CPG Sun Room Class Updates - Oneness-Family School

Classroom Information

What to Bring to School

What Your Child Should Bring to School

Blanket, Sheet & Pillow
Slippers & Shoes
Spare Clothing
Water Bottle

Blanket, Sheet, and Small Pillow (Preschool)

If your child is a preschooler, please have them bring a crib mattress sheet for their sleeping mat. Also, bring a child-sized (airline-size) pillow and a small blanket – no bigger than a backpack; we will let you know if they are too large so you can replace them. PLEASE LABEL ALL PERSONAL ITEMS and bring them in a reusable grocery or tote bag. Items will be taken to the nap room on Mondays and sent home on Fridays for washing.

Slippers and Shoes

In the classroom, footwear is mandatory. Shoes must be fully secured to the foot, suitable for outside running, climbing and playing (i.e. sneakers or sandals with full heel and toe coverage). Children should bring slippers, spare shoes, or sandals to wear indoors. Please keep footwear simple and non-commercial character oriented.

Spare Clothing

Please send a complete change of seasonal clothes – including socks and underwear (two pairs for younger students). We send any soiled clothing home in a plastic bag. These items need to be replaced the following day. Anyone can have a spill or accident, not only those who are toilet training. We are helping to empower your child to manage to change their clothing. Please provide easy clothing and shoes to put on and take off, and practice at home if needed. Velcro straps and slip-on shoes are suitable for those who cannot yet tie. For PE class days, Kindergarteners should have pants/shorts and sneakers.

Water Bottle

Each child needs a labeled, reusable water bottle every day, all year. Children use them for snack and lunch time, specialist classes, outdoor play, and after-school enrichment activities.

For clothing and other belongings, iron-on and sticky labels are available online at www.mabelslabels.com.

Morning Arrival & Afternoon Dismissal

Arrival: 8:30-8:55 AM

Arrival is between 8:30 and 8:55 a.m. To help with a smooth transition, please drop off in the carpool line along the front curb, or park and walk your child to the front entrance. Staff will be present to receive your children. Children enter and begin their work right away. We advise keeping goodbyes short and sweet; we want each child to enter independently and with empowerment. Loving and reassuring short goodbyes help them grow much more than long separations and negotiations for a little more time together.

It is essential that children arrive on time (by/before 9 a.m.) daily so they will not miss (or interrupt, such as birthday celebrations) important lessons, activities, or work time

Dismissal (3:30-3:45 PM)

Dismissal is 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. The hallways are busy and crowded at this time as students wait for parents or caregivers to arrive. You may wait in the carpool line along the curb or, if on foot, on the sidewalk along West Avenue. Once you arrive, a staff member will call your child’s name over the radio, and a teacher or office staff will walk them out to you.

Parking

Parents who want to accompany their child into the school, or enter the school to pick up their child, may use the school parking lot for up to 15 minutes. Please only use spots marked “Oneness-Family School.” Neighborhood parking is available only for families with local permits.

Please note that the OFS-marked parking spots are primarily for staff members who may arrive at different times throughout the day. The school is not responsible for any cars parked in non-OFS spots or the neighborhood without a permit.

Snack & Lunch

Snack Time

Our selection includes fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, seeds, pure jams, whole-grain crackers, breads, corn chips, salsa, hummus, applesauce, yogurt, cheese, fruit spread, and more. Due to the potential risks with common allergens, we do not serve tree nut or peanut products of any kind and we are a nut safe school; please do not pack anything with tree nuts or peanuts in your child’s lunch. Also, avoid foods that say “may contain peanuts or nut ingredients.” Unfortunately, these will need to be returned home.

