WEDNESDAY WEEKLY

February 5, 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 6

WMS Basketball - Home Game vs. Centreville Layton School

4 p.m. in the Gym

Come support our team!

February 7

Family Conferences - Pre-Primary through Elementary

No school for Pre-Primary through Elementary students.

Pre-registered child-care only for those levels.

Middle School classes continue as scheduled.

February 10

Family Conferences (All levels) - No school

Pre-registered child-care only.

February 12

Virtual Admissions Information Session

Noon on Zoom

Tell a friend!

February 14

2025-26 Re-enrollment Deadline

Re-enroll by this date to secure your child's spot at WMS!

February 17

Mid-Winter Break

No school or child care.

February 20

The Journey (rescheduled from 2/6)

9 a.m. - noon in the Great Room

Read on for additional details.

Advance Registration Required

Full School Year Calendar

61st Birthday Celebration

Dear WMS Families,

Last week, WMS celebrated its 61st birthday. Gathered together in the gym, students and staff paid tribute to our school by singing both the school song and, of course, “Happy Birthday.” Even our youngest students attended, and while they might not yet understand the significance of this milestone, they knew something exciting was taking place because of the familiar lyrics of those songs.

Over the past year and a half, the WMS community has been involved in many celebrations particularly centered around our 60 years of existence. Now, we are moving into a new era, with excitement about what’s to come in both the near and distant future. Much like the students’ birth and life celebrations that take place in Montessori classrooms, these yearly acknowledgments give us moments to pause and reflect on all that it took to start the school, stay true to the Montessori Method and evolve to match the changing needs of the families in our region. When we hold birth and life celebrations in the classroom, we focus on the whole family’s experience - the excitement that comes with welcoming a newborn, the many milestones children experience during their time on earth and the wishes families have for their children. We ask the children themselves what they want to do now that they’ve grown a year older and encourage their classmates to share a wish or comment they know is meaningful for the child celebrating their birthday.

As we reflect on our 61 years, we are doing almost the same thing. We think about who was waiting for a school like WMS to open its doors. We honor those who joined the community, bringing joy and new energy to the group. We celebrate the growth of the school throughout the past six decades and dream about our possibilities for the future, creating goals to help us reach new milestones. We hope you will continue to celebrate with us, knowing that you are both part of a rich history that is honored each and every day and an important part of WMS’s future successes. And as the last line in a book so often read during birth and life celebrations states: “We are so glad you’ve come.”

Sarah Williams

Head of School

NEWS & NOTES

Top 10 Reasons to Re-enroll by February 14

Planning to re-enroll your child(ren) for the 2025-26 school year but haven’t quite gotten around to it? Here are the top 10 reasons to submit your contract and deposit by February 14:

10. Love is in the air!

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by securing your child’s spot at WMS for another year? A seamless transition into 2025-26 is a gift to your future self!

9. Priority enrollment = peace of mind.

Re-enrolling by February 14 means your child is guaranteed a spot before we open remaining spaces to new families. No stress, no uncertainty—just a smooth path into another great school year.

8. Your family is part of what makes WMS special!

If your plans for next school year don’t include WMS, please let us know (either log onto FACTS and choose the “Will Not Enroll” option or email admissions@wmsde.org). Notifying us helps with planning and gives another family the opportunity to join our community.

7. Waitlists are real.

Several programs were at or near capacity this year, and we anticipate the same for 2025-26. Missing the deadline means your child’s spot could go to a new applicant.

6. Support the teachers your child loves!

Re-enrolling early helps us plan ahead and offer contracts to our amazing educators, helping to ensure that our students continue to learn from the teachers they know and love.

5. FACTS Family Portal makes it easy.

You don’t even have to leave your couch to re-enroll. Just log in (if you are asked, our District Code is WM-DE), complete the form and submit your deposit online! (Note: Even if you’ve applied for financial aid and accepted your award, you still need to complete this step.)

4. Future you will be so grateful.

Imagine it’s March, and while others are rushing to complete forms, you’re relaxed, knowing you took care of re-enrollment weeks ago.

3. Your deposit is non-refundable, but 100% worth it.

An investment in your child’s education is one of the best decisions you can make.

2. The WMS community is one of a kind.

Your family plays a vital role in our school, and we can’t wait to continue learning, growing and creating lasting memories together.

1. Because WMS is where your child thrives!

WMS provides a strong academic foundation in a safe, nurturing and welcoming environment in which students gain confidence, independence, compassion and a love of learning. Our teachers and staff know each child as an individual and partner with families to embrace each student’s gifts and prepare them for success.

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So don’t wait—log into the FACTS Family Portal, and re-enroll today!If you have questions, reach out to our Admissions Office for assistance or contact our Business Office with any financial inquiries. We can’t wait to see your family back at WMS this fall!

Join us on the Journey & Earn Three Hours of Co-op Credit

Thursday, February 20 (New Date), 9 a.m. - Noon

Limited spaces available

Note: Due to the forecast for potentially icy weather, The Journey originally scheduled for tomorrow has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 20. If you were already registered, please contact communications@wmsde.org to let us know if you still plan to attend!

Whether you're a long-time Wilmington Montessori School parent or just beginning to learn about Montessori education - it is time to step out of the observation room and into the classroom!

Even if you've attended The Journey in the past, there is more to discover each year!

During this event, you will:

Personally experience the Montessori educational process and better understand the teaching methods by getting hands-on with Montessori materials.
See first-hand how WMS prepares children for success in their educational journey.
Learn how each three-year program level builds and supports your child's development from introduction through eighth grade.
Open conversations with your child about classroom activities.
Realize the positive aspects of learning and succeeding at WMS.
Be more prepared to describe the distinction of a Montessori education to friends and family.
Earn three co-op hours!

Important Note - Because of the large amount of interest in this event, advance registration is required. We limit registration to ensure that the group is small enough that all attendees can interact with materials and have their questions answered!

Watch our video below to learn more about what to expect on The Journey:

Click to watch a video of The Journey at Wilmington Montessori School

Basketball Game - WMS vs. Centreville Layton School - 4 p.m. Thursday Feb. 6 in the Gym

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The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.

Please send submissions to wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.

For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Marketing & Communications.

WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL