MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | February 2022 |
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Dear MMS Families,
It's re-enrollment time and families may be asking themselves how long to stay in Montessori and when is the time for "real school."
Parents more than a century ago asked Maria Montessori the same questions. She replied, saying "If you knew a famine was going to take place in three years, would you starve yourself for those three years in preparation?“
From our 45 years of experience with hundreds of children, our observation is the longer the time in Montessori, the stronger the academic and social/emotional foundation for transition to a traditional classroom. Over the decades, time and time again, we've seen our students excel in their future academic endeavors in a variety of settings as well as in their professional and personal pursuits. (Meet some of a our alumni here and later in this newsletter below .)
We couldn't agree more!
As a reminder, re-enrollment is for current students and new siblings underway. Please remember the deadline is February 15. After this date, we cannot guarantee a spot for your child next year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Warmly,
Jennifer
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MMS DIFFERENCE: LEARNING SERVICES
MMS takes considerable pride in being one of the few independent Montessori schools in the country to offer an in-house professional learning support team.
At MMS, students build a strong foundation in reading through individualized and group language instruction in the classroom, enhanced by our learning support specialists using the Wilson Reading System.
Wilson is a multi-sensory, research-based reading and spelling program that supports students and adults with dyslexia and other learning differences.
All elementary students participate in academic screenings three times a year, which are conducted by MMS specialists. The screenings track progress in language growth and identify opportunities for attention.
Children receive additional support, including individual and small group sessions, as needed from a team of professionals led by Jennifer Carriger, WV Learning Disabilities Association Teacher of the Year, with experienced Specialists Darlene Spangler, Dr. Ray Singleton, and Margaret Lawrence. (Please see our website for their bios.)
For more information about our learning support services, please contact Jennifer.
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Darlene and Jennifer congratulate Maggie McQueen, who "graduated" from the Wilson System last week. Well done, Maggie! |
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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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FACULTY FOCUS
MMS is pleased to announce additions to our faculty and expanded roles for current staff: Please join us in congratulating:
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Jennifer Beuhring, who joined MMS as Co-Lead for Primary I.
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Bri Parsons, who moved to a new role as Co-Lead for Primary I.
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Sara Sporlich, a Toddler Guide providing additional leadership in the Toddler program
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Angela Walker, who moved up to Lead Guide in Primary II
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Brooke Young, who joined our staff as an Administrative Assistant/Development Director
You can learn more about our new and current staff on our website bio page(s). |
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CURRICULUM CORNER: GRACE AND COURTESY |
“A child who becomes a master of his acts through repeated exercises of grace and courtesy, and who has been encouraged by the pleasant and interesting activities in which he has been engaged, is a child filled with health and joy.” ~Maria Montessori
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Grace and courtesy lessons are activities that help children understand how to act and communicate with others. They are the foundation for a peaceful classroom and positive interactions with friends, family members and the larger society. In this month's Curriculum Corner, Primary Guide Angela Walker discusses the importance of grace and courtesy in the early childhood environment:
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As a Montessori school, we understand that even very young children are capable of much more than is traditionally expected of them.
When you picture a typical classroom with 3–6-year-olds, you might expect to see children running around or shouting when excited. After all, children of 3 years of age can’t be expected to have mastered such behaviors as walking carefully and speaking softly yet, right? Not so in a Montessori school.
In "The Absorbent Mind," Maria Montessori illustrates the unique mental powers of young children that enable them to construct and establish all the aspects of human personality. Montessorians refer to this as their “construction of self." This means that the primary level is THE essential time to teach grace and courtesy. It serves as the foundation. Exactly how do you teach this?
Grace and courtesy begins with intentional modeling. Guides are very careful about how they behave in front of the children. When interacting with one another, or when interacting with a child, they are always thinking about showing the children what they hope to see mirrored. Mirror neurons are powerful in this stage of development.
When older children are sitting strong at line time, the other children follow suit. When a guide sees a child as they arrive at school in the morning, the guide will crouch down to be at the child’s level, look the child in the eye, and say, “good morning," using a soft, calm voice. If the guide expects the children not to shout across the classroom, she will not do so herself. When managing a classroom full of children this can be challenging at times, but we understand that the children are always watching us and learning from our behaviors.
Adults in a Montessori school are always very careful not to interrupt a child’s work. They have a deep respect for the child’s autonomy. When adults refuse to interrupt a child’s work, the children learn the importance of doing the same. Concentration is sacred in the classroom environment.
Aside from modeling, Montessori guides give lessons to explicitly teach grace and courtesy. They will show the child step by step:
- How to greet one another
- How to welcome a visitor
- How to get a teacher’s attention without interrupting (tapping or raising their hand by their workspace)
- How to participate in a group discussion without interrupting
- How to listen in a conversation
- How to walk carefully around the classroom (walking around mats and behind friends)
- How to follow directions
- How to resolve a social conflict (peace resolution)
- How to unobtrusively observe another’s work
- How to use polite words such as please, thank you, excuse me, etc.
