MMA Montessori Moments
September 23, 2019
Cross Country Home Meet
Ms. Martha
Ms. Lorraine
Ms. Martha
What three traits define you? I would hope that the following traits in part define me- gentle, accepting, and kind.
What would you like to be your greatest accomplishment? I would like my greatest accomplishment to be that I am a good wife, mother, and grandmother, along with my other family roles.
What's one thing you couldn't live without? I couldn't, or at least wouldn't want to, live without my family.
What is one thing you cannot resist? I cannot resist snacking.
What is your favorite thing to do? My favorite thing to do is anything that puts me with my family.
Where is the most interesting place you've traveled to and why? I think Lake Powell is the most interesting place I have ever been to. It looks different every year depending on the water level. Also, it is fun to see "pictures" naturally painted on the rock walls, like when you see shapes in the clouds, only you see them on the rock formations.
Who is your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspirations have been my parents! They could always see the good in anyone, even when others could not.
What advice do you have for kids who are struggling at school? My advice for kids who are struggling at school, or for anyone, is to use your "positive mind" and know that you can do hard things. Just keep trying and those hard things will get easier. Note: the 'positive mind" idea comes from "Honoring the Light of the Child" by Sonnie McFarland.
How do you define success? I think success comes when you can contribute to your family and community in meaningful ways.
What do the students think of Ms. Martha?
1. What is the best thing about Ms. Martha?
- Hugs
- The reading lessons
- Giving kids lessons
- She teaches.
- She taught us the emotions game.
- Ms. Martha just gave the whole wide world to us.
2. Why do you think Ms. Martha is a good fit for MMA?
- Because she gives me hugs
- She gives a lesson about everything.
- She's a good teacher when she's giving you lessons.
- She helps us learn to sit on the line.
Ms. Lorraine
1. What three traits define you? Compassion, integrity, happy
2.What would you like to be your greatest accomplishment? To some day have a family of my own
3. What's one thing you couldn't live without? Books
4. What is the one thing you cannot resist? Chocolate
5. What is your favorite thing to do? Cook/Bake
6. Where is the most interesting place you've traveled to and why? I think the most interesting for me has been New York. I love the history, the art, the shopping, and the fun.
7. Who is your biggest inspiration? My mom
8. What advice do you have for kids who are struggling at school? Everybody struggles, the important thing is to keep going and keep trying!
9. How do you define success? Through looking through your life and being able to find joy in what you have done.
What do the students think about Ms. Lorraine?
1. What is the best thing about Ms. Lorraine? She's nice, kind, funny, and beautiful.
2. Why do you think Ms. Lorraine is a good fit for MMA? She is good at helping. She can do math really good. She's really smartAutumn is near
Volunteer Background Checks
Thank you all who came on the 17th last week to complete your fingerprints and background check. If you weren't able to be there, you can also visit other locations to complete your background check and fingerprinting process. Check out the paper below to see alternate locations.
If you complete your background check outside of MMA, you will need to return the last page of the paper below to MMA as we are required to keep this on file. You will also need to bring the $37 processing fee to MMA as soon as you can. Presenting this paper when getting background checks outside of MMA is very important to make your results show up in the Rapback system and accessible by MMA.
We realize that it can be tough for some of our families to pay for background checks and we don't want this to be a barrier to volunteering inside school. Please know that once you're in this new system (Rapback), you will not have to pay or do this again. If you want to know if they're already in the system or not, please email Ms. Lana.
Coach's Corner
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
Absorbent Mind
A mind able to absorb knowledge quickly and effortlessly. Montessori said the child from birth to six years has an absorbent mind.
Adaptation
Related to the idea of an absorbent mind (Haines, 1993) is a special power of the young child that can be called the power of adaptation. This power is a process whereby the young child uses the environment to develop and, in so doing, becomes a part of that environment. The young child absorbs the culture of her time and place, taking in all the spirit, the customs, the ambitions/aspirations and attitudes of a society simply by living in that society.
Calling all Redwoods Chaperones and Intent Forms
Please remember that all intent forms, for chaperones and students, are due by October 1st. With the student intent form, there is also a $50, non-refundable, deposit.
