The Trillium
New & Events from Holy Trinity Montessori
July 2016
A NOTE FROM YOUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
I sincerely hope you're all having a great summer and enjoying many wonderful adventures together! We are staying very busy with our new land and buildings and many other exciting developments for HTM. Scroll down to read the latest!
Even though school won't start for us until the end of August, the back-to-school commercials have started and many parents are thinking about school supplies for the upcoming year. At HTM, our school supply lists look a bit different! We are including that information here so you'll have plenty of time to collect everything your child will need.
We also want to be sure you're aware of the fun Summer Play Dates that are scheduled over the next few weeks. Two HTM Moms, Betsy Bledsoe and Brooke Kocher, have organized several fun meet-ups to give our kids (and adults!) the opportunity to connect over the summer. Scroll down for details - we encourage you to take advantage of those opportunities if you're going to be around.
Finally, I want to emphasize the importance for all HTM parents to attend the mandatory Parent Meeting on August 23 at 6:00PM. With all of the changes taking place at school, some of our policies, procedures, and expectations are new or different this year; therefore it's critical for even our seasoned HTM parents to be there. I know some of you may need to rearrange your schedules or hire a babysitter in order to attend, and I thank you in advance for making this a priority.
With less than six weeks left of summer break, school will be here before you know it! Enjoy every drop of sunshine, and we will see you next month!
Love, Kate
UPDATE ON OUR NEW PROPERTY
We are also awaiting the delivery and installation of the engineered bridge, which we expect to arrive on site next week. This is another exciting development that we've been anticipating for quite some time!
As you know, wet weather creates all sorts of challenges and delays when it comes to construction. We are hopeful that the rain will subside so that we can move forward quickly. We should have some fun pictures and great progress reports to share in our next Trillium!
WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BRING TO SCHOOL?
At HTM, your child does not need to bring traditional classroom supplies to school. There are, however, a few things you will need to plan to send with your child, regardless of his or her age:
Lunch Bag - Toddlers will receive a lunch basket from HTM. For all other students, please purchase a thermal / insulated lunch bag or tote. We do not have the space to refrigerate lunches, so please be sure to safely pack the lunch and use ice packs to keep it cold. We are unable to microwave food for Toddlers and Primary friends, so please send age-appropriate healthy options that can be eaten without any extra preparations steps (your child's teacher can give you some great suggestions). Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary friends may use the microwave independently once they receive a lesson on usage. You do not need to send snacks, as these will be prepared and available in every classroom.
Indoor Shoes - When we enter the classroom, we remove our "outdoor shoes" and put on our indoor shoes, which stay at school. These are slipper-style shoes that have a soft sole and fully enclose around the foot. If you choose to order fromwww.montessorimovers.com, HTM will receive a portion of the proceeds. However, you can get them wherever you like.
Change of Clothes - Please send a seasonally-appropriate change of clothes, including shirt, pants/shorts, underwear, and socks, to school with your child. Label each piece and place them all inside a Ziploc or grocery bag with your child's name on it. We will store the clothing in your child's bin.
Rain Jacket and Rain Boots - We spend a lot of time outside, in all kinds of weather! Please send a rain jacket and a pair of rain boots that will stay at school. Make sure your child's name is written inside.
Light sweater or hoodie - Sometimes our classrooms get chilly, and your child may appreciate having a light sweater or hoodie available. Again, please label with your child's name.
Framed recent family photo - Please choose a small and simple frame, and insert a recent family picture. This will stay at school for the year.
Nap gear - if your child is still a napper, please send a small blanket and a sheet (a crib sheet works well) in a bag with your child's name on it. We'll send it home for laundering once a week.
Other items - We recommend that you apply sunscreen and bug spray (if needed) at home before you send your child to school. Also, it's a good idea to send a non-glass reusable water bottle that can be taken outside during the summer months. Check with your child's teacher to find out if any other items are required (some vary between ages).
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR TO SCHOOL?
You can find details and explanations for all of our clothing standards in your Parent Handbook, which is accessible through the Parent Portal on our HTM website (www.holytrinitymontessori.org).
