What a wonderful year of learning and growing we have had at St. Augustine Public  Montessori School!  The children seem so proud of their accomplishments and look forward to celebrating the end of the school year with the Asian Festival and Moving Up Ceremony.

 

Curriculum -  Montessori philosophy is being practiced at SAPMS.  Deep concentration, interconnected curriculum, precise  Montessori lessons and collaboration with others are observed in every classroom.  Our guides continue to collaborate and gain experience from each other and their students.  For our newer guides,  Montessori training is being continued or completed this summer.  Decades of  Montessori teaching experience is being added to our school next year. 

 

Financial - Our school is suffering financially.  We have had a lower participation rate in our Annual Fund even with an increase in families and an overall higher level of community engagement.  This is difficult to understand and concerning for our budget.  With a few exceptions, the buildings of our campus do not allow for economically optimal class sizes.  The cost of operating a classroom is higher than the income received from state funding.  We cannot continue to operate without outside funding contributions.  The fundraising team and the Board are actively pursuing alternative sources.  You can do your part by donating what you can now (or asking friends and family to donate) and committing within your own budget to a donation for next year.  Thank you to those that have already done so.   

 

Facilities - We are busy renovating the small concrete block building on Ballard.  Sara Bloomberg is organizing volunteers for this project.  Please let her know if you would like to help.  We intend to sublease the larger San Marco building for the 2017-19 school years, recouping some income for these buildings during that time.  We still plan to start the SAPMS Primary program for the 2018-19 school year and will utilize another smaller space on campus until the larger building is available for that use.  We continue to add gardens to our greenspace and welcome additional gardening help.

 

Personnel - Our teachers are our most vital resource, and we are elated that all Lead Guides are returning for 2017-18.  We will welcome Ms. Sabrina Derome as a new Lower Elementary Lead in the new classroom being renovated this summer.  Sabrina has been co-teaching in a  Montessori classroom at Island Village  Montessori School in Sarasota.  Ms. Kelsey will return as an Assistant Guide, and we will add two very experienced Montessorians as Assistant Guides:  Ms. Ann Solomn and Ms. Sara Bloomberg.  Ms. Amy will be taking a year off with her growing family and plans to rejoin SAPMS in 2018.  And of course, Ms. Ann Johnson will begin as our new Head of School beginning  July 5. 

 

Community Building - Our community continues to grow in numbers, spirit, and enthusiasm.  Ms. Jamie will continue as our Community Building Lead, organizing volunteers, facilitating the new-family mentor program, communicating with parents and our wider community.  We have an amazing group of parents who spend much time and effort keeping our school a happy place.  You are always needed in whatever capacity you can volunteer!  Please share your thoughts about this year and help guide our school planning by responding to the forthcoming Community Survey.

 

Thank you for supporting SAPMS!