Nuts & Bolts
May 6, 2019
The last stretch . . .
Wow! Last week was super busy. Amity and Kari's class presented their expert projects in the evening this past week and their projects were impressive.
Thank you Clarissa and Sarah for putting on beautiful musical concerts this past week. You could see how much hard work went into the concert and the students shined.
The general end of year MAPA meeting was lovely as well. All of the officers and committee chairs were recognized for their contributions toward MMA. Also, families who achieved their 40 volunteer hours were also recognized. Make sure that you are putting all volunteer opportunities on Track it Forward and encourage your families to use Track it Forward to log their hours.
Thank you all for hanging in there and for teaching engaging lessons and keeping students productive these last few weeks of school. We know all of the students are starting to get (if not already) squirely.
Our 9th grade friends departed MMA this morning headed for Crow Canyon in Colorado. Thank you to Leigh, Michelle, and Andrea for chaperoning this trip and choosing to spend the next 7 days with adolescents - which include 8 hours in a van.
Tonight our 6th grade friends depart via train for the Redwoods in California. Thank you to Nicoletta, Lana, and Laura for chaperoning this trip and choosing to spend the next 7 days with pre-adolescents - which include 14 hours on a train with no showers.
If you're following along and doing the math - that leaves Dana and myself from admin/support staff to hold down the fort this week. I am confident that all students will have impeccable behavior and we will have zero issues ;-).
Have a quiet and uneventful week,
René
Staff Meeting Monday, May 6th
All staff (teachers and assistants) need to attend. If this causes assistants to be over their hours this week by 30 minutes, that is ok and pre-approved.
G&C Challenge - Peace Talks
I frequently hear that there is a lack of grace and courtesy in our building. Most recently, this was discussed at our advisory meeting. There were several reasons brought up that could be causing this phenomena. I would like us to try to address this by recognizing grace and courtesy when we see it happening.
Thank you for practicing and recognizing courteous table manners last week.
Bridging Ceremonies - Updated
Thanks for your feedback about the bridging ceremony plans that were in the N&B. So, it turns out that no one likes the lunch idea. So, the updated plans are that you and your class are required to attend the bridging ceremony to welcome the upcoming students. The schedule says that all ceremonies begin at 10:30am and end at 12pm. Whenever the ceremony ends, you will be dismissed. Please plan accordingly for your class to do their lunch and recess.
Please discuss ceremony expectations with your classes. It is super important that the welcoming classes are visibly and audibly welcoming and excited to receive the upcoming students. Students should be cheering and give the upcoming hugs and/or high fives. The classes that are not receiving students at that moment should wait quietly and patiently. Remind students what grace and courtesy skills they are modeling during the ceremonies.
Remember, that our school will be on display for parents during these ceremonies. We want parents to be reminded how awesome we are and why they are sending their child here, as opposed to their neighborhood school. We are special because we do things like bridging ceremonies. We are different because we welcome individual children to communities in which they will spend their next three years. This bridging ceremony is the first step in establishing relationships, which we know are crucial for a child's and entire class' success. Let's make it count.
During the ceremony, each graduating teacher will say something individual and personal about what makes the bridging child special. This personal touch is also what makes us different. We want every family to hear about their child from their teacher. Simply announcing the child's name is not enough. A one sentence superlative would be excellent. I would recommend having this pre-written for yourself. Please see me or Nicoletta if you have questions or need guidance in this area.
Monday, May 20th - Early Childhood Bridging
LE classes will sit on the sides of the gym on the floor like the winter concert, parents will sit in the middle in chairs, kinders will sit on the stage in chairs.
Location: Addition Gym
Schedule:
- 10:30-12:00pm - Early Childhood Bridging Ceremony
Tuesday, May 21st - Lower Elementary Bridging
UE classes will sit on the sides of the gym on the floor like the winter concert, parents will sit in the middle in chairs, 1st and 2nd graders will sit on the floor in front of the stage, 3rd graders will sit on the stage in chairs
Location: Addition Gym
Schedule:
- 10:30-12:00pm - Lower Elementary Bridging Ceremony
Wednesday, May 22nd - Upper Elementary Bridging Ceremony
JH advisories will wit on the sides of the gym on the floor like the winter concert, parents will sit in the middle chairs, 4th and 5th graders will sit on the floor in front of the stage, 6th graders will sit on the stage in chairs
Location: Addition Gym
Schedule:
- 10:30-12pm - Upper Elementary Bridging Ceremony
Summer Curriculum Writing - Application - Due May 11th
Summer curriculum writing is happening at MMA during the week of June 3rd. If you are interested in this opportunity, complete an online application, which will include you uploading an original lesson plan. The deadline for you to submit an application is May 11th.
Field Day
You and your students may dress down this day and wear appropriate athletic attire.
Spirit Days
Thursday, May 23th - Crazy sock and/or hair day
Friday, May 24th - Wear your favorite tie-dye and/or sports team attire
Upcoming Events
5/5-11/19 - 6th and 9th Grade Field Trips
5/6/19 - Staff Meeting, 3:30-5pm
5/7/19 - PLC Meetings, 3:30-5pm
5/13/19 - Montessori Monday
5/13/19 - SIT Meeting
5/13/19 - 5/18/19 - JH Open House
5/14/19 - Fire Drill
5/14/19 - PLC Meetings
5/14/19 - Board Meeting, 5:30pm
5/15/19 - Box Top Store
5/17/19 - Field Day (9-11am LE; 12-2pm UE)
5/17/19 - 9th Grade Graduation
5/18/19 - Staff End of Year Party, René's house, 4pm
5/20/10 - EC Bridging Ceremony
5/20/19 - Advisory Meeting, 3:30pm
5/21/19 - LE Bridging Ceremony
5/21/19 - PLC Meetings, 3:30-5pm
5/21-24/19 - Early Release, PTCs
5/22/19 - UE Bridging Ceremony
5/24/19 - Last Day of School for Students
5/27/19 - School Closed
5/28-31/19 - Teacher Professional Learning
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