MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | April 2021 |
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Dear MMS families,
Wow - what a year it has been! We are entering the last eight weeks of the school year, and the guides, assistants, specialists, and I look forward to making the most of this time. We are all proud of and amazed by the children and our whole community as we have worked together to adapt to the many changes this year has brought our way.
In the coming weeks, we will continue with our typical lessons and classroom activities and we will host some special events as well - including parent education events, volunteer opportunities, our annual Gala, the MMS Strings recital, 6th year project presentations, and 8th year graduation. Finally, we will end the year with our annual picnic and a special ice cream extravaganza to celebrate a successful Race for Education/Play for the Playground event! Be sure to read through this entire newsletter for important dates and watch for updates as well.
Thank you, as always, for continuing to support our school community by following all COVID health and safety protocols. As the broader community continues to "open up" more, with some restrictions eased and/or lifted, we urge you to continue your strict adherence to all CDC recommendations regarding gatherings, events, and day-to-day life. Please continue to practice mask-wearing, frequent hand washing, and social distancing. Contact me or Beth right away if you have any concerns about a potential illness or exposure within your family. Additionally, we will continue to request COVID testing for a randomly selected section of the school community as long as the COVID numbers are in the "orange" or "red" zones on the DHHR map. We appreciate your cooperation!
Best wishes,
Jennifer
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Like these photos? Then you'll love MMS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Photos, Montessori news and school updates are posted nearly every day!.
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SPRING GALA: PARTY ON THE PATIO! |
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MMS is thrilled to present an in-person Spring Gala this year! Please plan to join us on Saturday, June 5, 7:00-9:00 p.m., on the patio of Edgewood Country Club for an uplifting celebration of our school community.
This year's event has been streamlined to meet CDC guidelines, while still offering an enjoyable opportunity for us to celebrate together. The Edgewood outdoor terrace provides a beautiful and ample space overlooking the city and can accommodate social distancing and other safety measures. In case of inclement weather, the party will be held in the spacious ballroom.
Guests will enjoy entertainment by Minor Swing and Vinyl Village; passed hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and soft drinks; and auctions of student art and other exclusive items. Proceeds will support campus expansions and enhancements, financial aid, and teacher appreciation funds.
Reservations will be STRICTLY LIMITED to meet safety guidelines. Please watch for sponsorship and ticket announcements in the near future.
For more information, or to join the committee, please contact MMS Resource Development Coordinator Erica Hoffman.
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Buckle up! Cars transporting students from school are not to leave the parking lot until every child is safely secured in an appropriate car seat and/or with a seat belt. There is a noticeable uptick in traffic around school each spring, especially in our 20th Street neighborhood, which is home to the UC Welch Athletic Field. Many of these drivers are not familiar with the area or are unaware of the presence of a preschool/grade school. For your child's -- and everyone's -- safety, please redouble your focus on all traffic precautions at both campuses, including car seat and seat belt use.
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A few spaces are still available on the MMS "Race to End Racism" sponsor team. Participants receive an official race t-shirt and help put the Montessori peace philosophy into action by supporting this virtual event presented by the YWCA Charleston. MMS is one of the inaugural sponsors of the event, now in its fifth year.
The race runs through April 24. Team members can enter the virtual 5K run or 1 mile walk to raise awareness and celebrate a strong and diverse community.
Follow these simple steps to be part of this initiative:
● Select your ticket and add our school promo code (mountaineer)
● Once you purchased your ticket, you will either create or sign into your atlasGO account and are automatically joining the Race to End Racism challenge
● Join our team “Team MMS”
● Log in with your atlasGO account and you are ready to GO!
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Parent Education: Primary I: Bird's Eye View of Classroom | Thursday, April 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Primary I families are invited to a "bird's eye view" of the children "at work" in the classroom from September through April. We will share observations and discuss questions through open dialogue.
(Kathryn and Angela will share the Zoom information prior to the meeting)
Step Up Parent Education - Primary | Tuesday, May 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
VOLUNTEER DAY @ Staunton Campus | Saturday, May 22
MMS Strings Recital | May 19 or 26
Students studying with Bernard DiGregorio will participate in a virtual recital this spring, to be held May 19 or 26. Please watch for details.
Standardized Testing Week | June 1-4
6th Year Project Presentations | June 3 | watch for details soon!
MMS Annual Spring Gala | Saturday, June 5, 7:00-9:00 p.m. | Edgewood Country Club
8th Year Graduation | June 10 | watch for details soon!
