February 19, 2014

A Message from Head of School Lisa Lalama

This article appeared in Sunday's News Journal explaining the new test for public school students that will be piloted this year. As I read the article and looked at the sample test questions, I thought about Wilmington Montessori School.

One of the first things that came to mind was how hard our teachers have worked during the past several years to learn and practice the art of asking questions. The questions you hear asked in the classrooms at WMS are similar to the questions that this new test is working to incorporate.

"Why?" or "How?" are much more provocative questions than "What?" When children experience this practice in their daily life at school, they learn that finding answers is only part of their work. Explaining how they are thinking and connecting that thinking to others' ideas is where the work truly begins.

When you ask your children to solve a problem or to tell you about a story they have read, ask them "Why?" Why do think that character acted in that way? How do you know that 200-99 is one more than 200-100 without performing the calculations? How did you find that answer?

This is what your children learn each day. Explanations demonstrate the true understanding and misconceptions alike. From these answers, further instruction is developed. WMS teachers work to promote questioning and thinking, skills that cannot be overlooked as we strive to compete in the innovative and creative world in which we live.

Mark Your Calendar

February

19	WMS Annual Meeting - 7 p.m. - Great Room
20	Pyxis Piano Quartet Kid's Concert - 9:45 a.m.
24	Montessori Monday Open House (Admissions) - 9:30 a.m. - Tell a friend!
27	Dads' Day - Drop-off time until 11 a.m. - Read More
28	PJ Bingo - 6 p.m. - Great Room - Read More

March

1	Re-enrollment deadline for current WMS families - Secure your space for the 2014-15 school year! For more information, contact Theresa Conaty.
3	Montessori Monday Open House (Admissions) - 9:30 a.m. - Tell a friend!

News & Notes

Elementary Students Participate in GYMM (Get our Youth Moving Marathon) Program

Today's rise in childhood obesity is widely attributed to youth inactivity. Particularly during the winter, the average child spends as much as seven hours per day in front of the television and perhaps as much as two hours on the computer. As a result of this and poor eating habits, it is estimated that 15% of children are considered obese and another 15% are overweight. This has a direct impact on the rising rates of diabetes and other illnesses.

Anyone who has run a marathon knows the commitment it takes, just to get to the starting line - it requires discipline and months of training. As the runner reaches the start, the energy is palpable. Through the Get our Youth Moving Marathon (GYMM) program, we will capture that excitement and sense of commitment to create a life-long habit of physical activity!

WMS runners (parents, students, alumni and staff) already take part in the Delaware Marathon Running Festival (May 10 & 11) as part of the Meerkat Milers relay teams or the children's Run 1, 4 Fun. Through the GYMM program, each child will complete 1/2 mile of activity (or the equivalent) for 50 days before the running festival. The child can choose his or her activity - running, walking, biking, roller blading, swimming, dancing, gymnastics, etc. At the end of the 50 days, each child will have completed 25 miles or its equivalent. The 51st day will be "marathon day," during which the children and families will have the opportunity to gather to complete the last 1.2 miles at the Delaware Running Festival.

For more information about GYMM, contact WMS's physical education teacher, Adrianna Wall!

A Day of Friendship with the Latin American Community Center

On Monday, February 17, 25 WMS elementary students hosted 40 children from the Latin American Community Center (LACC). The two groups broke into four mixed groups to enjoy activities planned by the WMS elementary child-care team and the LACC staff team. There was plenty of learning and laughter as we crossed shark-infested waters on carpet squares (in a team-building game, of course!), cooked some yummy Anzac Biscuits (also known as "bickies"), went on a scavenger hunt for facts about Australia, sang under the Kookaburra tree, learned to fold Spanish fans, and built catapults with spoons and rubber bands.

Check out the photos on the photo frame outside of Laurie Orsic's office!

WMS Dads and Other Special Friends - Please join us on Thursday, February 27!

Dads' Day is always a wonderful day at WMS - a time for children to show off their classrooms and share their excitement about all that they are learning.

Schedule:
8:30 a.m. (elementary) or 9 a.m. (toddler/preschool) until 10 a.m. - Classroom visits.

10 to 11 a.m. - Refreshments, a presentation by WMS students and a discussion with Lisa Lalama, Head of School, in the WMS Great Room.

Everyone has had such an upending winter season, filled with snow days and pressures on their time at work. If you would prefer to visit at another time, you would be most welcome. Please contact your child's teachers to make arrangements.

Whether you attend Dads' Day on Thursday, February 27 or you visit on another day, know that your children will be thrilled to show you the interesting and important work they tackle each day here at school. We look forward to welcoming you to WMS!

PJ Bingo - A Message from the WMS Class of 2015

The fifth-graders would like you to come to PJ Bingo on Friday, February 28. If you come, you can wear your pajamas and play bingo to win prizes.

Everyone leaves a winner! PJ Bingo, along with other events, raises money for the 5th graders' trip to the Global Citizenship Action Program (GCAP) next year. There will be pizza, drinks, dessert, a photo booth and raffles.

PJ Bingo will be held in the Great Room from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 per person, with $5 off for families of four or more. We hope you can come support the fifth-grade class and have fun!

Sincerely,

Shannon

(5th grader)

Auction Parking Spaces

Just a friendly reminder that parking spots with auction winner signs are to be used by the families of auction winners only at all times of day. Thank you for allowing our lucky winners to use their spaces!

If you are interested in winning your very own WMS parking space for the 2014-15 school year, join us at the auction on May 3!

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.