Your monthly MMS newsletter is here!  
MMS Monthly E-Newsletter |  October 2015
A note from the Co-Directors
Thank you for coming in for our Fall conferences.  During the conference days, we were in Columbia, Maryland attending Montessori Whole-School Management Training.  It was great to collaborate with 50 Montessori administrators from around the country and beyond.  We learned so much and returned to school feeling inspired and re-energized.

Classroom observations are a vital piece of your family's experience at Mountaineer Montessori School.  All families are expected to observe at least once per year.  During an observation, you will experience the Montessori method in action and will be able to connect with your child in regards to their daily activities.  We often hear from parents that they wish they had observed the classroom earlier and more frequently.   Please call Beth at 304.342.7870 to schedule your appointment.
Primary Update
We've been enjoying the beautiful fall weather on the playground, with both classes joining together to allow for greater opportunities for social development.

In the classroom, children are getting into the rhythm of the work cycle and choosing lessons independently.

We look forward to seeing all of you at our November Parent Education Night, where we will discuss and demonstrate a few of the Montessori principles that are at work each day in Primary.                                                 

Lower Elementary Update
Children are settling in to the routine of the three-hour morning work cycle.  We are at the point in the year when many lessons have been given, allowing for a greater variety of independent work choices.

We have enjoyed our recent out-of-classroom experiences, including a trip to Hansel and Gretel and a tour of the replicas of the Nina and the Pinta.
Upper Elementary Update

Our upper elementary students have continued their year by participating in many lessons in early modern history, math, language, and systems of the human body. Currently, students are researching the circulatory and lymphatic systems. History lessons continue to be a favorite in the classroom and many students have researched the Reformation, Tudor/Stuart England, and the Scientific Revolution. Recently, our students boarded the Nina and the Pinta at Haddad Riverfront Park and were shocked to find how small the boats were in real life! Upper elementary students continue to discover new and incredible things every day!
Middle School Update
This month our humanities studies included core lessons on Mesopotamia, followed by independent research.  Students chose topics and prepared research papers and oral presentations that they shared with parents and the sixth year students.  Topics included
cuneiform, law, royalty, architecture, religion, art and music. 

Our class has also been working with Keeley Steele, local restaurant owner. They have learned kitchen safety and knife handling skills. Students even mastered the famous Bluegrass Kitchen blueberry buttermilk pie recipe and baked their own pie to take home! We hope that you had the pleasure to enjoy this with them. 
Specials Update
Swimming classes have been flowing right along!  Thank you to Bridgett and Nancy for your expertise in guiding the children at the UC pool.

Mark your calendars for our Winter Concert on December 17 at noon.  All MMS and MMMS children will perform in this musical celebration of the season.
GREAT NEWS!
We are thrilled to announce that the YMCA of Kanawha Valley has offered to partner with Mountaineer Montessori School during the winter months so that our PE program can continue to challenge and delight the children. 

Due to construction at UC, we were facing a winter without a gymnasium.  Our friends at the YMCA have arranged to pick up the children at school, take them to the Y, provide a gym and materials for each class, and return the children to school.  We are so grateful to their support and encourage those of you with a connection to the Y to help us express our thanks.

PE at the Y will begin November 30.  Watch for more details in the next few weeks.
THANK YOU!
We'd like to give a huge MMS thank you to the many parents who have made special contributions to our school this month.  Special thanks to:
  • John Slicer, for providing a CD player for Primary.
  • the Stutler family, for providing a new coffeemaker for the staff.
  • the Erby family, for providing cutlery for the kitchen.
  • Anna Keffer, for providing a CD player for our little library.
  • the McFadden family, for providing drinking glasses for the kitchen.
  • JoEllen Zacks, for providing MMS note cards for the office.
  • George Phillips and Chad Cordell, for continued work on the front windows.
  • all the Elementary and Middle School parent drivers!
  • primary parents for the nutritious and delicious snacks!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Flu Shots for students  |  Friday, October 30 , 2015  
Please submit your child's authorization form to Beth.
Primary Parent Education  |  Tuesday, November 3, 2015  |   5:30-6:30 pm
Complimentary childcare is available for MMS students whose parents are attending the session. Call Beth for reservations 304.342.7870
Middle School Parent Education  |  November 10, 2015  |   5:30-6:15 pm
Please meet at the Middle School campus.  Students.......
Lower Elementary Parent Education  |  Tuesday, November 10, 2015  |  5:30-6:15 pm
Upper Elementary Parent Education  |  Tuesday, November 10, 2015  |  6:15-7:00 pm
Complimentary childcare is available for MMS students whose parents are attending the sessions. Call Beth for reservations 304.342.7870
Lower Elementary Field Trip to Heritage Farm  |  Wednesday, November 4 , 2015 
Please watch for more information from Becca and Tara.
Board meeting  | Monday, November 16 , 2015  |   6:00pm 
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Thanksgiving Break  | November 25-29, 2015  
No school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 
Classes resume on Monday, November 30.
OFFICE NOTES

  • Beth is ready to schedule classroom observations.  Please call her at 304.342.7870.
  • All Students (Primary through Middle School) should have rain boots or extra shoes and a poncho or rain jacket at school at all times.  Outdoor activity is a vital part of the curriculum and students will be outside daily, except in the event of extreme weather.  
Mountaineer Montessori School
308 20th Street, Charleston, WV 25304
304.342.7870 | Email | Website