MMA Montessori Moments
November 11th, 2019
Nitty Gritty
- Drop off and pick up students on time.
- Follow crossing guard directions.
- Nominate an MMA staff member for The Dove.
- Eat dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe Monday.
- Picture re-takes Thursday, Nov. 14th.
- Wear athletic attire for the outdoor Fun Run Wednesday; volunteers needed.
- Share Fun Run fundraiser info through social media and with all your friends/family.
- Get trained and volunteer to lead a reading group starting at the end of January for 6 weeks.
Save the Dates in November:
13--Boosterthon Fun Run, all families invited
14--School picture re-takes
21-22--Junior High Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:00-7:00pm
21--MAPA Gratitude Feast @ 12:00pm, volunteers needed
22--Cultural Festival 1-3pm, all families invited
Fun Run Wednesday!
The run is outside, so students are asked to wear weather appropriate athletic attire to school on Wednesday. Volunteers are needed to pass out water, mark laps, and cheer on students. If you would like to volunteer, please arrive at school 15-20 minutes before the run is scheduled to take place to get signed in and get direction on how to help.
Please note - Junior High students are doing a color run and will get disgustingly colorful. Junior High students will dismiss straight from their fun run and not return inside the building - so please plan your pick-up accordingly. It is recommended that junior high students bring a large plastic bag to put dirty clothes into (I'm thinking of the inside of your cars) and a change of clothes.
All students will receive and wear their free MMA t-shirt on the day of the event (Wednesday).
Run Schedule:
- 8:40-9:10am - AM early childhood
- 9:15-10:15am - lower el
- 10:15-11:15am - upper el
- 12:10-12:45pm - PM early childhood
- 2-3pm - Junior High color run
Ms. Esperanza
Ms. Susan
Ms. Esperanza
What three traits define you? Reserved, passionate for education (for my children and myself), funny
What would you like to be your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment would be raising competent and resilient children.
What's one thing you couldn't live without? I have a current affinity for Coke Zero.
What is one thing you cannot resist? I love all the chocolate things 😊
What is your favorite thing to do? I like to watch The Office on repeat.
Where is the most interesting place you've traveled to and why? I saw Mayan ruins in Belize. I thought they were so fascinating and filled with history.
Who is your biggest inspiration? My kids and my students - they haven't forgotten how to have fun.
What advice do you have for kids who are struggling at school? Do your best to learn and I'll do my best to teach you.
How do you define success? I define success by doing what you're passionate about.
What do the students think of Ms. Esperanza?
1. What is the best thing about Ms. Esperanza? She makes me giggle.
2. Why do you think Ms. Esperanza is a good fit for MMA? She is kind and I see her helping students.
Ms. Susan
1. What three traits define you? Caring, honest, and grateful
2.What would you like to be your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment, I would have to say, is raising my 5 children to be successful adults and starting their own wonderful families.
3. What's one thing you could not love without? I wouldn't be able to live without my amazing family(children, grandchildren, etc). They are my life; they mean everything to me.
4. What is the one thing you cannot resist? Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, Diet Dr Pepper and peanut m&m's!!!!!
5. What is your favorite thing to do? I love to go water skiing and boating, especially when my family is involved - which they always are. Also, I love going on trips with the whole gang.
6. Where is the most interesting place you've traveled to and why? I'd have to say, visiting the Philippines was spectacular. Such a beautiful place and wonderful people. They are so kind and gracious and sooo happy with what they have. Living in huts with dirt floors and no windows are the majority of the people's homes. I love the climate.
7. Who is your biggest inspiration? My parents for everything they taught me.
8. What advice do you have for kids who are struggling at school? "If you fall, get back up." It's okay to make mistakes. Mistakes gives us that chance to learn.
9. How do you define success? Being happy with who you are and having confidence in yourself is so important. Nobody else can put you down if you have these qualities.
What do the students think about Ms. Susan?
1. What is the best thing about Ms. Susan? Ms. Susan helps me remember what's my next work and takes us to recess.
Carpool & Crosswalk Protocol
Pedestrians should only cross through the carpool lanes at the crosswalk with white lines at the front doors of school. This is for safety purposes as cars do not expect there to be people walking outside of the crosswalk.
Please watch the crossing guards, wearing safety yellow/orange, and follow their directions.
Drop Off and Pick Up - Please Be Prompt
On the flip side, please pick up your children promptly after school at 3pm. Staff have meetings and other obligations after school - making it difficult to supervise children. Also, some children get upset and anxious when they don't see their rides right away. If you experience an emergency and will be late to pick up your child, please call the office so we can let your children know.
Community Engagement
We invite all elementary families to experience the International Festival from 1-3pm on Friday, November 22nd.
Wellness Policy Guidelines
As a reminder, these guidelines also prohibit soda and energy drinks in school. We also discourage any type of juice in lunches that is a dark color in order to keep our carpets stain-free.
Dove Award Nomination
Nominate a Maria Montessori Academy staff member to be recognized with The Dove. This honor will be bestowed quarterly. We want to acknowledge individuals at MMA who
-- are partners in peace and model peaceful practices.
