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MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | March 2022

"Spring will come and so does happiness. Hold On. Life gets warmer." Anita Krizzan

Dear MMS Families,

Spring is a time of beginnings and renewal.

As new season unfolds, we look forward to the return of traditions and activities that have been a cherished part of the MMS experience and new plans for the weeks and months ahead.

Montessori Meet-Ups returned March 5 with an ice skating event. Thank you to the School Life Committee for reviving this favorite MMS tradition, which had been "on ice" due to health concerns. (See more below.)

In-person Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held this week. Details are below. Please sign up at your earliest convenience.

I am delighted to announce that classroom observations for Primary through Middle School will resume on March 24. Observations are an invaluable opportunity to visit your child's classroom and see the Montessori magic for yourself. Click HERE to register for a classroom observation.

Warmer weather has allowed us to resume enhancements to the outdoor learning environments at both campuses. The biggest current project is the relocation of the wonderful play structures at 20th Street to Staunton. (See photos below.) This equipment was initially funded by proceeds from the 2011 MMS Race for Education and will be installed with support from our 2021 Race/Play for the Playground--a "full circle" moment indeed! Outdoor equipment for our toddler friends will be added to 20th Street playground area. Other planned outdoor facilities work includes installation of permanent playground fencing at Staunton, Primary outdoor classroom equipment, and outdoor eating and meeting/learning spaces for Elementary and Middle School.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the MMS Spring Gala on May 13. This is always a fun evening and a wonderful way to connect with other parents in support of your child's school. Text mms45 to 76278 for details.

We also welcome the return of the spring concert, which will be held on May 18 at 11:15 a.m. (Primary) and 6:00 p.m. (Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and strings).

Campessori, the MMS Summer Program, will be back under the direction of Alasha Al-Qudwah, with seven weeks of enriching activity for children 3-12 planned. Please watch for details.

Looking ahead to the new school year, we plan to re-introduce early morning Plus, which will allow parents to drop off children prior to the official arrival time. MMS has offered this option in the past, but Covid restrictions have precluded it for the past few years.

As we emerge from a long winter that challenged our entire school community, I again wish to express my gratitude for your patience and support as we navigate continuing change.

Let's all hold on. Because life is getting warmer!

Warmly,

Jennifer

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES MARCH 17-18

Spring 2022 parent-teacher conferences will be held on March 17 and 18.

Conferences will be held in person, and there is no school on conference days.

Upper Elementary and Middle School students will attend conferences with parents.

Primary and Lower Elementary students may join the Plus program free of charge during their 20-minute conference time.

Toddler parents may request care for the 20-minute conference time by emailing Tiffany Reynolds.

Please sign up here to reserve your conference slot.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Applications for the WV Hope Scholarship Program are being accepted by the WV Treasurer's Office now through May 15. We encourage parents to submit their applications early.

Apply here.

Starting in the 2022-23 school year, the program will offer eligible West Virginia families with $4,600 per year/student to pay for private school tuition, curriculum, special needs therapy, transportation, and other qualified expenses.

Initially, the Hope Scholarship program is for students who have been enrolled in public school for a minimum of 45 days at time of application or who are kindergarten age (age 5 by July 1) at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.

It is our understanding that current and new MMS students rising to the third year of Primary (kindergarten) in the fall, would be eligible, as are new students in first grade and up who are applying from a public school. Please see the WV Treasurer's Office webpage for details.

MMS DIFFERENCE: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

"It is not enough to study history. We must experience history." Bernice King

As part of their study of regional prehistoric Native Americans, our Middle School students met up with naturalist Doug Wood, who help them understand a bit about what it must have been like to live in a prehistoric community. This is an an experience that won’t easily be forgotten! Many thanks to Doug for bring history to life for us!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHESS TEAM

The MMS Chess Team is back and bigger and better than ever! Under the leadership of Coach Evan Young, our team has expanded in size and is continuing the winning MMS tradition with impressive showings in regional play. Continued success to our students as they head to the state tournament on April 2. Good luck!

First place team, Harrison County Open and Scholastic Championship.

Gagana Sadineri, individual second place, Harrison County Open and Scholastic Championship

First place team, WV Scholastic Chess Association event at St. Francis of Assisi School

MONTESSORI MOMENTS

Thank you to the crew from Capital Maintenance for their hard work in the transfer of play structures from the 20th Street location to Staunton and to our Facilities Committee for their continuing efforts to enhance our campuses.

So much curiosity and excitement as the 20th Street play structures arrive at Staunton!

"The new playground is coming!"

Like these photos? Then you'll love MMS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Photos, school updates and Montessori news are posted nearly every day!

Upper Elementary I wears blue and yellow in solidarity with the courageous Ukrainian people.

