Wednesday Weekly
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February 27, 2013
Marie's Message    
Weekly news and notes from Head of School Marie Dugan 

Dads Day
Dads Day Tomorrow is a very special day for our students because fathers (and other special friends) are invited to come to school. The day will begin with classroom visits (starting at drop-off time - 8:30 a.m. for elementary students and 9 a.m. for early childhood students), which will be followed by a reception in the Great Room at 10 a.m. I look forward to meeting all of you and discussing the benefits of Montessori education during the reception!

Save the Date: Wednesday, March 20
This has been a busy week for all of us! Thank you to Leslie Carey for sharing music in the lobby on Tuesday morning. Dancing and singing together was a happy way to share our joy. I feel the energy of our vibrant community as we move closer to our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m.

During the past week, the children celebrated the first 100 days of the school year with fun activities in their classrooms, and our teachers completed their strategic planning report focused on Montessori excellence at WMS. The parent, staff, financial and board surveys are complete and initial updates were shared yesterday by way of a gathering of staff and lead teachers with former board chair/current advisory board member Israel Floyd. Be sure to attend the Annual Meeting to join the discussion about future planning. Some new wording evolved yesterday about the joyful environment our children, staff and parents experience daily in our school.

Financial Aid
Parents will receive financial aid letters this week. We have worked hard to support many families who have applied by way of the FAST program. We have found this process to be fair and extremely helpful in making the best decisions. If you have questions or want to further discuss this important work, please contact me for an appointment.

Plan 2 and Plan 3 Fees
In response to concerns about fees for Part 2 and Part 3 payment plans, we are happy to announce that the tuition payment management fees have been reduced by one half:

Updated WMS Tuition Payment Plan Fee Policy 2013-14:
  1. No tuition payment plan fees for WMS staff.
  2. For Plan 2, two divided payments, the fee is a 2% administrative fee. This fee is capped at two children; additional children from thsame household pay no fee.
  3. For Plan 3, 10 monthly payments, the fee is a 4% administrative fee. This fee is capped at two children; additional children from the same household pay no fee.
  4. All families, as described above, are required to pay these fees. 
Spirit Week Twins
Spirit Week Thank You
by Crescentia Jung    

Thank you to all of the students and teachers that participated in spirit week! 

 

We raised $591, which means every student in the 9-12 community (consisting of 38 students) has each saved one child in Tanzania, Africa, and his or her future offspring!

Thank you so much - we couldn't have done this without you! If you want to take action and save a life, please go to 
savetherain.org and donate. Thank you!

  

 

Mark Your Calendars

February

 

28              Dads' Day
                  Starting with classroom visits at
                  drop-off time, followed by a
                  reception and special presentation
                  at 10 a.m. in the Great Room.
 
                  Parent/Student/Staff Basketball
                  Game
                  3:30 p.m., Gym

 

March  

 

1                Re-enrollment Deadline                                   for the 2013-14 school year!

  

                  PJ Bingo (hosted by the 9-12s)  
                  6 p.m.
                  More information 

  

4                Montessori Monday - Admissions

                  Tell a friend! 
                  More on admissions events

7                9-12 Talent Show 
                  9:30 a.m. (dress rehearsal) and
                  7 p.m., Gym 

11              The Journey
                  8:30 a.m. - noon, meet in the lobby 
                  Email [email protected]
                  to reserve your space. 

  

20               WMS Annual Meeting
                   7 p.m., Great Room 
 

25-28          Spring Break

                  No school. Child care available.   
                  Register in advance.

 

29               Spring Break - Good Friday
                   School and child care closed 

 

April

 

1                 Easter Monday
                   Child care available.   
                   Register in advance.

 

8                 Montessori Monday - Admissions
                   Tell a friend!
                   More on admissions events

 

11               Parent Education:
                   Standardized Testing
                   8:30 a.m., Room 26
 
                   Toddler Spring Sing Fling
                   11 a.m., Great Room

15-19           ERB Testing
                   More info coming soon.
 
