|
|
|
|
|
|
Marie's Message
Weekly news and notes from Head of School Marie Dugan
Important Conference Days
This Friday and Monday, WMS parents and teachers will come together for discussions that include assessment updates and goal-setting for each student in the preschool and elementary programs (toddler conferences will be held at another time - look for information from your child's teachers). Please be sure to confirm your time for these meetings with your child's teachers. Classes are closed on both days. Child care is open. Please be sure to register for child care in advance so we can plan our staffing accordingly!
Happy 50th Anniversary, WMS!
 In honor of WMS's 50th anniversary, we are planning a special event with the children on November 14. This date is the 50th day of our 50th school year!
There will be music in the lobby and fun throughout the school. Teachers will ask the children to participate in many ways; children will bring 50 items to share. It might be 50 pencils, 50 pennies, 50 stamps, 50 pictures, 50 leaves, 50 buttons, 50 teddy bears or something else completely! Who knows what will arrive on this special day! We hope you will join in the celebration!
We are all looking forward to celebrating WMS, where we emphasize critical thinking, creativity and collaboration!
|
|
DelawareCAN Project Concludes with Visit from Food Bank
On Monday, staff members from the Food Bank of Delaware stopped by WMS to check out the can sculptures our 9-12 students have worked on this month for the DelawareCAN competition.
The 9-12 students worked on every aspect of this project, starting with a design phase supported by art teacher Laurie Muhlbauer and technology teacher Michael Johnson. The students used computers to research and plan their designs, honed their math skills as they estimated the amount of each food product needed to create their designs, and became engineers as they figured out how to make their complex structures stay upright! This was a true STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) project, integrated with the arts and service to the community.
As the students shared their sculptures (a flower, child reading a book, bead cabinet and giant can) with our visitors from the Food Bank, they were particularly excited to learn how much the food they collected, with the support of the entire WMS community and local stores, would help feed the hungry in Delaware.
When the Food Bank provides us with the final "weigh-in" on the amount of food collected, we will be sure to share. Results of the judging will be released next week.
Thank you to everyone who supported this important service project and learning experience!
|
|
October
| 24 | Flu Shots for Students & Parents - 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Great Room
Details | | 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 | Announced Fire Drill - 4:30 p.m. If you are in the building, please follow staff instructions, and model quiet and calm behavior for our children. Thank you! | | 29 | Scholastic Book Fair Begins (Runs through November 1)
Great Room
Full schedule and information
Announced Fire Drill - 11 a.m.
If you are in the building, please follow staff instructions, and model quiet and calm behavior for our children. Thank you! | | 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 |
November
| 1 | Final day of the Book Fair | | 2 | Green Apple Day of Service - 9 a.m.-noon
| | 4 | Admissions - Montessori Monday Open House - 9:30 a.m.
Tell a Friend!
Parent Workshop - Montessori 101/Bringing Montessori Home - 7 p.m.
Learn More | | 5 | Students vs. Parents/Staff Soccer - 3:30 p.m.
First Aid/CPR - For Staff & Parents - 6 p.m.
|
|
|
Live from New York... It's the WMS Class of 2014!
This afternoon, WMS sixth-graders will return from their three-day trip to New York City, where they attended the Global Citizenship Action Project (GCAP) conference at the United Nations (pictured above) and activities including ice-skating at Rockefeller Center and a trip to see the play Matilda the Musical on Broadway.
GCAP is a global citizenship program designed as a professional conference for students. Montessori middle-schoolers from all over the United States, Canada and other countries gather annually in New York City to hear from speakers on a variety of global issues, tour the United Nations and visit the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN. The program aims to inspire young people to learn what they can do to become better educated and more productive global citizens. WMS sixth-graders will then select a nonprofit organization with a global mission to support through a capstone service project this year.
|
 Green Apple Day of Service - November 2
 The Wilmington Montessori School "Spruce Up Day" will be held on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. until noon. This event is a Green Apple Day of Service project sponsored by the WMS Parent Co-op. WMS Weekend Warriors and Green Thumbs are invited to assist with special clean up and green school projects on the Wilmington Montessori School campus - in the gardens, on the playgrounds and around the school building. In addition, this is a ShoeBox Recycling day, an ongoing green school project. Please bring in old shoes and place them in the designated collection boxes at both the front and side entrances to the school.If you plan to participate, please sign up on the co-op board across from the library or email co-op@wmsde.org. |
Ramsey's Farm Family Fun Night - Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who helped make the Ramsey's Farm Family Fun Night such a huge success. More than 20 WMS families came out to explore the farm, share in the pleasures of each other's company and view the full moon in all of its glory!
|
Basic First Aid & CPR
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 from 6-9 p.m.
| | |
Presented by Henry Hom, First State Safety Services
Two Classes in One Night
Part 1: Basic First Aid
 Properly applied first aid can save lives, reduce recovery time, and mean the difference between temporary disability or lifelong disability for the victim. Participants will learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of injuries and sudden illness. Crucial information about how to deal with emergencies like shock, burns, strains, strokes and seizures will also be shared. This program was reviewed by and meets the guidelines of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration and the Department of Transportation. It has also been accepted for training day care personnel and adult care staff in all states.
