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W E D N E S D A Y W E E K L Y
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In this Issue
Upcoming Events
November 8-10
November 8
5-6 p.m.
Great Room
November 10
6 p.m.
Gym
November 15
5-6 p.m.
Great Room
November 21
8:30-11 a.m. (begins at students' regular classroom start times)
Classrooms & Great Room
November 22-24
Thanksgiving vacation - Happy Thanksgiving!
November 28
Transition Morning for rising Primary parents
9:15 a.m.
Giving Tuesday
November 29
Transition Morning for rising 6-9 parents
9 a.m.
November 30
Transition Morning for rising 9-12 parents
9 a.m.
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Message from
Early Childhood Education Director Sarah Williams
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Early Childhood Education Director Sarah Williams
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WMS's community is one of the reasons families choose our school, and it is the reason staff, students and parents happily return to school each day. The sense of belonging we all feel isn't one that the school staff created alone. In fact, it has been cultivated over many years by parents who have dedicated their time and talents to the school. Their efforts affect the daily experiences of our students and have connected families in meaningful ways.
Take, for instance, the Diwali celebrations that many WMS families brought to classrooms last month. Students paraded through the halls, donned clothing reserved for special occasions, enjoyed sweet treats with one another and decorated for the occasion. Throughout the year, students and their families will have many similar opportunities to learn about customs and traditions that are important to the members of our community.
On November 21, one of WMS's greatest in-house traditions, Grandfriends' Day, will take place. This well-attended event allows grandparents and other beloved family members some time in the classrooms with their favorite students, teachers and other members of our community.
The opportunities we have to spend time together and learn from one another, whether that is through Co-op, cultural celebrations, moms' and dads' days or seasonal performances, have created the community that we all hold dear. Feeling like we belong in a group as close-knit as ours is certainly part of the #WMSDifference.
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News & Notes
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This Friday is Dance Party Time!
Please join the fifth-grade class this Friday, November 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym for dinner, dancing, dessert, raffle prizes and more. Tickets are $10 per person (with a $5 discount for parties of four or more) and may be purchased in the lobby after school every day this week, as well as on Friday morning and at the door before the dance. All ages are welcome.
The dance party is a fundraiser for next year's sixth-grade trip to New York City and the Global Citizenship Action Project (GCAP) conference.
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Mark Your Calendars for Grandfriends' Day - November 21
Calling all WMS grandparents and special friends: our annual Grandfriends' Day is almost here! Please join us on November 21 at your student's regular classroom start time for a special grandfriends program.
8:30 -10 a.m.
Elementary classrooms open for visits
9-10 a.m.
Primary and Toddler classrooms open for visits
10-11 a.m.
Reception in the Great Room with refreshments, music and more!
Each student has received two invitations to hand out to a grandparent or special friend in their lives. Please note that children are not limited to two grandfriends - all are welcome. Please have them RSVP at wmsde.org/grandfriends or call 302-475-0555 so we know how many grandfriends to expect.
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The Annual Fund Drive is On - Celebrate the #WMSDifference!
Like other nonprofits and independent schools, WMS relies on its annual fund to cover expenses that make WMS an exceptional place for children to learn. This week we've kicked off the Annual Fund Drive - our biggest annual fundraising effort - with the theme
As our volunteers greet you in the lobby before and after school this week, they will ask you and your children to share what makes WMS unique. You are also welcome to share your thoughts via Instagram, using
#WMSdifference
. Please be sure to tag @WilmingtonMontessori.
If your Instagram profile isn't public, you can either follow WMS on Instagram (to give us access to your profile) or email a copy of the photo/video to
[email protected]
.
Contribute any amount to the annual fund before the end of the week and win a prize in our punch cup game.
For every $50 you donate
, you will also be entered to win one of our raffle prizes - a WMS swag bag (including an embroidered WMS L.L.Bean backpack) OR
your very own VIP parking space
for the rest of the school year.
If you'd like to donate online, you can do so today at
www.wmsde.org/annualfund.
