

Hello Ford family,
We are so excited to welcome your student(s) into our building tomorrow morning! Our teachers have been busy organizing their classrooms, decorating bulletin boards, and writing lesson plans for engaging instruction to begin next week. Every detail is being considered. The only thing missing from our classrooms….is your student!
Tomorrow will be a busy day for everyone. As always, we ask that you be patient at arrival and dismissal, as many are trying to understand new procedures. Monday, adults are allowed to walk students to class and deliver any final supplies you might need to bring. Please pick up your Pick-My-Kid tag from your child's teacher or from Ms. Cam out front. You will need that tag anytime to you pick up your child moving forward this year. On Tuesday, we ask that you drop your child at the front gate and we will help them get to class. Most everyone will know exactly where they are going, but we will have adults to help with the little ones who may need support. We will be using our Open Gate detection center each day, so it will be a little slow getting everyone through. Patience is a virtue! :)
Our car rider dismissal line is also very long in the afternoon. It will be slow initially because many families like to pick up their child the first few days and we are getting familiar with our new students.. I promise it will get quicker each day, but patience is required. One change we have this year is at Parent Pick-up. This dismissal sight has changed and will become walkers only. If you would like to meet your child outside the gate, a form must be signed for them to be a walker. If you want your child to be a walker, please make sure you sign the form so they can be added to that dismissal group. Every other child, not at another dismissal area, will need to go through the car line. Follow us on FACEBOOK at John E. Ford Discussion Group for additional details about these topics and more.
As summer comes to a close, I hope your family has had the opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy time together. We are excited to welcome our students back on Monday and begin what promises to be an incredible school year. These years are a time of tremendous growth, discovery, and new opportunities, and I look forward to greeting each of our students and families as we kick off the year together. If you have any questions or concerns before or during the school year, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly. I value our partnership with families and look forward to working together to make this a successful and memorable year for every student.
I’ll see you tomorrow!
Mrs. Tina
Principal, John E. Ford Pk-8 Montessori

I'm so happy to be back and ready to start a new school year. I look forward to seeing everyone on August 10th.
Mrs. Tina, Principal

Orientation Dates 2026



FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - The countdown is on — just ONE month until the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 10. Take small steps now to get ready: Adjust sleep schedules a little each week, gather school supplies and organize backpacks, keep learning going with 20 minutes of reading or math each day, mark important school dates on your family calendar, and start practicing morning routines. We can't wait to welcome everyone back for another amazing year!

Please know that we understand every family's circumstances are different. Purchase only what you can comfortably afford. Our goal is to ensure that every child has a successful start to the school year, and we appreciate any supplies you are able to provide.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of John E. Ford Montessori School. Together, we will make this a wonderful year of learning and growth for every student!
With appreciation,
John E. Ford Montessori School Administration





TEACHER’S INFLUENCE HELPS STUDENTS FLOURISH - Our Team Duval Shoutout for today goes to Mrs. Elizabeth Cosme at John E. Ford for the amazing impact she has made on her students. From words of encouragement to parent follow-ups after hours, she is recognized for her hard work and dedication to the success of each student. “I wish she could be his teacher all the way up until he gets out of middle school,” writes one parent, “because I know his success was due to her influence as a teacher.” Mrs. Cosme, thank you for the care and attention you give to your students every day – it truly makes a difference!

Topic: 2026 Rose and Candle
Time: May 21, 2026 09:15 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84016947067?pwd=U2T9o2K2SsG6O1s0MwZSYbuoANiPl5.1
Meeting chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/84016947067
Meeting ID: 840 1694 7067
Passcode: Rose




Our SAC Meeting, schedule for this afternoon, has been rescheduled for April 30th. See you then.
We want to inform you that we are currently experiencing reduced air quality conditions in our immediate area. After closely monitoring local conditions using resources provided by the Emergency Operations Center, we have made the decision to limit outdoor activities at our school today.
Out of an abundance of caution, students will remain indoors for activities such as recess, physical education, and any scheduled outdoor events. Athletics and after-school activities may also be adjusted, and families will be notified directly if there are any changes.
These decisions are made to protect the health and well-being of all students and staff, especially those who may be more sensitive to air quality conditions. We will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day and adjust plans as needed.
If you have specific health concerns for your child, please feel free to contact the school so we can provide appropriate support.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we prioritize student safety.
Open Gate Goes Live April 23, 2026