Delaware and Pennsylvania approved for child-care providers.
Part 2: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 
Participants will master necessary skills for the administration of CPR, learn how to recognize a life-threatening emergency, how to provide basic life support and what to do in the case of an airway obstruction or choking.
This program is based upon the most recent guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiac care and has been approved for training of Emergency Medical Services Workers in several states (including Colorado, Nebraska, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland and Delaware).
Delaware and Pennsylvania approved for child-care providers.
Cost: $60 (includes both classes) - Checks payable to First State Safety Services
|
|
 Earn Co-op Hours While Learning about Montessori
Please join us for this exciting parent education opportunity. Come and learn about Montessori education in the home and at school.
"Montessori 101" and "Bringing Montessori Home"
Presented by Betsy Haas and Lauren Harris, WMS Teachers and Parents
Monday, November 4, 2013, 7-9 p.m.
Join seasoned Montessori teachers/Montessori moms Betsy and Lauren in this exciting two-part workshop. Lauren will delve deeper into the Montessori philosophy and explain in more detail what Montessori means and how it plays out in the classroom, with the teachers and throughout the school. Betsy will then share tips and pointers about how to carry the Montessori Method outside of school - no pricey materials needed! There are many simple things you can do to foster independence and creativity in your child while in the most comfortable of settings - your home.
This is a wonderful workshop for those who are new to Montessori and those who want to learn more. It is being provided free of charge to all WMS families. Two hours of co-op time will be given to each family member who attends. Seats are limited. Please register online.
Please note: Child-care will be available at a cost of $5 per child, with advanced registration required. Email cass_winner@wmsde.org or call (302) 475-0555 to register by Friday, November 1.
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. |
2013 Book Fair - Coming Next Week!
Wilmington Montessori School's annual Scholastic Book Fair will be held Tuesday, October 29 through Friday, November 1. The hours of the fair are:
- Tuesday, October 29, 8 a.m.-noon, 2:30-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 30 - 8:30 a.m.-noon, 2:30-7 p.m. (Family Fun Night and after-school shopping!)
- Thursday, October 31 - 8:30 a.m.-noon and 2:30-4 p.m.
- Friday, November 1 - 8:30 a.m.-noon
To help your child find the best books, all elementary students will visit the Book Fair during class time and will be allowed to purchase books during that visit. You may also visit the fair with your child before or after school. If you cannot attend, you may use the Book List order form that was sent home with your child and return it to school.
 Our Family Night will be Wednesday, October 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. Your family can shop together, participate in activities and enjoy refreshments including pizza, which will be on sale in the gym. We also invite you to stop by the Classroom Wish List display while visiting our Book Fair. Help add books to our classroom shelves by purchasing books and donating them to your child's class.
This year, we again have the opportunity to bring more books to our students and classrooms through a program called All for Books. Look for the collection jars at the cash register tables in the Great Room and the gym near the food during Family Night. All of the money collected goes directly to purchasing more books for WMS. In addition, Scholastic will match the All for Books dollars we raise with a donation of up to one million books to three non-profit organizations devoted to improving reading skills among children: Kids in Distressed Situations Inc., National Center or Family Literacy and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
We appreciate your dedication to creating lifelong readers. See you at our Book Fair!
Note: Co-op volunteers are still needed for this event. Check out the sign-up page and volunteer for specific days and times that work for you!
|
|
Protecting Yourself Against the Flu:
Shots available from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on October 24 in the Great Room
Flu shots will be available at WMS again this year. The cost is $30 per person, payable with cash or check (written to Dr. Richman). Children must be at least 6 months of age, and parents must be present for children to receive a shot.
Please sign up in advance on Nurse Paige's office door.
And, whether you get a flu shot or not, wash your hands often!
|
|
Individual student photos are in!
Please check your child's classroom for your order form if you haven't already received it. Re-take/make-up day will be held on November 5.
If you will be purchasing the portraits you received, please return the order form with payment to your child's teacher by October 28 or follow instructions on the order form to submit payment online.
If you have any questions, please email hello@applebranchphoto.com or call the 484-841-6689.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
|