You are also welcome to stop by the lobby this week to make your gift with cash, a check or a credit card.
Thank you to everyone who has already donated. With your help, we have raised more than $25,000 toward our $80,000 goal for the 2017-18 school year!
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Co-op Help Needed for Grandfriends' Day
Please help us make Grandfriends' Day a success (and earn some valuable Co-op hours) by donating supplies and baked goods for the Grandfriends' Day reception. Sign-up sheets have been posted on the two Co-op bulletin boards for Grandfriends' Day support. Items such as plates, cups, napkins, baked goods and boxes of coffee are needed for this wonderful event.
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WMS's Sixth-Grade Takes Manhattan (and the Global Citizenship Action Project)
By sixth-graders Angelica Martin and Jack Allen
Each year our sixth-grade class takes a trip to New York City. The goal of this trip is to attend the Global Citizenship Action Project (GCAP) - a four-day academic conference at the United Nations for Montessori students across the United States and from other countries. There were over 170 participants this year, and it was fun working with and learning from these students.
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WMS's sixth-graders in front of the Sphere Within Sphere sculpture at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
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The GCAP conference provides us with presentations from different non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Some of these organizations were Vision For and From Children, Save the Rain, Gotta Have Sole and ICAN, which won the Nobel Peace Prize this year. At the end of the conference, we each got to vote on which NGO we would like to support. This year's winner was Gotta Have Sole.
When we got to New York City, we only had a little bit of time to rest before conferences began. Our first presentation was Bridge the Gap with Chris Bashinelli, who is a UN emcee and host of the TV show "Bridge the Gap with Chris Bashinelli" on PBS and the National Geographic Channel. He explained how to be a global citizen and the actions needed to accomplish this goal.
Our group toured the United Nations and learned about the different programs and councils. We also had the opportunity to visit the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations. We visited with Gabriela Martinic, a diplomat from Argentina, and asked her questions about the country. Gabriela was very friendly and explained everything quite well. After the presentation we learned about conflicts between Argentina and other countries. We learned that Argentina and Great Britain are fighting over two islands off the coast of Argentina. Both of these experiences were intriguing and educational.
The "School Of Rock" musical was the most humorous and unbelievable thing we'd ever seen. The actors were rocking the instruments, and by the end of the show we were out of our chairs rocking along too! The child actors played their instruments live - it was absolutely amazing.
All in all, it was a fascinating and amazing trip to GCAP!
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Today's Learners
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Respecting the Child
by My Dang, Lead Primary (3-6) Teacher
Respecting children and their ability to do things for themselves is an important part of the Montessori philosophy. Maria Montessori taught us to deeply respect children by avoiding interruptions when they are concentrating and allowing them to discover their own mistakes. Montessorians observe without judgment and use observations of the child's process to inform necessary tweaks toward independence.
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Primary teacher My Dang leads a student in pumpkin carving.
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You might have noticed teachers showing respect to children by greeting them at eye level and acknowledging their presence, mindfully giving focused attention to their interaction with a child. In today's increasingly busy world, it can be challenging to give children time to meet their own needs.
Respecting the child includes stating the desired outcome and allowing the child time to focus on that outcome. In doing this, children have the time and mental space to try unfamiliar work, take risks and come up with solutions. When we encourage self-care and independence, we are cultivating an "I can do it!" mentality that will serve them the rest of their lives. We want our children to build confidence, believe in themselves and see opportunity in challenge.
These changes do not occur overnight. To transform old habits and apply the Montessori philosophy in the classroom and at home takes time and patience. As adults and role models, there are a few things we can do to help our children reach these goals. Please consider focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses. Lead by example - as we remind children that it is not OK to call names, adults must follow these same rules. Center yourself and focus your thoughts by limiting outside distractions like cellphones when giving attention to the child. When you show your children respect, you will find that respect returned toward you.
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 The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.
Please send submissions to
[email protected]
by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior
to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length
and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.
For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Advancement & Communications.
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