Please read for important information and announcements. Thank you! | |
MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | October 2024 | |
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Dear MMS Families,
Our school year has gotten off to a great start! Thank you for being part of our community.
We look forward to seeing all of you at the upcoming Fall Conferences. Be sure to chose a slot by using the link in this newsletter.
In November, we will open the classrooms to parent observers. We encourage all families to schedule at least one observation per year. It is the best way to see the Montessori philosophy in action. Observations last 30 minutes and are followed by a gathering with other parent observers and me, where you can share your impressions and ask any questions that have come up during your observation session.
Thank you to all who have signed up to help with facilities projects on October 6 and November 3 and to those of you who have completed the general volunteer survey. We will be in touch with you soon, and if you have not yet had a chance to complete the survey or signup to help with the facilities projects, there is still time!
It truly "takes a village" to keep our school and community strong, and we sincerely appreciate all of your contributions.
Best wishes,
Jennifer
Jennifer Carriger
Head of School
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PLUG INTO MMS
Check out our new MMS Family Connections Newsletter to learn
about opportunities to connect in the year ahead!
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FACULTY FOCUS
Please join us in welcoming new staff members who have joined MMS this year and in congratulating returning staff who are assuming new roles. We are proud of all of you!
(Please see our website for staff bios, with continuing updates to follow.)
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Paige Biehler
Plus Assistant
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Sutton Higginbotham
Primary II Assistant
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Jordan Kessler
Toddler Assistant
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Greg Moore
Middle School Guide
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Jennifer Preston
Lower Elementary III Guide
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Liliana Yocum
Lower Elementary III Assistant
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Kyra Zamora
Primary I Assistant
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Beth George has been named Director of Operations. | |
Stevie Palenchar is a Primary II Assistant, moving from Primary I Plus. | |
Elea Paybins joins Upper Elementary I as an assistant in the mornings in addition to her continuing role as MMS Art Teacher. | |
Naphtali ReBrook is now part of the Elementary Plus team as well as our Elementary Music Teacher. | |
Leah Towler has moved from Primary I to Upper Elementary II as an assistant. | |
Jennifer Carriger's new title is Head of School. | |
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Fall Facilities Volunteer Days:
Sunday, October 6
Sunday, November 3
8:00 a.m.-noon
| As always, we are grateful for each and every one of you and look forward to seeing you soon... it's going to be another wonderful year thanks to our amazing community! Thank you! | |
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From the beginning, the support of parents and the community has been integral to the success of MMS. We invite you to carry on that tradition and make a direct impact on your child's experience this year through volunteer opportunities. We have two volunteer days this fall to start and hope you can lend a hand.
There are other ways to connect with MMS as well ... please take a quick minute fill out the survey below to let Jennifer know how you may be able help. We're hoping that every family can take part in a volunteer activity this year.
Want to engage in another way? Just shoot Jennifer an email. We love to hear from you!
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FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM | |
Sign ups are now open for Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (October 14-15) and Classroom Observations (starting November 7).
**Middle School Classroom Observation Dates will be added soon!**
Both provide invaluable opportunities to learn about your child's work during the first months of school and gain a first-hand view of their classroom experiences.
As a reminder, there is NO school on conference days. Upper Elementary and Middle School students attend conferences with their parents.
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As part of our association with AMS, MMS families have access to a rich library of resources and information, including a monthly newsletter.
The AMS Family Connection includes articles on topics such as Montessori philosophy, Montessori tips for the home, a peek inside the classroom, and more.
The latest issues explore the "hidden curriculum" of Montessori--the journey from independence to lifelong learning--and the three year cycle.
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Tantrum=expressing heightened emotions
Tattling=seeking justice and order
Manipulation=strategic/resourceful ways to meet needs
Kids=children, students, friends, community
Whiny=wanting to be heard
Words matter.
Big work happens in our staff meetings. At the September gathering, the MMS team came together to develop replacement language to begin a glossary of “Language of Reverence.” This profound process is grounded in the work of Elizabeth Slade, who coaches Montessorians around the country on the importance of language within the Montessori practice.