-- honor the individual spirit of the child.
-- support the development of the whole child.
-- promote student growth.
-- collaborate with other stakeholders.
-- possess a growth mindset.
-- value diversity.
-- love and give of themselves in service to others.
-- uphold the ideals and philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori.
Any staff member at MMA is eligible and may be nominated for this special recognition. Nominations may be shared with the nominee and/or larger community. Complete the nomination form online before the November 22nd, 2019 deadline.
Junior High Parent Teacher Conferences
Pizza Pie Cafe Spirit Night
Volunteers Needed to Lead Reading Groups
Ms. Kim, our reading specialist, is due to have her second child on January 22nd and we are so happy for her! We do not want to slow the excellent progress being made by students in her reading groups and are seeking parent volunteers to run her reading groups for the 4-6 weeks until she returns.
Ideally, our goal is to have the same volunteer run the same groups twice per week. We have opportunities for volunteers to lead reading groups on the following schedule:
Mondays and Wednesday 9:30-11:30am and/or 12:30-2:30pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30am and/or 12:30-2:30pm
Friday 9:30-11:30am
Want to help but feeling uneasy if you will know what to do and/or this would be a good fit for you? No worries; Ms. Kim will train you!
Parent Volunteer Training:
Come in during reading groups
Best time for training is Tues/Thurs 12:30-1:30pm
Observe Kim leading groups 12:30-12:50pm
Train, practice, have Ms. Kim provide feedback 12:50-1:20pm
Email Ms. Kim today if you are interested or have questions.
Seeking Art Supply Donations
The MMA Art room is in need of art supplies. These materials will benefit ALL students of MMA from Early Childhood through Junior High. If you are willing to donate any supplies, this would be greatly appreciated!
Gallons of tempera paint
Elmer’s glue
Canvas (new or used)
Wood panels
Broken shelves
Paper- any kind of paper (colored, resume, white, etc.)
Airdry clay
Tape- general, duct tape, packing tape
Book making supplies- if you have experience with this material and you can donate please contact Ms. Andria.
Anything that you think of of recycling, please contact Ms. Andria first before recycling to see if she would be interested in using these for the art classes.
Junior High Essay Contest
The Fleet Reserve Association sponsors an annual essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. FRA's Americanism Essay Contest is open to all students, grades 7 through 12, including those who are home schooled. Students are invited to submit a 350-word essay through an FRA member or local FRA branch before the December 1st deadline. Local winners are forwarded for competition at the regional level and regional winners compete for national prizes.
The grand national winner will receive $5,000, with additional prizes for the top three essays in each grade category ($2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place). Each national winner will receive an attractive plaque citing his/her achievement, and every entrant judged at the national level receives a certificate of recognition. Additional prizes may be awarded to students winning at local and regional levels of competition.
Next year we will have a very important election. Soon our youth will also be able to vote if they can't already. This year's essay contest will help our kids explore their feelings about such an opportunity.
I am extremely excited to read the input and opinions on this theme.
Attached are the rules and cover sheet. Students can send their essays by snail mail or email to participate. Please contact Tiffany Gregory for more information.
Tiffany Gregory
4598 S West park Dr
Roy Utah 84067
Montessori Lingo
Do you ever wonder what your child is talking about when they come home? What is this lingo that they are speaking? This is a great resource of Montessori terminology a library of terms: https://montessori-ami.org/resource-library/facts/glossary-montessori-terms
Classification
Sorting. Allocating or distributing according to common characteristics. The young child engaged in classification activities because the process is essential for the construction of the intellect.
Discipline from Within
Self-discipline. The discipline in a well-run Montessori classroom is not a result of the teacher's control or of rewards or punishments. Its source comes from within each individual child, who can control their actions and make positive choices regarding personal behavior. Self-dicsipline is directly related to development of the will.
November
11--Pizza Pie Cafe Spirit Night
12--MMA Board Meeting, 5:30pm
13--Boosterthon Fun Run
14--School picture re-takes
18--Elementary Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open
18--Pizza Pie Cafe Spirit Night
21-22--Junior High Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:00-7:00pm
21--MAPA Gratitude Feast @ 12:00pm - volunteers needed
22--International Festival 1-3pm - all families invited
25--Pizza Pie Cafe Spirit Night
25-26--Teacher Compensation Day; No School
27-29--Thanksgiving Break; No School
December
6--MAPA Meeting @ 8:45am
9--Elementary Concert @ 5:30pm
10--Elementary Play @ 5:30pm
11--Junior High Concert @ 5:30pm
12--Junior High Play @ 5:30pm
17-19--Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences; Early Release
17-19--Book Fair/ PTC Meals provided for teachers/staff
20--Professional Development; No School
23-3--Winter Break; No School
Quick Links
Track It Forward - school events calendar and volunteer sign-ups
Maria Montessori Academy
Email: info@mariamontessoriacademy.org
Website: www.mariamontessoriacademy.org
Location: 2505 N 200 E, North Ogden, UT, United States
Phone: 801.827.0150
Facebook: facebook.com/MMAofUT
Twitter: @MMAofUT