20                WMS's Lucky Pair: Auction &
                   Casino Games          
 
                   7 p.m., Gym   
 
22                Montessori Monday -
                   Admissions
                   Tell a friend!
                   More on admissions events 
Parent Education
Encouraging Our Children Toward Independence 

Parenting Tips
by Certified Parent Educator (and WMS Great-Grandmother)
Yvonne Nass 
 
Did you know that "giving in" to your child when he or she tests the limits is actually discouraging?

It shows your child that you lack the faith in their ability to handle the choices they make. It teaches them how to use emotions to manipulate and they may begin to believe that they are special and rules do not apply to them.

A child needs to be able to trust you to keep your word. Consistency can be difficult but it's necessary. If you say it, you must do it! This follow-through demonstrates respect for yourself, your child and the limit. "I see you've decided, and I will respect your decision," is a wonderful and empowering statement for your child to hear. 

 

For more information about this and other parenting topics, contact Yvonne Nass at [email protected].

News & Notes
Rocky's Reading Challenge comes to WMS

Rocky's Reading Challenge  
 
Does your child love baseball and reading? If so, they'll love Rocky's Reading Challenge.

The challenge, created by the Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball team, is designed to show kids that reading can be both fun and rewarding. 
To participate, each child is encouraged to read 10 books by Tuesday, March 19. If they meet this goal, they will receive two free tickets to a Blue Rocks game this spring/early summer season! Parents will be responsible for encouraging the reading and helping your child keep a list of the books read. The program is open to children in preschool through sixth grade. Look for more information from your homeroom parent.

Please contact Stephanie Simms at [email protected] or your homeroom parent for more details.
 
PJBingoPJ BINGO - Coming This Friday!
 
PJ Bingo

PJ Bingo is almost here. Please join us for food, fun, games and prizes this Friday, March 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gym. Don't forget to wear your PJs!


This fundraiser helps the fifth grade class raise money for their sixth grade trip to NYC and the Global Citizenship Action Project conference. 


All ages are welcome and everyone leaves with a prize! Don't miss the fun. Tickets cost $10 per person and are on sale before and after school!

 

We are still accepting prize donations in the bin between Rooms 9 and 10.  If you have small toys that you want to get rid of, we would love to take them off your hands and save them from the landfill!

Auction Info
Learn more at wmsdepto.org/auction.
Delaware Marathon
Last call for runners!

Dear Parents & Staff,

 

In just a couple weeks, we will be finalizing registrations for the WMS entries in the Delaware Marathon Relay Fundraiser. As that deadline approaches, I wanted to send out one last invitation to join our team.

Please be assured that speed and years of running experience are not prerequisites. In fact, if you'd rather not run, we are also looking for volunteers to help staff a water station and cheer our runners along the course.


The relay takes place Sunday, May 12. With 5K and 10K distances to choose from, the relay is appropriate for adult runners or joggers of any ability, as well as some older students. Please email me at [email protected] by Friday, March 8 if you're interested.


-Becky Davey

Free Money: Funding Factory Electronics Recycling Program 

Did you know...   

 

 ...you can recycle used printer cartridges, cell phones, and small electronics at WMS?  

 

We participate in a program through the Funding Factory that lets the school earn money for your unwanted items. They can be dropped off in the main lobby under the announcement board. 

Help us earn cash and supplies while keeping our Earth clean and green!  Questions?  Contact [email protected].

 

 Score!

Spring After-School Soccer: 

 

Eight-week session, March 15 - May 24. Cost: $145.  

See Cass Winner or visit the After-School Specials website for more information and online registration!

 

Camp Montessori Logo
 
Nature. Nurture. Knowledge. 
Make it a Montessori summer! 

 

Have you registered for Camp Montessori yet?
 
Be sure to visit the Camp Montessori website to check out this year's line-up of unique specialty camps or enroll your child in traditional day camp. 
 
Specialty camps begin to fill in March, so be sure to secure your child's space! Also, don't forget that there is 10% discount for those who register for five or more weeks of camp before April 1.

 


The Wednesday Weekly promotes 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.
 


Our Mission

Wilmington Montessori School is a collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles, inspiring the joyful discovery of self and a passion for learning and independent thinking. We empower children to be knowledgeable and responsible contributors to the global community.