Building on this foundation, students in Lower and Upper Elementary and the Middle School continue to learn and practice grace and courtesy in various settings as their world expands.
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Older friends model line time. |
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Friends work together on the playground. |
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Caring for the classroom environment. |
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Quietly observing a friend's lesson. |
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Respecting the work of others by walking around their mats. |
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Restoring materials to their proper place. |
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Sitting strong at line time. |
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Resolving differences with the peace rose. |
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MMS SPRING GALA: PARTY ON THE PATIO MAY 13
Each spring, MMS celebrates our school community with an uplifting gala. This year's event will be held Friday, May 13, on the outdoor terrace of Edgewood Country Club. Please note the change in date and venue from earlier announcements.
We'll commemorate our 45 years of excellence and innovation in education as we enjoy live entertainment, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and bidding on amazing individual student and class art projects. The spring gala is always a fun evening and a great way to connect with other parents while supporting your child's school.
Sponsorship opportunities, auction donation information and ticket details are outlined on the MMS gala platform. Or text mms45 to 76278 to learn more.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
February 15 | 2022-23 enrollment deadline for returning students and new siblings
February 18-21 | Presidents' Day | School closed
Montessori Education Week | February 20-26 | Please watch for details
March 18-19 | Parent Teacher Conferences, no school
April 11-15 | Spring break, no school
MMS Annual Spring Gala | Friday, May 13, 2022 | Edgewood Country Club-NOTE NEW DATE AND LOCATION
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ALUMNI UPDATE
One of the best measures of the impact of an MMS education is the success of our graduates. We are pleased to share the following updates:
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Hayden Carriger has been invited by the White House and the US Department of Education to apply for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. The program recognizes the accomplishments of our nation's most distinguished high school seniors based upon ACT or SAT assessments. Hayden is a senior at Charleston Catholic and is the son of MMS Director Jennifer Carriger and David Carriger. He chose MMS at 20th Street for his senior photo shoot! |
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Caroline Kaufman was featured as the November 2021 Levi Strauss "Muse of the Month." Caroline, a Brooklyn-based textile designer and artist, is the daughter of Tod and Barrie Kaufman. She is a graduate of Choate-Rosemary Hall and the Pratt Institute.
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Aiden Rogers, a sophomore at George Washington High School, has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle project was creation of a pollinator field in the Kanawha State Forest to help preserve Monarch butterflies and bumblebees. Aiden is the son of Dr. Elizabeth Scharman and Jack Rogers. |
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Elizabeth Zacks is freshman at Tufts University in Boston. She graduated from Charleston Catholic last May with numerous academic honors and awards for leadership and community service. The daughter of Ben and JoEllen Zacks, she is pictured on the Tufts campus with Jumbo, the Tufts mascot. |
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Carly Thaw's first solo gallery show is up at The Emerson Arts and Culture Center in Bozeman, Montana through the end of March. Carly does editorial illustrations for magazines and books as well as commissioned posters and tourism projects. She is currently on the staff of Middle Creek Montessori in Bozeman as a sub/art and PE assistant for toddlers-elementary. Carly is the daughter of Rob and Laura Thaw and is a graduate of American University. |
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Carly says she discovered her love of illustration as a long-time student of Barrie Kaufman starting at MMS. |
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We love sharing updates from former students and their families. Please email JoEllen Zacks with your graduation, professional, personal, or other news!
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In accordance with new guidance issued by the WV Board of Education, MMS has updated policies regarding quarantines and other issues arising from a positive case of Covid-19 in our classrooms. These new policies are outlined on page 15 of the revised edition of “Forward Together,” the 2021-22 handbook supplement. Please ensure you reference the edition dated February 5, 2022.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community. We will continue to follow through with all safety measures currently in place to provide the safest environment possible for our students, while maintaining in-person instruction as much as possible. We will count on you to do your part by conducting daily health checks of your children/household members, testing when it is recommended, and communicating openly with the school when there is a positive case or any health concerns.
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ADMISSIONS SESSIONS UNDERWAY
Have a friend, neighbor or family member who interested in MMS for their child next year or beyond? Encourage them to request an admissions session at their earliest convenience. (They may start by completing this information request form.) We've been busy conducting virtual tours and information sessions since September, and once again anticipate full enrollment in all classes at all levels next year.
Current families with new siblings will register during the re-enrollment window that is now open through February 15. With the availability of the Hope Scholarship, we anticipate that interest in our programs will be even higher, making it more important than ever for families to adhere to 2022-23 enrollment deadlines in order for us to hold a space for your child next year.
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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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