FACULTY FOCUS

As part of our teachers' ongoing training and professional development and to strengthen our curriculum alignment work, MMS frequently welcomes trainers and consultants to our school to observe classrooms, offer guidance and share best practices. Recently, Michele Mohar of the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies in Richmond, spent two days of intensive work with our Primary team, and Robin Breiman of the Montessori Education Teacher Training Collective in Medford, Mass., consulted with Lower Elementary for two days.

Collaboration with Montessori experts is an important component of our annual investment in classroom excellence and our continuous school improvement work through the AMS Pathways program. MMS is the only Pathways school in the state. We are grateful for our supporters, whose generosity makes these opportunities possible.

Primary II Lead Guide Angela Walker and Michele Mohar.

Michele works with Primary I Co-Leads Jennifer Beuhring and Bri Parsons.

Lower Elementary I Lead Guide Tara Fought and Robin Brieman.

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"SOCIAL" STUDIES

School news is updated frequently on our many social media channels, including our main Facebook page, Middle School Facebook page, private MMS FB parent group, Twitter and Instagram as well as our and website, which contains staff biographies, the school calendar, events calendar and other important information. The monthly "M" news is also an important source of information. Current and past newsletters are always available on our virtual newstand.

Staying connected helps everyone--most importantly, your child!

ENRICHMENT/SPECIALS SPOTLIGHT: SCIENCE CLUB

The MMS Science Club, an after school enrichment option, was introduced this year by Michael Parsons, an Assistant in Upper Elementary II. Mike joined our faculty this year with dynamic background in science education, curriculum design and research. He is the instructor and program coordinator of brewing technology and chair of the technical operations department at BridgeValley Community & Technical College. Mike previously served as an academic lab manager at Marshall University, STEM specialist at a Montessori school, and ESL instructor at VIPKid. He earned a BS in ACS Certified Chemistry, BA in psychology, and MS in chemistry from Marshall University.

Here, Mike describes a recent Science Club presentation:

In these photos, we are doing a few things. On the corner of the table is a jar of Dots (candy). We soaked them in rubbing alcohol so that they would burn easily and then observed them burn. One of the interesting observations is that as the Dots burn, the sugars undergo a caramelization reaction -- just like heating it on the stove to make candy.

More importantly, we were covering some fire safety:

1. We discussed how the rubbing alcohol was an easy starter fuel and the bottle had to be away from the table with the flame.

2. We discussed why we put the glass jar on a ceramic plate before lighting the Dots (so that it did not burn the table).

3. We talked about how blowing out the fire or throwing water on it could be a slower way to put it out, or it could cause an accident like knocking over the jar and spreading the fire. The steel bowl was there to cover and smother the fire if it needed to be put out quickly.

4. We discussed what the students should do IF the fire were to spread beyond the glass jar. Before lighting anything on fire, we recapped the fire drill protocol. They should always leave immediately instead of trying to put the fire out - even if I am attempting to put it out.

SPRING GALA SPONSORSHIPS SALES OPEN-TEXT MMS45 to 76278

Sponsorship reservations are now open for "Creating the Future," the 2021 MMS Spring Gala. The big event is Friday, May 13, at Edgewood Country Club.

The gala platform details sponsorship levels (starting at $250) and benefits.

Sponsorships committed by March 31, will be acknowledged in the gala invitation mailing.

Join us as we commemorate our 45 years of excellence and innovation in education and 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.

Volunteers for this major fundraiser are welcome and needed! To get involved, please contact Resource Development Chair Carolyn Head, or Gala Co-Chairs Rebecca Stevenson and Brooke Young.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 17-18 | Parent-Teacher Conferences, no school | Reserve your spot

April 11-15 | Spring break, no school

YWCA Race to End Racism | April 23 | watch for details on how to participate on the MMS team

MMS Annual Spring Gala | Friday, May 13, 2022 | Edgewood Country Club

May 16-20 | Standardized testing for all students third grade and up

May 18 | MMS Spring Concert | 11:15 a.m. Primary | 6:00 p.m. Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Strings

May 30 | Memorial Day, no school

June 3 | Last day of school | Early dismissal | All-school picnic at Kanawha State Forest

2021-2022 MMS Calendar | Please note that dates are subject to changing circumstances

MONTESSORI MEET-UPS

Montessori Meet-Ups are back! Thanks to everyone who participated in the first one of the year at the South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena. Meet-Ups are Montessori-friendly events that provide an opportunity to connect, have fun and hang out. The events are open to all members of our school community.

Previous Meet-Ups have included get togethers at FestivALL, Live on the Levee, Magic Island Splash Pad, Greenbrier Pool, Kanawha County Library, Appalachian Power Park, Kanawha State Forest, Clay Center, Danner Meadow, and more. If you have a suggestion for a future Meet-Up, or would like to help with an upcoming event, please contact Enybe Diaz and/or Samantha HIcks from the School Life Committee.