Message from the Head of School
“Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole, which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”
- Maria Montessori
Dear Parents,
We had a very productive Parent Meeting Tuesday evening I was sorry more of you weren’t able to make it. Although it was ostensibly about safety, it brought to mind just how profound our work together here is, which is why the quote above jumped out at me.
We covered child safety school protocols, developmental behaviors, and shared some information regarding developmentally appropriate behaviors, strategies for speaking with your children about these difficult topics in an age appropriate way, and shared other resources. I have included below a link to the information for you all, and I encourage you to read it.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Sexual-Behaviors-Young-Children.aspx
We have an additional staff training about this topic scheduled for November 2nd, and you are all invited to attend if you would like. The cost is $15 per person, just for the materials. If you'd like to attend, please let Kristina know by tomorrow.
God bless,
Sean P. Garvey
Head of School
Renaissance Montessori School
Messages from the Environments
Message from the Young Children's Community
The children in our youngest community are becoming more independent each day! Some days they want to do everything for themselves, and other days refuse! Each day we meet them where they are, and the environment is prepared for them to have the freedom needed to help them grow as curious learners, to move about and experience things for themselves. At home, families can also set up spaces that allow their little people to explore with all their senses and get involved with the activities of daily life! Some things to consider at home: washing dishes in the sink, pouring a drink with a small pitcher, digging and weeding in the garden. Be sure to have a sponge at the ready to clean up spills. They know how to do that too!
Message from the Children's House
This week in the Children's House, we were excited to receive a presentation on exotic animals from Emma and Audrey in Elementary. It has been so wonderful being close to the Elementary community this year. We are enjoying learning from and with the children and adults, and can't wait to see what this year will bring.
Message from the Elementary Community
We have had a visitor in Elementary for a couple of days: a praying mantis! The children are enjoying watching it move about within the bug catcher. They added grass - and then a living fly - to the habitat to keep things interesting. Their excitement about observing nature in action followed right on the heels of our first great story, God with No Hands, in which we pondered together the particles of the universe. These elements obey God just by doing what He created them to do. “When a gentle breeze caresses your cheek, it is the wind saying, ‘Lord, I hear you, and I obey.’“ This story is the first of five and opens up the study of the universe and all that it contains by begging the question, “Who has prepared all this for me?” The children truly delight in finding these answers.
Message from the Erdkinder
We just finished reading and discussing in seminar our team building book, Endurance, by Alfred Lansing. We are looking forward to putting together an amazing description of this expedition to put on our Integrated Time Line.
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.
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
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.
Photo Packages and Order Information
FAQ
Please Check Directory for Accuracy
Below is a link to the draft of the 2018-2019 Parent Directory. Please take a look at your entry to make sure we have all your info accurate before we publish. If corrections are needed, please email the office.
DIRECTORY
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!
Eco-Nize Closets Looking for Office Manager
RMS does not promote announced part time or full time jobs, but we are happy to pass on opportunities in our community. Click the flyer below for more details on the position.
MORE DETAILS
Upcoming Events
10/6/18 - Practical Life Seminar
10/8/18 - No School - Columbus Day
10/10/18 - Parents Guild Meeting 8:30 AM
10/15/18 - Montessori Monday
Reminders
Your VIC Card Equals Money for the School
Thanks so much to Gail Dolan, who has offered to coordinate the grocery store fundraising program this year. RMS receives a portion of what you spend when you link your Harris Teeter VIC card. Gail is collecting VIC or phone numbers with family names so we take advantage of this promotion. Please email her your family name, phone number and/or VIC number at gdolan92@gmail.com. She will also be collecting the names and numbers at Parent Nights as well.
Smock Donations Needed
The Elementary environment is in need of some painting smocks to help protect their uniforms. Please consider donating your old aprons, large t-shirts or Dad’s old dress shirts. Stains and rips are fine!
From the Parents Guild
Please join us for our next Parent's Guild Meeting on Wednesday, October 10, in the Parent's Lounge. All parents and caregivers are welcome! As we look ahead to the two upcoming days off of school (Nov 1st and 2nd), we hope to plan an informal gathering at one of the local pumpkin patches. Last year, quite a few of us went to The Corn Maze in The Plains, and had a wonderful afternoon together, building community. Stay tuned, and be sure to keep up with the RMS Facebook page as well. Don't forget to bring in your box tops, as this is a simple way to help the school raise money. If anyone is interested in volunteering to collect and send in box tops, please contact the RMS office or Paula O'Keefe (parentsguild@rmsmail.org).
If you'd like to catch up on what we covered at the last meeting, you can find the minutesHERE.
Family SCRIP Contribution
With a little planning, it is easy to work SCRIP into your day to day purchases and make your $300 profit goal!
Rosanne Garvey is the SCRIP coordinator. She can be reached at 703-447-9229 or by email at rosanne505@verizon.net.
SCRIP is a fundraising program which asks retailers to participate and sell us gift cards at a reduced rate. For example, if you purchase a $100 Lands End gift card through SCRIP, they charge us $86 for that card and the school makes $14. There are countless retailers to choose from: airlines, hotels, clothing, fast food, gas, groceries; even Uber participates!!
To start ordering or buying SCRIP, simply visit www.shopwithscrip.com and set up an account. Make sure that spending is linked to RMS by entering our enrollment code - 8F91287E14129. Once you have an account, you can peruse the hundreds of retailers that participate and decide how best to use SCRIP within your family.
The easiest way to use scrip is to set up a "Presto Pay" account, which draws money directly from your bank and gives you access to SCRIP cards immediately from your phone, or to print from your home computer. Many, but not all, retailers participate in this format which is called SCRIPNow! PrestoPay uses the same safe electronic ACH that banks use and is secured by a 4 digit pin which you must enter every time you use it. There is a $0.15 charge per transaction when you use PrestoPay.
If you do not set up a Presto Pay account and would rather get physical gift cards,you can place your order on the website and bring a check to school by Tuesday made out to RMS. Orders are placed on Wednesdays and the check must be deposited before an order can be placed. The order takes a few days to ship and Rosanne can get your cards to you by the following Tuesday.
Lastly, we have a SCRIP binder which is kept in the office. You are welcome to purchase SCRIP cards directly from the binder with cash or check. Please mark on the front of the binder what you have taken and whether you paid by cash or check.
Feel free to call or email Rosanne with any questions.