Message from the Head of School
“The development of language is part of the development of the personality, for words are the natural means of expressing thoughts and establishing understanding between people.”
~Maria Montessori
Dear Parents,
Welcome to fall! The weather has finally caught up with the calendar.
I love the quote above, as it reminds us that the development of language is so much more than the acquisition of a vocabulary. Language, communication, involves our whole selves, and has a purpose, and that purpose is to establish mutual understanding. What a big, and life-long work that is! No wonder Montessori begins it even with the youngest, pre-verbal children.
It also reminded me of the Parent Night that we hosted Tuesday, and why I am so glad we covered the importance of learning how to give and receive feedback. It is the lifeblood of our partnership, and the key to all our relationships throughout our lives. I know it is difficult to make time to come out during the evening, so sometimes these Parent Nights can feel like a burden. They are meant to be an enhancement, and in reality are an irreplaceable part of what will make your experience of Montessori as fruitful as it can and should be. I hope to see you all at the next one!
God bless,
Sean P. Garvey
Head of School
Renaissance Montessori School
Messages from the Environments
Message from the Young Children's Community
"The Good Shepherd calls his sheep by name and leads them out..." In the Young Children's Community we have been practicing waiting until their name is called. This is BIG work for the toddler!! The children have two opportunities each day to sit and wait for their name to be called (at the prayer table and when it is time to go out) that we are practicing each day, and they are doing it in the sweetest and most lovely way! They really want to do it!
They are also practicing walking in and on a line, and yesterday I overheard one child say over and over, "I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm walking on the line! Follow me!" I'm so grateful to have these little ones each day and looking forward to meeting with parents in the next couple of weeks. Please remember to sign up for conferences on Mondays through Sign up Genius.
Toddler Conferences
Message from the Children's House
We have been able to start our mornings outdoors and we are loving every moment of it! We have been preparing the gardens for winter, tending every part of our outdoor environment and are enjoying the change of seasons.
Message from Elementary
Our studies in Elementary this week have included the fundamental needs of humans throughout the ages. We talked about homes in particular and how people have found shelter in different climates and depending upon their particular needs. The children enjoyed building tee pees as follow-up work.
Message from the Erdkinder
This week the adolescents produced an elaborate visual description of the voyage of Ernest Shackleton and his crew on the ship “Endurance.”
Volunteer Hours and Tracking
Once again this year we are using Track it Forward to help parents easily find opportunities to volunteer and track hours. Returning families can continue to use the same account they had last year. New families will receive an invitation from the Track it Forward system. The email will contain instructions on how to log in and change your password. The email will be sent to only one parent and be a family account for both parents and any caregivers to log in to. If you don't receive this email (one per family), please let Kristina know!
In addition to being able to see volunteer needs and track hours on the Track it Forward website, you can also do both in the "Volunteering" drop down of the parents section of the RMS website HERE. There is also a link to this page at the top of each weekly update for easy access.
As always, we are here to help so let us know if you have any questions at all!
New Family Directory Available
The 2018-2019 RMS Family Directory is now available. It can be downloaded below and is always available on the RMS Parents Page of our website.
RMS Family Directory 2018-2019
Parents Guild Upcoming Events
The Parents Guild has been planning some fun outings for both parents and kids.
Farm Brew Live
On October 28, 2018 from 5-7 we invite you to join other RMS parents (and kids if you would like) at 2 Silos/Farm Brew Live in Manassas. Come enjoy the evening with us--Two Silos features an outdoor fireplace, a Peterson's ice cream truck with specialty ice cream and drinks, a playground, corn hole, fire pits and several different food options. They do ask that you do not bring in outside food and children must be with their parents the entire time. We will try to meet in the area near the fireplace. Check it out: http://farmbrewlive.com
Ticonderoga Farms
On November 2, a day off of school, we will head to Ticonderoga Farms for a fun and exciting day outside with family and friends. Beginning around noon we will gather (bring or buy lunch) at the farm and everyone can stay as long as they would like. Ticonderoga has goats, rolling tunnels and big slides, hayrides, giant jumping pillow, and all the usual farm festival fun. The cost is 10.95 for everyone 2 and older. No need to RSVP; just show up and bring a friend!
