W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
April 5, 2017
 
In this Issue


Upcoming Events

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


April 6
3-6 Maker Morning
8-8:45 a.m. in Room 26

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

Toddler Singalong
11 a.m., Great Room 


April 7
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


April 13
6-9 Maker Morning
7:45-8:30 a.m. in Room 30

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


April 14
No School or Child-Care - Building Closed


April 17
No school.
Pre-registered child-care available.


Message from 
Head of School Lisa A. Lalama 

Read more from Lisa on the Montessori Message blog.
 

Typically when we think about a school we think about the children, as we should. Schools exist to serve the students who attend them. Schools are also made up of adults.

Over the past few weeks, I've had the opportunity to notice many of our parents and staff working hard for the students at WMS. The obvious adults in a school community are the teaching staff: assistants, lead and specials teachers, and extended day teachers. Children spend most of the day with them; you are greeted by them at the beginning and end of the day and they become part of your lives.  

There are also many other WMS staff members hard at work. Whether it's the facilities crew erecting a new sign or fixing a fence, the business office staff working hard to make sure parents understand their tuition plan and that we have the supplies we need, the nurse tending to a child or a parent who has a question, or our development staff hosting and advertising an event, WMS is a place that fosters a sense of community in each of its members. The staff is here to serve the children and families who are part of our community.

Friday was the last day of work for our beloved Nurse Paige. It was a day of children honoring her contributions to the school, but more importantly to their lives - after all, she began working here before any of our current students were even born! You might think that the "school nurse" only interacts with those who are frequent visitors to her office. Not so at WMS. Nurse Paige has been a huge part of our community. She has been ever-present, seen in classrooms, hallways, concerts and events.

At WMS, we are fortunate to have a staff who truly cares about the community and eagerly adds to the life of the school. Though Paige is moving on, she remains a parent at WMS and will always be a large part of our school, which the 9-12 students reflected when they  serenaded her in the lobby:

"Just know you're not alone, 'cause I'm going to make this place your home." 

 
News & Notes News

This year's classroom gifts (click the image to learn more)
 
Online auction closes tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 p.m.
 
The big night is almost here - don't miss the event of the year! This Saturday is WMS's Blue Jeans Ball Auction & Gala. Have you purchased your tickets yet? 

Auction FAQs
How can I get tickets to the auction? 
Tickets can be purchased in advance of auction night via the website -   www.wmsde.org/auction - or before/after school in the lobby today and tomorrow. On Friday, tickets will only be available in the MORNING. Sales will close at noon. After this time, tickets will have to be purchased at the door at an increased price.

Drinks, hors  d'oeuvres and live music by The Late Ambitions (featuring alumni parent Becky Davey) are all included in the price of admission ($55 in advance/$65 on auction night) - the event starts at 7 on Saturday night! VIP tickets ($75 in advance) include a pre-auction wine and cheese reception starting at 6 p.m.

What should I wear?
Jeans/denim. Dress them up or stay casual - it's up to you!

How does bidding work on auction night? 
On the night of the event, there will be a silent auction, followed by a live auction.   All items in the silent auction will have bid sheets attached or nearby. Anyone wishing to bid may do so by writing his/her bid number and/or name and bid amount on the next blank line available.  To enter a bid during the live auction, hold up your bid number to signal the auctioneer or a nearby spotter. The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. Important Note:  Auction officials reserve the right to remove any item from the silent auction for presentation during the live auction prior to the item closing.  Please review our auction  terms and conditions  to learn more. 

Can I buy a ticket for a staff member?
Families are welcome to purchase a ticket for a staff member - please contact Lori Oberly or one of our lobby ticket salespeople for more information.
 
What is the online auction? When does it end?
140 items (many of which will not be available on auction night) are currently listed on our online auction site at www.wmsde.org/auction. Online bidding closes tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 p.m. 

How does the online auction work?
People from all over the world are currently bidding on our online auction items. There are three different designations for online items:
  • Those items that are 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 Bid Sheet" will be moved to the event with the starting bid set to the highest online bid. 
  • Items marked "Event Bidding Only" are 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 Saturday!
Don't miss out on your chance to win these featured gifts:
For updates and previews of items, join our Facebook event! Posting about the auction on social media?
Use the hashtag #WMSauction2017!
 
Primary (3-6) Maker Morning - Tomorrow at 8 a.m.steam
 
Please join us tomorrow (Thursday, April 6) from at 8 to 8:45 a.m. for a 3-6 Maker Morning. Children and parents can come to work together using our Maker Studio materials.  Try grinding wheat, painting with tractors, farm math and watching chickens hatch from eggs. We hope you can make it!

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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 are 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


 
coffee_table.jpg coffeeCommunity Coffees - Thursdays in the Learning Commons from 8:15 to 9 a.m.!
 
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!
Today's Learners learners
Spring Forward: New Technology Adventures at WMS
by Rose Feehan, Instructional Technology Coach

One of my favorite things about spring is that everything seems fresh and new. It's a time to head outside, plant new seeds and consider how we can revitalize what's around us. Similarly, after a long winter of short days, bad weather and indoor lessons, it's time to learn, grow and breathe new life into our technology use - and even allow our students to enjoy nature while using this technology.

The 9-12 students are beginning two new tech-related adventures that WMS has never done before: podcasting and Pinterest. These platforms are being incorporated as part of their culture and STEAM studies. Students will be using Pinterest to share their research on different cultures with all WMS followers. Along with developing strong research skills and learning about a variety of cultures, students are also exploring how this platform helps people communicate and comparing how this communication aligns with or challenges our understanding of good digital citizenship.  

Podcasting is new to our 9-12 students but very important in introducing students to different forms of media that are popular today. Paula Sharpe has led students in analyzing podcasts from the audience's perspective. Students discussed what makes a podcast technically effective (such as high-quality sound and length of time) and entertaining (such as good intro music, engaging dialogue, and enthusiastic speakers). Soon students will begin to experience podcasting from the production side: researching the topic, writing a script as a group, creating music, recording and performing as a group, editing, posting their work, and fixing any issues that arise along the way. To give our students the most authentic experience possible, we have new recording microphones (compatible with both the iPads and classroom laptops) as well as editing software for both platforms. This is possibly our most ambitious project of the year and we are eager to hear what our students create.  

I have renewed excitement for the network upgrades we completed last summer/fall. We chose to extend wireless coverage to the Peace Park, which will allow students and teachers to have outdoor lessons and still use needed technology. Lifting a barrier like wireless coverage that used to equate technology use with being inside is no small thing. Not only does it allow WMS to remove the walls from the classroom - it also gives students practice in caring for a tablet or laptop while outside.  

The upgrades, modifications and new ideas do not end there. Every spring and summer I begin reviewing the ways in which students have used technology throughout the year and researching what improvements can be made for the coming fall. Just as our students are always growing and changing, so too is the Technology Program at WMS.  

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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