MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | January 2023 |
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Dear MMS Families,
It was wonderful to welcome our MMS families back to school following the New Year's break.
Thank you so much for your support in making our December special events a success, including the annual Book and Bake sale, Winter Concerts and celebrations, and our Annual Fund.
As hard as it may be to believe, it's already time to begin plans for the 2023-2024 school year! Later this week, you will receive specific information about re-enrollment for the upcoming school year. Current MMS families have priority enrollment until February 15. If your family plans to enroll a new student who has not yet attended MMS, please let us know so we can be sure to reserve a spot for them.
We are still hosting Parent Observations each Thursday at the Staunton Campus and space is still available! Please use this link to register: Parent Observations.
Thank you for being part of our MMS community. I look forward to seeing you soon at one of our upcoming events.
Warmly,
Jennifer
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Community...connection...peace
Join us this Wednesday, January 11, 7:00-8:30 p.m., to learn about principles and values that underpin the Restorative Cycle at MMS. The Restorative Cycle is our approach to building a safe social-emotional community for all that supports Education for Peace, a central element of Montessori education.
This interactive session, led by MMS staff and Katie Ibes, a national Montessori pedagogical consultant and trainer, will provide an overview of the MMS Restorative Cycle and an understanding of our commitment to and strategies for supporting our students' social-emotional well-being.
To join, please click on the link below and use Meeting ID 926 6957 9183 and passcode MMS.
The session will be recorded for viewing at a later time.
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WE DID IT--ANNUAL APPEAL EXCEEDS GOAL! |
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A school is more than a building and books. It's a community.
And at MMS, our community is a family, connected through a shared commitment to serving the child and learning with and from each other year after year.
Since 1976, that tradition of connection and community has been nurtured by our caring and dedicated staff, who empower the unique potential of each child and inspire a bright future for our students--and world
"The journey of a lifetime starts here," the 2022-23 MMS Annual Appeal, provides essential funding that enables us to sustain our very special community through the year ahead and beyond.
We are thrilled to announce that we have exceeded the $20,000 goal thanks to the generosity of parents, families and friends. THANK YOU!
It's not too late to invest in the future with a make your tax-deductible donation today-... simply text mmsjourney to 76278 or visiting the campaign platform. Every gift of every size matters and goes directly to your child's school!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
January 11 | MMS Parent Education-Restorative Cycle | 7:00-8:30 p.m. | via Zoom
January 16 | School closed-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 29 | Annual MMS Ice Skating Party | South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena
January 31 | Middle School Play "Back to the Past" | 5:30-6:00 p.m.
February 17-20 | No school-President's Day
Montessori Education Week | February 26-March 4
March 16-17 | Parent Conferences-no school
April 10-14 | Spring Break-school closed
May 22-26 | Standardized testing week
May 29 | Memorial Day-no school
June 3 | Annual Spring Gala | Edgewood Country Club
June 7 | Last day of school-noon dismissal
June 7 | Annual MMS picnic | Kanawha State Forest
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It was wonderful to celebrate the season with song in person once again at the annual Winter Concerts. Congratulations to our young musicians and Karen Morris (music teacher), Bernard DiGregario (strings teacher) and Tara Fought (stage manager) on their delightful performances!
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The annual Book Fair & Bake Sale with Taylor Books offers fun and learning for our students. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped present this much anticipated event! |
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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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Congratulations to Bennett Christian and Kyndall Hardman, winners of this year's MMS Spelling Bee. Bennett and Kyndall will represent our school at the Kanawha County Bee in January! Good luck! |
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Thank you to Susie Newhouse for leading the 2022 MMS Positive Discipline series for our families. |
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Parents' Night Out returned in December, offering students a fun evening of movies, games and yummy food and giving parents a few hours to themselves. Thank you, seventh- and eighth years for a great event...watch for announcements of future PNOs this year. |
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CURRICULUM CORNER: BUTTERFLY GARDEN
The lifecycle of the butterfly is a favorite lesson for students at all levels. Now the study of butterflies is extending beyond the classroom with a butterfly garden! Upper Elementary II Lead Guide Alasha Al-Qudwah is spearheading this project, starting with preparation of a milkweed nursery outside of our Staunton building (facing the church). To help prepare, Amy Haden, "The Butterfly Lady," visited Upper Elementary classrooms and shared her experience creating a previous Monarch garden at St. Agnes in memory of her husband. Thank you, Amy!
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MMS is pleased to announce three new members to the Board of Directors. Please join us in welcoming:
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Suzette Ashley. Suzette is the parent of a Primary II friend and is the President & CEO of Ashley Insurance Agency, LLC. She earned a bachelors and masters degrees in political science and political communication from WV State University and George Washington University, respectively.
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Max Gottlieb. Max is an MMS alumnus and a non-parent representative on the board. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and Washington & Lee School of Law and is an attorney in Charleston, representing clients in transactional and litigation matters.
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Becca Stevenson. Becca grew up in Vermont before moving south to attend law school at the University of Richmond. She is the parent of a Primary I student and currently serves as associate general counsel at a local hospital. Becca is chairing the 2023 Spring Gala.
The following board members were elected as officers for the 2022-23 school year: President: Clifton Clark; Vice President: Samantha Hicks; Secretary: Erica Smith-Woods; Co-Treasurers: Brad Barker and Joseph Jenkins. Congratulations!
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PARTY ON THE PATIO JUNE 3 |
The annual MMS Spring Gala returns this year on Saturday, June 3, on the terrace at Edgewood Country Club. Please plan to join your MMS friends and faculty for an uplifting evening of music, student art auction, silent auction, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Event planning is underway and we'd love for you to help present this wonderful celebration of our school. Please sign up for a committee/task at the link below or contact Gala Chair Becca Stevenson for more information.
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Donations to the MMS Baby Necessities Drive were gratefully received by the Gabriel Project in October. Thank you to our generous families for their contributions and the School Life Committee for organizing this wonderful community service project.. please watch for announcements of upcoming opportunities to support our neighbors. |
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The hallways were filled with smiles when a surprise visitor stopped by our Staunton campus. Nancy Johnston, center, an MMS art teacher and classroom assistant for nearly 30 years, is welcome back anytime! |
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Middle School students donated a portion of their micro economy proceeds to purchase an amazing new umbrella for the front entrance. Thanks to all who support their Montessori Marketplace and other small business activities. |
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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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