MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | March 2021 |
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Dear MMS families,
Our Play for the Playground event launches today! Please read more information about the event in this newsletter and in separate communications. We look forward to seeing what your family decides to do together to support MMS and our new outdoor spaces at the Staunton Avenue campus.
Other events this month include Spring Conferences, Upper Elementary Parent Education, M Gear orders, and Campessori registration. It's an exciting time at MMS!
Thank you again for everything you do to support our school community. We look forward to the coming months with you and your children.
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 CONFERENCES
Please be sure to choose a conference time by using the link below:
Conferences will be held via Zoom and lead guides will send the Zoom link to you prior to your conference time. Upper Elementary and Middle School students will attend conferences with parents.
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We are so grateful that MMS teachers and staff are receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations. They have gone above and beyond to sustain the learning and creating within a Montessori framework throughout the last year, while navigating ever-changing circumstances and new daily challenges. Thank you!
We remind our community to help keep our teachers and everyone safe by continued diligence and adherence to safety protocols. By working together, we can keep our classrooms open and look forward to an eventual return to our regularly-scheduled programming.
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Parent Conferences | March 8-April 2
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)
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.
Play for the Playground: 2021 Race for Education | March 20-March 21
The biennial MMS Race for Education returns this spring in a virtual (and fun!) format. To get involved, please contact Race Chair Katie Clark .
Spring Break | April 5-9
School closed
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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)
Standardized Testing Week | May 24-28
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.
Last Day of School | Early Dismissal | Picnic | Friday, June 11
MMS Campessori | June 21-July 30
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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). At this time, creative arts and STEM programming is planned for 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.
Registration will open March 15. Please watch for updates and additional program details.
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CURRICULUM CORNER: INTERSESSION
Middle School students took their learning out of the classroom during Montessori Education Week for an intensive five-day session at the Maker’s Center, located on the West Side of Charleston at 602 Patrick Street. For five amazing days, they learned from and worked side by side with older volunteer teachers who led workshops in everything from 3D printing, to floral arranging, to pyrography (wood burning).
The opportunity to form intergenerational ties and respect was just one of the many highlights of the “Intersession,” a break from classroom studies and an opportunity to apply learning through hands-on activity, which is a hallmark of Montessori education.
Students will use their projects to “pay it forward.” For example, floral arrangements were delivered to local nursing homes and other works will be shared with their international pen pals in Canada. They also learned more about the West Side neighborhood and universal design principles. They even developed their communication and media presentation skills when WSAZ came to visit!
“Telling the world we’ve seen minor miracles this week would sound corny,” says MMMS Guide Sarah Halstead, “but our kids had a week of pure bliss, valorization and skill building. They’ve had the opportunity to create without a time limit and without someone telling them ‘don’t.’ The happiness is overflowing, confidence is building and intergenerational bonds forged. Kids are asking to sit with elders and learn more. It’s wonderful.”
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The biennial MMS Race for Education returns this spring as we present "Play for the Playground," an a la carte, virtual fun run/exercise event to be held over the weekend of March 20-21.
Our "Race for Education" is traditionally an all-school event held during the school day. Due to safety concerns, MMS is transitioning this very popular activity to one families can do on their own, yet still experience the fun and excitement of a group celebration.
All students and families will be encouraged to get a move on to help raise funds to enhance outdoor learning spaces and playground areas at our new Staunton Avenue campus . Students will have access several acres of outdoor space in which to create, discover and explore at the new facility.
Proceeds from the race will kick start our plans for improvements and enhancements to provide safe, beautiful and Montessori-aligned exterior spaces. Expanding our outdoor areas has been a major priority for several years, and we are thrilled with this opportunity to create amazing green learning and recreation areas for our students.
Registration and sponsorship information will announced the week of March 8.
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Mountaineer Montessori School
308 20th Street, Charleston, WV 25304
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