Dear MMS Families,

As 2024 comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude for our MMS community. It is a true joy and honor to come to school each day and have the chance to witness children and adults working and playing together joyfully.

We could not do our work with the children without your support. Thank you so much to all our volunteers - you are the quiet and steady heart of the community. So far this year, our MMS volunteers have:

• Provided transportation for field studies and overnight trips for Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and the Middle School.
• Served ice cream and provided clean up and event assistance during our Ice Cream Social.
• Provided delicious meals for our monthly staff meetings and professional development sessions.
• Assisted with campus facilities projects at 20th Street and Staunton Avenue.
• Served on our Board of Directors and committees, keeping the mission of our school at the forefront.
• Organized and donated to a fall "diaper drive" for families in crisis.
• Provided baked goods for our Book and Bake Sale and assisted children with the shopping experience.
• Provided classroom materials and enhancements by purchasing items from classroom wishlists.
• Provided snacks for our Primary friends.
• Provided snacks and other supplies for classroom celebrations.
• Served as overnight trip chaperones.
• Helped set up the stage in preparation for our Winter Concert.
• Assisted with the Middle School Pancake Breakfast and other micro economy endeavors.

I look forward to 2025 with gratitude and excitement. Together, we are Lighting the Way for Education!

Best wishes,

Jennifer

Jennifer Carriger

Head of School

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP

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.

The latest newsletter from the West Virginia Treasurer's Office outlines upcoming deadlines to qualify for Hope in 2025-26; the application portal opens for returning Hope students 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. Visit the WV Treasurer's Office website for details.

FACULTY FOCUS

MMS staff came together this fall for their annual professional development day. This year's sessions included further work on life sciences curriculum alignment and outcomes as part of the AMS Accreditation process, tour of the classrooms, progressive lunch and an afternoon inclusion workshop facilitated by the YWCA of Charleston Racial Justice Program.

Your support helps make these opportunities possible and brings best practices back to your child's classroom-thank you!

Text mmslight to 76278 to invest in the heart of our school--our students and teachers.

Monthly giving options make it easy to participate!

DISMISSAL AND WINTER CONCERT SCHEDULE-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

• Arrival will take place as usual on Friday, December 20.
• Toddler children will be dismissed at 10:00 a.m.
• Middle School dismissal will Itake place at 11:00 a.m.
• The Primary Winter Concert will begin at 10:45 a.m. in the gymnasium. Families may begin arriving at 10:30 and should be seated by 10:40. Families are welcome to park in the St. Agnes Church parking lot that morning and walk to the school.
• The Primary Winter Concert will conclude at approximately 11:15 a.m. At that time, children will gather their belongings (along the gym walls) and one family member will pick them up from their spot along the wall. 
• Primary families without elementary-aged siblings at MMS may leave at that time and begin their New Year's Break.
• Families with elementary-aged children may remain seated for the Elementary Winter Concert.
• Our Elementary Winter Concert will begin at 11:45 a.m. Families attending the Elementary Winter Concert may enter the gymnasium starting at 11:30 and should be seated by 11:40.
• The Elementary Winter Concert will conclude by approximately 12:20. At that time, children will be taken back to their classrooms to gather their belongings. We will conduct a regular dismissal at that time, calling student names on the walkie talkie while parents come through the car line.  
• There is no Plus Program on Friday, December 20. School and Plus will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Staff Meeting | December 19 | NO PLUS | NO CHESS

Winter Concerts | December 20 | Primary 10:45 a.m. | Elementary 11:45 | Volunteer

New Year's Break | December 20 (early dismissal after concerts) | January 3

January 3 | 2025-26 Hope Scholarship application portal opens for returning Hope students-see WV Treasurer's Office website for details

2025-26 Priority Re-Enrollment for current MMS families (returing students and new siblings) | January 10-February 15

MMS Board Meeting | January 13 | noon | email Board Secretary Brad Holliday for link and details

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

January 23 | Staff Meeting | NO PLUS

Plus Session Three | January 28-March 28

Parent Education | February 4 | Toddler, Lower & Upper Elementary

Parent Education | February 6 | Primary & Middle School

2025-2026 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 1 | 2025-26 Hope Scholarship application portal opens for new Hope students-see WV Treasurer's Office website for details

Staff Meeting | March 27 | NO PLUS

Spring Break | April 14-18 | NO SCHOOL

MONTESSORI MOMENTS

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

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

Thanks for all who supported the fall baby necessities drive for families in need!

Upper Elementary students gained insight into themselves, their community and their world during their amazing annual Fall Leadership Trip with Experience Learning, More photos here.

Students were excited to share their school experience with parents on Walk to School days!

Trip to Pittsburgh, Pancake Breakfast and Montessori Marketplaces--it's been a busy fall for the Middle School. See more of their adventures on the MMMS Facebook page.

Thank you for reading your "M" News!



Current and past newsletters are always available on your virtual newstand.