January 29, 2014

Marie's Message

Weekly news and notes from Head of School Marie Dugan

Today's Learners; Tomorrow's Leaders
My Last Message

It has been my honor and great personal pleasure to be at WMS again this year and serve as Interim Head since August 2012. I realized the other day that I have been a part of Wilmington Montessori School for each of the five decades that we are celebrating this year. I have worn many hats, starting in 1968 when I brought our daughter to this wonderful school: Parent, Teacher, Curriculum Director, Head of School, Advisory Board Member, Interim Head of School!

There is one more important job to do when I leave the headship. I will continue (part-time) as the Honorary Co-Chair of our comprehensive capital campaign, and I will take on the role of campaign consultant. We will launch our campaign at our 50th Anniversary Celebration on February 8. This event will be a celebration of our history as well as our future as we move forward with our impressive strategic plan. You will see me at school on a part-time basis until the end of this school year. Thank you for your support.

The next 50 years will require us to meet the challenges of providing and improving our programs, continuing our tuition assistance, and supporting our excellent teachers with improved salary and benefits, as we also build enrollment.

Head of School Lisa Lalama

Lisa Lalama becomes Head of School on February 1. She is the perfect person to lead WMS into the future. She and I have worked together closely for six months. She has been at WMS for 13 years as a teacher, 9-12 Program Coordinator and Assistant Head of School. We are fortunate to have her experience, creativity, skills and passion for Montessori education and this school. I leave with confidence that Wilmington Montessori School will thrive for the next 50 years!

Marie's Signature

Don't Miss Our 50th Anniversary Celebration

Highlights will include..

A celebration of the history and future of WMS
Honoring Marie Dugan and welcoming Lisa Lalama as WMS's next Head of School
Delicious food from the Greenery Caterers and open wine and beer bar
Live music performed by WMS alumni parent Leslie Carey and faculty/staff musicians like Mary Kate Newell (music teacher), Michael Johnson (technology teacher) and Mike Zatwarnytsky (maintenance).
Premier of The Kitchen's professionally produced film about WMS
Interactive activities including a photo booth and Montessori work
The opportunity to meet members of the WMS community and catch up with friends from the past!

Parents and staff who purchase tickets before February 1 will be entered into a random drawing for a two-of-a-kind (one for parents and one for staff) WMS prize pack - approximately $50 in value! Don't wait... Get your ticket today!

Mark Your Calendar

January

29	Auction Planning Meeting - 6 p.m. - Room 17 - Find out how you can get involved with this memorable event. For more information, contact stephsimms@comcast.net.
30	WMS 50th Birthday Assembly - 11:15 a.m. - Gym - Parents are welcome!
31	Parent Conferences (Preschool & Elementary only) - No school - Pre-registered childcare available - Register Note: Toddler classes will continue as scheduled.

February

3	Parent Conferences (Preschool & Elementary only) - No school - Pre-registered childcare available - Register Note: Toddler classes will continue as scheduled.
5 & 6	Class Picture Days - Read More
7	Learning Together - An Adult/Child Workshop Series - Week 1 of 10 - 9:15 a.m. - Learn More & Register
8	WMS 50th Anniversary Celebration - 7 p.m. - Learn More & Purchase Tickets

Full WMS Calendar

Co-op Corner

Time is flying by and we are quickly approaching the mid-point of the year. Do you know how you will fulfill your 30-hour parent co-op commitment for the 2013-14 school year? Now is a good time to review your earned hours to date or to preview the hours you anticipate earning by way of service in the second half of the year - working on the WMS Auction in the second half of the year, for example. Hours may be submitted electronically.

There are many interesting Co-op jobs for which volunteers are still needed, some of which can be completed here at school and some that can be completed at home or off-site. Every hour of service leads to an expanded educational program for WMS students and increases your opportunities for connecting with the WMS parents, families and staff. View available co-op jobs online at www.wmsde.org/co-op.

If you have questions about your Co-op hours, your commitment or the possible ways to fulfill this

obligation, please contact Family Programs Director Laurie Orsic.

Above - The Impact of Co-op

Left - WMS dad Roby Fischer earns co-op hours by cutting bamboo (picked from our campus) for a music class project. Center - Artist in residence Jonathan Whitney works with students to create traditional Brazilian musical instruments from bamboo. Right - Students play the instruments they created, learning about Brazilian culture and the science of sound!

News & Notes

Wilmington Montessori School

Class Picture Days

Wednesday, February 5 &
Thursday, February 6

All families who purchased a school picture package in the fall will automatically receive a class picture at no charge. If you would like to purchase a class picture, they are available to purchase (online only - with this link).

Individual student portraits are available on Thursday only and must be scheduled in advance. See your teacher to find out which day your class is scheduled.

For more information or to schedule an individual picture, email hello@applebranchphoto.com or call 484-841-6689

Batter Up!
Rocky's Reading Challenge Returns to WMS
Wilmington Montessori will be participating in Rocky's Reading Challenge once again this year.

The program is designed to show kids that reading can be both fun and rewarding. Kids who participate receive two free tickets to a Blue Rocks baseball game this spring.

So kids - get ready to read, parents - get ready to encourage and WMS friends - get ready for a special visit from Rocky! Stay tuned for more details.

Contact Stephanie Simms at stephsimms@comcast.net for questions.

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.