The Language of Reverence explores the power of words and their impact on the spirit and growth of those in our community. By examining and changing our word choice, we can change the sense of our community and impact each other positively. The Language of Reverence model emphasizes the importance of coming together to create a powerful shared language that allows everyone in our school—children, families, and staff—to feel respected and valued.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Lower Elementary to Willy Wonka/Clay Center | October 4
Facilities Volunteer Day | October 6 | 8:00 a.m.-noon | Sign up
Middle School to Pittsburgh | October 9-11
Parent-Teacher Conferences | October 14-15 | NO SCHOOL
Upper Elementary to Experience Learning | October 16-18
Picture Day Staunton Avenue | October 22 - Primary, LE & UE
Picture Day 20th Street | October 24 - Toddler and MS
Staff Meeting | October 24 | NO PLUS
Plus Program Q2 | October 28-January 17
Professional Development Day | November 1 | NO SCHOOL
Facilities Volunteer Day | November 3 | 8:00 a.m.-noon | Sign up
Parent Education | November 6 | Toddler and Primary
Parent Education | November 7 | Lower and Upper Elementary
Parent Education | November 8 | Middle School
Staff Meeting | November 21 | NO PLUS
Thanksgiving Break | November 25-29
Giving Tuesday | December 3
Staff Meeting | December 19 | NO PLUS
New Year's Break | December 20 (11:45 a.m. dismissal)-January 3
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The new school year got off to a sweet start at our annual Ice Cream Social! | |
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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MMS commemorated the birthday of Maria Montessori on August 31 with M shirts and special lessons. We are proud to be a part of her international legacy of service to the child. | |
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The new school year is off to a beautiful beginning...
enjoy a look at our first few days at the Staunton campus.
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BOARD BIZ
New members of the MMS Board of Directors were elected at the recent Annual Meeting. Please join us in welcoming Hannah Copen and Hillary Kemerer to the board and congratulating Brad Barker, Enye Diaz and Ashley Rine who were re-elected for a new term. You can learn more about our new directors and meet the entire board on our website.
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The board and Jennifer also encourage you to take some time to learn what's ahead at MMS this year and beyond by accessing the recording of the 2024 MMS Annual Meeting. It's filled with important updates and will give you a helpful picture of what to expect in coming months. | |
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Staying connected is more important than ever, and MMS is continually seeking new ways to stay in touch. In addition to our school channels (eblasts, website, RenWeb, etc.), MMS amplifies our communication through numerous social media platforms, including our main Facebook page, Middle School Facebook page, private FB parent group, MMS alumni group, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and more.
Now, we're added even more ways to connect through private FB groups for each class level--Toddler, Primary, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary (Middle School communicates through a WhatsApp group). Please see your child's teacher(s) for details on how to be added to the appropriate group. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to share, learn and grow through these new forums!
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2024-25 | |
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Investing in education starts with investing in teachers.
Each year, MMS, makes a major commitment to ensuring the highest quality Montessori experience for our students by sponsoring AMS credential training, professional development and other learning opportunities for staff.
The graphic above from the Annual Meeting presentation outlines some of the training staff are participating in this year. Below are photos from recent events, including life sciences curriculum alignment at the Kanawha State Forest, conducted in conjunction with the AMS accreditation process, and assistant/specialist training developed by Angela Walker and Stephanie Spradling as part of MMS onboarding.
More photos here.
We deeply appreciate the financial support of our community, which makes these opportunities possible for our dedicated professionals.
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CURRICULM CORNER: FALL LEADERSHIP TRIP | |
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MMMS believes that every student’s potential as a leader is waiting to be unearthed.
We believe in motivating and inspiring young adults to be great role models and civic leaders who want to and will make a positive difference in this world. Fall Leadership Camp is the MMMS flagship team-building Erdkinder experience, designed to offer many opportunities for what we call “gateway” moments and experiences toward valorization.
Programming at the MMMS Fall Leadership Camp focuses on social and emotional learning, team building, leadership and practical life skills. This is a time for developing deeper connections between students and the natural environment. Activities are designed to support students in building strong, good character, and equipping them with the tools and skills to start their leadership journey.
At Fall Leadership Camp, students will work together to set up a campsite, engage in activities that build deep and meaningful connections with fellow classmates, explore society’s successes and failures in manipulating our natural environment, and spend some quality time with themselves and each other, in nature.
The itinerary for the fall 2024 trip included: snorkeling at the Cherry River with AmeriCorps Watershed Fisheries; SUP with Evan Young, studying the snakes of West Virginia and exploring the Cranberry Nature Center; interviewing community and business leaders in Richwood… and much, much more!
“Montessori broadly defined the development of the realms of both the head and the hands as ‘valorization.’ More specifically, this is the development of: joy, optimism, confidence, dignity, self-discipline, initiative, independence, helpfulness, mindfulness, and the ability to work with others.” -Krista Taylor, Angels and Superheroes
More photos here.
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The final weeks of Campessori offered students an amazing range of opportunities to explore themselves, our community and our world. Thank you to all of our guides and staff for creating lifetime memories for our students! Check out more photos here (Primary) and here (Elementary). | |
Thank you to MMS parent Emiko Lowers-Hori, who led a wonderful session on calligraphy during Japanese culture week! | |
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Thank you for reading your "M" News!
Current and past newsletters are always available on your virtual newstand.
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Mountaineer Montessori School
4801 Staunton Avenue | 308 20th Street | Charleston, WV 25304
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