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MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | February 2025

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Dear MMS Families,

I hope everyone is staying warm during these wintry days! I am happy to be home after spending four days in Austin, TX at the American Montessori Society's LabPosium Event for Montessori leaders and teacher educators. Beth and I attended this event and we are returning with fresh ideas to strengthen our practices around teacher recruitment, training and retention so that we can continue to offer the highest-quality Montessori education for your children.

We have some exciting events coming up at MMS over the next several weeks. First, we will be wrapping up our Annual Fund Campaign, Lighting the Way for Education. which provides vital funds for our financial aid program and professional development initiatives. We will host a Volunteer Coffee Event on Friday, January 24 and a series of February Family Education events from February 4-7.

Please join us to find out how you can support the school and your child as they continue on their Montessori journey!

Best wishes,

Jennifer

Jennifer Carriger

Head of School

RE-ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY-DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 15

It is truly an honor to have you as part of our special school community and we are grateful that you have chosen MMS as the educational home for your child.

We look forward to continuing to serve your family next year, and remind you to re-enroll now to secure your spot(s) for 2025-26.

All returning MMS families should log into FACTS Family Online (ParentsWeb) and complete the re-enrollment process by February 15. We are not able guarantee space for your child after that date.

If you plan to enroll another child not currently attending MMS, please let us know by emailing Beth George. Siblings of current MMS students will have priority enrollment until February 15. You may start an application for a new sibling any time.

Your prompt re-enrollment holds a space for your child and helps us meet staffing, training and facilities needs for all students in the year ahead. After February 15, applications will open for new families and we anticipate full classes at all levels for the 2025-26 school year.

Financial aid applications are due March 31.

Please see the link below for more information on 2025-26 enrollment and financial aid.

Thank you!

Re-enrollment announcement and details

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

MMS is pleased to be an approved WV Hope Scholarship School. The scholarship allows qualifying K-12 students to receive financial assistance that can be used for private school tuition and other approved expenses.

Please note that the application portal for returning Hope students opened on January 3, while new students can begin applying on March 1.

We encourage all families to keep themselves informed and plan ahead for the next school year and beyond as the program continues to evolve and expand. Visit the WV Treasurer's Office website for details.

PLUS REGISTRATION SESSION 3

It's time to register for the third session of Plus 2024-25!

The current session ends Friday, January 17. Session 3 will run January 21-March 28.

Registration deadline for Session 3 is Thursday, January 16.

Reserve your child's spot via the links below:

Primary Plus

Elementary/MS Plus

GUITAR AND UKULELE CLASSES

Registration is now open for Elementary 2025 guitar and ukulele lessons with MMS faculty member Alasha Al-Qudwah.

The 2025 sessions run January 27-April 10, with a final concert on April 10. Registration deadline is January 22. Space is very limited.

Classes are held after school on Mondays (Upper Elementary) and Wednesdays (Lower Elementary), with separate time slots each instrument and for new and returning musicians.

Within these sessions, students will learn how to play songs while singing, learn how to read music, learn a vocabulary of chords, learn basic music theory, and learn strumming techniques at a pace designed for first time players.

In addition, students will learn the quality experience of performing in an ensemble which teaches awareness of players around them, the ability to match the tempo and pitch of others, and learning how to follow and lead with one another. These life skills translate to many other situations.

FEBRUARY FAMILY EDUCATION

Tuesday, February 4 | 1:00 pm | Toddler

Supporting & Cultivating Independence for the Toddler Child

Tuesday, February 4 | 4:30 pm | Primary

Mathematics in the First Plane

Thursday, February 6 | 4:30 p.m. | Lower & Upper Elementary

Mathematics in the Second Plane

Friday, February 7 | 11:00 a.m. | Middle School

Mathematics in the Third Plane

VOLUNTEER COFFEE JANUARY 24

Volunteers help make MMS more than just a school but a real community. Come learn about opportunities this spring to connect with other parents and support our mission at upcoming special events at a coffee to be held Friday, January 24, 8:15-9:15 a.m. in the Staunton Avenue Gathering Room. We look forward to seeing you there!

MONTESSORI MOMENTS

The annual Winter Concert showcased the world music program for Primary and Elementary students. What a wonderful conclusion to the first half of an amazing year! Bravo to our young performers and a huge THANK YOU to music teachers Stephanie Spradling and Naphtali ReBrook and stage manager Tara Fought.

