Parent Education at CDS
Parents appreciate the unique school-home partnership at Chesterfield Day School. Because parents enroll their children when they are as young as 18 months, they often benefit from strong communication and ongoing explanation of the pedagogical approaches used in classrooms at the school. Chesterfield Day School's historic commitment to character education is built on the foundation of a home-school partnership and open lines of communication.
Our unique learning environment allows easy acclimation and rolling admission of students anytime during the school year. The school has several ways to make sure that parents are brought into the school community and that they have the chance to learn the aspects of the unique education provided at Chesterfield Day School.
Welcome Aboard New Parents
New parents are invited to a special cocktail party prior to the first day of school so that they can meet as a group and meet members of the administrative team and the Board of Trustees. Volunteer parent mentors are assigned to each new family, and they help guide parents throughout their first few months in in the school community. Two mentor coffees are held each year where all new parents and mentors can meet together and ask questions about life at CDS. Home visits occur for newly-enrolled toddler and preschool parents. Faculty goes to each student's home to meet with parents and share goals, observations, and strategies for a successful year.
On the first days of school, Orientation Meetings are offered for Toddler and Preschool parents at the school where the principles of Montessori philosophy are introduced, and some of the Montessori learning materials are explained. Parents of older children are invited to meetings to learn about the outdoor education program which occurs at the beginning of each school year. Secondary school admission officers visit the school each fall, and parents are invited to join their children as they begin to learn about secondary school options in St. Louis.
Back to School Night Begins The Year
For most parents, the school year begins with the Back to School Night. A light supper and gathering is followed by visits to children's classrooms so that faculty can provide a snapshot of their class goals for the year. Two parent conference days are scheduled each year so that parents can discuss their child's individual progress and achievements.
Getting a Glimpse of the Year Ahead
A second evening for parents occurs at semester. The Curriculum Journey is the chance for parents to see how their child's classroom experiences will change in the next year, as the curriculum transitions from Montessori philosophy to enriched traditional approaches.
Networking and Learning Together
Parents may network in a variety of ways at Chesterfield Day School. Monthly parent networking coffees provide the opportunity for parents to share business cards and create a professional network built on their CDS experiences. Coffee Chats are morning gatherings, usually built around a parenting topic, which are moderated by school personnel and provide the opportunity for parents to share common experiences and get parenting support.
Room Parents and Parents' Club
The CDS Parents' Club provides many other activities to build community and to support the school. Volunteers organize and run such events as a trivia night, toy sales, book fairs, and the annual spring dinner.
Room Parents are our heroes! Room parents work with classroom teachers and help organize parent classroom volunteers, field trips, and special days.
