A - $75.00 per month, from 3:30PM until 4:30PM. This plan includes snack and the daily scheduled activity.
Plan B - $150.00 per month, from 3:30PM until 6:00PM. This plan includes snack, the daily activity, an hour of academic study hall and a half hour on the playground.
Plan C is Occasional Care and is designed for unforeseen emergencies. It is available, with permission, at a cost of $8.00 per hour or $4.00 per half hour. This applies to any time after 3:30 PM daily or after 12:00 PM on early release days. Payment for occasional care must be made on the day of use.
Important FYI:
Siblings get a reduced rate. The first child pays full price of either Plan A or Plan B. The second child gets 15% off the initial full price and the third child also gets 15% off the initial full price. Both Plan A and B need to be paid by the 5th of each month before a 15% late fee will apply.
A $20.00 service fee will be assessed for returned checks. Please make checks payable to TVM.
Students picked up after 6:00 PM will be charged $15.00 for every 15 minutes the student(s) is at the school after 6:00 PM. This fee must be paid directly to the After Care staff.
Transportation
Almost half of all students utilize the public transportation offered by the Monroe County School Board. Students from MM 76 to MM 106 can use this form of transportation to get to and from school only. Students may not use this system to access after school programs or satisfy social engagements.
TVM also enjoys the use of its own unique form of transportation on the many field trips the school is engaged in. The Treasure Village bus is well known in the community for its uniqueness, much like the school. Once used to give tours throughout the city of Chicago, the bus resembles that of a bank security truck and a 1950s gangster car. The bus was purchased by the school’s charter board president, Kevin Clark, in 2007.
Lunches
Lunch is the one meal that takes place during school hours although children are encouraged, at all ages, to bring snacks to eat throughout the day with teacher permission. Lunch is used as a catalyst to discussion and debate about nutrition, food pyramid and a wide range of related conversations pertaining to the health and wellness of every individual. To support this notion, TVM institutes a “no sugar” policy. This policy is used as a guideline for parents and students and states that items brought to school may not have sugar in the first three ingredients. This challenging, but effective policy incites many debates, thereby serving as a catalyst for many well-written debates, papers and conversations related to nutrition among our student population. To support this policy, we’ve made several choices for lunch available to the student body including cold lunches ($3.00) and Go-Picnics on daily basis at a cost of $3.50, $4.50 and $6.50 per lunch. Both choices minimize the sugar contained in the meal and offer a well -balanced nutritional lunch. Otherwise, many students bring their lunches to school provided they adhere to the “no sugar” policy. Students may order county lunches or pick up a Go-Picnic, available daily, through the main office. Menus for hot lunch are available at the beginning of each month in the front office.
