Please read for important information and announcements.
MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | January 2021
Dear MMS families,

We are looking forward to seeing your children back on campus this week! Thank you, as always, for your support and patience this year as we work together to keep our MMS community safe.

As we head toward the mid-point of the school year, you can look forward to several special events. We will be closing out our Annual Fund at the end of this month. Thank you to all who have made a donation so far. We will have special drop off boxes at both campuses during dismissal times from January 25-29, so if you have not had a chance to make a donation yet, that will be a great opportunity!

Later this week, you will receive information about and directions for re-enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year. Current families are given priority enrollment until February 15. If you plan to enroll a younger sibling who has not attended MMS yet, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reserve a spot for that child.

By February 12, you will receive your child's mid-year progress report. We will hold our spring conferences in March and April via Zoom. Scheduling information for conferences will be sent by mid-February.

Our Winter/Spring Parent Education sessions have begun! Please read this newsletter for more details and mark your calendars for upcoming events. If your child will be "moving up" to the next level (primary to lower elementary, lower to upper elementary, or upper elementary to middle school), we encourage you to attend the sessions for your child's current level and next year's level. Please email me to receive the Zoom information for any meetings you would like to attend.

See you soon!

Best wishes,
Jennifer
MONTESSORI MOMENTS

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

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped to move furniture and clean out classrooms at our Staunton Avenue campus in preparation for renovations to the elementary classrooms. Thank you also to the Staten Family for installing our new science cabinets in the middle school!

Our next volunteer days will be Tuesday, 1/19 and Wednesday, 1/20. We need 6 volunteers on Tuesday and 4 volunteers on Wednesday to move furniture. If you can help, please email Beth at bgeoge@mountaineermontessori.org.

Thank you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Parent Education: Middle School: Paideia Seminar | Wednesday, February 3, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Sarah and Emily will send the Zoom information prior to the meeting)

Note: Parent education events are open to ALL families. If you child is not in the class presenting a certain program, please contact Jennifer to be added to the teacher's email notification list.

Re-enrollment Deadline | Monday, February 15
Families of current MMS families must complete the 2021-22 enrollment process by this date in order to secure their spot in the upcoming school year. New sibling enrollment is also due on February 15.

Montessori Education Week | February 21-27
Watch for announcements about special activities to celebrate Montessori education and our school!

Parent Education: A Glimpse into the Lower Elementary Classroom | Thursday, March 4, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; (Tara and Becca will send the Zoom information prior to the meeting)
Parent Education: Upper Elementary: Building the Mathematical Mind and Strengthening Spatial Reasoning | Thursday, March 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; (Alasha and Emily will send the Zoom information prior to the meeting)

Virtual Race for Education | Saturday, March 20
The biennial MMS Race for Education returns this spring in a virtual (and fun!) format. To get involved, please contact Race Chair Katie Clark .

Parent Education: A Bird's Eye View into the Primary Classroom | Thursday, April 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; (Kathryn and Angela will share the Zoom information prior to the meeting)

MMS Annual Spring Gala | Saturday, June 5
Our popular spring fundraiser/art auction is back! The Gala Committee is exploring outdoor and other venues to present a safe, in-person, celebration of our school community. Please contact Resource Development Chair Mary Claire Davis for more information or to get involved.
ANNUAL APPEAL

Thank you to all of the families, friends and students who have already supported our "What the World Needs Now" annual appeal with your generous financial donations as well contributions to our ever-growing coin drive. We are SOOOO close to reaching our goal and have extended the campaign through January 31 to get us there. This fundraiser generates critical support for facilities and safety enhancements, teacher training and appreciation, and financial aid.

You can still elevate education and our community with your gift...for the first time or with another donation in the new year... here or by texting mmsworld to 76278. We plan for 100 percent participation to reach our goal and every gift of every size counts and makes a difference!

We also appreciate the volunteers who helped coordinate campaign mailings and other events and are especially grateful to the 2020 Annual Appeal Ambassadors who shared their Montessori stories with our community as part of the campaign: the Diaz-Merritt family; Christopher Hicks (fourth year student); the Wilbur family; Emily Christian (MMS faculty/new MMS family); and Max Gottlieb (MMS alumnus).
You can see their stories here.
MMS SPELLING BEE
Students at our Staunton Avenue campus put their language skills to the test in a spirited spelling bee. Congratulations to our winners: Upper Elementary: Eliza Clark, first place; Avalee George, runner up. Middle School: Ellie Hoblitzell, first place; Soleil Gloss, runner up.
BOARD BIZ

The MMS Board of Directors is pleased to welcome three new parent members: Emily Hanna, Blair Malkin, and Erica Smith-Woods.

We also congratulate our 2020-21 Board officers: President, Clifton Clark; Vice President, Jennifer Preston; Secretary, Samantha Hicks; and Co-Treasurers, Joe Jenkins and April Taylor,

Please see the board page on our website for their bios and other information about our dynamic board, which has been busier than ever this year developing strategies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and managing a new site on Staunton Avenue. Thank you, MMS Board and volunteers!
Blair Malkin
Erica Smith-Woods
NOW PLAYING

ICYMI, please enjoy these recent video additions to the MMS YouTube Channel:
MMS Thanksgiving Performance
MMS Winter Concert
Fifth and Sixth Year WV Studies VIdeo Presentations
BEGINNING STRINGS CLASSES RESUME
Our strings teacher, Bernard DiGregorio, is starting a new beginner strings class via Zoom. The class will be held on Thursdays from 5:00-5:40 p.m. starting January 21. Registration information can be found here: MMS Jan 2021 beginning students application.pdf

Bernard has also prepared an informational video to help you and your child learn more about the strings program. The link to that video is found here: If you have any questions, please email Bernard.
MORE MONTESSORI MOMENTS
Mountaineer Montessori School
308 20th Street, Charleston, WV 25304
304.342.7870 | Email | Website