Guidelines for Lunch

Lunchtime usually begins at about noon in the Sun and 11:40 in the Moon Room.
Ideally, foods should be sent in reusable containers in small portions. Use containers your child can open and close; please include appropriate cutlery.
Unless you request otherwise, we will refrigerate foods such as meat, eggs, and dairy or items that contain them. Because full-sized/insulated lunch boxes do not fit in the refrigerator, please pack the items needing refrigeration in a large zipper bag or bento-style box and label this with your name and date. The other foods can remain in the locker; just this bag/box will be refrigerated. Consider compact, reusable options like those below. When sending a lunch needing refrigeration, it must be labeled with the name & date.
We suggest you send a balanced meal, including leftovers from family meals, sandwiches, a serving of dairy, sliced vegetables or fruits, and non-sugar snacks. We encourage children to eat balanced and healthy foods; therefore, items with high sugar content, chocolate, etc., will likely be returned home.
It is helpful to send fruits and vegetables already cut and peeled. Practicing this at home with your child involved is a great way to engage them in helping; plus it is tidier and less wasteful.
If you wish to send warm food, please purchase an insulated container. These can be bought online and in stores. Insulated/thermos containers do not have to be refrigerated at school. We are unable to heat student lunches.
We always have filtered water; at snack or mealtime, we also offer 1% cow’s milk. We can store rice or soy milk for children with allergies or intolerances. Simply let your child’s teachers know.
We strive to maintain a healthy and environmentally friendly atmosphere at our school, so please avoid disposable items such as “Lunchables,” yogurt tubes, pouch drinks, or other pre-packaged foods. These are often difficult for children to manage opening and eating by themselves, and they tend to create extra mess and non-recyclable waste.
Let’s teach our children to care for the Earth and themselves!

We have a NUT SAFE policy.

Teachers may communicate about nuts and other allergies in each classroom, though we always ask that snacks, lunches, etc. contain no foods with nut ingredients or which may contain nut ingredients.

Play, Sharing & More!

We Aim to Go Outside Every Day!

Send appropriate attire for inclement weather such as rain jackets, boots, gloves, hats, etc. Even in light rain or snow, we can go out if students are adequately prepared. In these conditions, we strongly request that you send your children the right clothing to get out and experience the weather.

Toys and Items From Home

Please have your children leave all toys, money, jewelry etc. at home. Remind them that we have plenty at school to do and enjoy in our classrooms. Extra items often become distractions and may get lost or broken.

Sharing Ourselves – The Me Bag*

We honor each child and their unique interests through a special activity. A cloth bag called the “Me Bag” will go home with a different child each day and be returned the next day. This is a way for the child to experience leadership and “public” speaking as they share the precious and meaningful objects from their lives.

Please help your child select a single, special item (unless a small collection such as rocks, shells, etc.) that represents their interests and experiences. Some examples are crystals, books, pictures, special music, instruments, crafts, souvenirs, or any other educational or unique object that helps us know them better and may even support our curriculum. The “Me Bag” child will present and talk about the particular item at circle time and be the class helper and leader for the day.

Hints: Quality over quantity! Please avoid toys, stuffed animals, and commercialized/character items.

Field Trips

Off-campus field trips typically occur in the fall and spring. We may visit museums, the theater, parks, and more. In addition to these scheduled events, we may occasionally take spontaneous teacher-led excursions, such as nature walks in the neighborhood. Watch for announcements about lunches, schedules, and chaperone requests.

Birthdays

We celebrate each child’s birthday at school with a special circle time. Normally, from 9:00-9:30 AM, we invite parents to come in and tell the story of their child’s life as we celebrate their years of growth. We ask that you share a photo or two from each year of their child’s life. These can be printed or shared digitally. Bringing in a snack is optional. Due to allergy considerations, we do not accept snacks made at home, though non-sugary store-bought treats can be shared, provided they are unopened and in original packaging.

Examples of suitable birthday treats include naturally sweetened carrot cakes and cookies, fruits or vegetables, bagels, cheeses, yogurt, etc. These should be in portions ready to serve and planned ahead with the teachers. Please, NO nuts.

We have a NUT SAFE policy. Teachers may communicate about nuts and other allergies in each classroom, though we always ask that snacks, lunches, etc., contain no foods with nut ingredients or that may contain nut ingredients.

Birthday Celebrations

CPG Birthday Celebrations are usually held from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. but may be at a different time to accommodate parent schedule needs. They may be on the actual birthday but do not need to be. Contact us to schedule.

For the celebration we ask parents to bring just the following things:

A) Parent(s) (and/or other important family member(s) or nanny, etc.,)
B) The birthday child (ha ha)
C) A photo or two of your child at each year of their life*. These can be printed, emailed, or shared digitally

For students with siblings in other classrooms, you might ask those teachers whether the student can come join our class for the celebration.

