Dear Villa Community,
What’s Happening
In one primary classroom students are learning about the solar system and some were surprised to learn that the sun is a star and not a planet! Another classroom is learning about items that are magnetic and non-magnetic.
Elementary I students are preparing portfolios and practicing for conferences. They are also beginning their study of Africa which will include oral presentations on a related subject matter. Some students are taking mid-year pictures of themselves and are comparing their measurements from the beginning of the year to now to track their growth.
Elementary II students have been planning some Going-Outs which are mini, interest driven field trips. Going Outs will include viewing a fashion exhibit at a local museum, going to a water testing site, hiking at a mountain preserve and providing service help in the local community. Elementary II students are beginning to make preparations for our annual Valentine Grams event in February. Students are creating black history timelines based on a topic such as scientific achievements, entertainment, politics, and sports from the year 1700 to the present. They have begun some related novel studies and teachers are sharing resources for related podcasts. We are beginning to plan for our Elementary II end-of-year overnights. More information will be coming soon.
Middle School students read and presented copies of their written biography to their elderly partners. Many of the students and adults involved found that to be a moving experience.
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PTO Fun Run
We are excited to kick off our Villa PTO Fun Run on January 20, 2022, with the run taking place on January 29, 2022, 9 am-noon, at Hopi Elementary School!
Our goal is to raise money for the classrooms (for materials, supplies, and miscellaneous needs) and for PTO community-building events. This fundraiser is particularly important this year, as classroom needs have increased since we last held the Fun Run two years ago. The Fun Run is the PTO’s primary fundraiser during the year, and we appreciate your support!
For more information, please OPT-IN to receive the PTO Newsletter! (Families that have received the newsletter in the past do not need to opt-in and will continue to receive it.)
Key dates to remember:
· REGISTRATION & DONATING STARTS - 1/11 Register on funrun.com
· ON-CAMPUS PEP RALLY - 1/20
· EVENT DAY - 1/29, 9 am-noon, Hopi Elementary School
We can’t wait to see you on the track!
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Updated COVID Guidelines
As you know, the CDC has recently updated its isolation and quarantine guidelines. MCDPH has followed suit and updated its guidance accordingly. However, the Arizona Department of Health Services (the entity that licenses our early childhood programs on our ECC Campus) has not made any modifications to their guidelines yet. They are meeting about this next week and expect to have guidance soon. Therefore the former protocols are still in place on that campus.
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COVID Data
We provide current data on students and staff each week to be fully transparent. Therefore, if your child was either exposed to or close to a positive case, we would have notified you directly.
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Infants/Toddlers
Symptoms: 0
Positive:
1 T2 student, 1 T1 Staff
Close Contact:
8 T1 students, 14 T2 students
Primary/Kindergarten
Symptoms:
4 students, 1 Staff
Positive:
2 Staff
Close Contact:
4 students
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E1
Symptoms:
4 students
Positive:
6 students, 2 staff
Close Contact:
11 students (3 fully vaccinated)
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E2
Symptoms:
1 student, 1 staff
Positive:
2 students, 3 staff
Close Contact:
6 students
Middle School
Symptoms:
1 student
Positive:
3 students
Close Contact:
6 students (1 fully vaccinated)
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Important Dates
Parent-teacher conferences - January 14 & 21
MLK Day - January 18, No School
Intent to Return Enrollment Forms Due – January 14
Open Enrollment for Kindergarten: January 18 - January 21
MS Intro Night for Parents of 6th Graders – January 13
Dine Out - January 27
PTO Fun Run - January 29
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Lower Your 2021 Taxes!
Villa depends on the revenues raised through our Tax Credit Campaign every year, to help fund our classrooms for the following year. If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to be able to redirect your 2021 Arizona state taxes to Villa Montessori, we are asking for your help. Plus, your tax credit contribution is 100% refundable as a credit from what you own on your state taxes (be sure to keep your receipt). You benefit and Villa benefits, it's a win-win! If you or friends and family are eligible to help this season, please visit THIS LINK. Thanks a million!
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In Closing
This has been a challenging week with the increase in COVID cases among our students and staff. I want to thank our staff for the amazing flexibility, collaboration, and grace they have displayed this week despite many challenges. I am so fortunate to work with such dedicated, tireless colleagues.
When you get to the end of your rope,
tie a knot and hang on.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Margo S. O’Neill, M.Ed.
Head of School
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Villa's Dine-out's are back for 2022! |
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Flower Child - Thursday, January 27, 2022
5 PM - 9 PM
Please join Villa families and friends on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 5 PM - 9 PM for our 4th Dine-Out of the year at Flower Child - Arcadia at Camelback & 44th Street! When you go, 20% of the total bill will be donated to Villa's classrooms. (Don't worry about the dishes!) See you all there!
Thank you, Villa Community!
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