Message from the Principal
“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” -St. John Paul the Great
Dear Parents,
Our Mardi Gras team is already hard at work! Under the leadership of co-chairs Sarah Klump and Laura Osmer-DeMuth, the team is really taking shape and our 12th Annual Mardi Gras promises to be one of the best yet.
There is still lots of help need to make this event successful and raise the needed money for RMS. It really does take all hands on deck and there are many different ways to contribute, from sending emails from home to setting up on the night of. Please pay close attention to the emails from Sarah and the team and give of your time generously. Not only is this a great way to fill your 20 volunteer hours, but also a great way to get to know the parents of your children's school friends.
God bless,
Kristina Fox
Principal
Renaissance Montessori School
Message from the Environments
MESSAGE FROM THE YOUNG CHILDREN'S HOUSE
The Young Children’s Community has been engaged in hard work everyday and is establishing their routine. Routine is essential to toddlers as it provides a sense of security and safety. When the children arrive, they know to change into their indoor shoes so they can begin their day in the classroom. They choose materials they wish to work with for the morning period, participate in our prayer gathering, partake in a communal snack, and end their day outdoors in the garden. The young children like knowing what will happen next because the predictability allows them to thrive and it minimizes difficult moments of transition.
As part of our routine in the environment, the toddlers are learning how to BE in our prayer gatherings. When I ring the bell, the children know the sound means to stop what they’re doing and listen for directions. The toddlers also know the ringing of the bell indicates it’s time to prepare for our prayer service. The young children proceed to the prayer table while singing our atrium gathering song, get a carpet square from the shelf, sit on the carpet square with their legs crossed around the prayer table, and wait quietly for the prayer service to begin.
The young children have been given the nomenclature of the prayer table, green prayer tablecloth, prayers cards, and the statue of the Good Shepherd. We know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we continue to learn more about Him everyday when we gather around the prayer table. Together, we try to make silence so that we can hear the whispers and secrets the Good Shepherd desires to share with us. We conclude our prayer service with songs, which the children enjoy thoroughly. It is a delight to have the toddlers participate in these prayer services! The innocent responses of the young children are pure joy and their light truly enriches our community. Mrs. Clune and I are truly blessed, thank you God!
MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE
Sighs of contentment were faintly heard in the Children's House this week, which was at times almost silent, except for the hum of activity. The children are finding their groove in the classroom. You may get feedback from your children about stringing beads or washing dishes and wonder, “When will I hear about reading and math?” Rest assured, it is all there, and it is happening too, but what they love most, and is also the foundation of a peaceful Montessori classroom, is Practical Life. It is what brings them satisfaction.
Children are natural pattern seekers and in the classroom there are patterns all around. We ALWAYS tuck in our chair when we get up, and ALWAYS carry one object at a time, and a tray with two hands! We ALWAYS fill water into a pitcher and from a pitcher into a bucket and from a bucket into the sink . . . we NEVER fill a bucket at the sink! Even with all the variation of Practical Life, dish washing, hand washing, cloth washing, table scrubbing, or vegetable cutting, there is a sequence and a pattern to all of these things, and it brings comfort and confidence to children as they learn how to do things for themselves. Pattern and repetition leads to mastery and mastery leads to joy. There are many opportunities to ‘tie a bow’ each day, beginning with their new shoes, once in the classroom there are apron ties, and some children recently discovered a hidden one is in the Spindle Box! A child who just learned to tie this week, tied a bow for a friend’s apron and then said, “I did it! I tied your apron!” It was cause for great celebration!
MESSAGE FROM ELEMENTARY
Building community is a big part of our work in Elementary. We can already see the benefits of a large group of experienced children at the top of our class this year! We have observed a large group conversation among the children, resetting the “rules” of fort building during outside time, without the help of an adult. We have seen the gentle redirection of one of our newest members by an older one about how to bring up topics of concern in a class meeting while respecting everyone’s privacy. We have depended upon the feedback, especially during transition times and clean-up, of our most settled students and have marveled at their capacity to bring the less settled ones literally and figuratively in line. The opportunities the children have in a Montessori setting to be in charge of themselves and each other is only possible, however, when all parties are able to give and receive feedback in gracious ways, so we are supporting that (perhaps most important!) work daily in many and varied situations.