*This means that we would like you to share a photo of your child near birth or during the first months/year of life, a photo of them at one year of age, a photo at two years, etc. up to the birthday year. (A photo of the child at their new birthday age is not needed.) If your child is turning 4, then you’ll have four photos – at ages “0,” 1, 2, and 3. Through the photos and a special song, we will count the years and celebrate the story of their life. Again, photos can be printed out, shown on a tablet, or shared electronically for display on our large tv screen.

Summer Birthdays

For children with summer birthdays, we typically do a half-birthday celebration. In this case, a photo of the child at the current age is fine. If the child is 5½, there could be photos of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. We can do summer birthdays at the end of the school year as well, prior to summer break.

Birthday Treats

Bringing in a snack is completely optional, and should follow our usual guidelines and practices for food sent to school. We ask that it be relatively healthy, light on sugar or additives, and nut-safe. We are not able to accept home-baked items, and foods brought from the store must be in the original package with ingredients listed. (We ask you to keep it simple and save goody bags, cupcakes, and extra sweet treats for your home celebrations and parties.)

Suggestions include: fresh fruit or fruit kabobs, yogurt cups (alone or with breakfast cereal or raisins to mix in,) cheese and crackers, veggie snacks, or lightly sweetened, pre-packaged baked items like muffins, carrot cake, banana bread, etc. In support of our students and community, we will confirm that items are nut safe before serving. PLEASE speak to your child’s teacher about any other classroom allergies or considerations and let us know if you intend to bring a snack. We will be ready to provide daily snack regardless.

If bringing a food such as yogurt cups, then providing disposable spoons/silverware would be helpful, as we might not have extra utensils readily at hand.

Thank you and we look forward to celebrating together!

Assessment at the Primary Level

Montessori was founded on the principle of observations and in addition to tracking academic skills, the teachers record social, emotional, and physical abilities to better serve the student’s needs and support their development.

Tracking is done on each individual student’s progress by grade and subject following the school’s annual subject goals and a scope and sequence developed by Dr. Montessori. Tracking is based on conversation, presentation, observation, self-assessments, and student portfolios, and progress is shared in detailed reports.

Primary Program Benchmarks

The Benchmarks summarize the skills and outcomes students accomplish at each level of our Primary Program.

Pajama Day & Graduation Week
1 June 2026

Hello Families,

We had an absolutely terrific Field Day today. The weather was perfect and there were so many fun games shared by all of the classes together.

Tomorrow is our Pajama Pancake Day. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas to school, and each child may bring one stuffed animal to snuggle. Be sure they have appropriate shoes for outdoor play, of course. Our schedule will be as normal.

Below you will find the descriptive content about this week from our May 22 email.

Thanks and take care

Our final day of classes for everyone will be June 4, and then on Friday the 5th only Kindergarten students being promoted will attend school to participate in the ceremony in St. John’s sanctuary. All families are welcome to attend this beautiful event, but there is no school for other students. The whole last week of school – our annual Spirit Week – will be special, so here is a look at each day:

Mon. Jun. 1 – Field Day:  CPG through Ambassador classes will go to Norwood Park in the morning for games, play, picnic, and fun. CPG students will return to campus before Nap Time. A bag/picnic style lunch that is easy to eat sitting on a blanket is needed and, please dress children for the day’s weather. You can apply sunscreen or bug repellent before morning arrival if you wish. Families are welcome to come join us for lunch at the park. (We usually start around 11:30.)

Tue. Jun. 2 – Pajama Pancake Day:  Students may wear comfortable pajamas to school and bring a stuffed animal to snuggle. You already know what we will have for snack!

Wed. Jun.3 – Wacky Wednesday! Be as silly as possible! Wear inside-out clothes! Backwards clothes! Funny or colorful hair! Wacky hats! Mis-matched shoes and socks! Use your imaginations and come looking weird and silly just for fun! As long as the outfit allows for safe and free movement, visibility, eating, and using the bathroom, just about anything goes!

