A Letter From the Head of School
 
Dear Parents,
 
We have been very pleased to have some of you do classroom observations. It is not always easy to be in your child's classroom and simply sit on the sidelines and observe. The classroom environment consists of the children, the Directresses, and the materials. It is a delicate balance and any added element undoes the balance.
 
Let's continue on our journey through the language curriculum and look at the movable alphabet. This is a sectional box containing the letters of the alphabet in their respective compartments, used by the child to learn how to analyze the sounds in a word and then build the words using the letters. The activity occurs on a mat either with small objects (hat, cat, hen) or a set of cards with the pictures depicting the word to encode.
 
In this first plane of development the child is most sensitive to the study of language. Learning is based on listening. Encoding a word asks that the child listen to the sounds made when speaking a word and then finding the corresponding letter in the movable alphabet box. We use objects in our first lessons to create interest and to give the child a miniature example of a real thing that they can express with letters from the movable alphabet box.
 
After the child has learned to write words they can read the words they have encoded. The Directress can then record the words in a booklet for the child to read( to themselves or their parents) whenever they want. The child feels completion and a sense of joy.
 
An important part of learning to read is desire. When your children see you reading for pleasure or you read a story to them you are laying the groundwork for your child to have a life long relationship with reading.
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I have a great deal to be thankful for not the least is the joy of  knowing you and your children.
 
Sincerely,
Peggy Higgins
Staff Bios of the Week
Upper Elementary 
 
Sonia Lamont - Upper Elementary Directress
Ms. Sonia Lamont grew up in Australia.   She has a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in zoology and psychology, from the University of Queensland in Australia.  Ten years ago she traveled to North Carolina to spend what she thought would be one summer working at Camp Seafarer on the Neuse River.  Obviously, she ended up staying in NC longer!  Sonia worked as an Outdoor and Environmental Education Instructor at Camp Seagull in NC and at Camp Cosby in Alabama, before beginning her Montessori career as the Elementary Directress at MCS.  Sonia is Montessori certified for Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary.  This is her fifth year at MCS.  She is also excited to have her son, Liam, in Stepping Stones West.  Sonia enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, and walking her dog, Porridge, who has been a regular and loved visitor in the classroom.  Sonia is so excited about this year - it is wonderful to see the growth in both the students and the school!

Shane Terzaken - Administration/Upper Elementary
Mr. Shane Terzaken grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  Shane received his B.S. in Business Administration from Methodist University in 2002.  After a short stint in Washington, DC, Shane moved to Wilmington NC where he met his wife Kelly.  In August of 2006, Shane moved to Boone, NC, so that his wife could finish her Masters degree in English literature.  During his time in Boone, Shane worked at Mountain Pathways Montessori School as the assistant director and upper elementary co-teacher.  Shane just moved back to Wilmington in July and is so excited about what the students are doing so far this year. 

A Message from PTO 
 
 
Barnes & Nobles Bookfair Fundraiser December 2,3,4th
 
The Montessori Children's School and Barnes & Noble are teaming up to host our last fundraiser of the 2009 calendar year.  All Barnes & Nobles nation-wide will participate in this fundraiser, all you need is our School Bookfair ID#533182.  The ID code is only usable on December 2nd-3rd-4th.   You MUST mention that your purchase is going toward a bookfair at the start of your checkout.  MCS will receive a percentage of ever purchase made in the store including the café.  Purchase's DO NOT included the NOOK, gift cards (you can however make purchases with gift cards), Café's operated by Starbucks or Barnes & Nobles Memberships.  If you would like to volunteer during the bookfair as a storytime reader or gift wrapper (specify time frame) on Friday December 4th please contact April Moon at jmoon1320@aol.com or sign up in the Office.   Join us at the Barnes & Nobles located at the Jacksonville Mall for:
 
5:30p.m. December 2nd-Outdoor learning
                    Storytime-Craft
 
5:30p.m. December 3rd-Elementary Program
 
5:30p.m. December 4th-Primary and Stepping Stones
                    Classic Christmas Storytime
 
The Directresses have selected some books that they would like to have for their classrooms.  These books will be on a "wish table" available for purchase.  You may leave the books at the store in a special basket behind the counter or bring them to the school.  Whichever option you select please remember to write, Donated By, on the inside.    
 
"Quote of the Week"
 
 "The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult. "
-Maria Montessori- 

 Message Board 
- 11/24 Thanksgiving Feast-Early Dismissal 11:45
- 11/25-11/27 Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)
- 11/20 Lower Elementary Outing (Cinderella)
- 12/11 Elementary Outing (Neuseway Nature Park)
- 12/15 Board Meeting

 
 
 
 
 Reminders
 - The Environmental Education Class needs Egg Shells for a Composting Lesson
- Primary West would love to have an Aquarium
- Thank you for being on top of Car Pool, Please remember to not block the neighbors driveways and a reminder that afternoon Car pool ends at 3:05pm at the Elementary School! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A Letter From the Editor

Dear Community,
Thanksgiving?  What does it mean?  Some say Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for everything one has in life, other say it's a time to spend with family and friends, and some others say it's a time to give back to your community and help people less fortunate.  So which is it?  In my case, I feel that Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends.  A time to put down your computer and cell phones, turn off the TV and just enjoy the people that mean the most to you.  Play a game outside, take a walk, play a board game, or just talk.  these are the things traditions are made of and everyone's are different.  Some families may watch the Dallas Cowboys play football while others volunteer at a local soup kitchen.  So, if you ask me what Thanksgiving means?  I would say, Traditions!
 
Happy Thanksgiving!
Shane Terzaken
a.k.a. Mr.T
Editor