Bristow Montessori School
"The Buzz" - May 2017
The Montessori Lens - Evaluation
It is almost that time of year again! Our thoughts as teachers and parents become focused upon all the progress and accomplishments the children have been building over the course of the year.
There are several schools of thought in Montessori regarding ethics and validity of progress reports and the evaluation of Pre-school children. Many educators and child development professionals believe there should not be any “formal’ evaluation of children under grade school age. This is due to the variations of milestone accomplishments in physical, cognitive, and psychological maturity.
In most Montessori Schools however, Parent/Teacher conferences typically start in the Primary environment. Of course, Infant, Toddler and Pre-primary families are always welcome to schedule an appointment to talk about their child’s experience in the classroom and ask the teachers for feedback and to discuss any concerns during the course of the year.
It is always challenging to try and capture all the great things a child has done in a 20 minute conference, so we try to facilitate the experience in a couple of ways to make the time more efficient.
Firstly, a week prior to the conferences we invite parents to attend Observation Week. This is a time that parents can sign up to conduct an observation of their child prior to their conference. BMS provides an observation form to help guide parents with their observations to help identify specific behaviors, interactions with others, and level of engagement in the classroom.
Although this is only a ‘snapshot’ of a child’s typical day, often times it provides useful insight for both parents and teachers to discuss during their conference time. I strongly urge parents to take advantage of this opportunity, especially if you are new to the Primary environment. Observations will take place May 30 - June 2nd. Sign up Sheets will be posted outside the classrooms 2 weeks prior to Observation Week.
The Observation forms are ideally shared with the teacher prior to the conference so that the teacher can be prepared to fully address all the comments. Secondly, BMS tries to make the time as efficient as possible by forwarding the actual conference reports to parents electronically, several days prior to the actual meeting.
BMS Primary Parent/Teacher conferences are the week of June 5th to June 9th. Sign-up sheets will be posted outside the classrooms 2 weeks prior to conference week. Please, see your teacher if you have any questions.
We want to make sure you have the best possible experience and have all of your questions answered.
In service,
Anita Ercole
2016-2017 BMS Yearbook Sales Begin - $20 each
- 8x11 in size - cover-stock cover - full color, and will include photos of the students, along with works, artwork, events, and other special moments captured throughout your child's growth here at BMS during the 2016-2017 year.
- Each Yearbook is $20. Payments can be made to the front office via check to BMS.
- Sales in May, Distribution in June.
Mom's Night Out - This Monday May 8th 7:00pm!
Moms, Grandmas, Friends and BMS Family - Purchase your tickets the night of the event at the door OR at the BMS front desk May 8th during the day. Let the front office know if you will be going so we can get a head count.
Date: May 8, 2017; 7 – 9 pm
Location: Trummer’s Coffee & Wine Bar, Promenade at Virginia Gateway, Gainesville
Tickets: $40 per person with 40% of proceeds going directly to the Fundraiser.
Trummer’s has also agreed to donate 10% of the profits from their cafe that evening toward this fundraiser.
Dads – treat the hard-working Mom in your life to a night away! Mom’s – gather your friends, fellow mom’s or your own mom and come celebrate one another. Read more on our FB Event Page about this Fundraiser for Renee, one of our very own BMS Moms and to RSVP if you will be attending.
While we hope you are able to join us for this special event, in the event you cannot, please consider donating to Renee through a Go-Fund-Me Page we have created on her behalf.
Muffins For Moms - May 12 - AM Drop Off
Moms, we invite you to join us May 12 @ 7:30 am - 9:00 am in the BMS lobby. A special thank you to Moms for all they do. Stop by the front desk at drop off for muffins and juice before you head to work!
Library Team Meets - May 12 9:00am - 10:30am
Friday, May 12 at 9:00 am we invite you to join our BMS Library Team! We welcome any parent that would like to come out for a couple of hours and help sort and label new and current books and discuss the future maintenance goals of the BMS Library.
BMS Library Team's Mission:
The BMS Library Team supports the school's mission by maintaining and circulating a collection of books for all of our children infant through elementary. Our goal is to foster learning of all ages through carefully selected books that excite, inspire and delight students through a variety of reading materials. High quality literature presented in a prepared reading environment motivates our young readers, creating learners for life.