Thur. Jun. 4 – Game Day  and Final Day of School – Students may bring in one game to play and share with friends. We ask that electronic games remain at home, and be sure to choose something that is not fragile or which has 10,000 pieces that could easily get lost easily. At the very least, let your children know that caring for the game and getting it back home is their responsibility, and that sharing it with everyone will be part of the day. As always, please avoid any combative or battle themes. This is the last school day for all Preschool and Pre-K students, so let’s have a fun time together!

Friday, June 5 – Graduation/Promotion Day –  Only Kindergarten students being promoted come to school, and drop-off is at the regular time of 8:30-9:00. There is no BeforeCare. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. We suggest that Kindergarten students  dress a bit nicely for the event. Kindergarten, Third Grade, Fifth Grade, and Eighth Grade students will have their moment on stage as well as our High School graduates.

A fair estimate for the length of the Promotion/Graduation ceremony would be around an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half. At the end, the teachers will return to our rooms with the Kindergarten children and you can come there to pick them up, perhaps snap a few photos, and say “Goodbye” to the CPG. If preferred, you can drive or walk around and pick up from the usual dismissal zone in front of the school. Either way, dismissal for your newly promoted First Graders is immediately following the ceremony.–
The CPG Team
Final Days of School
22 May 2026

Hello CPG Families.

With a beautiful Spring Special behind us, it is amazing to count the number of school days left for this academic year and realize how close we are to summer! We wanted to send a brief message with reminders of what is coming up on the horizon. Of course, remember that there is no school next Monday, as it is Memorial Day. There are just two short weeks ahead!

The Sun Room enjoyed a great trip to the National Zoo yesterday, and the Moon Room will go next Thursday, May 28. A separate email will give details and instructions.

Our final day of classes for everyone will be June 4, and then on Friday the 5th only Kindergarten students being promoted will attend school to participate in the ceremony in St. John’s sanctuary. All families are welcome to attend this beautiful event, but there is no school for other students. The whole last week of school – our annual Spirit Week – will be special, so here is a look at each day:

Mon. Jun. 1 – Field Day:  CPG through Ambassador classes will go to Norwood Park in the morning for games, play, picnic, and fun. CPG students will return to campus before Nap Time. A bag/picnic style lunch that is easy to eat sitting on a blanket is needed and, please dress children for the day’s weather. You can apply sunscreen or bug repellent before morning arrival if you wish. Families are welcome to come join us for lunch at the park. (We usually start around 11:30.)

Tue. Jun. 2 – Pajama Pancake Day:  Students may wear comfortable pajamas to school and bring a stuffed animal to snuggle. You already know what we will have for snack!

Wed. Jun. 3 – Wacky Wednesday! Be as silly as possible! Wear inside-out clothes! Backwards clothes! Funny or colorful hair! Wacky hats! Mis-matched shoes and socks! Use your imaginations and come looking weird and silly just for fun! As long as the outfit allows for safe and free movement, visibility, eating, and using the bathroom, just about anything goes!

Thur. Jun. 4 – Game Day  and Final Day of School – Students may bring in one game to play and share with friends. We ask that electronic games remain at home, and be sure to choose something that is not fragile or which has 10,000 pieces that could easily get lost easily. At the very least, let your children know that caring for the game and getting it back home is their responsibility, and that sharing it with everyone will be part of the day. As always, please avoid any combative or battle themes. This is the last school day for all Preschool and Pre-K students, so let’s have a fun time together!

Friday, June 5 – Graduation/Promotion Day –  Only Kindergarten students being promoted come to class, and drop-off is at the regular time of 8:30-9:00. There is no BeforeCare. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. We suggest that Kindergarten students  dress a bit nicely for the event. Kindergarten, Third Grade, Fifth Grade, and Eighth Grade students will have their moment on stage as well as our High School graduates.

A fair estimate for the length of the Promotion/Graduation ceremony would be around an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half. At the end, the teachers will return to our rooms with the Kindergarten children and you can come there to pick them up, perhaps snap a few photos, and say “Goodbye” to the CPG. If preferred, you can drive or walk around and pick up from the usual dismissal zone in front of the school. Either way, dismissal for your newly promoted First Graders is immediately following the ceremony.

As you already know, OptionalParent-Teacher Conferences are offered on campus on June 8 and 9. You are welcome to sign up or not, and as always student progress reports will be given out beforehand, during the last week of school.

