Growing Together
Geist Montessori Academy@GeistAcademy
Volume 14: November 7, 2020
Family, Friends, And fun!
Dear GMA School Family,
Thanks for supporting the PTO and coming out for some Friday night food, friends, family and fun! It was wonderful to see so many families, and we appreciate all that you do to build our supportive and caring school community.
This past week, students enjoyed learning in our outdoor space, sharing their thinking, and engaging in meaningful hands-on lessons. This Wednesday, Veterans Day, we will celebrate those who serve and have served our great country. As students dive deeper into their learning and understandings, we will also be offering free tutoring to those who may benefit from additional, small group lessons.
The tutoring sessions are formed by learning levels and subject areas; some learning labs are offered before school, while others are offered after school. Invitational letters went home last week, and these FREE sessions will run from November 9- December 18. If your child did not receive an invitational letter, and you believe that s/he would benefit from these small, supportive sessions, please feel free to contact me, and we will accommodate your child’s needs.
Still dancing upon our Indiana trees are those vivid red, orange, and yellow leaves. Wishing you a wondrous weekend to enjoy nature's glory, with a little walk on sunshine with your loved ones.
As always, thank you for your partnership in learning!
Warmly,
Cindy Schuler
Executive Director
Geist Montessori Academy
(317) 813-4626
Of all things, love is the most potent.
-Maria Montessori
With love in our hearts, we remember!
Thank you, Angela Henry!
Branch of service: Air Force and Navy
Years of service: 27 years
She performed anesthesia in the operating room in Landstuhl Germany for 3 years. We appreciate your service.
Thank you, William and Liv Marvin!
Branch of service: Army
Years of service: William: 8 years, Liv: 4 years
We are grateful for your service.
Thank you, Jim McIntire!
Branch of service: Army
Years of service: 10
Katherine’s grandpa, Jim McIntire, was a Captain in the US Army. We are thankful for your service.
Thank you, Robert Peden!
Years of Service: 4 years
Robert was deployed twice to the Persian gulf, where he was a cook, stood lookout, steered the ship, rigged underway replenishment, was flight deck firefighter, and gun magazine captain.
We are grateful for your service!
Dates to remember
Upcoming Events
11/11 Veterans Day
11/17 PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
11/25-27 Thanksgiving Break
12/14-17 Winter Concert
12/15 School Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
12/18 End of Quarter
12/21-1/6 Winter Break
1/7-1/22 Virtual Learning
sunshine spreaders!
Spreading joy and kindness this week:
Marlee Davis
Carter Brown
Emory Bishop
Recipients not pictured: Reagan Hall and Morgan Begle
We love number work!
Warm Welcome to our New Exceptional Learner Coordinator: Jessica Hickman
Dear Geist Montessori Academy Families,
My name is Jessica Hickman, and I am excited to begin the next chapter of my career serving as the Special Education Coordinator and Art Teacher at Geist Montessori Academy. It’s a privilege to join this wonderful school community.
I’m a graduate of St. Lawrence University in my home state of New York. My undergraduate degree is in Education and Fine Arts. I earned my Masters Degree in Severe Special Education from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. I bring with me 9 years of teaching experience in residential, elementary, and high school settings.
As an active duty military spouse, I have had the amazing opportunity to travel the country and teach a variety of learners in culturally diverse settings. One of the most rewarding experiences was serving as the Community Based Instruction teacher in Kapolei, Hawaii, partnering with the school community and surrounding Oahu communities.
My husband Zachary and I recently relocated to Indiana from Hawaii with our 2 year old daughter Eleanor and two dogs Gabrielle and Stella. As a parent and an educator, I understand the value of a well-rounded, student centered education. The whole child approach cultivates a sense of wonder, and a passion for lifelong learning and curiosity. Students learn in so many different ways and it is our job, as educators, to strive and exceed the individual needs of our students.
I’m excited to be working at Geist Montessori Academy and look forward to working with each and everyone of you. Please feel free to reach out to me!
Best,
Jessica Hickman
Hands-on, Engaged Learning!
Ms. Jen's Tip of the Week
As we begin making preparations for our scheduled eLearning days in January, our teachers have been busy learning about some awesome digital tools that will help our students continue working on the skills and concepts that they’ve been learning this year at GMA. Many of these resources also have parent resources that will help you be involved and kept up to speed on the things your child will be doing during eLearning.
