Monthly Archives: January 2018

Home Projects

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I have really enjoyed our home projects this month.  I always get so excited to see the fun topics students choose.  We still have a few students who have not presented, remember tomorrow is the last day of the month.  Even if your child’s project is passed the due date, please encourage them to complete this valuable projects.

Friday I presented our project for the month of February.  The topic is “I Wonder…”  The project encourages your child to ponder the world around them and seek to ask questions.  Students seek an answer to a question they have, research more on the topic, and then come to class and present their findings.  For example, a child may wonder, “What is the fastest animal on earth?”  They will do some research to find the answer to that question.  Once they find the answer, the fastest land animal is the cheetah, they will research more information about their finding, in this question it would be the cheetah.  They will then prepare to come to class prepared to tell everyone what their question was and the information they found relating to that question.  This home project is to help students develop curiosity and find a love for learning.

Some quick examples of questions:

“What is the oldest living tree on the earth?”

“What creates an earthquake and where did the biggest one happen?

“How does electricity work?”

As always, If you have questions or concerns, please let me know.

Spelling Bee

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We are excited to announce we will be participating in the fourth annual spelling bee at our school.  Your student will be bringing home a packet with more information. Participation is strongly encouraged, but not required.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Water Bottles

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Water bottles were sent home before the winter break for a good cleaning, but we have a large amount of students who have not brought them back.  These are an important tool for the classroom.  It is a difficult transition to send students to the drinking fountain during work time.  Also, in the event of an emergency, we would use their water bottles.  Please make certain your child’s water bottle is clearly labeled.

Home Project

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Don’t forget, home projects are due the last day of the month.  Surprisingly, we have lots a students excited about their topics, but no presenters.  Please try and avoid the end of month rush. If you have questions or concerns, please let me know.

Please Sign Up for Track It Forward

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Keep track of your volunteer hours with Track It Forward

Maria Montessori Academy Parents Association (MAPA) is very excited to announce that effective December 1, 2017 we will be using Track it Forward to schedule and record volunteer hours.

We feel that using track it forward will help us provide the most positive experience possible when signing up for and recording volunteer hours. This program will allow families to track their hours on their own electronic devices, send out reminders for sign ups, and help us become a more centralized Montessori family.

Families are asked to donate 40 volunteer hours a year per family to the school. As a member of MAPA (all parents are automatic members) the MAPA presidency is trying to provide as many opportunities to complete this act of service yearly and Track it Forward will allow families to sign up to volunteer.

In sending your children to a Montessori school you are taking the initiative towards bettering your children and families. MMA’s mission statement is “Education for a better world” and by volunteering you are providing opportunities to help make this a better world.

The reason I volunteer is to provide my children with opportunities they may not get at other schools. “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” — Albert Einstein. By volunteering you are giving of yourself to your children and the children of others. Volunteering does not have to be a big sacrifice of time away from the family or money spent, many teacher at the school offer opportunities to volunteer at home and MAPA has opportunities to volunteer where you can bring your children.

Ways you may be volunteering and not even know:

· Attending a MAPA meeting

· Room mom calls and asks you to cut something out or bring something to the class

· Coming into the school and reading with children

· Bringing in food for an activity

MAPA in cooperation with the MMA is trying to say “thank you” to those that have sacrificed time and volunteered this year by giving those families with 10 service hours completed an “act of service.” The details are still in the works but we want everyone to know that we appreciate and value all of those that have volunteered.

How Track it forward works:

You can sign up in one of two different ways. On the website https://www.trackitforward.com/site/mapa or email mapa@mariamontessoriacademy.org with your family’s last name and the names of your children and we will send you an invite. Once in you can track your family’s hours and sign up for volunteer hours.

Again we appreciate all that our wonderful MMA families do!!!

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew

Gala

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Mark you Calendar for this years St. Patricks Day Gala.

Saturday March 17th

Mingle: 6:00 p.m.

Dinner: 7:00 p.m.

This is our biggest fundraiser of the year.  Please read below how you can help provide items for our silent auction.

Gala Donations Needed!

Plans for our annual Gala are underway! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and 100% of the proceeds benefit the students of MMA. Past year’s proceeds have purchased computers, playground and PE equipment, classroom grants, and so much more! Every year MAPA asks each classroom to donate a basket for our silent auction. If you have a connection to items that would benefit any of the baskets listed regardless of your student’s class, please consider donating. Watch for a request from your students room parent for more details. If you don’t see your child’s class on this list please contact the teacher and possibly offer to help create a basket for the Gala. As always, any items donated go toward your service hours.

Jr. High- Mindfulness Basket

Ms. Amy- Cooking Basket

Ms. Brittany- Exercise Basket

Ms. Kaley- Golf Basket

Ms. Joy- Rainy Day Basket

Ms. Jen- Gardening Basket

Ms. Laura- Kid Craft Basket

Ms. Jill- Art Basket

Ms. Lana- Movie Basket

Additional baskets not connected to a classroom:

-Car Cleaning Basket

-Spa Basket

-Wine Basket

If you are willing donate any items to these baskets, please email me at heidibradley81@gmail.com, or drop items off to the office with a note explaining which basket the items belong to:)

WE ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER DONATIONS SUCH AS DISNEY CONNECTIONS, VACATION RENTALS, FLAT SCREEN TV’s, LAGOON PASSES AND MORE! If you have connections to any of these items please contact me.

Thanks for all your help!

-MAPA

Save the date! Don’t miss out on this year’s gala!

Welcome Back!

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It was fantastic to see everyone back in the classroom this morning!  I enjoyed hearing about all the fun and adventures that took place over the break.

We have completed our mid-year reading assessments and I would like to recognize that all your hard work with reading after school makes a noticeable difference.  I know life gets hectic over the holidays.  If you need a replacement folder for the Roaring Readers, please let me know.   Thank you for continuing to support your child’s learning both inside and outside the classroom.

In celebration of the New Year, January’s home project will be personal interest based. This is a chance for your child to guide the topic of their choice.  Our goal is to teach students the love of learning.  The sky is the limit on this project.  The kids were really excited and sharing their ideas.  Please remember, home projects should be a process and take place over a period of time, not to be rushed in one night.  Remember, this skill alone is a valuable part of learning and building skills to help your child in their future.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Please note, students will not be in class on Friday, January 12th for teacher professional development and Monday, January 15th, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.