Thank you all for a great year and let’s cross the finish line together!–
The CPG Team
Health Alert – Lice in the Moon Room
11 May 2026
Dear CPG Parents,

Another case of lice has been reported in the Moon Room community today. We ask that you check your child’s hair today and tomorrow, and if you find a nit, notify the school and begin treatment. The front office only scans the student’s head for nits, so please check your child’s hair thoroughly. Enclosed is the needed information on our policy, steps to take if you find a nit, and a parent checklist.

We have found that quick action to remove the nits is one of the best steps in getting rid of them. For those who may not have experienced lice before, we know that there are sometimes misperceptions about who gets lice, how, and why. Lice do not differentiate between clean homes and dirty homes, clean heads, and dirty heads. In fact, there is no correlation between lice infestation and the sanitation of the home or school settings. Lice are transmitted head-to-head in the course of daily life. Since children play and learn in close proximity to each other, it is inevitable that they are often transmitters of lice.

Here are some things that parents can do to minimize the risk of getting lice:
- Tie back or braid long hair before sending your child to school if there is a notice of lice in your child’s classroom or among their friends.
- Encourage your child to wear a kerchief, cap, or head covering when lice are found in the classroom. This simple step can make a big difference for your family.
- If your child is on a sports team, make sure they wear their cap or helmet. Batting or football helmets are a good example of how lice can spread during infestations.
- Increase vacuuming and sheet changes at home during periods when lice have been reported, particularly if you have had overnight visitors.
- If your child will attend an overnight play date, send your own pillow and pillowcase and wash it when the child returns home, especially when lice have been reported.
- Do tie back the child’s hair. A simple braid or ponytail will reduce risk. Consider checking beforehand to ensure that lice have not been an issue for the host family. While it’s an uncomfortable question to ask, it’s an easier conversation than calling the same family to report that your child has picked up lice!
Check your child’s head every few days if you’ve heard a report of lice in the classroom. Look out for scratching at the back of the neck, above the hairline. Children may work with heads close together or may share clothing without teachers realizing it. Do be alert and let us know if you think your child may have lice.

Please ask your child’s teacher or the school office for a lesson on how to check for lice. We’d be glad to confirm if you are concerned one way or the other.

There are non-toxic approaches that can be used in conjunction with the pharmaceutical approaches, such as shampoos with tea tree oil, which may discourage lice. However, these products will not eliminate lice once they are found; the pharmaceutical product will still need to be used.

If you discover lice, call the families of your child’s close friends and email Schoolhealth@onenessfamily.org. Together, we can ensure the problem is contained discreetly and supportively.

Please take a look at the Oneness-Family School Lice Policy and the Parent Responsibility Checklist, which are attached to this email and located on the Parent Portal. In addition, enclosed are the website and phone number of a local company that helps eradicate lice. www.adviceonlicemd.com or call 240-242-4267.

Please do email your questions or concerns to Schoolhealth@onenessfamily.org

Thank you

Hans Gonzalez

Hans@onenessfamily.org

Sun Room Teaching Team

Upcoming Events

Children are sat around low round tables working on projects.

Two young students are playing with a wooden toy.

CPG Sun Room Class Page For Parents: Oneness-Family School (OFS)

Classroom Information

What to Bring to School

What Your Child Should Bring to School

Blanket, Sheet, and Small Pillow (Preschool)

Slippers and Shoes

Spare Clothing

Water Bottle

Morning Arrival & Afternoon Dismissal

Arrival: 8:30-8:55 AM

Dismissal (3:30-3:45 PM)

Parking

Snack & Lunch

Snack Time

Guidelines for Lunch

Play, Sharing & More!

We Aim to Go Outside Every Day!

Toys and Items From Home

Sharing Ourselves – The Me Bag*

Field Trips

Birthdays

Birthday Celebrations

Summer Birthdays

Birthday Treats

Assessment at the Primary Level

Primary Program Benchmarks

Class Announcements

Pajama Day & Graduation Week

Final Days of School

Health Alert – Lice in the Moon Room

Sun Room Teaching Team

Lisa Pawley

Email

Biography

Melissa Maltby

Email

Biography

Cameron Youngblood

Email

Biography

Upcoming Events