W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
December 21, 2016
 
In this Issue


Upcoming Events

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!


January 12
Admissions Open Houses
9:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Tell a friend!


January 13
Financial Aid Deadline for Returning Families
Learn More 
 

Happy Holidays!
A scene from the 6-9 students' performance of "Melton, the Warm-Hearted Snowman"

 
Message from 
Head of School Lisa A. Lalama 

Read more from Lisa on the Montessori Message blog.
 
Today, our yearly winter break begins.

This time of year is often filled with activities that differ from our daily routines. We find ourselves spending more time with family and friends. We are immersed in traditions that were handed down to us from our parents, grandparents and generations long ago. Some of us are able to take a few days away from our jobs; others fit in the fun between work obligations. Whatever your circumstance, the staff at WMS hopes you are able to relax and enjoy your time together. We wish you a safe and enjoyable break and all the best in 2017.

We'll see you on January 4!

9-12 students performed holiday music for residents of Ivy Gables Senior Living on Monday.

 
News & Notes News
News from the Board of Directors - November/December 2016
by Anna Quisel, Board Chair
 
Between strategic planning and participating in efforts to support WMS, it's been a busy couple of months for our Board of Directors . Our new 2017-20 Strategic Plan will be ready to share early in 2017. As this year draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to talk about giving at WMS.

As you know, WMS benefits from the generosity of our community in so many ways. Through our Co-op Program, families give their time, pitching in to make our school more than just a place where children receive an education. After cleaning classrooms with my kids, working in gardens in front of the school, attending book groups, dissecting sheep brains with students, participating in parent education sessions and more, our entire family has built a strong connection with the school. WMS has become a second home to my children. Co-op is so much more than just doing "work" at the school, and it benefits us as parents just as much as it helps the staff and students who receive assistance through the program.

WMS's students and staff also benefit from the financial generosity of our community. Every few years, WMS undertakes a fundraising campaign to accomplish specific strategic goals. This year, we are incredibly grateful to all of our donors who helped us successfully complete the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign , which provided funding for the initiatives in the 2013-16 Strategic Plan.

Additionally, each year WMS aims to support an economically diverse group of students by keeping tuition as low as possible and providing financial aid, while also offering the extras that create an exceptional educational environment for children and teachers. We supplement our tuition income with fundraising through the annual fund and auction. Families who would not otherwise be able to afford WMS find their tuition contribution leveraged through fundraising. Another great example of how our school benefits from fundraising is the professional development   our staff receives. This is an essential "extra" that keeps our teachers inspired, well-trained and connected to national educators. Thus, thanks to the generosity of our parents, staff, board members, former/alumni parents, and other friends of the school, WMS provides an education that exceeds what we could offer with our current tuition alone.

One additional note on leveraging our giving - WMS pursues foundation support for particular projects and initiatives every few years, and our Annual Fund is linked to our ability to gain foundation support. Foundations are more likely to give to schools that have high parent participation rates in their annual fund; it shows that our community is truly behind the school's mission. Therefore, supporting the Annual Fund is a very impactful way for our parents to help WMS - any parent donation increases our participation rate, so if you have not yet contributed, I hope you will consider making a gift of any size.   

So far this year, we have excellent progress toward our 2016-17 Annual Fund goal, thanks to the energy of our Annual Fund Co-Chairs Mayura Simon and Kevin Kahn, Giving Tuesday Parent Coordinator David Kubacki, our homeroom parents, and our development staff. Parent participation has surpassed 60% (above the average of 50% at schools in our area), and we have already raised more than $60,000 toward our $80,000 goal. We still have time to make the goal since it is a year-long fundraising effort running from September to the next August, which is why you hear from us more than once.   

In response to two challenges this year (the discontinuation of Delaware's transportation reimbursement, which most of our families generously donated back to WMS,  and continuing pledge payments by many donors who contributed to the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future), we took the plunge of asking our biggest supporters to consider a 20% increase in their gift to WMS this year, and many have! I am personally proud that our Board rose to the occasion by increasing giving by 25%.

Thank you everyone for supporting WMS students and teachers in so many ways, and for helping WMS to make this world a better place one student at a time.
Today's Learners leaders
Book Recommendations from Lead Primary Teacher Betsy Haas

Fast Four Episode 2 - Celebrating Traditions
Fast Four Episode 2 - Celebrating Traditions
The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.  

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