Please make sure that all of your child's clothing, including coats, boots, etc., is free of licensed characters (such as Star Wars, Disney Princesses, Thomas the Train, etc.). Generic characters (robots, ballerinas, animals) are allowed.
Also, please send your child to school in clothing that can get messy or dirty. We spend a lot of time playing outside, using art materials, working in the garden, and so forth and we will allow your child to participate, no matter what they're wearing.
Toddler - Because we encourage independent self-dressing, please be sure that your toddler's clothes are easy to put on and take off. No onesies, rompers, or one-piece outfits, please.
Primary (including Kindergarten) - Any typical clothing is acceptable, as long as it adheres to the guidelines mentioned above.
Lower and Upper Elementary - Our Elementary students adhere to a uniform dress code. Shirts must be solid-colored and have a collar (short or long sleeved, depending on weather). Pants or shorts should be navy blue, khaki, or a similar solid color (gray, brown, etc.). If you have a daughter, she may wear jumpers or skirts in the same colors. Girls must wear leggings or biker shorts under skirts. An HTM shirt (collared or non-collared) is also considered appropriate for the Lower Elementary dress code.
Shoes - We recommend athletic shoes or enclosed-toe sandals. Children must be able to put on and take off their shoes independently, so consider their abilities and opt for slip-on sneakers, Velcro closures, or zippers if that's best for your child. We do not allow flip-flops, open-toe sandals, Crocs, dress shoes, or shoes with hard or slippery soles. Your child will be running, jumping, climbing, and playing in his or her outdoor shoes, so be sure the shoes will do the job!
SUMMER PLAY DATES
Our HTM friends have had a lot of fun playing together at our Summer Play Dates! HTM Moms Betsy Bledsoe and Brooke Kocher have planned some wonderful outings. Whether you're new to HTM or you've been around for years, you're invited to bring your kiddos along to have some fun with their buddies while you connect with other parents.
Here are the remaining Summer Play Date opportunities:
* Friday, 7/15 at 9am: Nashville Zoo
3777 Nolensville Road | 833-1534 | nashvillezoo.org
Meet at 9:00 am at front entrance OR enjoy the zoo at your own pace and join us for lunch! We'll eat at 11:30 am at the picnic area (behind the restaurant). Wear your HTM t-shirt if you can!
* Wednesday, 7/20 at 9:30am: Story Time at the Downtown Branch of the Nashville Public Library
615 Church Street | https://library.nashville.org/event/story-time
We'll meet up at the Story Time room at the Children's floor of the Downtown library at 9:30am. After Story Time, stick around for play time at the climbing wall and indoor play area, then join us for a picnic lunch at the fountain at 11am. Wear your HTM t-shirt if you can!
* Friday, 7/29 - time TBD: Radnor Lake State Park
1160 Otter Creek Road | 373-3467 | radnorlake.org
The Environmental Education Center features a nature discovery room for children ages 4 – 10, a nature reference library and a wet laboratory that hosts public nature programs for all ages.
If you need more details or information, please contact Brooke or Betsy!
Brooke Kocher- 423-505-4232
Betsy Bledsoe- 615-491-8374
School Calendar & Events
AUGUST
August 22-24: Teacher In-Service: No School
August 23: Mandatory Parent Orientation Meeting - All Parents, 6:00PM
August 25, 26: Transition schedule for start of school; half-days with early dismissal at 11:00 am; no Before Care/After Care (*See Transition schedule for your child's start date)
August 29: First Full Day of School: All Children Attend
SEPTEMBER
September 5: Labor Day: School Closed
September 17: Discovery Day for all parents and caregivers: The Silent Journey: A guided classroom experience, 9:00AM-12:00PM
About HTM
Email: office@holytrinitymontessori.org
Website: holytrinitymontessori.org
Location: 525 Sneed Road, Nashville, TN, United States
Phone: 615-779-6309
Facebook: facebook.com/holytrinitymontessori
Twitter: @HT_Montessori