During the past few weeks, we have had many occasions to connect with WMS alumni: Saturday's auction, a text from a "Montessori Mom" who shared news of her child's most recent success, a call from this year's graduation speaker and a board meeting. (Did you know that three alumni parents sit on the WMS Board of Directors?) One of the best things about WMS is its alumni. They stay connected to the school, coming back to visit and giving back.

Recently we have had the great pleasure of having WMS alumnus Lukas MacKinney here working on his Eagle Scout project - a movie about WMS. The purpose of the movie is to promote the school and its programs. He and a few of his Cab Calloway classmates spent their spring break with us. You may know that a Scout working on his Eagle rank works to benefit a non-profit organization. Often this work takes the form of fixing an existing space or structure or building something new. Lukas' project is a bit unique in that he is not creating a structure or improving something on the grounds. To meet the requirements of the project, he needs to show leadership and teach others in the course of the work. His goal is to make a lasting impact on the school, in this case by creating a film that we can use to promote our school and its programs.

WMS is familiar to Lukas; he and his family have been a part of the WMS community for many years. As he returned to spend the week with us, he looked for his photo on the collages in the hallways, reconnected with former teachers, and walked down memory lane recalling his time in the hallways, outdoor spaces and classrooms. Though he is now a junior in high school looking at colleges and making plans for his adult life, he fondly recalls the time spent at WMS. On his first day here, he was telling his fellow filmmakers, "I remember this. You get to sit on the carpet and work together. It's awesome."

No matter how we hear from alumni - whether it is through a visit, a call, a text, an email, a Facebook post or by hitting "like" on Instagram - we treasure each connection. The number one thing that people say they appreciate about WMS is our community. Each and every person who is and has been a part of the school plays an important role in our ever-expanding community.

We're happy you're a part of WMS! Stay in touch.

Co-op Corner

Upcoming Co-op Opportunities

Here are two great ways to earn Co-op hours before the end of the year!

Green Ribbon School Ceremony, Thursday, April 28 - WMS will be hosting several VIPs, including state officials, and students and staff from other schools on the morning of the Delaware Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Ceremony. We are in need of "breakfast-y" foods, such as muffins and quick breads for all of our visitors. Volunteers are needed for set up and clean up, as well. Please let us know if we can count on you by emailing co-op@wmsde.org or by signing up on the Co-op bulletin board (diagonal from the library).

Moms' Day, Tuesday, May 3 - One of the best-loved events of the year, Moms' Day, is the chance for students to share their work, their classrooms and their classmates with their moms. We want to provide a delicious morning buffet for our special visitors. Would you be willing to contribute muffins, quick breads, fruit trays and orange juice to share? Flowers and paper goods are also requested. Volunteers are needed for planning, set-up and clean-up. Please let us know if we can count on you by emailing co-op@wmsde.org or by signing up on the Co-op bulletin board (diagonal from the library).

News & Notes

Thank You!

Thank you to all who bought tickets, made donations, volunteered, bought raffle tickets and bid on items at our Annual Auction & Gala last weekend! A special thank you goes out to our 2016 Auction Committee who once again made this event a great night of fun and fundraising.

We would also like to thank our sponsors Party Delaware, Pineapple Catering, Dental Associates of Delaware, Building Systems & Services, Belfint Lyons & Shuman CPAs, and PSUTixman for supporting WMS's biggest fundraiser of the year.

Don't forget to stop by our Fire Sale next week in the lobby to check out some special deals from auction night! All proceeds support our children at WMS! Thank you!

Children and Social Media: How to Keep Up

A Presentation & Panel Discussion by Lisa Slade Martin, Lisa Lalama and Rose Feehan
Wednesday, April 27, 7-8:15 p.m.

Join us to discuss the following questions:

What are current trends in children's use of social media?
What are the important issues involved?
How do we encourage healthy use of social media?
How do we address problems if they arise?

Questions? Contact Lisa Martin at 202-270-5530 or email drslademartin@aol.com.

Dance Party Fundraiser
Written by the students of the 9-12 Program

It's that time again! On Friday, April 29, the fourth- and fifth-grade students will host their second fundraiser of the year. Our fundraisers support our sixth grade trip to New York City and the Global Citizenship Action Project conference.

The dance party is a wonderful event for all ages and is a bargain at just $10 per person. The event will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym and includes pizza, salad, dessert and drinks. There will also be raffle baskets so bring some extra dollars.

We hope to see you there!

Webinar: Outdoor Play
Tonight

at 7:30 p.m.

Join WMS teachers Lauren Harris and Erin

Wehler to discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors with your child this spring!

During this webinar, you will learn to:

Create lasting memories with your child through outdoor activities.
Discover new experiences in nature.
Incorporate your child in everyday outdoor chores and jobs.

WMS Named 2016 Green Ribbon School

We are pleased to announced that Wilmington Montessori School has been named a 2016 Green Ribbon School for the State of Delaware in recognition of our efforts to:

Adopt and promote green practices in the building and on the campus
Improve the well-being and health of students and staff
Enhance the knowledge and awareness of green practices in the larger WMS community.

The Delaware Valley Green Building Council, the Delaware Department of Education and the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility will honor our school, as well as other participants in the Delaware Pathways to Green Schools program, in a ceremony on our campus next Thursday.

Today's Learners

Artful Thinking in the Library

by Librarian Elizabeth Varley

As part of WMS's new arts integration initiative, the 6-9 library program has made use of new technology in the library by incorporating some "Artful Thinking" into the curriculum.

"Artful Thinking helps teachers use works of visual art and music in ways that strengthen student thinking and learning in the arts and beyond. The goals of this program are to help teachers create connections between works of art and the curriculum, and to help teachers use art as a force for developing students' thinking dispositions. Using the artist's palette as a central metaphor, the Artful Thinking 'palette' is comprised of six thinking dispositions which strengthen students' intellectual behaviors. These dispositions are developed through Thinking Routines, which are easy to learn and can deepen students' thinking in the classroom."

- From Harvard's Project Zero website

In the library, children first listen to a story and then look at illustrations from the story projected onto the screen via Apple TV. They are prompted to have more than a cursory look by having to write about three aspects: "I see," "I think," and "I wonder."

In "I see," they describe a portion of the scene. For "I think," they interpret what is happening in the picture. "I wonder" leads them to make a conjecture about something not known in the picture. For example, a recent illustration showed a cat's claw very much enlarged, and several children wondered whether or not the cat would actually use his claw on the rat. As with all library work, each child makes the determination whether to write his or her thoughts or express them in a drawing.

Tomorrow's Leaders

Would you be willing to participate in an interview or write about your family's WMS experience? Please email alumni@wmsde.org and we will be in touch! Thank 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.