In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for information about how parents can stay informed about assignments and lessons that are posted on Google Classroom. Each week, we will also begin highlighting one of the many digital tools our teachers will be using to facilitate eLearning.
This week, be sure to check out the amazing treasure trove of stories available for free on Storyline Online. There, you will find a wealth of stories read by famous actors in partnership with SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) Foundation. Each story includes supplemental curriculum that was developed by licensed teachers to help improve comprehension and language skills. The stories come alive with animation on the screen. The parent guide also includes fun activities and projects that can bring families together through rich literacy-based learning at home. It’s definitely worth checking out!
YMCA childcare partnership
Hello GMA School Family,
The YMCA is exploring the option of eLearning Care for GMA families in January. Please click the link and let us know what your needs will be.
Thank-you!
Katy Yeoman
Regional Program Director
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
Youth Development – North
317.554.1662
Small Group lessons clarify our thinking
Thank you for Screening Daily and Keeping our School Community Safe and Healthy!
Quarantine Tips
Just take 20: Tips for Reading at Home
Before Reading
• Based on the title and the cover illustration, what do you think this story will be about?
• What do you already know about this topic?
During Reading
• Who is the main character? How are you like or different from this character?
• What is the setting for this story? Does the setting change across the story?
• What is the problem in the story?
• What do you predict will happen next?
• Which character would you want to be your friend? Why?
• Could this part of the story happen in real life?
After Reading
• How was the problem in the story solved?
• Did the characters change in the story? How and why?
• Why do you think the author chose this title for the story? Can you think of a different one?
• What part of the story was most interesting?
• Did you like the ending? Why or why not?
Come read with us! Visit JustTake20.org for more fun reading activities
Friday Food, Family, Friends, and Fun! Thanks for organizing this, PTO!
ROBOT parts needed for the Buckeye class
The Kindergarten Buckeye class is doing their first project of the year. Based on the interests of the children and resources available the topic of our project is ROBOTS!! We are in full on research mode for our project and part of the research process is exploring the topic through recyclable materials. At this time we are reaching out and asking anyone for donations to our class to help us.
Ideas for items: boxes (big and small), water bottles, bottle caps, wheels (big and small), straws, dryer vents, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, construction paper, string, dowels, pipe cleaners, pvc pipe, pool noodles... just to name a few.
We appreciate your support,
Mrs. Victoria Kortz
Geist Montessori Academy
Kindergarten Teacher
Below are some visual examples as well:
We love learning!
Montessori Materials
Have you ever wondered what your child was talking about when s/he came home?
What is this lingo that s/he speaking? Here is a wonderful resource of Montessori terminology: https://montessori-ami.org/resource-library/facts/glossary-montessori-terms
WE hope to see you at the next PTO Meeting!
Dec 15, 2020 06:30 PM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJEpcOyqqTMjE9GXc85TFfOC08_I-ORU2A6M/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCtqjwvGNOduRCCRowMBo_CZ-rwtlxEj_p6pBy9VhR1ZCzVZrp9G_9QIu2C
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95475278995?pwd=YkM3eXBjUW1yd3N3bkJCNmdvdC91dz09
Meeting ID: 954 7527 8995
Passcode: jXU4tX
We love our School board
Our sincere appreciation is extended to our amazing school board for their service to GMA!
President: Uriah Ellis
Secretary: Lacey Willard
Treasurer: Andrew Cavallaro
Members at Large: Karen Swan and Mark Clark
Meeting Dates: December 15, 2020, February 16, 2021, April 20, 2021, June 15, 2021
*All Meetings begin at 5:30 pm and are open to the public. Meetings will be held at the physical school location or virtually, as needed.
We look forward to our continued partnership, as we grow together for the better!
GMA School Calendar
Virtual or LIve, GMA always thrives!
Children of the World, featuring GMA students!!!
Meet our incredible School Family staff members: Enjoy Photos and Letters
Meet our 2020.2021 Staff Members
We are so excited to grow together for the better!
Meet Geist Montessori Academy's Executive Director: Cindy Schuler
Email: Cschuler@gma.k12.in.us
Website: gmacademy.org
Phone: (317)813-4626
Twitter: @GeistAcademy
GMA Contact iNformation
PHONE NUMBER:
(317) 813-4626
ADDRESS:
6058 W. 900 N.
McCordsville, IN 46055