Dear WMS Families & Friends,
What will our kids remember when they look back on their time at Wilmington Montessori School?
They might think about the daily rituals of rolling out a work mat or gathering for circle time, class walks to the creek and summiting the gym’s rock wall. They might remember the Montessori Great Lessons in the 6-9 Program, their first overnight trip in the 9-12 Program, performing in the school musical, or traveling to the Montessori Model United Nations conference as a middle-schooler. But perhaps more than any treasured experience, they'll remember the relationships built at this school. The teachers show love and care, celebrate strengths and patiently facilitate growth, leaving a lasting impression on our children's lives and helping them develop a strong self-understanding of inner confidence. And the friendships fostered in multi-age classrooms, nurtured by WMS’s culture of kindness, respect and the shared value of peace, are a foundation that will feed our children long into the future.
As parents, the strong connections Jonathan and I have built within the WMS community also shape our own lives and our relationship to our chosen home state of Delaware. WMS parent friends have shown up for us time and again, sharing resources, knowledge and kindness. This is an intense time of life, balancing jobs, small children, aging parents and a rapidly changing world. But within this community, we feel a sense of togetherness. Getting to know the incredibly smart, caring adults in the WMS community who are similarly navigating the challenges of this time of life has been an unexpected gift.
We see parents and other family members giving back to this school in so many ways. They share cultural celebrations in the classrooms; volunteer to bring in snacks, milk and flowers weekly; read to students; organize book fairs; and coordinate teacher appreciation activities. And we support the school with tuition dollars. But you may not know that tuition does not completely cover the cost of our children’s exceptional Montessori experience at WMS. Individual support is needed to bolster financial aid, make improvements our the campus (including our new patio and seating area), fund field trips and hands-on learning experiences, further the school’s investment in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives, and expand experiences with the arts and technology for all students.
Your gift to the annual fund sustains all of these and so much more.
Families’ support for this school and our treasured WMS community makes a tremendous difference, and by participating in the annual fund you can expand that impact. When you donate to the annual fund, your gift does more than just add dollars – it also acts as a persuasive signal of support from the parent community, allowing WMS to secure additional funding from corporations and foundations.
Will you join us in showing your support for WMS by making a donation today? Together, our shared gifts can have a significant impact. Donate online through the WMS website, email give@wmsde.org to request a donation envelope, or check out the sidebar in this message to learn about more options!
This year’s annual fund theme is #Connected2WMS. Help us build even more support for the school by sharing why you and your family feel connected to WMS through social media. When you use the #Connected2WMS hashtag, you will be entered in a raffle to win a WMS swag bag including spirit wear and other fun items! Check out the sidebar to find out about other opportunities to win prizes during next week’s drive!
Thank you for your friendship and for all you do for our school. Let’s show our support for this special community and the many ways WMS impacts our lives.
With gratitude and friendship,
Amelia Wiggins & Jonathan Huntoon
Parents of Lilly (Toddler, Room 3) and Charlie (Kindergarten, Room 19)
