W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
February 18, 2015
In This Issue

Upcoming Events

February 18
Annual Meeting
7 p.m., Great Room

February 19
6-9 Transition Morning (for parents of current kindergartners & 5-7 students), 9 a.m. 
Register Now 
 
February 23
Montessori Monday (Admissions)
Tell a friend!

February 24
6-9 Information Night/Dinner (for parents/students entering the 6-9 Program next year)
5-6 p.m. in the Great Room/Maker Space
RSVP to Theresa. 

February 26
Dads' Day
8:30 a.m.

February 27
PJ Dance Party
6-8 p.m.

March 2
Re-enrollment Deadline
Important Information 
 
 Message from Head of School 
Lisa A. Lalama 

 

For more of Lisa's writing, check out the Montessori Message blog.

 

"WMS Parents Rock!" That is the sign that greeted us last week as we came into the school. Amidst the celebratory holidays honoring groundhogs, presidents and love this time of year, WMS also celebrates the parents in our community. One of our core values is partnering with parents in the education of their children. We know what an important role parents play in their children's education.

 

At WMS, parents drop their children off each morning and pick them up in the afternoon. These are times of connection; parents have the opportunity to meet and greet those who care for their child today, as well as those who will care for their children in the future. They establish relationships and make friends with each other. Teachers and staff are able to get to know families, not simply the children in their classrooms. All of these things make our school stronger.

 

WMS was founded by a group of parents 51 years ago and has grown to be one of the best Montessori schools in the country thanks to that partnership and parent involvement. Although our parents wear many hats, they take the time to be a part of our community through the Co-op Program and support our school through work such as hosting events, baking, helping in the classrooms, gardening and going on field trips. 

 

While we chose a particular week to celebrate our parents, our appreciation of their hard work and involvement in the school continues throughout the entire year. 

 

WMS parents rock; we're so happy you've chosen to be part of our school!

 

 

 
News & NotesNews
Re-enrollment Reminder: Contracts & Deposits Due March 2, 2015Reenrollment
 

The date for submitting contracts and deposits for the 2015-16 school year is March 2, 2015. The deposit secures your child's spot and supports the planning process for the new school year. In order to retain our amazing teaching staff, it is important that we are able to offer contracts as early as possible, which cannot be done until we have a clear idea of our enrollment numbers for next school year. After this deadline, we also begin to enroll new families and, therefore, your child's space cannot be guaranteed.

Important:

Please note that a $100 late fee will be assessed for all re-enrollment deposits not received by the due date. If you anticipate any problem with submitting your contract and deposit by March 2, please contact Nancy Oddo in the Business Office at 302-475-0555 or at nancy_oddo@wmsde.org.
Annual Meeting - Tonight (February 18) at 7 p.m. meeting
 

The Wilmington Montessori School Board of Directors invites the WMS community to its annual meeting tonight at 7 p.m. Come hear about the Board's work during the past year, progress toward strategic plan initiatives and plans for the future. Come away informed and energized about Wilmington Montessori School. Board election results will also be announced. 
#WMS100Reasons on the 100th Day of School - Tomorrow
 

Tomorrow, WMS students will celebrate the 100th day of school, and the Annual Fund committee decided it was the perfect time to bring back our #WMS100Reasons campaign! If you or your children would like to share why you love WMS for #WMS100Reasons: Episode 2, please stop by the front lobby before or after school. For those of you who missed it, here is our first video:

WMS100Reasons - Giving Thanks
WMS100Reasons - Why do YOU love Wilmington Montessori School?
Dads' Day - Thursday, February 26dads

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. 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!

Schedule:
8:30 until 10 a.m. - Classroom visits.  
 
10 to 11 a.m. - Join us in the Great Room for refreshments and a presentation by WMS students.

Co-op Opportunity:
We are still in need of several fruit trays for this event. Please sign-up on the Co-op Board or contact co-op@wmsde.org if you would like to volunteer. Thank you!


WMS Family Concert
Thursday, March 5 at 6:15 p.m.
Tony Vacca, Featured Performer

 

Please join us. This is sure to be a memorable event and one your whole family will enjoy!

 

Tony Vacca is an innovative American percussionist with jazz and world music roots going back to 1972. Tony Vacca's solo performances are a nearly non-stop athletic spectacle of percussion music and spoken word. He incorporates percussion instruments from a world of traditions that includes African, Caribbean, Asian and Middle-Eastern influences, to which he adds some of his spoken word and rhythm poetry.

 

Vacca's 14 trips to West Africa have contributed to his unique approach to playing the balafon, and to his depth of knowledge regarding African and American musical traditions. 

 

This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. 

 

 
Co-op Cornerco-op
WMS Book Club: Simplicity Parenting
 
 

WMS mom Hunter Clarke-Fields will be leading a book club on Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. The club will meet on Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. in Room 7 from February 19 through March 19.


 Book Summary:

Today's busier, faster society is waging an undeclared war on childhood. With too much stuff, too many choices and too little time, children can become anxious, have trouble with friends and school, or even be diagnosed with behavioral problems. Now internationally renowned family consultant Kim John Payne helps parents reclaim for their children the space and freedom that all kids need for their attention to deepen and their individuality to flourish. Simplicity Parenting offers inspiration, ideas and a blueprint for change.
Today's LearnersLearner
Celebrating Valentine's Day in Spanish Class
by Spanish Teacher Ana Brown
Saludos de nuestra clase de Espanol!


 

Last week in Spanish class, students were encouraged to create cards with positive messages to send to the special people in their lives in honor of Valentine's Day.
 

Students in the 3-6 and 6-9 programs created a card for a family member (since we are learning all about family in Spanish). We talked about the importance of being kind to our "hermanos y hermanas, papa y mama, abuelo y abuelo" ("brother and sister, dad and mom, grandpa and grandma") and learned some loving phrases to write in the cards including:
  • "Te amo." ("I love you.")
  • "Con todo mi amor" ("With all my love")
  • "Eres un amigo especial."("You are a special friend.")
  • "Con cariño" ("With love")
  • "Gracias por ser mi amigo/amiga." ("Thanks for being my friend.")
  • "Mi corazón pertence a mi mamá/papa." ("My heart belongs to my mom/dad.")
  

The 9-12 students were free to send cards to any special person in our building. The children did a wonderful job expressing their appreciation for the teachers and staff working at WMS. Staff members also got involved with our special week. In order to spread the love throughout our building, we were all encouraged to write a positive message to our co-workers.


 

¡Feliz dia de San Valentín!
Tomorrow's LeadersLeaders
Class of 2012
Tell us your story!
 

We love to hear from our former students!

If you would like your story to be considered for publication in an upcoming issue of the Wednesday Weekly, please fill out this survey (and be sure to attach a photo) and include as much detail as possible. If you want to share additional information or news, please email alumni@wmsde.org. 

 

We look forward to hearing from you!
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, Director of Communications.
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