Your May MMS Newsletter is here!

Please read for important information and announcements.

MMS E-Newsletter | May 2020

Dear MMS families,

As we conclude our sixth week of remote learning, I want to express my gratitude for our community. While these weeks have certainly had their challenges, it's also been a time of inspiration. It has been a true joy to see parents, students and staff come together in the spirit of teamwork, support, and collaboration. While I miss our normal days immensely, I am touched by and grateful for all the kindness and care I see within our community.

The MMS Board, staff and I are working to preserve as many end of year events and activities as we can. You'll see upcoming events including step up days for students and parents in the list below. We will hold our gala remotely as well, and we hope this can be a fun and uplifting night for all!

We will continue to keep you updated in regards to our summer program and plans for the 2020-2021 school year.

As always, please reach out if you need anything. We are here for you. And please keep sending your photos and stories from home - we love them.

Best wishes,

Jennifer

P.S.This edition of the M news is longer than usual because it contains information and photos from an earlier issue that was not distributed due to the abrupt school closure. We encourage you to read all the way through for important updates and for an wonderful look back at the first months of 2020 at MMS!

MONTESSORI MOMENTS--AT HOME

MONTESSORI MOMENTS--ON CAMPUS

Like these photos? Then you'll love us on Facebook , Instagram and other social media. Photos and school news are posted nearly every day!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Middle School and Upper Elementary Step Up Days, May 4-5

MMS Parent University - Positive Discipline for Parents series, Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Join Susie and Samantha on May 7,14, 21, and 28.

Primary, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary pick up Days, Monday/Tuesday, May 11-12

Please drive through the car line from 12:00-3:00 p.m. on May 11 or 12 so you may pick up your child's belongings from school.

Middle School pick up day, Monday, May 11

Please drive through the middle school parking lot between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11 so you may pick up your child's belongings from school.

Parent Education Step Up Nights:

Middle School, Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Primary, Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
PLUS, Tuesday, May 19, 6:45-7:15 p.m.
Lower Elementary, Thursday, May 21, 5:30-6:25 p.m.
Upper Elementary, Thursday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Virtual TIE DYE DAY, Tuesday, May 26

End of Year Progress Reports, distributed by Thursday, May 28

VIRTUALLY EPIC!-- MMS Annual Spring Gala-An Epic Evening , Saturday, May 30, is being revamped into a virtual event that the whole family can enjoy! Now, more than ever, we need to unite to celebrate our community and support our school. The MMS Zoom-a-palooza will be launched on Tuesday, May 5, #GivingTuesday (the gala website and online event platform will also be revised by then). Watch for details!

Zoom Parent Conferences, June 2-4

Primary and Lower Elementary June 2-4; Upper Elementary and Middle School June 2-3

Details and online signup link will arrive in a separate email.

Eighth Year Graduation, Thursday, June 4, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Last Day of School, Friday, June 5

Each classroom is planning a special activity for the last day of school!

SPECIALS SPOTLIGHT: KNITTING

Knitting is a popular and satisfying component of the MMS curriculum, as Elementary Specialist Karen Kelly explains in this month's Specials Spotlight:

I have been a lifelong knitter since learning to knit as a small child. Twenty years ago, I began incorporating knitting instruction into my teaching at Mountaineer Montessori, imparting this useful and enjoyable craft to students since that time.

The known benefits of knitting include the improvement of fine motor skills, use of both sides of the brain, development of concentration, focus and creativity, and the acquisition of patience and the ability to delay gratification. Overall, the practice of knitting not only enhances a student’s problem solving skills, it is conducive to the reduction of stress and anxiety, as well as building sense of self-worth through accomplishment and achievement.

Our instruction begins with basic skills utilized in the practice of knitting, progressing from rolling a ball of yarn, to finger knitting and then to increasingly advanced projects such as making a beanbag, a scarf or a hat. Students also learn about the history and science of knitting We consider the various fiber animals — sheep, alpacas, angora rabbits and cashmere/mohair goats — through discussions and puppets. The exploration of different fibers by both tactile means and scientific examination under the microscope is undertaken.

Note: Karen often shares wonderful stories from her childhood with students during knitting lessons, which create special memories for our students in addition to developing their knitting skills!

SUMMER UPDATES:

FESTIVALL 2020:

The FestivALL Juried Art Exhibition, "Art-for-ALL" will continue as planned this summer, although it may be a virtual exhibit. Sarah Galaska, our MMS art specialist, has been in touch with the classroom teachers and students and shared the following instructions for submitting a piece for consideration:

Art-for-ALL Info Packet

Deadline for submissions is May 29. If you have any questions, please email Sarah at sgalaska@mountaineermontessori.org

We will keep you updated as we receive information about o ther FestivALL events.

CAMPESSORI 2020:

We are meeting regularly to determine how we will proceed with Campessori this summer. We will send updates as final decisions are made. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this ever-evolving and unprecedented situation!