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FAQs
Hey, we get it! This is the first time you are trusting a school with your children so we expect the millions of questions!
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What is the “MSV curriculum”? What does my child learn?Our curriculums provides a unique opportunity to embrace a school learning environment that contains readiness structure while remaining play-based and developmentally appropriate all in an environment that is 100% Spanish.
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Will my child be ready for Kindergarten and First Grade?Yes. Our way of teaching is to have the students fall in love with learning, prepare them for success in Kindergarten and beyond. They will build a foundation for literacy, math, science, creative, motor and social skills that will make them successful in later schooling and in life. Our Kindergarten students leave MSV writing and reading numbers and letters in Spanish, they can even do subtractions, addition's and small fractions!!
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What does Spanish Immersion mean at MSV?It means that 100% of the curriculum is in Spanish for preschool and kindergarten. In elementary we are adding a component of English Literacy learning, since our students need also to learn to write and read in English! We are adding gradually English to the point that we will have 50% Spanish & 50% English in 5th grade elementary!
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What ages does MSV serve?We are one of the very few schools that offer preschool programs starting at 18 months and classes through Elementary School. We also offer Summer Camps for kids 18 months to 5th Grade! We are a full time escuelita and have a minimum attendance of 5 days per week.
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Does my child need to be toilet-trained?No. We understand that most children at 18 months and slightly older are not yet toilet trained. When your child is ready, we work closely with the parents and the child to toilet train them in a consistent, calm and encouraging manner. We celebrate their success and keep a positive, upbeat attitude when the child has an "accident". The parent and school will work together to follow a consistent and similar schedule to ensure the child's success. Your child’s teachers will keep you posted regularly on their progress.
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When can my child start? How old do they need to be?MSV has open enrollment. Children can be enrolled any time during the year based on availability. Our school is licensed for children ages 18 months – Preschool - Through Elementary School. Summer Camps ages are: 18 months to 5th Grade.
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How does MSV make admission decisions?Priority on the waitlist is determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, whether an older sibling has been a student, sign-up date, full-time is required, the age of the child and availability. The wait list is ranked by sibling priority and date of application. We do not give out a wait list "number". We do our best to be fair to all of our applicants and give you as much information as possible about your status.
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Do other children nap? What about the older children?We offer rest time each afternoon from 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm. We provide a cot and bedding clothes for all children with the expectation that they will use the time to rest. As the children get older, they are invited to participate in other activities if they no longer need a nap.
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How secure is the MSV building?MSV takes security concerns very seriously. We have security coded gates for our two main entrances. We also have camera security systems in all of the classes, patios and entrances. Furthermore, we have evacuation and emergency response systems in place to best protect the students and staff in our program. We conduct periodic fire evacuation and security drills for the entire building and all classes. If you have questions about these and other security systems in place, please contact us.
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How does MSV handle allergies?We begin with the parents informing us of any food allergies the child may have. We also do not allow the children to share their food or bring foods from home containing nuts or sea food to MSV. We post a list of children with allergies in each classroom so that the whole staff is aware of the precautions that need to be taken to protect our children.
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Are peanuts allowed at school?We are a peanut aware school. Our child care center does not allow peanuts to be included in home-packed snacks or lunches or in the foods prepared at MSV. We do this to protect the safety of our students with severe peanut allergies. We cannot guarantee a peanut-free environment, but we will do our best.
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How can families get involved?We welcome and encourage parental involvement in a variety of ways. Our parents support the organization of special events and support the program and staff. We host family activities throughout the year. These events are a great opportunity to get to know other families at MSV and to see your child in action with their school friends. We have a Back-to-School Night, Community Fun Dinners, performances, holiday activities and many more events. We have our events at different times of the day both daytime and evening and on different days of the week so that working families have an opportunity to join us. Parents are always welcome for birthdays or simply for visits. Please make arrangements for celebrations with your child’s teacher. We also invite parents to share their talents, occupations or hobbies with us. MSV does not participate in fundraising.
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How does MSV communicate with the families?We feel that it is extremely important to be in close contact with parents in regard to your child’s day. We can talk with you during morning or afternoon pick-up, or feel free to call or send us an email. Since drop-off and pick-up can be rushed and busy times for children, parents and staff, we encourage you to set up a phone conference or a personal conference time with the classroom teacher or our Director for more time to discuss matters further. Communication is very important to us! No question is ever too small or too “silly” to ask. Please feel free to contact us with any of your questions or concerns. You are also welcome to stop by the Director or administrator office at any time to talk. We communicate in writing in a number of ways: By email, monthly newsletter, bulletin board, and notes or letters in your child’s lunchbox. We also have semi-annual parent-teacher conferences and Back-to-School Night.
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Can we speak with a current family attending MSV?A number of parents have offered to speak to incoming families or families considering our school. If you would like to be connected to one of them, please contact the Director.
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What are the MSV teacher's qualifications?Lead teachers meet the CCL licensing requirements and often exceed the necessary qualifications. All have taken formal early childhood education classes and many hold BA degrees in early childhood education. In addition, all of our teachers have been formally trained by our Director on MSV curriculum and practices. Assistant teachers also exceed basic requirements. All of our assistant teachers are degreed or have several years of early childhood education training and/or experience working in an early childhood setting.
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What is the MSV hiring process for new teachers? Do you do background checks?All of our teachers go through an interview process with the Director. They spend time in a classroom for a working interview as well. We check references and perform thorough background checks, fingerprinting and health tests for all staff.
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Does MSV have ongoing trainings for the staff?We believe that it is important for our teaching staff to be dedicated learners themselves and we provide numerous opportunities for continuing education and professional development throughout the year. This includes trainings, conferences, mentoring and classes, as well as CPR and First Aid certification.
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What are the MSV hours of operation?The MSV Preschool is open Monday–Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Early students can arrive to school at 8:00 am upon request and the latest a student can stay is 5:00 pm.
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Does MSV offer only full time schedules?Our core school day runs Monday to Friday from 8:45 am –3:30 pm - full time. Parents have the option to extend the day to 5:00 pm as needed.
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What kind of Spanish will my child learn at MSV?In general there is only one kind of Spanish, the "standard", formal, school-taught version and is the one we teach at MSV. As has been often stated, it is good and desirable to learn "standard Spanish" (the kind taught in Spanish lessons, and most schools and commercial courses), because truly most of what you can say with that language will be understood in any Spanish speaking country.
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What kind of food does MSV provide?We feel that it is extremely important to provide well balanced and organic meals and snacks to fuel our MSV little villagers and get them ready to learn. Children are our most treasured resources and we have the opportunity to protect them by reducing toxic exposure and providing organic products that encourage healthy, strong children. Through nurturing the soil and keeping toxic and persistent chemicals out of the environment, organic agriculture is one thing we particpate in to help pass along a healthy and safe planet for future generations. The cost may be a little more, but the value for our MSV families is far greater. If you would like more information about our daily menu please contact the MSV Director.
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Does MSV offer make up days?Unfortunately we cannot offer make up days in the case of absences. We are strictly regulated in terms of how many children can be present at any time and normally our small school is at maximum capacity on a daily basis. Therefore, in order to be fair to all the MSV families, we do not offer make up days.
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