We are awaiting information from the state regarding the opening of summer camp programs. Please look for an update by early next week.
We appreciate your patience!
A School Year Like No Other:
We're Stronger Together
We are in the last few days of the 2019-20 school year, and what a year it has been. We began our year with a tradition we look forward to - the signature WMS bubble machine - bubbles greeting our students, young and old. We will end the year with graduation, sixth-grade Moving Up Day and classroom festivities - traditions that stand the test of time, though will look a bit different this year. Throughout the summer, we'll be planning for the coming school year, and while we don't know exactly what lies ahead, we're poised to respond to the ever-changing guidelines in order to keep our community safe and our students engaged.
What we are certain of, however, is that WMS will continue to be a strong community founded on the principles of Maria Montessori’s educational practices. Dr. Montessori lived in a time of turmoil - world wars and a fascist regime that caused her to exile from Italy to India. And, she persisted because she knew then, what we benefit from now: Children absorb knowledge from their surroundings, and our job is to create an environment that supports their learning. Dr. Montessori’s educational practice and philosophy was the result of careful observation of children as well as the times in which she lived.
We are challenged with that task today. As a school, a society and a world, we are learning from the experiences in which we find ourselves. Most of us have probably shifted the way we get our groceries, the outings we take or don’t take, and the ways in which we prepare before we leave our homes to perform routine tasks. We have responded to the environment and world in which we are living today.
The same is true for Wilmington Montessori School. We began the year as we always do. We carried on throughout most of the year the way we usually do. And then, we had to change. We had to learn, adapt and incorporate big shifts into the way we “do school.” And, for the most part, we did it! Some changes were comfortable. Many were successful. Others were certainly more challenging than we could have imagined. However, what remained is our commitment to each other, our understanding of what it means to be a community, our strength and our history. Just as Dr. Montessori adapted to the times in which she lived, so must we.
As we end this school year, we have learned so much - possibly more than ever before. We will continue to build on this knowledge and gain more information as the summer unfolds. Our goal, as always, is to think about what our students need in order to be safe and healthy, optimize their growth and expand their knowledge of the world. We will be working on that over the summer. WMS is made to withstand the test of time, and we will continue to build, grow and evolve to meet the challenges ahead of us.
We look forward to working alongside you as we continue to serve your families. You can expect regular updates throughout the summer, and if you have questions, please reach out to us. In the meantime, whatever the summer months may bring, we hope that you and your family have time to relax, restore and spend time enjoying the days ahead. Have a wonderful summer!
NEWS & NOTES
Celebrate the WMS Class of 2020!
Join us for our second annual eighth-grade graduation!
Friday, May 29
9:30 a.m.
Featuring alumni speaker Demetria Ruhl (class of 2010)
As announced at the annual meeting, the WMS board of directors is sensitive to the financial impact of the pandemic on our families.
The window to apply for financial aid for the 2020-21 school year has been re-opened for those who have experienced job loss. It will close on June 15.
Virtual Field Day kicks off on Friday! Watch your email/Bloomz for information. You can look forward to indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family. Check out Jill's field day trailer below and be sure to send us photos and videos of the fun you're having!
Art Show Highlights
Elementary and middle school virtual art shows presentations have been shared with those levels on Bloomz! Next week, we will be sharing a video of highlights from all three shows on our social media sites - until then, enjoy the preview below!
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 Advancement & Communications.
