MLMS News Flash 1/15/2021

“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”

-Maria Montessori

Montessori Beginnings January–May 2021

Montessori Beginnings is a gathering of parents or caregivers with infants and toddlers from 8 weeks to 3 years of age. It is a cheerful, relaxed environment that is scaled to the comfort of very young children. Beautiful toys and handmade materials entice babies to manipulate and discover, leading to coordination of movement and refinement of senses. Movement mats, balance beams, mirrors, and more encourage babies to joyfully crawl, creep, cruise, and walk independently.

COVID-19 Additional Safety Measures

There will be 2 groups of 5 families (1 adult and 1 child only) each attending every other week.
There will be no mixing of groups.
Work/materials will be changed and sanitized between classes.
Adults in the classroom will be required to wear face coverings.

All classes are from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. held in Mrs. Veitenthal’s Toddler classroom. Each group will include 8 sessions for a total of $40. You must be pre-registered. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. Sessions are as follows:

Group A: 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 3/5, 3/19, 4/9, 4/23, 5/7

Group B: 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 3/26, 4/16, 4/30, 5/14

To register, either email the completed Registration Form, to [email protected] or bring it to the front office.

It's Time! We're Filling the Sandbox!

The sand is scheduled to be delivered this Wednesday, January 20th or Thursday, January 21st. We are looking for volunteers to help unload the bags from the truck and take them to the sandbox. There will be 100 bags, weighing 40 pounds each. (2 or more people may carry one bag and carts or wheel barrows may also be used.)

Since this will be strenuous work, volunteering for this project will count as 7 volunteer hours. If you'd like to help, please email Odalys Martin at [email protected].

Thank you!

Thanks to your efforts in following the new arrival procedures (below), our morning drop-off line this past week have flowed smoothly and efficiently!

Thank you!

Arrival Information & Procedures

We have added ways to streamline the morning drop-off process, including having additional staff members help with temperature checks and hand-sanitizing.

Here are some ways you can help:

If you need to speak with a staff member, have questions or paperwork to give us, please park your vehicle after dropping off your child(ren) and walk to the business office. There will be a staff member available, happy to help you.

Please say good-bye, and/or give your child a hug or kiss before reaching the entrance, so that your child can exit the vehicle as soon as the staff member greets you.

If you would like your child to wear his/her coat, gloves, hat, etc. from the vehicle to the classroom, please have them on your child before we reach your vehicle.

NEW!!! Toddler Families: Rather than pulling up to the front gate, please park your car and walk your child to his/her classroom. Mrs. Craft's class will go through the courtyard. Mrs. Veitenthal's class should go around to the back porch. A teacher will greet you and conduct the morning health check at that time.

As a reminder, please do not pass any vehicles while driving up the hill or in the parking lot. We need to make sure that our little ones and big ones remain safe at all times.

Please remember your child's drop-off window:
Elementary and Jr. High - 8:00-8:15
Toddler and Primary - 8:15-8:30
Siblings (families with children in 2 different drop-off times) - 8:15

Thank you very much for your patience as we work through the kinks of our "winter" COVID-19 safety!

Help Mountain Laurel Montessori School Become a

Best of Virginia Winner Again!

Click the link below to vote for Mountain Laurel Montessori School as the best Preschool and Best Independent School in the Shenandoah Valley Region (#52 & #53 on the survey):

http://www.virginialiving.com/vote2021/

How I Learned to Crawl

by Daniel Winter

Ok, so seven years ago, I was really behind on crawling and that made my mom really worried. But then she got an idea. She set out a line of goldfish on the floor and it worked! I followed it and ate them as I went. And that's how I learned to crawl.

PREPARING FOR WINTER WEATHER

Have you signed up for text alerts?

Mountain Laurel sends texts alerts about school delays, closings and bus schedule changes.

Here's how to sign up:

From your phone, text in all lowercase letters "mountain" (without the quotation marks) to 84483.

* You must sign up for text alerts on each phone you want to receive texts.

Parents:

Please remember to wear face masks when you pick up your children in the afternoon, since you may be in close proximity to each other.

Thank you!

PRIMARY CLASSES - FLOWER SIGN-UP

Flower Arranging is a favorite Practical Life activity for children! Primary parents can help make the Primary classrooms beautiful and provide meaningful work for the children by bringing in a small bouquet of flowers. Thin stems that are easily cut are the best choice for children. Some great choices include carnations, lilies, daisies and mums. To help, please select a week to send in fresh flowers for your child's class using the links below.

Mrs. Irre's Flower Sign Up

Ms. Goodman's Flower Sign Up

SAMUELS PUBLIC LIBRARY

VIRTUAL RESOURCES

Take a look at the virtual programs Samuels Public Library Youth Services Department has planned for January 1-30 and February 1-15 and February 16-28. Programs can be viewed from the Samuels Library Facebook page or YouTube channel.