W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
March 29, 2017
 
In this Issue


Upcoming Events

Now through April 6
Online Auction (closes at 6 p.m. on 4/6)

Now through Friday
Spirit Week
3/30 - "Halloween"
3/31 - "Spirit Day"
Suggested donation to Save the Rain: $5


March 30
Community Coffee
8:15-9 a.m. in the Learning Commons 
March 31
Early Registration Deadline for Camp Montessori
 Learn More
Register Online
  

April 5
Admissions Open House
9:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Tell a friend!


April 7
Community Coffee
8:15-9 a.m. in the Learning Commons

Auction Ticket Pre-Sales Close at Noon
April 8
Blue Jeans Ball Auction & Gala
7 p.m.
Learn More
 

April 11
The Journey
8:30 a.m.
Learn More

 

Message from 
Head of School Lisa A. Lalama 

Read more from Lisa on the Montessori Message blog.
 

Spring break is over, and WMS has returned to one of the most anticipated weeks of the school year, Spirit Week. This week is an annual tradition during which students participate in many activities to support the sixth-graders' work that has resulted from their participation in the Global Citizenship Action Project (GCAP). While attending this conference in New York City each fall, our sixth-graders choose an NGO (non-governmental organization) to support. This year they have chosen to raise money and awareness for Save The Rain , an organization that works to provide clean water for families in developing countries.

As you've come into the building each day this week, you have probably noticed children (and adults) with crazy hair, dressed in pajamas or as twins, carrying stuffed animals, and yes, dressed up for Halloween - in March! Each year students look forward to this week. It is a chance to be a bit silly and to also raise awareness of something that most of us take for granted - clean water. As our students are learning through presentations from the sixth-graders, in many other parts of the world clean water is not always available. Many people walk miles to bring water to their villages - water that is dirty and laden with bacteria that causes illness. It is the only water they have available.

As the WMS mission statement says, "We empower children to be knowledgeable and responsible contributors to the global community," the world beyond their immediate neighborhood and community. This may seem a daunting task when thinking about the ages of the students at WMS. What we know, by examining Montessori pedagogy, is that children want to know about their world and explore their surroundings. They learn about the world and wonder what they can do to create change, how they might make a difference.

This can be challenging to accomplish, but at WMS we work toward this goal through all aspects of our curriculum. Central to the Montessori philosophy is a commitment to learning about and caring for our world. Dr. Montessori introduced the world and its beginnings to elementary students through the Great Lessons and continued that through a focus on the children's work of finding their place in the world in which they live. Although it may not be immediately apparent that Spirit Week helps students learn more about the world in which they live, take a closer look. As they wear silly clothing, crazy hair and enjoy the spirit of the week, they are also learning about our world's struggle in providing clean and safe water for all of its people. They are carrying buckets of water to simulate the struggle many of our world's people have in getting any water to their families. They are learning through all of their senses; learning more about the world and how they can make a difference.



 
News & Notes News
Camp Montessori - Last Chance to Save 10%
 
It doesn't feel much like summer outside, but it will be here before we know it!
 
This Friday is the last day to save 10% on Camp Montessori. If your child has already attended, you know why they'll want to go again! If not, feel free to contact Cass for a conversation about how we can best serve your family this summer.
 
We are excited to share that Paula Sharpe will be working with Core campers and counselors for six weeks this summer, bringing the resources of our WMS S.T.E.A.M. program to camp! Laurie Muhlbauer will do the same with art.
 
Janet and Sharon are excited to welcome Christine Rispoli (currently Room 14's assistant teacher) to the Panda (preschool) camp group, and that team will lead a summer-long exploration of botany...the Montessori way!
 
Specialty Camps are available for ages 8 to 14 in Archery (with WMS alumnus Daniel Potter), three levels of coding/programming (with Rose) and musical theater (Showstoppers with Heather).
 
Our teachers and counselors have been planning for months, and schedule information and field trip lists (K and up) are on the camp website.
 


A uction News - auction
Online Auction Open Now; Tickets on Sale for Auction Night
 
Tickets:
Break out your denim now! Auction night is only 10 days away! April 8 is quickly approaching. Tickets for the Blue Jean Ball A uction & Gala are now on sale at  www.wmsde.org/auction . Don't delay - get your tickets for the social event of the year today. Ticket pre-sales will close on Friday, April 7, at noon. After this time, you will have to purchase tickets at the door, at an increased price.

Families are also welcome to purchase a ticket for a staff member - please contact Lori Oberly for more information! 
 
Online Auction Information:
Our online auction is open with more than 120 items listed - many of which will NOT be available on auction night. Items marked "Online Bidding Only" will not be moving to the live event for bidding. On April 6 at 6 p.m., the highest bidder on any "Online Bidding Only" item will be the winner. Items marked "Online to Event Bidding" will start bidding on online and then moved to the event with the starting bid set to the highest online bid. Items marked "Event Bidding Only" will be available to preview on the auction website, but will not be accepting bids online. To bid on the "Event Bidding Only" items, join us on the 8th!
 
Don't miss out on your chance to win these featured gifts:
Our online auction is open to the general public (unless noted otherwise on a specific item) - please share our auction website with friends on social media!

For updates and previews of items, join our Facebook event!
 
coffee_table.jpg coffeeCommunity Coffees - Thursdays in the Learning Commons from 8:15 to 9 a.m. starting tomorrow!
 
Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in the Learning Commons before or after dropping your children off on Thursday mornings. 

You're welcome to stay, relax and chat with other parents and staff, or simply grab a cup on your way out the door!

We hope you'll stop by!
journeyHelp Feed the Hungry in Delaware by Supporting the 9-12 Students' CANgineering Project
 
For a fourth year, the students in the 9-12 Program will be participating in the Food Bank of Delaware's CANgineering competition.  CANgineering is a food drive with an art and engineering component. From now through April 10,  the entire WMS community is invited to take part in a food drive to collect items to be used to create elaborate sculptures. 
 
 The food collection bins will be located outside of Room 10 and at the front entrance. We welcome any and all non-perishable food donations, though for design purposes this year, we are focusing on the most needed items listed by the Food Bank of Delaware with some specific color requests.
 
Here are our most-needed items:

Peanut butter - Jif 16 oz - regular 
Canned corn - DelMonte
Canned soups - Progresso
Canned tuna fish, chicken, salmon and Vienna sausage - white cans if possible
Canned fruits (fruit cocktail, peaches, etc.) - DelMonte
Canned green beans - DelMonte
Canned peas - DelMonte
Canned dinners (spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, etc.) - Chef Boyardee

Thank you for your support! 

 
Join us on The Journey -
Tuesday, April 11 at 8:30 a.m.

Experience the joy of Montessori through the eyes of a child!
 
From a toddler's first steps to a sixth-grader's trip to the United Nations and year-long community service project, it's easy to see the growth and development of a child during his or her time at WMS. But how does it happen? What is it about the Montessori experience that prepares students for future success?
 
Join us for The Journey on Tuesday, April 11 from 8:30 a.m. to noon to deepen your understanding of why and how the Montessori Method works for your child. Experience the entire WMS educational cycle, through all four program levels, as you visit classrooms for each age level and participate in hands-on lessons led by teachers, using the same engaging materials your child uses each day. The Journey will end with a group discussion and Q&A with WMS administration. Don't miss this unique opportunity to step out of the observation room and into the classroom.

Earn five Co-op hours for your participation.
 
Register Now Button


 
Today's Learners learners
Fast Four: Laurie's Picks

Fast Four Episode 5: Beautiful Illustrations
Fast Four Episode 5: Beautiful Illustrations

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.
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