MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | May 2023 |
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Dear MMS Families,
As we start to 'wind down' the 2022-2023 school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our MMS community. We enjoy and appreciate the time we spend with your children and with you, and we look forward to the many special events coming up!
If you are a new Toddler family or if you have a child who is moving up to Primary, Lower Elementary, or Upper Elementary, be sure to mark your calendars for our special Step Up Parent Education nights (see dates and times below).
Be sure to plan ahead for our annual Tie Dye Day - each child will need one 100% cotton t-shirt on May 30 (Staunton) or May 31 (20th Street). It's an MMS tradition to wear the newly tie-dyed shirts to the all-school picnic on the last day of school, June 7.
Keep checking your email for details about other special events and traditions. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Warmly,
Jennifer
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RACE AGAINST RACISM AND DONUT DAY THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 29 |
MMS is putting the Montessori peace philosophy into action as a sponsor of the seventh annual "Race to End Racism," to be presented by the YWCA Charleston at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29 on Kanawha Boulevard West.
As a Bronze Sponsor, MMS has 15 free team member spots available to our students and family members. A few slots are still available. Please contact Jennifer Carriger for the code required to register for our team.
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Following the race, join the MMS team and the whole community from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the inaugural Cultural Celebration. Let’s celebrate our diversity and take a STAND against racism. The event will feature DJ Quam, ballroom dancer Korey Storm Brown, Xinos, and Fun Fitness Kids Club.
All proceeds benefit the YWCA Charleston Racial Equity & Inclusion Program.
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While you're out on Saturday, be sure to stop by MMS Day at The Vandalia Company, 611 Tennessee Avenue, in the Elk City neighborhood. The event is sponsored by MMS parents Brooke and Kevin Smith.
On the morning of Saturday, April 29, starting at 9:00 a.m. and while supplies last, all students and staff/faculty who go to Vandalia Company and identify that they are an MMS student/staff will receive a free No. 42 (sugar/cinnamon) donut. Weather permitting, there will be a bubble machine, jump ropes and toys in the back yard so families can hang back there. Thank you, Smith family!
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MMS SPRING GALA 2023-TICKET PRICES GO UP SOON
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This major school fundraiser generates critical funding to help us meet the growing demand for superior academic options in our community and sustain our 46-year tradition of excellence and innovation in education.
This uplifting event will be held Saturday, June 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m., on the terrace of Edgewood Country Club.
Text mmsjourney to 76278 for more information.
We invite our friends to join us to:
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Celebrate education that propels the journey of a lifetime
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Applaud MMS programs and faculty
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Bid on amazing class art projects and an extensive array of exciting prizes (online bidding will be available for silent auction items!)
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Enjoy entertainment by DJ Vinyl Village, Upper Elementary II Guide Alasha Al-Qudwah, Administrative Assistant Stephanie Spradling, Primary I Assistant Julia Carriger and Lower Elementary I Assistant Sonji Byers-Baldwin, and delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails
- Mingle with friends old and new
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Lift up the next generation of community builders, innovators, entrepreneurial thinkers, problem solvers and creators
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Featuring everyone's favorite host, Jim Strawn
Your support will help:
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Continue to expand our financial aid fund-more than $72,000/year to Charleston families in 2022-23!
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Support teacher training and appreciation
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Fund ongoing indoor and outdoor facilities improvements
At MMS, potential is empowered and the future is inspired. With your support, we can continue to elevate education and our community in the year(s) ahead.
Individual reservations are $85 through May 10. Prices increase to $110 per person on May 11.
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SPECIALS SPOTLIGHT
The Spring 2023 afterschool guitar and ukulele session culminated with an uplifting concert on April 5. Guitar/ukulele director Alasha Al-Qudwah reports: "Our beginner class has successfully learned how to switch chords and play with a consistent downbeat, while our returning groups have added more chords and strumming patterns to their vocabulary. We culminated our nine-week session with a wonderful performance to showcase their skills! Congratulations to our young musicians for a great session and fantastic concert."
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We could use your help! Volunteers are needed for the MMS display at the May 18 ArtWalk, June 3 Spring Gala, June 7 school picnic and FestivALL Children's Art Fair on June 18. It truly takes a village to make our school run, and we hope you will be able to make a contribution of your time at least to one event this year.
Please review the available volunteer opportunities and help make these events a success! If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Spradling.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
April 29 | YWCA Race to End Racism
April 29 | MMS Donut Day at Vandalia Company
May 9 | 5:30 p.m. | Step-Up Night-Primary
May 15-19 | MMS Teacher Appreciation Week
May 16 | 5:30 p.m. | Step-Up Night-Lower Elementary
May 16 | 6:30 p.m. | Step-Up Night-Upper Elementary
May 18 | 5:30 p.m. | Step-Up Night-Toddler
May 18 | Downtown Charleston ArtWalk | Gala class art projects on display
May 19 | 11:00 a.m. | Elementary Spring Concert
May 22-26 | Standardized testing week for grades 3-8
May 29 | Memorial Day-no school
May 30 | Tie Dye Day-Staunton campus
May 31 | Tie Dye Day-20th Street
June 6 | MMS Director for a Day
June 6 | 11:30 a.m. | 8th Year Graduation
June 7 | Last day of school | 11:45 a.m. dismissal
June 7 | Annual MMS picnic | Kanawha State Forest
June 18 | FestivALL Children's Art Fair
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MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHING OPPORTUNITY |
Our Middle School is growing by leaps and bounds and we're looking for staff excited to join our team of dynamic, curious and dedicated educators committed to empowering each student’s unique potential through a high-quality Montessori adolescent program.
