Maria Montessori Academy
Education for a Better World!
What a wonderful week!
Congratulations to our two spelling bee winners Julia and Josh! Super proud of you and your accomplishment as well as all those who worked to make the bee a success! Also very proud of all those who worked on words and practiced to be a part of the pre-bee and the spelling bee too!
Report cards were sent home with Junior High students . If you did not receive it, another one can be printed and provided. You can also check grades and progress in ASPIRE, the same system that you use to enroll your student(s). We are planning an ASPIRE night to show all parents how they can see progress to mastery, later this spring so that you have all the tools to see where things are with your child's progress.
So many adventures and amazing things happening at MMA!
Sara Tucker
happenings...
Calendaring Items
February 1 Chili cookoff... here is the wejoin link to sign up! https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/csyrl
February 2 HOPE Squad assembly 9-11:30
February 6: Chat and Chew with Ms. Sara at 4pm in the junior high commons
February 10: 2pm Internet and Social Media Safety Assembly with Detective Stewart. PARENT INVITED TO ATTEND!! This is a great chance to hear about how to protect students and others in all kinds of online situations.
February 15: STEAM Night 6-7pm and gratitude luncheon for First Responders at 11am
February 17: Science Fair
February 27-March 3 : Literacy Week
Match 2 Literacy Night
Reminders:
Lost and Found: The lost and found in the lobby and the Junior High Commons are overflowing! Please come and check to see if your student's missing jacket or notebook are in there!
Safety First!
Please pull forward to allow others to drop off students...the backup incurred is from folks stopping at the turn or not pulling forward and the traffic backs up.
Please also do not park at the curb and walk your student in. If you are wanting to walk your student in, please park in a stall and then use the crosswalk to walk your student(s) in. This helps to keep the line moving as well.
PLEASE use the crosswalks and wait for the crossing assistants to create a safe environment! This morning alone there were several near misses as folks crossed from in between cars... safety is a priority! If you need to run something into the school or help your child, please park in a parking space and not along the drop off zone. This will help with keeping the flow of traffic consistent. Please be patient and kind with other drivers as well. Blinkers, patience, and a deep breath go a long way.
Phones:
We have had far too many incidents with troubling cell phone behaviors. We have asked that cell phones not be used during the school day. Students have access to school phone should a call need to be made. They have laptops to use for schoolwork and school related research.
Please support us as we work to keep students from running into problems with having their phone out to answer a text.
We spoke with the entire Junior High about not having phones out at all during the day due to the incidents that have occurred in the last couple of weeks. If they do have their phone out, it will be given to a teacher to hold onto till the end of the day. Should it occur again, parents will be notified and a meeting will be held to discuss the situation and. to come in to pick up the phone.
Students were told that they may have their phone with them, but we ask that they not. be texting, calling, looking things up, etc, during school time. Exceptions are made for those who has accommodations in their IEP or 504 plans.
picture on how to sign up for Smith's rewards for the school is below...
Pokemon cards, toys, and candy:
Please encourage your student to not bring these items to class. They have become an issue with being taken, played with during instruction, and distracting from the lessons.
Snow in general: One of the goals during the snowy season it to be open for regular hours. We do this because not all parents are able to take time off for delayed starts and also allow for grace and courtesy for those who choose to come in later or stay home. We do our very best to make sure that the parking lot and sidewalks are cleared for safety at school. Please be safe and make the decisions that are best for you and your family. If you choose to stay home please call the office to excuse the absence.
Chat and Chew: Our first meeting will be on Monday, February 6 at 4pm. Bring your ideas, thoughts, concerns, etc!
Frequently Asked Questions...
What is Normalization and why can’t I walk my child to class on the first day? During the first 6 weeks of school, MMA observes what is called Normalization where students become oriented to not only the school, but to the classroom. They learn how to use Montessori materials, practice grace and courtesy, and begin to develop self-direction and independence as well as a love of learning. It is important that your child be here at school as much as possible. Classroom observations from parents are also very limited during this time. Dr. Montessori's work revealed that certain characteristics develop and are refined within the normalized child: love of work; concentration; self-discipline; and sociability.
Volunteer Opportunities!
We could use volunteers to help with judging the Science Fair...Reach out to Ms. Nicoletta (nhouseholder@mmautah.org) for additional information.
We are very low on kleenex, magic erasers for cleaning, and bandaids...any donations would be lovely!