Wednesday Weekly - November 9, 2016

W E D N E S D A Y W E E K L Y

November 9, 2016

In this Issue

News & Notes

Today's Learners

Upcoming Events

This week!

Annual Fund Drive
Make your gift today!

November 9

Information Night for Rising Fourth-Grade Parents

5-6 p.m. in the Great Room

November 11

Dance Party

(Proceeds benefit the class of 2018's GCAP trip.)

6-7:30 p.m.

Learn More

November 15

Financial Aid Application Open for Current Families
More Information

Transition Morning for Rising 3-6 Parents

9:30 a.m.
Register Now

Workshop - Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light
6:30-9 p.m.

Learn More

Webinar: STEAM Gifts for the Holidays
7:30 p.m.

November 16

Transition Morning for Rising 6-9 Parents

9 a.m.
Register Now

November 17

Toddler Maker Faire

8-9 a.m. in the Toddler Maker Studio

Transition Morning for Rising 9-12 Parents
9 a.m.
Register Now

November 22

Grandfriends' Day

Drop-off time until 11 a.m.
RSVP Today

November 23

No Classes

Pre-registered child-care available.

November 24 & 25

Building Closed

No school or child-care.

Full Calendar

Transition Mornings

Message from

Head of School Lisa A. Lalama


	Read more from Lisa on the Montessori Message blog.

Next week, we begin a series of Transition Mornings. These events give you an opportunity to learn more about the next step in your child's educational journey at WMS. It can be hard to believe that your child is ready to move on to another level in his/her education. The same child who cried at drop-off may now be ready to come into the building alone, leaving you to catch up with her as she scoots down the hallway. Your children continue to grow and thrive.

Two weeks ago, we held The Journey, which allows parents to experience each level of our program. Participants joined in lessons as Toddlers, Primary, Lower and Upper Elementary students. They spent time in the Toddler Maker Studio, learning to code and explore the materials our youngest students work to figure out. They built squares in the 9-12 classroom and realized, maybe for the first time, what it really means to square a number. They watched children work. Parents on The Journey see the wonder of Montessori unfold before their eyes.

Dr. Montessori knew that children are naturally curious and that they will explore their environment, ask questions, make mistakes and try again if the conditions allow. At WMS, our environments are established to allow this and so much more. Once a child builds his knowledge at one level, another is presented; the building blocks are ever-present. As the years go by, your children - our students - show us what they are truly capable of and what they need to help them learn even more. At each step they are making sense of their world. Their world continues to expand and we are there to guide them each step of the way. Please join us for a Transition Morning to learn more about the opportunities ahead.

_________________________________

More on Transition Mornings

Have you ever wondered what the next program level will be like for your child at WMS? Come experience it!

Visit a next level classroom so you can see for yourself what lies ahead for your child. Observe a class in session where children are working and teachers are giving lessons; ask questions about your child's transition to the next program level. Along with the teachers, Head of School Lisa Lalama, Assistant Head of School Laurie Orsic, Director of Early Childhood Programs Sarah Williams and Admissions Director Tiffany Harrison will be on-hand to answer any questions you might have.

We highly recommend that all of our families attend a Transition Morning, particularly if your child will be moving up next year.

Dates:

November 15, 9:30 a.m. - 3-6 Transition Morning (for toddler parents)

November 16, 9 a.m. - 6-9 Transition Morning (for current 3-6 parents)

November 17, 9 a.m. - 9-12 Transition Morning (for current 6-9 parents)

Please register by Friday, November 13 so we can plan accordingly.

News & Notes

Webinar: STEAM Gifts for the Holidays
Tuesday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Looking for some educational AND fun gift ideas for your children this holiday season?

On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m., WMS STEAM Coach Paula Sharpe will offer some great suggestions (for every price point) that will spread holiday cheer and educational value in your home.

Financial Aid Application for 2017-18 School Year -

Opens on Tuesday

The Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) application opens for returning WMS families on November 15.

The deadline to be considered for a first-round award is January 15, 2017. Financial aid applications completed after January 15, 2017, will be considered as funds allow. Financial aid grants are made for one year only, and therefore, you must reapply each school year.

Learn more on our Financial Aid website. Please contact Business Manager Nancy Oddo with any questions.

"Play and Learn" at the Rachel Kohl Library

WMS has partnered with Rachel Kohl Library in Glen Mills to offer Montessori "Play and Learn" to the community.

