Please read for important information and announcements.
MMS Monthly E-Newsletter |  December 2016

Dear MMS Families,

As 2016 starts to wind down, I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for the Mountaineer Montessori School community.  It is truly a gift to be able to come to school each day and experience the joyful learning of the children, the dedication and talents of the MMS staff and Board of Directors, and the incredible support and encouragement from our MMS families. 

I look forward to the year ahead and the many adventures it will bring!

Best wishes,

Jennifer

CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

Classrooms are now open for parent observations. Observations are the best way to see Montessori education in action!  Below are some comments from recent observations at MMS:

  • ....children are cleaning up after their work, without someone asking them to...
  • ....different ages are interacting and working together...
  • Each child is selecting work and staying engaged on their own.
  • The knobbed cylinders were captivating to the child working with them (and to me)!
  • We enjoyed watching the children put away their work and sit while waiting to be called.
  • .....witnessed one child turn off lights to ask his classmates to quiet their voices as he was having difficulty concentrating....
  • ....glad to get to see why our daughter loves coming to school!
  • Students are engaged and busy.  Teachers are checking in with students and are available.
  • So refreshing! 

To schedule a classroom observation, please call or email Beth at 304-342-7870 or bgeorge@mountaineermontessori.org
CALENDAR UPDATES

Please make note of the following MMS Calendar changes:
  • Standardized testing for all students in grades 1-8 (all lower elementary, upper elementary and middle school students) will take place the week of April 24-28.  This is a change from the original calendar.
  • Our January all-school parent education session, Montessori Journey and Discovery, will be held on Saturday, January 7.  This is a change from the original calendar. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Parenting with Positive Discipline  | Monday,  December 19 | 5:30-7:00pm
Early Dismissal/MMS Winter Concert | Friday, December 16, 2016 
Dismissal for Primary morning friends will begin at 11:30; all other students will be dismissed starting at 11:45.  All students/families should proceed directly to St. Matthew's church for the Winter Concert immediately following dismissal.
NO SCHOOL | December 17-January 1
Please note that school resumes on Monday, January 2. 
Montessori Journey and Discovery | Saturday, January 7  | 2:00-5:00 pm
Watch for more details about this inspiring Parent Education program soon!
MMS IN THE NEWS

WasSUP: Stand Up Paddleboarding with MMMS , South Hills Living, December 2016
THANK YOU!
Thank you to the many parents and friends who have made special contributions to our school.  Special thanks to:
  • Charly Hamilton and Chad Cordell for working with MMS students to build and paint the Buddy Bench.
  • the many friends of MMS who have already made contributions to our Annual Fund (watch for a full list in the January newsletter).
  • all of our parent drivers for making field trips and going-outs possible for the students.
  • Primary parents who have provided nutritious and delicious snacks for the students.
  • our friends at Taylor Books for working to provide a variety of books and gifts for our annual Book and Bake sale.
  • all the parents and grandparents who prepared food for the Book and Bake sale, including:  Michelle Tharp, Samantha Hicks, Anna Keffer, JoEllen Zacks, Shelley Whittington, Susan Lopinsky, Kadija Tyler, Keri Darlington, Keeley Steele, Hollie Hubbert, and Amber Coll.
  • all the parents and grandparents who worked shifts at the Book and Bake sale, including: Alisa Abdalla, Hollie Hubbert, LIz Stevens, Briana Cicero-Johns, Anna Keffer, Jean Storm, Lia Fairless, Amanda Davis, Kate White, Susan Lopinsky, Lindy Hoeft, Kari Peyatte, Jay Stevens, Susana Duarte, and Keri Darlington.
  • Alisa Abdalla for coordinating the Book and Bake sale.
Elementary and Middle School parents:  If you have not had a chance to yet, please take a moment to complete the middle school survey by following the link below:


Your input is so valuable and will help us make decisions regarding the physical location of the middle school , program offerings, and middle school staffing and training.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey ! 
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS/AMAZON SMILE

As we enter a busy time of year, please take a moment to link your Kroger card and sign up for Amazon Smile, and you'll be shopping to support MMS!

Amazon Smile
Go to  Smile.Amazon.com  and select “Montessori, Etc.” as your designated charity–a portion of every purchase will be donated to MMS! 

Kroger Community Rewards
Kroger will donate up to 5 percent of your regular grocery and gasoline purchases to MMS through its Kroger Community Rewards program - at no cost to you or the school!  
Here's how to sign up:
  • Go to Kroger Community Rewards 
  • Sign in or create an account, if you have not done so before.  You will need your Kroger Plus Card number, or you can request a new one online if you do not have a Kroger Plus Card. 
  • select “Mountaineer Montessori School” as your beneficiary. Our school number is 82464.
  • Once your Plus Card is linked to MMS, simply be sure to use it each time you shop at Kroger or fill up at a Kroger gasoline station.  There is no cost to you or to MMS to participate in the Community Rewards Program
  • Please remember to re-enroll each year to maintain your link to the MMS account.  
If you have any questions, please call or stop in and we would be happy to help you!
Mountaineer Montessori School
308 20th Street, Charleston, WV 25304
304.342.7870 | Email | Website