http://www.ticonderoga.com/
Upcoming Events
10/29/18 - Picture Day
10/28/18 - Parents Guild Farm Brew Live 5-7 PM
10/30/18 - First Holy Communion Parent Meeting
10/31/18 - Elementary Living Souls Museum 9 - 11 AM
11/1/18 - NO SCHOOL - All Saints Day
11/2/18 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher In-Service Day
11/2/18 - Parents Guild Ticonderoga Farms Outing
Reminders
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences occur twice a year; once in the fall and once in the spring. The conferences provide parents with one-on-one time with the teacher, to share our joint observations of the child, so we can best acknowledge who they are and what they need next. Conferences can be scheduled during “office hours”, which are unique to the environment and directress.
In order to make these as fruitful as possible, parents need to have observed at least once in the environment before their conference.
Use the links below to schedule a conference. If there is an emergency and you are not able to make your scheduled time, please contact the office to let us know. Then reschedule through the sign up below for an available time. Thank you in advance for your prompt arrival.
Toddler
Primary
Elementary
Erdkinder
Open for Observations
Observation is the foundation of this entire way, i.e. the Montessori Method, and observation of the child is essential for everyone in the child’s life. This is the way we discover who the child is, where they are in their journey and what they need next. All staff members participate in daily observations in the classrooms. We cannot stress enough how important it is for parents to observe their child both in the home and in the classroom.
All of our environments are now open for parent observation. We schedule observations for all environments at 8:50 AM and encourage you to plan to stay about 30 minutes.
SCHEDULE A CLASSROOM OBSERVATION
It's Time for Box Tops
Please collect any Box Tops you may have and submit them to anyone at drop off or pick up or put in the box in the office for collection. Deadline for submission is Monday, October 22nd. Please contact Michelle Clune at michelleclune@yahoo.com if you have any questions. Thank you!
If you'd like to catch up on what we covered at the last meeting, you can find the minutes HERE.
Donated Loom for Our Handcraft Studio
We are so excited about the new addition of the beautiful donated floor loom, with some of us in Elementary already with some ideas for weaving projects. The loom is a 45” wide four harness Nilus Leclerc floor loom made in July 1973 and in excellent condition. These looms and replacement parts are still in production, so it’s a very good one to have.
It will take a little time to do some cleaning, figuring out some of the ins and outs of the loom and weaving, and becoming familiar with warps, weaves, setts, dents, sleying and bearing and more. If you have any experience or know of anyone with weaving experience who would like to share their knowledge, please pass it on!
As in taking on any handcrafts there is always the need for supplies.We will always have need of yarn. If you are looking to reduce your stash, please keep our weavers in mind!
New After Hours Charge for Later Pick Up
Our Later Pick Up service after the 3:00 pick up begins at 3:15 when pick up is over andends at 4:30.All children need to be picked up from the school before 4:30 PM, as we do not have staff to cover childcare after that time. There is a $5 charge for every 5 minute interval we provide care after 4:30 PM.If you are going to be late, please call or email the absent line: 703-594-7032 or absent@rmsmail.org.
RMS Absentee Line for Late Arrivals and Early Pick-Ups
The new RMS Absentee Line has been working great for when children will be out. Thanks so much to all the parents who have already used it!
We are asking that parents also begin to use this line to let the office know if you plan to be late or to pick up your children early. This notifies several us in the office so we can make sure to receive your message in time.
Call the RMS Absentee Line at 703-594-7032 and leave a message.
Send an email to the absent@rmsmail.org.
Load this contact information into your phone now!
Picture Day
Picture Day 2018 has been scheduled for Monday, October 29th. Please make sure to have your children here by 8:30 AM on as we will begin taking pictures immediately.
Elementary children should wear their uniform as usual.
Toddler is not in session that day but if you would like a picture and to have your child included in the class picture, please bring them at 8:30; we will begin with Toddlers.
Below are more details ordering.