Head of School's Message
“We cannot create observers by saying 'observe', but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and these means are procured through education of the senses.” - Maria Montessori Dear RMS Parents,
Fall is upon us, even if the weather hasn’t figured that out quite yet. Next week we’ll be open for observations in all our environments. As I mentioned at Parent Orientation, the entire Montessori method is based upon observation, and there is no better way to absorb what it is and how it works. No amount of theoretical study and reading can replace it. Plus, it is the best way to see what is going on with your child. So please, call the office and arrange a time to come observe, and do so before your fall parent-teacher conference if at all possible. It will be worth the effort, I promise.
I often say this school is a community effort, and it is very true. One way we instantiate this reality is by asking each family to give of their time to help the school. It is a way to be involved in your child’s education, to build community and to participate in creating the “greater good” that our little school strives to be. There are a myriad of ways to volunteer, and only 20 hours asked for over the entire year. See below for details on how to get started, and thank you in advance for being so generous with your time.
Beginning of the Year Celebration
Please join us tomorrow from 3-5 in the fields behind RMS! Please bring a dish to share. Beverages and paper products will be provided. Don't forget to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and outdoor games for the kids to share!
You can RSVP at Sign-up Genius HERE.
Open for Observation
As the foundation of this entire way, i.e. the Montessori Method, 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.
SCHEDULE A CLASSROOM OBSERVATION
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.
Elementary North Star Southern Cross Toddler
Erd Kinder Conferences Times - Contact Dr. Rubin directly to schedule. Monday 10/09 and 10/ 16 3:15 - 3:45 3:45 - 4:15 Wednesday 10/11 and 10/ 18 3:15 - 3:45 3:45 - 4:15
Volunteer Hours and Tracking
This year we are implementing a new tool to help parents easily find opportunities to volunteer and track hours - Track it Forward. Later today, each family will receive an invitation from the Track it Forward system. The email will contain instructions on how to log in and change your password. 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. If you attended the Guild meeting yesterday, don't forget to go ahead and log your hours!
As always, we are here to help so let us know if you have any questions at all!
Parent Night Date Change
Due to the many events celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of Our Lady at Fatima, we have rescheduled Parent Night #1, originally scheduled on October 13th, to October 19th at 6:30 PM.
The new revised calendar can be found in the parent section of the website.
Carpool Safety
Because we have small children entering and leaving the toddler building and children coming from the Erd Kinder building, we want to remind everyone to please stay in the carpool line, even after you receive all your children; do not exit and pull around the line. We know this slows down the movement of the line but it is vital to help keeping everyone safe. Thanks!
Fatima Talk
Holy Family Academy is hosting Professor Ray O'Herron who will be speaking about the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima on Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 PM. Details can be found in the flyer HERE.
October Pizza Order Form
The pizza order form for the month of October is available now. As always, orders are due by Wednesday for pizza lunch on Friday.
Upcoming Events
- 9/27/17 - Parents Guild Meeting
- 9/29/17 - Beginning-Of-Year After School Celebration 3:00-5:00
- 10/9/17 - No School - Columbus Day
- 10/19/17 - Parent Night #1 (Revised Date)
Reminders
Box Tops
RMS is once again collecting Box Tops. As most of you know, these are the pink coupon-looking squares you see on many items that already purchase. Each one is worth 10 cents for the school which can add up fast! Please collect them and turn them into the school office by Thursday, Oct 19th. You can hand them in to any of the staff at drop off or pick up or have your children bring them in. RMS mom, Michelle Clune, is the Box Top coordinator. If you have any questions, please contact her at michelleclune@yahoo.com. Thank you!
Family SCRIP Contribution
You may have noticed a new charge in your 2017-2018 contract named “Family SCRIP Contribution”. This charge is due June, 2018, but in actuality, it is a charge designed to never be paid! Here’s a brief explanation.
As you all probably know, SCRIP is a way for families to fund raise for the school via the money they already spend on other things (clothes, groceries, gas, movie tickets, whatever). For example, if you buy $50 of movie tickets using SCRIP, you get $50 of movie tickets AND the school gets $4! So it’s a great way to use the dollars you spend elsewhere to help the school raise money and keep tuition as low as we can.
In regard to the new “Family SCRIP Contribution” charge, every month you’ll get a report of exactly how much your SCRIP purchases have contributed to the school, and before the charge comes due, all those contributions will be credited on your agreement. A mere $25 a month in contributions eliminates the charge altogether!
In addition this year, credits can be earned by attending Parent Nights! Each Parent Night you attend gets you up to $20 in credit toward this charge!
To get started earning credits, contact our SCRIP coordinator, Rosanne Garvey, at rosanne505@verizon.net or call her at 703-447-9229.