W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
December 17, 2014
In This Issue


Upcoming Events

December 19
5-9 Holiday Concert
9:30 a.m. in the Gym
All are welcome!

December 22 & 23
Winter Break
Pre-registered child-care available.

December 24-January 1
Winter Break 
Building Closed - no school or child-care.

January 2
Professional Day
Pre-registered child-care available.

Full Calendar


Holiday Shopping Reminder

Haven't finished your holiday shopping yet? Be sure WMS gets credit for your purchases on Amazon.com, at Target and various other online retailers. Learn more about raising funds while shopping.
  Message from Head of School 
Lisa A. Lalama 

 

As the days get shorter and the year comes to an end it gives us pause to think about the important things in our lives. I sat down to write this letter to you and couldn't help but think about Montessori education and its importance in my life. Like most of you I came to know about Maria Montessori's philosophy and teaching through my children. I, too, was searching for a way to find a respectful learning environment that would honor my children's spirit and provide them opportunities that could only have been dreamt of when I was a student in elementary school. And so I found Montessori.

 

My children are grown now and can discuss their education and what they learned at various stages. The things that invariably come up are the intangibles - time management, organization, kindness and acceptance of others, to name a few. They acknowledge the opportunity they were given to learn to make decisions and mistakes and to learn from them.  I often say that the one thing we did right, among our many parenting mistakes, was to choose Montessori.
 

As the year comes to an end, I hope you, too, consider WMS to be one of the things that is an important part of your family's life. We are grateful for your involvement in our school and know that it would not be as wonderful a place to learn without you, our families, who contribute your time, energy and talent to make WMS all that it is. We wish you each a relaxing and enjoyable winter break and look forward to seeing you in January. 

  

 



Co-op Cornerco-op
 
 Start the New Year Right with Co-op
 

Are you on the hunt for a Co-op opportunity to begin the new year? Here are two interesting possibilities you might want to consider:

 

mini-pizza-spatula.jpg Alumni Pizza Party Chairperson
Would you like to help a WMS staff member organize the Alumni Pizza Party on February 6, 2015? This is a very popular school event and a straightforward way to earn 30 Co-op hours. The chairperson works with a staff member to plan and coordinate the invitations, food and activities for this annual gathering of old friends. Your Co-op obligation could be completed by early February! Please email [email protected] or contact Laurie Orsic to volunteer.


 

Cell phone/Toner Recycling

Do you know how to pack a box for mailing? Do you know how to put on a shipping label? Do you want to help the school raise funds while also helping the environment? A volunteer is needed to pack the toner cartridges/cell phones brought to school by our community and prepare them to be sent out for recycling. This task is ongoing throughout the year. The schedule can be set by the volunteer at his/her convenience. Please email [email protected] or contact Laurie Orsic to volunteer.


 


cartoon-basketball.gif Basketball Assistant Coaches
Physical Education Teacher Adrianna Wall is looking for several volunteers to serve as assistant coaches for the upcoming basketball season. For more information, please contact Adrianna at [email protected]

Today's LearnersLearner

First State Ballet Theatre Visits WMS


Last Wednesday, WMS students and staff were treated to a special holiday gift - a visit from Delaware's professional ballet company, First State Ballet Theatre. As students entered the Great Room, they were able to observe the company in a rehearsal for their upcoming performances of the Nutcracker. As the rehearsal continued, children were invited to ask the dancers questions. Our curious students wanted to know everything from the dancers' ages to the types of shoes they wore!


 

Following the rehearsal, FSBT captivated the audience as they performed a scene from the Nutcracker, then invited several 9-12 students to join them "on stage" and perform a simple dance. 


 

WMS thanks FSBT for bringing this interactive arts experience to the school for a third year. First State Ballet Theatre will be performing the Nutcracker at the Grand Opera House this weekend. Click here for more information and ticket sales.

Parents, stay tuned for information about another exciting artist-in-residence program coming this spring!

3-6 students in Room 11 shared their favorite parts of FSBT's visit to WMS.
Tomorrow's LeadersLeaders
Liz May: Then and Now


Like most WMS alumni, Liz May (class of 1998) had trouble choosing just one favorite memory from her time at Wilmington Montessori School. However, if she was forced to choose, she said she would have to pick the field trips: "Some of my favorites were to Washington, D.C.; Gettysburg, PA (where we got to camp in tents on one of the battlefields), and NYC. All three of these trips taught me so much, and gave me so many fun memories; memories that I continue to share even to this day!"


After graduating from WMS, she attended middle school at Upland Country Day School and then Newark High School. She attended the University of Delaware, from which she graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. 
Liz is currently preparing for her wedding in May, and is thrilled that her WMS classmate Kate Butler will share her special day as a bridesmaid.

 

Since graduating from college, Liz has advanced quickly in her career. She is the Workforce and Process Improvement Manager for Integrity Staffing Solutions, the 14th largest light industrial temporary staffing company in the United States. Liz believes the time management skills she learned at WMS have helped her become successful in her career:


"At WMS, we were given a list of tasks to complete for the week and were allowed to work at our own pace, as long as we got everything completed by the end of Friday. I still manage my time the way I learned at WMS and often get complimented on my ability to manage time so well."


 

We want to know what our alumni are up to, and we would love to hear from our alumni parents as well. How did WMS impact your life or your child's life? Do you have any photos or news to share?


Please send any and all info to
 [email protected]
 

From the 1997-1988 WMS Yearbook:

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2013 Constant Contact All-Star Award Logo The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.  

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