6th Grade Parent Meeting

Hello parents of 6th graders!

There will be a 6th grade parent meeting on Thursday, September 3rd at 6:30 PM in the school library.  We will be discussing fundraisers, the Redwoods trip, volunteer responsibilities, etc.  This is an important meeting to help you and your 6th grader have a successful year in preparing for the field trip to the Redwoods.  Please plan to attend!

Thanks!

Kirsten

Off to a great start!

Hello!

Well, we made it through the first two weeks of school!  Your children are adjusting well and building relationships.  These first weeks of school are so important as we get to know each other, learn routines and procedures, and go through the normalization process.  Here are some reminders from our school and Maria Montessori about this crucial time:

PLEASE RESPECT THE FIRST 6 WEEKS OF SCHOOL BY ALLOWING YOUR CHILD TO INDEPENDENTLY ENTER AND EXIT THE SCHOOL.

ALL PARENT/STUDENT INTERACTIONS ARE LIMITED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY TO EMERGENCIES ONLY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

“Among the revelations the child has brought us, there is one fundamental importance, the phenomenon of normalization through work… it is certain that the child’s aptitude for work represents a vital instinct; for without work his personality cannot organize itself and deviates from the normal lines of construction. Man builds himself through working.”

“During normalization the child is becoming his best possible self and doing so without effort and with complete joy.”

“Love of work; concentration; self-discipline; and sociability~all characteristics of the normalized child.”

“The child, in fact, once he feels sure of himself, will no longer seek the approval of authority after every step.” 

Maria Montessori 1870-1952

This week we will delve more deeply into learning as we continue to do team building activities and get to know each other better.  We will begin our science rotations tomorrow with 4th graders going to Mr. John, 5th graders going to Ms. Amity, and 6th graders staying with me.  We will also begin our spelling and vocabulary, so check your child’s planner for their words for this week.  Our PE and music classes get started on Thursday.

This week we are also welcoming a new assistant teacher into our class named Ms. Venessa!  I am excited to work with her and know that she will be a great addition to our classroom.

Just a reminder that planners go home every day and should be signed by you and returned to school the next day.  Overall, this is going well, but we are still having some students forget.  They like to say, “My mom was too busy to sign my planner” or “My mom forgot to sign my planner.”  I remind them that it is their responsibility to make sure their planner is signed and returned.  Please support your children in this effort.

Thanks to those of you who have signed up to provide snack for our class.  The first week went pretty well!  We still have MANY weeks without anyone signed up to provide snack.  Please see the link on the right sidebar to sign up if you are able.

If you are interested in having a Celebration of Life for your child when they have a birthday, please let me know so that we can schedule a time.  This is a great opportunity to share pictures and stories about your child with our class and celebrate the life that they have lived so far.

I know that this post is getting lengthy.  I just want to let you know that I have loved these first weeks of school with your children.  They are truly amazing and it is a joy to spend my days with them.  We have a fantastic class this year!  I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings…

As always, please e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns.  kgonzales@mariamontessoriacademy.org

Kirsten

 

 

Snack

Our classroom snack policy has changed for this school year.  In the spirit of following the Montessori philosophy more closely, we will be having class snack this year instead of each student providing their own snack.  This will allow the children to practice the practical life skills of preparing and serving food as well as cleaning and caring for the kitchen environment.  I have created a sign up sheet for you to sign up to provide snack for the class.  Check it out here:  http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/qgsbx There is also a link on the right side bar for future reference.  When you sign up, you are responsible for bringing snack for the week for 25 students.  Please let me know ASAP if your child has any food allergies or dietary restrictions.  The snacks will need to be healthy.  Please don’t bring anything that is sugary or that will cause large messes or stains.  Some ideas are:

fruits and vegetables

crackers

bagels and cream cheese

fruit leather

granola bars

raisins

pretzels

graham crackers

goldfish crackers

cheese

dry cereal

rice cakes

We have a small refrigerator in our classroom, but it does not hold a lot.  Please limit refrigerated items to one or two small items per week.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you for your support of our new snack policy.

Kirsten

First Day!

Hello!

We had an awesome first day of school today!  Your children are amazing and adorable.  I am so excited for this school year!

We started using our student planners today.  Please ask your child to see their planner and sign it.  They need to bring it back to class tomorrow.  Also, if you were unable to come to Back to School Night, I sent some papers home with your child for you to fill out.  I would like to have those back ASAP.

I thought of something I needed to share with you.  We do have some dishes available for use in our classroom, but our supply is limited.  We are especially low on silverware.  If your child’s lunch requires a spoon or a fork, please send them with one from home.

Just a reminder that the North Shore parking lot will not be available for pick up in the afternoons for the first two weeks of school until the pool closes for the season.  Thanks for your patience and cooperation.

This whole first week of school is early out days.  School will be dismissed at 1:00 PM every day.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns or if you think of anything I need to know about your child.  My e-mail is kgonzales@mariamontessoriacademy.org

Kirsten

Back to School!

Hello!

It was great seeing so many of you at the pool party on Tuesday night!  It made me excited to get back to school and spend time with your amazing children.  Just a week and a half until the first day of school!

The school has just published their August newsletter.  It is full of important dates and information.  Please click this link to go to the newsletter:  http://www.mariamontessoriacademy.org/?p=6325

Back to school night for parents is on August 13th from 7:00-8:00 PM.  If you are new to school or would like to know more about Montessori, there is a Montessori 101 presentation the same night from 6:30-7:00 PM.  I hope to see you there!

All 4th graders and any students who are new to our school are invited to attend New Student Orientation on August 14th from 2:00-2:45 PM.  Please plan to drop your student off at the school and not accompany them inside.  We will take good care of them!

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about anything as you prepare to come back to school!  My e-mail address is kgonzales@mariamontessoriacademy.org.

Kirsten