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Marie's Message
Weekly news and notes from Head of School Marie Dugan
 Every day, so many wonderful things are happening in our classrooms. Communicating with our parents, alumni and other friends of the school about the work our children are doing is a high priority for all of us at WMS, and with that in mind, we have set up a new blog - the Montessori Message.
Our blog will serve as a venue for members of the WMS community to share personal stories about the school and Montessori education, as well as interesting articles about related topics.
The first article featured on our blog was written by Cass Winner, WMS's Director of Extended Programs, and relates to one of the goals in our recently completed WMS Strategic Plan.
STEM Goals (part of the second initiative of WMS's Strategic Plan):
Implement a developmentally appropriate Montessori synergized STEM (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics) curriculum at all educational levels. Educational goals for STEM are developed, implemented and communicated to parents. The necessary building, staffing, support and equipment resources are being identified and procured.
While we are currently focusing on enhancing our STEM program at WMS, the concept is far from new to our teachers. The M ontessori curriculum has always included STEM in its hands-on, integrated programming. Cass's article explains how STEM is implemented in our extended day programs including camp, before-/after-school care, child-care days and our Home School Enrichment Program. I think you will find it very interesting!
WMS's 2013-16 Strategic Plan is published in its entirety on our school website and in a brochure that was distributed at a recent alumni event. As we move forward with implementing the plan, we will continue to share updates with our community.
Have a great week!
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 DelawareCAN Project Update
You probably have noticed the piles of boxes and cans outside of the Great Room and lining the hallway near the lobby this week! The students of the 9-12 program thank everyone for their generosity as they continue to collect food for the DelawareCAN project.
The students have announced that this Friday, October 4, will be the last day to contribute items for the sculptures they will be creating, so if you're planning to donate, please do your shopping ASAP!
Check out the bar graphs hanging in the lobby to see which types of food are still needed. As of the time of publication, some of the biggest needs include cans of Bumble Bee Tuna, 1 lb. boxes of Ronzoni Penne Pasta, 5 oz. cans of Bumble Bee tuna and 48oz. jars Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter.
Watch WMS's DelawareCAN website for pictures and updates throughout the week!
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October
| 9 & 10 | Picture Days with Apple Branch Photography
Read more | | 11 | First State Ballet - Artist in Residence Performance
Morning | | 14 | Lead Teachers' Professional Day - No Classes
Child-care available. Register Online | | 16 | Admissions Open House - 9:30 a.m.
Tell a friend! | | 18 | WMS Night at Ramsey's Farm - 5:30 p.m.
Come join the WMS community for a hayride & bonfire! | | 20-23 | Sixth Grade Trip to New York (Global Citizenship Action Project at the United Nations) | | 25 & 28 | Parent Conferences (Preschool & Elementary only)
Pre-registered child-care available for those ages. Toddler classes will go on as scheduled.
Register Online | | 28 | Scholastic Book Fair Begins (Runs through November 1)
Great Room - Look for a letter coming home with your child including more information! | | 30 | Book Fair Family Night
Gym, 5-7 p.m. | | 31 | Halloween Parades
9:30 a.m. - Preschool Parade in the Great Room
11:15 a.m. - Elementary Parade in the Gym |
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Many hands make lighter work.
It's an old saying, but one that rings true and certainly describes the spirit of the WMS community.
The 2013-14 school year is off to a great start, in large part because parents have quickly stepped forward to plan their Parent Co-op commitment. Many parents have begun their assignments and made a big difference in the classrooms, toward school-wide efforts and on the school grounds - and it's only October! Parent volunteers have also agreed, in some cases months ahead of time, to plan, prepare and organize major school events and yearly traditions.
Thank you to those parents who have already signed up for their Co-op work for the year or for a portion of the year. If you have questions about your Co-op obligation, please see Laurie Orsic, Director of Family Programs and Professional Development, or email co-op@wmsde.org.
And, speaking of Co-op jobs...if you would like to help at the WMS Book Fair which will take place from October 28-November 1, please email co-op@wmsde.org. In particular, we are in need of someone to coordinate the Family Fun Night on October 30. Thanks!
To learn about additional co-op opportunities, visit www.wmsde.org/co-op or check out the Co-op Boards located across from the library and at the top of the Aspen Wing.
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Odyssey of the Mind Information Meeting - Monday, October 7
It's time to get creative!
by OoTM Coach & 9-12 Parent Leslie Bastienelli
Calling all potential Odyssey of the Mind (OoTM) Team members and Coaches:
Odyssey of the Mind is a world-wide STEM program in which children are given challenges, work together as teams to find creative solutions and present their projects to others on a regional, state and world-wide level. The program is a perfect fit with our Montessori curriculum.
There will be an informational meeting on Monday, October 7 immediately after school in Room 10 for all interested team members, coaches and families.
The meeting should run about a half hour, with plenty of time for questions during or after. Our goal at this meeting will be to share information about participation/coaching, etc. and to begin to get a list of interested team members/potential coaches for this upcoming year.
Once again, we are anticipating a great deal of interest from kids who want to participate this year on a team. Last year, WMS participated in OotM with a record number of five teams representing our school! This was only possible due to the commitment of many dedicated parents who volunteered to coach teams. If you feel like coaching could be for you, please come to the meeting and find out more! Having more than one coach for a team has been very helpful in the past and is a great way to share the workload. We anticipate using this same model again this year, so it can really be a manageable commitment.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like more information for either you or your child, please contact me at leslieasb@mac.com.
Hope to see you there!
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Picture Days - October 9 & 10
School picture days are coming soon, and we are excited to announce that we will be working with a new vendor this year. WMS students will be photographed by Apple Branch School Photography, who offers a new approach to school pictures. Instead of purchasing photo packages prior to picture day, you will be able to view a preview of your child's photo and decide which package you would like to purchase. WMS has selected the background pattern below to accompany individual student photos. As our picture days get closer, you will receive addition details about the day and time of your child's photo. To learn more about Apple Branch Photography, visit www.applebranchphoto.com.
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The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community. Please send submissions to wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org 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, Communications Officer.
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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.
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