We are currently seeking a Middle School math instructor/program support staff for 2023-24. Depending on the candidate, this can be a full- or part-time position.
MMMS is planning for 25-30 seventh- and eighth year students next year, and will move to the original MMS campus, located in the University of Charleston neighborhood at 308 20th Street. There will be dedicated classrooms for Math/Science, Language Arts/History, Library/Seminar, Art/Spanish, Micro Economy/MakerSpace.
Interested candidates should email a resume a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Carriger at their earliest convenience. NO PHONE CALLS, please. Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.
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For the past several months, Middle School has researched many aspects of ancient world history, and tried to make sense of it for our modern world. On April 20, parents were invited to join their class to discuss world history. Middle School students portrayed Cleopatra, Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander the Great, Socrates, the Oracle of Delphi and other fascinating historical characters for the special event.
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The Spring 2023 Cafe 304, a pop up breakfast shop presented by the Middle School, was another delicious success! More photos here.
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Like these photos? Then you'll love MMS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Photos, school updates and Montessori news are posted nearly every day!
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Lower Elementary I is grateful for the beautiful new classroom rug
donated by Emily Beal and Arie Spitz. Thank you!
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TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 15-19 |
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MMS parents are invited to come together as a community to show gratitude for our wonderful teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Our parent group committee is working to organize small ways to show appreciation throughout this year's observance, May 15-19. (Please note that this is one week later than national teacher appreciation events to accommodate MMS field trips and other activities that will take staff off campus.)
Last year we had a great celebration thanks to the generous contributions of so many MMS families. The feedback from teachers and staff was extremely positive and we hope for another successful celebration in 2023. One way you can help is by donating to a fund for Teacher Appreciation Week festivities.
To make a contribution, please use the PayPal account, linked here. [account is Susana Duarte, @susanaMMS].
Any amount, however small, would be appreciated--a suggested amount is $15.00/student. All contributions will be used by the committee to provide goodies to the teachers and staff – plans currently include treats, a catered lunch, and gifts!
If you would like to donate, please do so no later than Tuesday, May 2. This will allow our Teacher Appreciation Week Committee time to allocate our budget across the week.
Look for more information soon on other ways to participate, including MMS ThankYouGrams and classroom volunteer duty during the teacher appreciation luncheon!
Thanks fellow parents – we are excited to show teachers and staff how grateful we are for all their hard work with our children.
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This very special event returns on Tuesday May 30 (Staunton campus) and Wednesday May 31 (20th Street).
Led by Karen Kelly for 24 years, tie dye day is one of our most treasured traditions, creating lifetime memories along with a beautiful shirt.
Please send ONE 100% cotton shirt/child on your tie dye day. All other supplies are provided. Please do not send additional shirts or supplies to school.
It is a long-standing MMS tradition for students to wear their tie-dye shirts to the end of school picnic.
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STEP UP NIGHTS
Step-Up Nights are just around the corner. Parents of new students and parents of all rising students of a new level will want to attend these nights. During step-up events, parents will have the opportunity to meet your child's future teachers, peek in the classroom where your child will work next year and learn about the developmentally-based curriculum and specialty programming for your child's new level.
Step-Up Parent Education events help you prepare your child for this transition and lay the groundwork for a wonderful new school year. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to meet the teachers, see classrooms, and get a preview of what's ahead for your student in 2023-24!
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May 9 | 5:30 p.m. Step-Up Night for New and Rising Primary
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May 16 | 5:30 p.m. Step-Up Night New and Rising Lower Elementary
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May 16 | 6:30 p.m. Step-Up Night New and Rising Upper Elementary
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May 18 | 5:30 p.m. Step-Up Night New Toddlers
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CURRICULUM CORNER: SIXTH YEAR PROJECTS
Three years of Primary and six of Elementary all come together at a very special annual event at MMS: presentations of individual research projects by sixth year students. The multi-faceted projects involve a lengthy research and writing process, completion of a formal paper, creation of trifolds for displays to share with families and school mates, and digital presentations.
This year's presentations were held over the course of two evenings, April 19-20. A slide show, created to introduce the students, included a quote from the students, and current and past photos.
We are so proud of the creative and insightful work showcased by the 2023 sixth years, grateful for guidance of our UE Lead Guides Alasha Al-Qudwah and Emily Christian and Assistants Karen Kelly, Brittany Javins and Charlee Tidrick, and thankful for our supportive families.
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The MMS Chess Team recently wrapped up another great year, placing fourth in the K-8 Division of the WV Scholastic Chess Association Championship. Congratulations to Coach Evan Young and our all of our team members, including Gagana Sadineni, the state K-8 champion, who will represent West Virginia in the Barber Tournament of K-8 Champions!
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The Upper Elementary Butterfly Garden is taking flight, with students recently planting milkweed they germinated from milk pod seeds harvested last fall. |
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Thank you for reading your "M" News!
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Mountaineer Montessori School
4801 Staunton Avenue SE and 308 20th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
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