Nuts & Bolts
January 28, 2019
Opportunity
I don't know if you noticed or not, but Friday it was a tad bit crazy in the office. At one point there were two students struggling to find their peace, a parent dropping of their child's lunch, DCFS interviewing students in my office, a child getting their temperature taken, another child asking for food, office ladies searching their bags for tampons which were soon inserted to children's (yes, more than one) nostrils copiously leaking blood, and a potential new family waiting to tour.
During this time, I asked one struggling child to teach another struggling child 100s multiplication board. The first child did a fantastic job and was patient and kind - something he was lacking when asked to come to the office. The second child willingly followed direction - something he was lacking when asked to come to the office. As we know, a change in perspective and environment can transform a struggling child into a leader (after time and reflection).
It reminded me that we have a choice when encountering situations like the office described above. We can approach these situations with dread and negativity or approach them as an opportunity. In those moments in the office, we had the opportunity to help children, feed children, teach children, and love children. We chose to work as a team and took care of business.
Every day we have the opportunity to engage in argument or seek for understanding; the opportunity to shame/chastise children for misbehavior or to teach (and re-teach) our expectations, an opportunity to assume the best in people and that their intentions are good.
If you find yourself in a negative mindset and experience feelings of dread, I encourage you to shift your perspective and change your environment.
P.S. - Please thank your front office staff when you see them because they handled the situation described above all while doing things like payroll, attendance, answering the phone, and preparing deposits.
Have a lovely week filled with positivity!
-René
Welcome
Please welcome Patricia, who will be serving as LE assistant with Christina beginning Monday.
We are excited to announce that April has been promoted and accepted! the lead teacher position in LE.
MMA Fun Run Schedule
- 8:45am - LE (Christina/Karen/Mikaela/AM Early Childhood)
- 9:50am - LE (Brittany/Holly/April/Kaley)
- 10:55am - UE (John/Laura/Amy/Shanan)
- 12:05pm - UE (Amity/Kirsten/Kotie)
- 1:05pm - LE/EC (Jalee/Krista/PM Early Childhood)
- 2:00pm - Junior High
We apologize for the inconvenience this causes your specials and appreciate your support.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Please post your PTC sign-ups on Track it Forward and advertise the link to families. Remember, the format of these conferences is different than in the fall. This time, the conference will be led by our students using their portfolios.
Ensure that there are appointment times available all the way through 6:45pm to give working families ample opportunities to attend after work.
Carpool Duty
Montessori Monday
Montessori Mondays professional learning resumes this Monday, January 28th. Teachers, assistants, and all staff are encouraged to work with your team to arrange for your class duties to be covered so that you may attend from 8:30-11:30am or 12:00-3:00pm. This weeks' topic is “Spiritual Preparation and Communication.” See Nicoletta if you have questions.
Instructional Coach Meetings
National History Week
(Committee Members - Adrian, Andrea, Kat, Nicoletta)
Theme: Triumph and Tragedy
Topics Ideas: to discuss and integrate into class
African Americans
War
Native Americans
Civil RIghts- pick a person or an event
Westward Expansion (Tragedy of Native Americans and Triumph of United States)
Presidents of America
Women's History
Art History
Inventors
Progressive Movement
Class projects (LE, UE, 9th) : Please have your students do a project of your choice covering the theme of Triumph and Tragedy. Ideas of presentations are these will be within the classroom, your choice of structure.
documentary/ film
Make a website
Performance
Museum Exhibit
Trifold board
**More information to come: we are looking to have self exploration history, presenters/ speakers, and more.
MMA History Museum
Date: Tuesday, March 5-
Purpose: This is an opportunity for EC, LE, UE and 9th grade to come watch 7th and 8th graders present their projects. ***7th graders will be judged in the afternoon for the National History Fair from 12:30-2:30pm.
Location:
7th grade Addition Large Gym
8th grade Addition Commons Area
Time: 9:30-11:30am, there will be sign up sheets for classes to come and walk the History Museum.
We are looking for speakers/ presenters with historic expertise or experience who would be interested in sharing their passion with students of K-9th grade. Please contact Mr. Adrian at ASumpp@mariamontessoriacademy.org if you, or anyone you know, would be interested.
Upcoming Events
1/28/19 - Montessori Monday
1/28/19 - Advisory Meeting
1/29/19 - Vertical PLC Meeting
1/29/18 - Chili Cook-off
2/1/19 - MAPA Meeting, 8:45am, Conference Room
2/1/19 - Fun Run
2/2/19 - UMC
2/3/19 - Open Enrollment Closes
2/4/19 - Staff Meeting, 3:30pm, Commons
2/5/19 - Earthquake Drill
2/5/19 - PLC Meetings
2/11/19 - SIT Meeting
2/12/19 - PLC Meetings
2/12/19 - Board Meeting
2/13/19 - PTCs, early release
2/14/19 - PTCs, early release
2/15/19 - PTCs, early release
2/18/19 - School closed
2/19/19 - PLC Meetings
2/19/19 - Classic Skate Night 5-8:30pm
2/20/19 - Box Top Store
2/21/19 - Parent Ed Night on Executive Functioning
2/25/19 - History Week
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