Nuts & Bolts
October 1, 2018
Back to Our Roots
Maria Montessori first began with students with whom society wanted to disassociate and would be so proud of us today as we work together to figure out how to best address the needs of all of our students.
This is no easy task and I thank and appreciate you for your hard work in doing your best for all children at MMA. We have students with different needs ranging from emotional, social, academic, parental, and behavioral. It is beautiful to see us, as a staff and community of educators, work with resiliency strategies, work on class management, work on team building, work on relationship building, and most of all - work together to meet the needs of all of our students.
We are a public school who accepts and works with all students who walk through our doors. We are an inclusive school and include all of our students as much as they are able. Not only is this FAPE and LRE mandated by Federal law, it is moral and socially just.
Some days this work we know is best for students is challenging and we have a hard time seeing that our efforts are working. I would like to remind you how your work with all of our students is making a difference in their lives and the lives of every student at MMA.
This week . . . Ms. Brittany’s friend, J, completed 5 works. Ms. Karen’s friend, S, participated beautifully in celebration of life ceremony. Ms. Kaley’s friend, A, went to the door to scream outside. Ms. Shanan’s former friend, D, has adjusted well to being in JH and is an excellent self-advocate. JH’s friends B and T have not vandalized. These students’ progress would not have been possible without the team effort of general educators, teaching assistants, case managers, special education assistants, and support staff working together.
One of the best parts of our inclusive school is that all children work together and accept each other’s differences. Thank you for modeling this acceptance and having patience. Thank you for supporting each other in this difficult and rewarding work. Thank you for going back to our roots and continuing the work of Maria Montessori.
Staff Meeting Monday
Staff Kids Meeting Monday
Hourly Staff Payroll
Thank you! The submittal of time sheets went so much smoother this week. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we refine this process.
On the last payroll submitted, hourly staff were not paid for Labor Day. Hourly staff were not paid for Labor Day in 2017-18 and my intention was to be consistent. It has come to my attention that there were four or five paid holidays in the hourly pay schedule before I became director. Hourly employee agreements state that the director will determine paid holidays and there is no number listed.
Moving forward, while I am director, hourly employees can expect 4 paid holidays. These paid holidays will include: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas (sorry, I'm not trying to be Christian focused; this is the day listed as a paid holiday in the past), and New Year's Day. Since we missed Labor Day this year, in 2018-19 hourly staff will be paid their 4th holiday on MLK day in January.
Special Ed / 504 Professional Learning
I realize that some of you were frustrated when questions regarding specific classes' students with IEPs were asked in regards to "minutes" and not answered directly. As I said in the meeting, those conversations will be best had in the co-teaching meetings. Administrators plan to attend your upcoming co-teaching meetings so we can clarify any questions you have about your class, students with IEPs and, accommodations listed on their IEPs.
Included below is a document from Andrea summarizing the similarities and differences between an IEP and a 504.
Since you all teachers are asked to submit their weekly lesson plans, I have included my lesson plan below from Monday's professional learning for your perusal.
Math U See Data
!! Monday October 1st AUDIT!!
Thank you for your cooperation Monday and every day for attendance.
Additional Mini-COW
Please request all technology with at least 24 hours notice. Megan is now teaching during the day and she cannot stop her instruction to organize technology for check-out.
Picture Day
Cross Country Championships
From MAPA - Fall Festival
You won’t want to miss this years Fall Festival! We have a lot of exciting surprises in store!
Purchase your tickets online at:
https://squareup.com/store/mapa-9
Any tickets/wristbands purchased online will be available for pickup at the “ticket drive-thru” or at the will call booth the night of the festival. Pre-sale prices are good now thru October 11th.
Ticket Drive Thru dates will be: October 8, 9, 10, & 11 in the north east corner of the North Shore parking lot from 2:45-3:30 pm or October 8 & 10 from 8-8:30 am
All of our events couldn’t be as great as they are without the help we receive from our amazing volunteers! Postings for Volunteers to help with Fall festival will be ready soon, so keep an eye open for them.
Montessori Mondays
Field Trips - Reminder
Communication During Heightened Situations
School Wide Reading
Chain of Command Friday
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