If you are interested in being a chaperone for this amazing experience, please email Ms. Nicoletta and Ms. Lana.
The wording in this year's parent letter is slightly different than in past years to be in accordance with the school fees law, Rule 277-407. The letter no longer says that families are being "charged" for the trip; it says that there is a "suggested donation." The law states that schools cannot charge students in grades K-6 any fees. There is an exception listed that allowed 6th graders to be charged fees if 6th grade was part of a secondary program. Although MMA has a secondary program, 6th grade students at MMA are clearly part of an elementary program; therefore, students are not allowed to be charged a fee and a field trip counts as a fee.
What this means is that if MMA does not get enough students attending the trip to make the "suggested donation," the trip will have to be cancelled. Please note that any families that qualify for a fee waiver and submit these forms with required documentation will be granted a fee waiver and not have to pay for this trip. You can obtain the fee waiver form from MMA's website on the Forms and Documents page. The fee waiver forms should be submitted directly to René.
MMA already pays for about half of the total cost per child to attend the Redwoods trip. This cost includes academic programming, food and lodging at the Redwoods facility, plane ticket, train ticket, and a coach bus. Again, we will not be able to attend if enough families do not make the "suggested donation."
Please abide by all deadlines listed in this and subsequent parent letters. We will not be able to take students who submit their forms late as we purchase tickets that cannot be reimbursed.
A student may be prohibited from attending this trip if their behavior in school is unsafe, or otherwise causes school staff question if the child will be safe on this trip. A refund cannot be provided in these cases.
The HOUSE of Children
The Early Childhood has five afternoon spots available for enrollment.
What will you find in a Montessori Early Childhood? This is a great reference as to what to expect in a Montessori Early Childhood here at The HOUSE of Children.
https://amshq.org/About-Montessori/Inside-the-Montessori-Classroom/Early-Childhood
If you or a friend are interested in a tour, please contact Nicoletta Householder at nhouseholder@mariamontessoriacademy.org or call the front office to make an appointment 801-827-0150.
School Land Trust Council - Seeking Volunteers
Each public school in Utah elects a school community council consisting of parents, teachers, and the principal. All councils have a two parent member majority. Each council carefully reviews student assessments and progress to decide which academic areas they want to focus on. Plans are developed to improve student academic performance in the identified academic areas with the annual School LAND Trust funds. The plans are approved by the council, submitted, and approved by the school board.
We are seeking parent volunteers to serve on this council. The time commitment involved includes attending one in-person meeting at MMA for a mandatory training, review last year's plan, and to draft a plan for next year. After that, all feedback and final approval will happen via email.
We don't want to jeopardize these funds, which is why it's crucial to have parent volunteers. Please email Ms. René this week if you are interested in this volunteer opportunity.
Missing Lunches
We are very concerned about this and want to prevent it from happening in the future. To alleviate this issue, we are increasing accountability where students have to sign out of their classrooms when they leave. We are asking teachers and assistants to supervise their classes when children visit their lockers; although, many classes already do this.
MAPA Information
MAPA's Mugs and Muffins
Pizza Friday
Jr. Artisan Fair at the Fall Festival
Updated - Emergency Response & Preparedness Plan
The guide outlines how MMA will keep students safe in emergency situations like a fire or earthquake. We have already conducted two fire drills this school year. Please contact Ms. René if you have questions.
September
23--Normalization Ends
26-- MMA Cross Country @ Ben Lomond (Big D Park)
27--MAPA's Mugs & Muffins @ North Shore 8:30am & 12:30pm
27--Professional Development; Early Release
October
3-- MMA Cross Country @ Highmark
4--MAPA Meeting @ 8:45am
4--Fall Festival @ 4-7pm
8--MMA Board Meeting, 5:30pm
16--End of Quarter
17-18--Fall Break; No School
22--Picture Day
23-30--Red Ribbon Week
24-25--Junior High Intersession
24--Box Top Store (11:00am-1:00pm)
28--Junior High Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open
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