Wrapping Up the Year
by Ann Clark, Head of School
Dear Parents,
For the last few months, we have been consumed with orchestrating distance learning, preparing for an essential worker summer program, and trying to make sense of the ever-changing school guidelines around health and safety in the midst of the global pandemic. Now, it is important to pause and address the emotional unrest and despair that is occurring in our country in response to heinous acts of racialized hatred.
We are a Montessori community built upon deep respect for the individual dignity of every person and an understanding that our connections as humans are indivisible. The atrocities we confront today are a stark contrast to the values we strive to impart to the students of Valley Montessori. I am writing about this today because we share a common goal to create a better, equitable and just world for our children.
We can collectively educate our children, the future of our country, to carry the torch of equity and justice for future generations. As Head of School, I ensure we will not lose sight of our work together on Equity and Inclusion as we learn how to strengthen our community and the world. Here are some resources to help you with family conversations:
End of Year Celebrations
As we prepare for the end of the school year, the teachers have planned a final farewell for their students. Here is the schedule of events:
Toddler Teacher drive-by and drop off
Friday, Monday and Tuesday - at designated times communicated directly to each class - toddler teachers will make the rounds dropping off end of year goodie bags for the children. Be sure to check with teachers for your timeslot so your child can be ready and waiting to wave!
Lower & Upper Elementary parade (and pick up for LE)
Friday, June 5 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Primary parade and pick up
Monday, June 8 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Middle School drop off / pick up
Monday, June 8
1:30-2:30 6th grade
2:30-3:30 7th grade
3:30-4:30 8th grade
For each of the parades, participants will enter through the church parking lot and follow the designated route around the back of the VMS building. The teachers will be in the front parking lot, safely social distancing, waiting to greet the children! After driving through the parade route, you will exit the VMS campus using our driveway. Please do not park or exit your car for this event. For safety and social distancing requirements, these are drive through parades only. Pick up and drop off locations will be designated. The teachers will put pick up items in your trunk. Drop off items will be gathered by the teachers as well. No need to exit your vehicle.
Graduation Parade
Tuesday, June 9 at 5pm - 5:45pm
We are inviting all our VMS non-graduate families to celebrate our amazing 8th graders! For this parade, the 27 graduates will be in the front parking lot waiting for you to arrive! All parade participants will follow the same parade route entering through the church parking lot - decorations are welcome and encouraged! Again, please do not park or exit your car for this event. The parade will end at 5:45pm so the graduates can prepare for their Drive In Movie Graduation. We will post the Graduation video at 9pm for the rest of the community to see!
Thank you and Follow-up
I'd like to personally thank all of you for your commitment and flexiblity during this highly unusual time. For returning families, we will be sending a short survey this Sunday to
get your feedback on Distance Learning
as we plan for the upcoming school year. Thank you, in advance, for completing it promptly.
We will continue to provide weekly communication each Wednesday throughout the summer to provide the latest updates.
Hope to see you on the 9th!
Respectfully,
Ann
