WEDNESDAY WEEKLY

September 18, 2024


UPCOMING EVENTS



September 24 & 25

School Pictures

Schedule Below


September 25

ISACS Parent Education Webinar - "Back to School Momentum"

7:30 p.m. on Zoom

Details Below


October 1

The Journey - Family Education/Co-op Opportunity

9 a.m.-noon, WMS Great Room

Limited spaces available!

 Register Now


October 3

No School

Pre-registered child care available.

Sign up by Thursday, 9/26


October 4

All-Staff Professional Day - No School or Child-Care

 

October 9

Admissions Information Sessions

Noon & 5 p.m. on Zoom

Tell a friend!




Full School Year Calendar

Cultivating Peace Through Montessori Education

Dear Families,


As you step through the front doors of Wilmington Montessori School, you will see a quote scrolled across the front desk: “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education.” It’s said that Dr. Maria Montessori wrote this sentiment in a letter to Mahatma Gandhi while she was living in India during World War II. In her educational philosophy, peace is not simply a state of being or a lofty aspiration for a world devoid of strife; rather, it is an active, dynamic process woven into the very fabric of learning and community.


At its core, Montessori education emphasizes the cultivation of an environment that encourages children to engage in critical thinking and self-reflection, fostering a sense of inner peace that allows them to navigate the complexities of both thought and emotion. In the classroom, children are guided to explore not only academic concepts but also the ethical implications of their actions. They learn to articulate their thoughts, analyze diverse perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue—a foundation for rational discourse that is essential for peace in both personal and societal contexts. This empathetic way of engaging nurtures connections that bridge differences, fostering a sense of shared humanity. By learning to appreciate diverse viewpoints, students develop the capacity to find common ground, an essential element in resolving conflicts and promoting harmonious relationships.


No matter the age of the student, conflict resolution is approached with intentionality, providing them with tools to navigate disagreements constructively. Through role-playing, discussion and guided reflection, they learn that conflict can be an opportunity for growth rather than an endpoint. This experiential learning is crucial in shaping their understanding of peace as an ongoing practice, rather than a distant ideal.


On Saturday, September 21, people and organizations across the world will celebrate the International Day of Peace. This day, first established by the United Nations in 1981 and then designated as a day calling for non-violence and cease-fire in 2001, is honored at WMS annually and naturally ties to the peace curriculum that is at the heart of the Montessori Method. As a school community, we will celebrate this year’s theme of Cultivating a Culture of Peace, something we at WMS strive to do each and every day, at our Peace Assembly on Thursday, September 26 when most of our students are present. Echoed on the United Nations’ website for the International Day of Peace are Maria Montessori’s words, again emphasizing the need for education around peace both within ourselves and for the world around us: “Education is one of the principal means to build a culture of peace.”



Warmest regards,

Sarah E. Williams

Head of School

NEWS & NOTES

School Pictures - September 24 & 25


It's time for school pictures! Crissy Everhart Photography will coming to WMS to photograph our students and faculty next Tuesday and Wednesday.


Photos will be taken outdoors. After the photos are processed, families will be provided with a link to view proofs and purchase photos directly through the website. (No orders or payments will be processed through WMS.) If we are unable to take outdoor photos on either of the scheduled dates, September 26 will be our rain date.


Each student will be photographed individually. These individual photos will be combined into group composites, which will also be available for purchase.


Schedule

All photos will be taken in the morning - please be sure your child arrives on time!


Tuesday, September 24

  • Room 10 (Middle School)
  • Room 4 (Pre-Primary - Alyssa)
  • Room 5 (Pre-Primary - Kira)
  • Room 17 (Primary - Erin Winner)
  • Room 18 (Primary - Kim)
  • Room 19 (Primary - Erin Wehler)
  • Room 9 (9-12)

Wednesday, September 25:

  • Room 16 (6-9)
  • Room 6 (Pre-Primary - Leanne)
  • Room 3 (Pre-Primary - Deirdre)
  • Room 8 (Pre-Primary - Catalina)
  • Room 20 (Primary - Marilyn) 

Make-up/retake photos will be taken on a later date (to be announced) after proofs are available for review.


Please email debbie_segear@wmsde.org with any questions!

New Staff Member: Nurse Linza Godfrey


You may have noticed that our nursing team has expanded recently. Linza Godfrey is joining our current nurse, Dana Dougherty, to help provide coverage five days per week. Their combined schedule for the month can be found on the Nurse's Office door. 


Please send all health questions to nurse@wmsde.org - this email address will be monitored by both Dana and Linza, along with an additional administrator to provide support if neither nurse is available. 


If you have a moment, please stop by and say hello to Linza next time she's in the office!

Family Education/Co-op Opportunities

ISACS Parent Education Series -

Beginning Next Week


WMS is once again registered for the ISACS Parent Education Series, a collection of virtual workshops for independent school parents and caregivers. Each workshop is worth one hour of co-op time. 


The first workshop is scheduled for next Wednesday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. Registration information will be shared via Bloomz. 


Back-To-School Momentum:

Prepping Children of All Ages for the Challenges (& Successes) of a New School Year  Presented by Lynn Lyons, LICSW  


We all benefit from knowing effective, active and creative strategies to confront worry and anxiety Families need clear direction on HOW to respond when anxiety or worry flares up. Parents are an instrumental part of the process and benefit greatly by collaborating directly with the school. 


Based on current research and years of clinical experience, learn a strategic approach based on skill-building, with emphasis on prevention that benefits students, their families and educators. What are the mistakes we continue to make? How can we take advantage of a new school year’s positivity? What are the myths we need to bust, the paradigms we need to shift and the skills we must build? 


This webinar is recommended for parents and caregivers of grades 1–12, but all age levels are welcome.

Join us on the Journey! Tuesday, October 1, 9 a.m. - Noon


 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 3 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! Another Journey will be held later in the school year.  


Register Here

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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.

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