MESSAGE FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL
The basis of society is movement with a useful aim.- Maria Montessori, Lecture 23
We have begun preparations for the Fall garden. The school truck was filled to the brim with beautiful, dark, rich compost. Thanks so much to the many helping hands of the middle and elementary students. It took about two hours to empty and then clean out the truck. The children worked hard, appeared to have a joyful lightness about them, and never complained once. It was beautiful to see.
Mrs. Wolf ordered garlic for the first bed and in the second, we are researching lettuces, kale and hearty herbs. Mrs. Caputo is well on her way to purchasing a hoop house for us, from a grant she applied secured for the school. The hoop house will keep the growing process going year round.
We are grateful for so many helping hands!
Mardi Gras 2020
We need YOU for RMS Mardi Gras 2020!
Our immediate volunteer requirements include, but are not limited to:
• Games Coordinator
• Marketing/Website/Design Coordinator
• Photographer
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Registration/Check-in Coordinator
Email us atmardigras@rmsmail.orgto let us know in what way you would like to share your talents to help us coordinate this exciting event!
And don’t forget to save the date!
January 25, 2020
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!!
Understanding God's Design for Child Development
A One-Day Workshop for Parents, Caregivers, Catechists and Anyone Who Works With Children
Saturday, September 21, 2019 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Our friends at the Cultural and Catechetical Montessori Association (CCMA) are offering a wonderful opportunity to hear engaging and informative speaker Maggie Radzik, M.E., who has dedicated her life’s work to guiding and learning with children of all ages. Maggie will discusses the discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori about the planes and stages of human development and how they can enhance your understanding of supporting your child's growth and discovery of his/her unique giftedness.
SIGN UP HERE
Picture Day is March 25
Picture Day for the 19-20 year has been scheduled for March 25th, 2020. This is also a Mass day for the Feast of the Annunciation. Please try not to schedule appointments etc. that day so your children can be in our class pictures!
As a reminder: we will also be requiring the Dress Uniform on Picture Day this year. Please help make sure your child has all the necessary pieces so they can conform. Click HERE for a link to the uniform guidelines. There is also a uniform exchange closet in the Parents Lounge at the school for you to drop uniforms in good condition and take what you need as well.
Soccer Classes
Hello Parents of children 7-9 years olds. Soccer Academy is offering a six week clinic on our campus at 3:15 on Wednesdays starting October 2nd.
Below is a class description provided by Soccer Academy:
This program provides fun, fast-paced soccer-related games and activities. It helps develop motor skills, cognitive abilities and peer relationships for soccer players between the ages of 7 and 9. Sessions are 45 minutes in length, once a week on a Wednesday at 3:15pm. There must be a minimum of 12 participants for this class to run.
To register, please go towww.soccer-academy.com, then click "Register Now." Once you login and select your child’s age, you can than select our clinic to sign up. We look forward to seeing you at soccer practice!
Upcoming Events
9/22/19 - Parent-Infant Begins
9/29/19 - Back to School Bonfire
10/8/19 - Parents Guild Meeting 8:30 AM
Reminders
From the Parent Guild
Back to School Bonfire
Please join us on Sunday, September 29th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM in the RMS fields for a Back to School Family Bonfire. We will have music, a bonfire, and a small fire with all fixings for S'Mores. The event is BYOB for adults and kids. Please camp chairs or picnic blankets and roasting sticks if you have them. We look forward to a fun family gathering.
Volunteer Hours and Tracking
Once again we will be using a tool to help parents easily track the 20 required service hours - Track it Forward. All new families should have received an email directly from Track It Forward with an invite to set up your account. If you did not receive this email, please let Kristina know.
As always, we are here to help so let us know if you have any questions at all!
An Important Announcement About SCRIP
As announced in a separate email, we have decided that beginning this year, the Family SCRIP Contribution will become a Family Mardi Gras Contribution.
The program will work much the same as SCRIP did, but instead of earning down the fundraising goal with SCRIP, families can earn it down with Mardi Gras sponsorships or by selling Mardi Gras raffle tickets. We believe that this will help our community focus all our fundraising attention on the Mardi Gras, the amazing event that so many of our parents already spend so much time making a success.