Like these photos? Then you'll love MMS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Photos, school updates and Montessori news are posted nearly every day!

In conjunction with their read aloud of “Shiloh,” Primary II friends “went to the dogs” with a Shiloh picnic, arts activities and a collection for the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association

Middle School students recently shared their creative expression work with parents. The MS curriculum offers a wide range of opportunities to explore through music and art.

UPCOMING EVENTS

January

Plus Session Three runs January 21-March 28 | Registration Primary Elementary/MS

January 20 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | NO SCHOOL

January 22 | Ukulele/Guitar registration deadline | Register | Sessions run January 27-April 10

January 23 | Staff Meeting | NO PLUS

Volunteer Meeting | January 24 | 8:15-9:15 a.m. | Staunton campus

February

Elementary Math Field Day | February 4

Family Education | February 4 | Toddler (1:00-1:45 p.m.) and Primary (4:30-5:15 p.m.)

Middle School Math Field Day | February 5

Family Education | February 6 | Lower and Upper Elementary | 4:30-5:15 p.m.

Family Education | February 7 | Middle School | 11:00 a.m.

MMS Board Meeting | February 10 | noon | email Board Secretary Brad Holliday for link and details

2025-26 re-enrollment deadline for current families begins for new families | February 15

2025-26 enrollment begins for new families | February 16

Presidents Day | February 17 | NO SCHOOL

Staff Meeting | February 20 | NO PLUS

Montessori Education Week | February 24-28

March

March 1 | 2025-26 Hope Scholarship application portal opens for new Hope students-see WV Treasurer's Office website for details

MMS Board Meeting | March 10 | noon | email Board Secretary Brad Holliday for link and details

Staff Meeting | March 27 | NO PLUS

Financial aid applications due | March 31| email Beth George for an application

April

Spring Guitar and Ukulele Concert | April 10 | 5:00 p.m.

MMS Board Meeting | April 12 | noon | email Board Secretary Brad Holliday for link and details

Spring Break | April 14-18 | NO SCHOOL

The MMS Calendar At-a-Glance has been revised and updated to reflect adjustments to major spring events (outlined above). Download the new calendar by clicking the link below:

Updated calendar

A DOWN PAYMENT ON THE FUTURE

Your gift to "Lighting the Way" the MMS Annual Appeal, is a down payment on the future for the students we serve and the world in which we live.

The campaign continues into the new year, generating essential funding for the training and resources that make our programs possible and increase access to Montessori education for children in our community.

Donating is as easy as texting mmslight to 76278 or clicking on the link below.

Monthly giving options make it convenient to take part.

In the spirit of full participation, we invite everyone to be engaged in this essential community-building effort. We are grateful for the many parents and friends who have already affirmed their support of our mission with their contribution-thank you!

It's not too late to join them. Every dollar matters. No gift is too big or too small to make a difference.

Thank you for Lighting the Way to a bright future with us!

Donate today

TODDLER CLASS OPENINGS

Some of our Toddler friends have transitioned to Primary this semester, creating a few openings for new children ages 2-3. MMS parents are invited to share this update with friends and family members or consider enrolling their own child in this wonderful program, which offers an incredible foundation for a lifetime of learning in a welcoming and nurturing environment. Half- and full-day options are available.

For details, email Beth George, MMS Director of Operations

Spaces for the spring semester are very limited and expected to fill quickly.

The Montessori toddler program is not traditional daycare --- it is so much more. The toddler program, led by experienced, certified Montessori educators, serves budding developmental needs of young children, including their desire for independence and exploration, while simultaneously exposing them to some of the early constructs of a Montessori environment that will support their transition to the early childhood (ages 3-6) environment.

FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM

Sign ups are open for classroom observations.

We encourage all families to observe in their child's classroom at least once per year. If your child is "moving up" to the next level at the end of the year, we invite you to observe a classroom at that level as well.

See you soon!

LOOKING GOOD, MMS!

Look good while supporting your school by visiting the MMS swagshop and ordering your M Gear. MMS receives a certain percentage of all the proceeds. Come check out all the fun gear!

Order M Gear

MORE MONTESSORI MOMENTS

Napoleon, Marie Antoinette, Madame Curie, Albert Einstein, and more! Which illustrious figures do you recognize from the combined Upper Elementary's "History's Mysteries" event? More photos here.

It's become an MMS tradition to share Snow Day photos. Here are a few shots from our community enjoying the winter weather during recent school closures!