Last Day of School | Early Dismissal | Picnic | Friday, June 11
MMS Campessori | June 21-July 30
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CURRICULUM CORNER: BUILDING THE MATHEMATICAL MIND |
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The Montessori arithmetic and geometry curricula introduce children to a sensorial exploration of mathematical concepts before teaching abstraction. These sensorial experiences help the child understand “why” instead of just focusing on “how,” laying a strong foundation for mathematical learning at every level.
Upper Elementary parents recently experienced this approach to math through a hands-on Parent Education event in March. Parents stepped into the shoes of their children and were presented with a traditional Montessori material to introduce the power of exponential growth. UE Guides Alasha Al-Qudwah and Emily Christian presented the lesson virtually, demonstrating the materials for those participating. Parents were challenged to use their spatial reasoning, note taking and artistic skills to draw out the sequence and identify the patterns. The powers of 2 and powers of 3 materials show the exponential pattern to the 5th power, and “students” were challenged to continue the pattern and draw out the growth sequence as far as their determination could take them.
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This classic lesson draws on so many valuable skills, is visually appealing, ignites curiosity in following the pattern, challenges students to extend the pattern beyond the material, and subtly develops graphic motor skills in fine tuning the presentation of the work in a beautiful manner. The parents were the students and gained an appreciation for the way materials can continue to entice excitement and intrigue in the Upper Elementary student while developing familiarity and comfort with complex arithmetic concepts.
Want to learn more? You can check out this presentation and/or watch the lessons as presented by Alasha and Emily (note: the videos are only accessible through the links provided here, and are not visible on our public YouTube channel).
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2021 SUMMER PROGRAM
Campessori, Mountaineer Montessori’s signature summer program, will return for 2021, with six weeks of awesome to be presented at our new consolidated campus at 4801 Staunton Avenue (former St. Agnes School). Sessions will be held June 21-July 30. Primary camp will run 8:00 a.m. to noon, with Plus available through 3:00 p.m. Elementary campers will attend from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Our summer program has been planned to meet health and safety guidelines while remaining true to our school mission. Attendance will be limited to provide social distancing, and admission will be restricted to current and incoming MMS students.
Many weeks are currently filled. To inquire about availability and/or be added to the waiting list, please contact Campessori Director Alasha Al-Qudwah.
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ANIMAL SHELTER SUPPLY DRIVE UNDERWAY
Upper Elementary II students Roxie Schroeder-Neal and Ava Snyder have initiated a service project to meet a community need. Roxie and Ava are passionate about animals and wanted to find a way for their class to support the local animal shelter. They have researched what donations the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association needs and created a video to encourage our parents and students contribute these supplies. All MMS families are invited to participate.
Donations will be collected now through June 4 outside the front doors at the Staunton Avenue campus. Please leave your donations in the designated bin during school hours, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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VIRTUAL LOST AND FOUND
Samantha Van DenBerghe-Lynch is spearheading a virtual lost and found to re-unite your children with misplaced items. Photos and descriptions of found items and instructions for retrieving them are posted on the private MMS parent FB group. Please take a few minutes to review the listings for your child's missing items.
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ADMISSIONS TOURS SCHEDULED
Have a friend, neighbor or family member who interested in MMS for their child next year or beyond? Encourage them to request a private 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 November and added more dates through the end of May. We once again anticipate full enrollment in all classes at all levels next year.
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RACE FOR EDUCATION A RUNAWAY SUCCESS!
Records are made to be broken!
"Play for the Playground," the 2021 MMS Race for Education, exceeded every expectation.... and then some! A record 127 students ran, biked, bounced, climbed, skated, cycled, bladed, hiked, hula hooped, fished, climbed, swam, golfed, skied, rolled, swung and slid their way into the action, raising an amazing $21,106 after expenses -- more than twice the original $10,000 goal.
Our supporters came from 38 states and EIGHT countries!
Proceeds will fund enhancement and expansion of MMS outdoor learning and play environments. Thank you to all of the students and their families and our generous donors for their enthusiastic support, as well as to the creative and dedicated Race for Education Committee, which was co-chaired by Katie Clark and Erica Hoffman.
We'll celebrate the success of your efforts with Ellen's Ice Cream for EVERYONE at the MMS end of year picnic on June 11 (details TBA).
How we roll at MMS:
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Thank you for reading your "M" News! |
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Mountaineer Montessori School
308 20th Street, Charleston, WV 25304
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