Wednesday Weekly - December 7, 2016

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

December 7, 2016

In this Issue

News & Notes

Tomorrow's Leaders

Upcoming Events

December 7

Information Night for Parents of Rising Kindergartners

5-6 p.m.
Register Now

December 15
6-9 Concert Dress Rehearsal

1 p.m. in the Gym

December 16
6-9 Concert

9:30 a.m. in the Gym
All are welcome!

December 22 & 23

Winter Break

No classes.
Pre-registered child-care available.

December 26 - January 2

Winter Break

Building closed
(No child-care)

January 3

Lead Teacher Professional Day

No classes.
Pre-registered child-care available.

January 4

Classes resume!

Full Calendar

New technology allows students to use an iPad to control sound levels during a performance.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Message from

Head of School Lisa A. Lalama


	Read more from Lisa on the Montessori Message blog.

Over the next week, we will have our first opportunity to fully utilize many of the facilities improvements that are a part of our arts integration initiative. As you know, through your support and that of the Longwood Foundation, we embarked on the process of making the arts a more integral part of students' learning experiences at Wilmington Montessori School. Last summer, many of our teachers went to the Kennedy Center for training and are sharing some of those lessons with the staff; more will go in June. As Dr. Montessori observed, we know that the more channels there are for learning to occur, the more likely it is that what is learned will be remembered.

One area of emphasis at WMS has been the performing arts. Each year, WMS Toddlers through sixth-graders hold performances for their families and friends. Our first opportunity to share the improvements to our facility that support the arts is on Friday, December 16 when the 6-9 students will perform "Melton, The Warm-Hearted Snowman." You may notice a newly refurbished gym/performing space, lighting that will knock your socks off, images projected on the new screen and new equipment such as risers, chairs and music stands. Though these things are immediately evident when you look around the gym, others are not so easily spotted. However, what we hope you note is that you can clearly hear and see the children. The sound and lighting improvements are remarkable.

At first blush, you might wonder what these shifts have to do with arts integration. As you know, one thing that sets WMS apart is our performances and our students' love of performing. WMS students have opportunities to take part in every aspect of performance - in front of an audience and behind the scenes. The Upper Elementary students run the sound and lights. They learn how to make sure every performer is seen and heard in the best way possible. Yes, they may be taught this by an adult, but they also teach one another and help each other learn the ropes. By the time they graduate, students interested in the technical aspects of producing a performance have multiple opportunities to practice these skills.

Thanks to each of you for your part in supporting the arts at WMS and supporting each student's learning. We hope that you will join us for the dress rehearsal or final performance next week of "Melton, The Warm-Hearted Snowman."

News & Notes

After-School Enrichment Programs -

The Perfect Holiday Gift

Looking for a unique holiday gift for your child that doesn't take up any space in your house?

Registration for our winter/spring after-school enrichment programs is now open! With a variety of programs for children ages 4 through 12, there's sure to be something your child will enjoy for weeks after the holiday decorations are packed away!

Visit www.wmsde.org/afterschoolspecials to learn more about our offerings and register online. As an extra bonus, we'll be happy to give you a WMS note card and envelope in which you can share news of your special gift with your child!

Questions? Please contact Cass Winner!

Important Financial Aid Reminder

T he 2017-18 Financial Aid application is now open to current and prospective WMS families.

Please keep in mind that the deadline (January 15 for current families) is strict. I f you anticipate needing assistance with your application, please begin it as soon as possible so your application is not delayed.

All portions of the application and your 2015 tax returns must be received by FAST by the deadline in order for the financial aid committee to consider your family's application.

Current WMS families who submit their materials on time will be considered for the first round of financial aid. Late submissions will be included in later rounds, alongside new families.

The majority of financial aid funds are distributed during the first round, to current WMS families.

Please contact Nancy Oddo, Business Manager, with any questions.

Fast Five - Featured Books from the Learning Commons

F ast Five Episode 1: Featured Books from the WMS Learning Commons -

Primary Teacher Erin Wehler recommends five books that help build self-esteem in young children, showing them that they are unique, special and can contribute to the world around them.

Tomorrow's Leaders

Margo Long: WMS Teacher, WMS Parent and WMS Alumna

Margo Long started her Wilmington Montessori School journey at the school's previous location in Arden's "Little Red Schoolhouse." She attended the Wilmington Montessori Association's Arden School from 1981 to 1985. After completing third grade (the highest level offered at the school at that time), she went on to Wilmington Friends School, Archmere Academy and the University of Delaware, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in photography.

"My work as an adult is a great reflection of who I learned I could be as a young student at Wilmington Montessori," Margo says. She has shown her artwork throughout the Delaware region and even earned a spot in a juried show in New York City. Now a teacher in the 9-12 Program and the parent of a WMS Toddler and a Primary student, Margo feels like she has returned to her roots. It was at Wilmington Montessori that she began to develop a deep connection with nature and a passion for language and hands-on learning. " Now I've circled back to where I began," she says. "I'm in a close-knit classroom in the woods of Arden, learning how to learn - learning by doing and messing up, and trying a whole new way."

Looking back on her time as a Montessori student, Margo says what influenced her most - and the reason she decided to enroll her two children at WMS (Zoe in Room 13 and Andrew in Room 5) - was the way she learned to absorb and manipulate language from a young age.

"Starting with French lessons in preschool, I activated a love for speaking the French language. I think, because I was primed so early for that kind of learning, it was truly second nature and felt 'easy' to want to learn," Margo says. "Montessori didn't really just teach me things; it allowed me a space to freely discover and teach myself. For me, being immersed in an environment rich with values that spoke to the spirit of what it means to be human - valuing peace, valuing a connection to Mother Earth, and valuing even our unique weaknesses - forged a way of thinking very early in my learning. I'm always thankful for that."

As a parent, she finds what is most beneficial for her children at WMS is ever-evolving. "One day, I'm touched by our whole school singing the Peace song in rounds, and another day, I just cannot believe that my 4-year-old crafted a small-scale faux glass sculpture in the likeness of a famous artist," Margo says.

"They never 'just' go to 'school.' That is what I'm most thankful for."

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.