Led by Early Childhood Director Sarah Williams, Lead Teacher Erin Winner and Director of Admissions Tiffany Harrison, the free monthly class reinforces the learning partnership between parents and their young children. Parents and children learn about WMS and the Montessori Method in a comfortable, classroom-like environment with activities including Morning Meeting, songs, movement and work time with Montessori materials.

Please tell a friend to join us for our next class on November 17 starting at 10:30 or 11:15 a.m.!

Annual Auction - Save the Date!

Book your babysitters now for WMS's biggest social and fundraising event of the year. This year's annual auction and gala will be held

April 8, 2017.

Want to help but can't commit to being on the committee?

Email Lori Oberly at [email protected] or auction chair Jennifer Renz at [email protected] to find out how to get involved.

This is another great way to get your spring Co-op hours before the end of the school year.

Professional Development & The Annual Fund

Did you know that your gift to the Annual Fund supports professional development for WMS teachers and staff? Watch the video about to learn more. (Be sure to watch to the end for a special surprise...)

Annual Fund Update

Our Annual Fund Drive is off to an amazing start with more than $20,000 raised toward our $80,000 goal. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Your participation, no matter if your gift is large or small, is incredibly important.

Please stop by the lobby to play our "punch cup" game after contributing, drop some loose change in the Meerkat Bank or create a sign telling us why your family gives to WMS!

Stop by the Annual Fund table or contact your homeroom parent for details.

Dance Party - All are welcome!

Friday, November 11, 6-7:30 p.m.

Written by the 9-12 students

It's that time again! On Friday, November 11, the fourth- and fifth-grade students will host their first fundraiser of the year. Our fundraisers support our sixth grade trip to New York City and the Global Citizenship Action Project conference.

The dance party is a wonderful event for all ages and is a bargain at just $10 per person. The event will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym and includes pizza, salad, dessert and drinks. There will also be raffle baskets so bring some extra dollars.

We hope to see you there!

Toddler Maker Faire
Thursday, November 17, 8-9 a.m.
in the Toddler Maker (STEAM) Studio

Come explore the Toddler Maker (STEAM) Studio at next Thursday's Toddler Maker Faire.

The children have begun learning about Native Americans in the Maker (STEAM) Studio. During our Maker Faire, we will be creating Native American inspired art.

Please stop in before school with your child on the 17th! Contact Paula Sharpe, STEAM Coach, for more information..

Today's Learners

Second Great Lesson - Arts Integration Presentation

The Great Lessons

by Lead Lower Elementary (6-9) Teachers Melissa Connelly & Carol Wiswall, Room 20

October was an exciting month in the Lower Elementary Program as we introduced the coming of the universe and all that has come before us in the grand timeline of life on earth. We have been exploring what Dr. Maria Montessori called Cosmic Education with the Great Lessons. "Let us give him a vision of the whole universe," Dr. Montessori wrote about elementary education. "The universe is an imposing reality and the answer to all questions."

Dr. Montessori noted that as children enter this second plane of development in first through third grade, they begin to look outside of themselves and their families. They wonder about the world around them and where they fit into it all. Their questions become very complex and interesting as they seek to understand everything they experience.

The Great Lessons are told as a series of stories and impressionistic lessons, starting with the story of the beginning of the universe and our solar system, followed by the story of the first forms of life on earth and the plants and animals that have come long before humans. We explore the development of humans, language and technology over time. We consider the gifts that humans have been given, and we think about humanity's responsibility to care for our earth and the people on it. We imagine what might lie ahead in the future.

The stories invite so many questions, and it's always impressive to hear the deep philosophical thinking that these lessons evoke in such young children as they imagine the events in these cosmic timelines. What started it all? Is it possible there is life elsewhere in the universe? How far does the universe extend, and what's on the other side? What if that theoretical asteroid hadn't hit the earth - would we have ever come to be? What has allowed species like horseshoe crabs, dragonflies and jellyfish to survive for millennia, and how will humanity fare?

The children's questions help guide the curriculum in geology, biology, history and geography for the remainder of the year. As 6-9 teachers in a Montessori classroom, we are able to follow the children's lead as they share their passions and curiosity about areas that truly matter to them, diving as deeply as their interest allows. As Dr. Montessori wrote in To Educate the Human Potential, "Knowledge can be best given when there is eagerness to learn, so this is the period when the seed of everything can be sown."

For more information on Maria Montessori's Cosmic Curriculum, look for Children of the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Elementary Classroom by Michael and D'Neil Duffy in our school library.

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 Communications.