Photo Day Reminder - Order Online by May 12
Next PTO Meeting: May 17 at 6:30 pm - at Twisted Cork
We invite all parents of BMS students to attend our PTO meeting on Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 pm at Twisted Cork. We thought it would be fun this month to enjoy a bite to eat (and maybe a glass of wine) during the meeting. The PTO is a great way to meet other BMS Parents, chat about upcoming school news/events, learn how to volunteer your time to positively impact the BMS Community, and collaborate with BMS staff/teachers on various programs and community efforts. (childcare will not be provided).
Thanks to all of you who volunteer your time to help out at special events but also to those who recognize the teachers in unique ways. THANK YOU!!! If you are new to the BMS community or have not had an opportunity to volunteer your time, we would love to have you on board!
BMS will be a vendor at the Mud Run - May 20
Glory Days BMS Spirit Night MAY 28th!
Memorial Day - SCHOOL CLOSED Monday May 29
BMS is scheduled to be closed Monday May 29 for Memorial Day. BMS would like to deeply thank all of our families who are serving in the U.S. Military. Our school observes this holiday to honor those men and women who have died while serving.
Parent Observation Week
May 30 @ 8:00 am - June 2 @ 11:00 am
A week prior to the conferences we invite parents to attend Observation Week. This is a time that parents can sign up to conduct an observation of their child prior to their conference. Sign up Sheets will be posted outside the classrooms 2 weeks prior to Observation Week. Read more here.
Parent/Teacher Conferences are the week following. From June 5 - 9.
Connect with US!
BMS Parents - We are on Facebook!
Families of BMS, we invite you to join our Private Facebook Group for important up to date news on events, new programs, school closings, and more. When you follow our Facebook group, you can engage in conversation with other BMS families which facilitates growth within the BMS Community. Sign into Facebook and request to join our group. Requests must be approved before access. Please note BMS has a Public Page you can join as well.
Reminder to Parents
SUMMER CAMP!
Re-Enrollment Time!
We value returning students, as they form an experienced base for our classes, serving as “leaders” and role models to the new students who will join us in the fall. In addition, our returning families contribute to our growing community at BMS.
If you would like assistance with any re-enrollment forms, please contact us at 703-468-1191 or email us at info@bristowmontessori.com. We look forward to continuing and growing our relationships with each and every one of you and your children!
Box Tops for Education
A look back at the Month of April
Thank you to all of our BMS Teachers & Staff!
The fruit brought in by all of the children for the teachers was absolutely wonderful. The teachers took the fruit home in baskets provided by one of our parents, and we enjoyed quite a bit of fruit this week, along with the bagels, tarts and cake brought in by our BMS families and children.
Thank you Teachers at Bristow Montessori School for EVERYTHING you do. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication, molding the curious young minds of all of the children here at BMS. Words cannot express the gratitude for the thought, time, energy, and love you give everyday. Bristow Montessori School is a great success because of you.
Month of April - Volcanos and Earth Day!
Ms. Nora's Class
Ms. Avanthi's Class
Ms. Amy's Class
Ms. Amy's Class
Ms. Sabina's Class
Ms. Sabina's Class
3YL Club - Third Year Leadership Club
The 3YL Club is the acronym for Third Year Leadership program. The third year of Montessori education is an important stage in your child’s development. It is in the third year that the child’s learning is fully internalized and their leadership role becomes a guiding force. BMS is proud to offer all Kindergarten students, in their third year of the Primary program, the opportunity to join this leadership club.
Story Time for Toddlers was a great success and the children enjoyed hearing our Kindergarten Leaders read to them. The 3YL Club also spent time preparing the Wild Flower Garden!
MAY's 3YL Schedule:
Mother's Day Appreciation
Reading Buddies Program
Reading Time for Toddlers
Box Tops for Education
Team Luncheon
Team Building Games
Tuition Payments
If you provide a payment via written check. Please be advised check processing my take 2-3 weeks, should you decide to provide this form of payment.
Credit Card Payments can be processed, but incurs a fee of 3%.
Late tuition payments have a significant negative impact on school operations. Thank you for your understanding. A late fee of $50 will be assessed for tuition payments received after the 5th of each month.
Program Schedules
BMS Community Businesses
We are proud to showcase any of our BMS Community companies and hope that we can all benefit from buying and supporting local business! If you are apart of the BMS Community, send in your ad to the BMS front office and we will rotate them through our newsletter. Thanks for all your support!
Long and Foster Realtor
Dog Boarding and Training
The Philly Tavern
Contact Us
Website: www.bristowmontessori.com
Location: 9050 Devlin Road, Bristow, VA, United States
Phone: 703-468-1191
Facebook: FaceBook.com/BristowMontessoriSchool