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Kids hands with mittens holding a red heart as a gift

Holiday Gift Giving 2022

Written by MCS Admin on . Posted in Blog, Community News, Get Involved (P.S.A).

Give Now

Each year MCS looks for local charities to support as an opportunity for our entire community to participate in service learning projects. This year we have chosen to give to some great causes: The INN Between and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

The INN Between serves vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in the Salt Lake area.  They provide medical respite and end-of life care.   They use and provide basic supplies from laundry items and Gatorade to craft projects.

The International Rescue Committee  helps people affected by humanitarian crises recover.  This year we are responding to one family of 6 with some basic needs from sheets and driving lessons to a laptop and gift cards.

Give now to our sister nonprofit MEF and we will purchase items needed.

If you have donated in-kind or financially please use the following donation receipt for your tax purposes.

Valor in Vernal

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

Administrators from Utah Montessori Council member schools around our state gather each Fall for a weekend of activities and conversations that strengthen our connections, our craft and our souls.

Vernal

This year we traveled to Brandi’s hometown for Valor in Vernal! Brandi facilitated the opening ceremony at her family’s yurt. She held space for us to begin our work for the weekend- a deep dive into the concept of valor. The Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines valor as, “strength of mind or spirit to encounter danger with firmness.”

Brandi’s yurt

Amiee Di Brienza presented our keynote where we explored valor in our schools and our careers.

Petroglyphs

We hiked and explored Dinosaur National Monument. A highlight of our time was the opportunity to meet with and learn from a National Park ranger. Ranger Mason Runs-Through patiently answered our endless questions about paleontology and archeology in this special place.

Ranger Mason Runs Through @Dinosaur National Monument

At the closing ceremony, Emily Squadroni deftly closed the circle on our conversation while providing us with work for our hands as we processed all that we had explored.

Hey fourth graders you can get a FREE pass valid for the duration of your 4th grade school year (September-August). Visit https://www.everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm to learn more.

We all left the retreat with renewed trust in our network of colleagues and empowered to lead with valor.

Introducing our Assistant Teachers

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

Classroom assistants provide integral support to ensure that children have a high quality Montessori experience.

An Effective Assistant:

  • Supports the teacher
  • Prepares and maintains the environment
  • Observes behaviors
  • Models grace and courtesy
  • Preserves and protects lessons
  • Assists in the development of independence

We are delighted to have warm, kind and creative assistant teachers working at MCS.

Infant & Toddler Assistants

Daniela Ramirez

Brooklyn Roush

Madison Christensen

Early Childhood Assistants

Elise Pace

Tory Calamity

Tory  Snarr

Kendalyn Mathews

Classroom assistants work with the lead teacher to prepare and maintain an orderly, attractive, and joyful environment. They provide another pair of observant, attentive eyes and ears. Classroom assistants are also crucial in modeling courteous and respectful behavior. They contribute to maintenance of the supportive, creative, busy and purposeful atmosphere that is indicative of a traditional Montessori classroom.

Adapted from AMI USA Montessori Assistant Resources

https://amiusa.org/schools/ami-classroom-assistants-resources/

Robyn’s Message to the Community

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

Mt. Taranaki

I arrived home in New Zealand, after a 28 hour journey, with connections in LA, Nadi – Fiji and Auckland, feeling a little exhausted but after a quiet day there have been a whirlwind of events.

Over New Zealand’s Labour Weekend we had our Waitara High School 75th Jubilee. In New Zealand we do not celebrate with individual class reunions but with the whole school invited to however many years that school has been operating. This was a very special event.

The weekend was filled with activities, but the most important being the opportunity to catch up with my classmates – many of whom I had not seen for years. Our town had a population of 4,000 when I was growing up so we basically knew everyone and had grown to 7,000. We had amazing teachers and there are many members of our community who have made major contributions in many areas -Sir Richard Faull who is on the cutting edge of brain research in such areas as Huntington’s Disease, Dr. Michelle Bannister who is a planetary astronomer and at the age of 36 has a star named after her, and Darcy Nicolas who is a well known painter whose work is exhibited and sold around the world. I am friends with Richard and Darcy but it was fascinating listening to their stories. And then there was the food and the dancing, a really wonderful time all around.

That same weekend, whenever there were no events at the Jubilee, our Bailey Whanau (family) had a reunion at our Otaraua meeting house. I had not spent time with some of my cousins, who live far from here, for several years so it was wonderful being able to catch up on their lives.

Our Bailey Whanau

During any spare moments, during the rest of my time at home, my sister Pamela and I have been catching up with close friends and particularly spending time with two who are not doing well. Pam and I feel fortunate to be here again to do what we can to help and she will be staying on for maybe two months to support them and other friends in another city. It is a real gift for us.

Today we are leaving our home in Onaero and driving south to Whanganui, where we will stay with a special friend tonight, before catching a train in Palmerston North ( a town about one hour from Whanganui and the city where we went to Teachers College – a considerable number of years ago) that will take us to Wellington, our capital city, where my daughter, KereAna, lives.

As you can imagine I am really looking forward to having a few days with KereAna. She is in the midst of planning for a fairly major renovation project and Pam and I will be helping her make some last decisions.

So for now Haere Ra and I do hope that all is well with each of you.

And once again I would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

 

Aroha,

Robyn

Introducing our Specialty Subjects and Teachers

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

Outdoor Classroom (OC)

Early Childhood students participate each week in the Outdoor Classroom where they explore the plants, soil, invertebrates, birds, and weather in all of the seasons through hands-on activities. The students have many opportunities to practice and master essential developmental skills such as balance, control, independence, focus, and coordination through digging, building with logs, sticks and rocks, and interacting with nature in this class. The purpose of the Early Childhood Outdoor Program is to help students gain an understanding and love for the natural world around them.

Lower Elementary students participate in the Outdoor Classroom where they explore and interact with the garden area throughout the changing seasons and learn about plant identification, functions, and uses, as well as earth history, animal adaptations, and paleo cultures. The purpose of the Lower Elementary Outdoor Program is to help students gain an understanding and love for the natural world around them while engaging in problem solving and creative application.

Great Outdoors (GO)

In Upper Elementary, the Great Outdoors program facilitates meaningful interaction with the environment through a three-year rotating cycle involving watershed, Utah native plants, as well as ecosystems and relationships in nature. Students explore habitats through hiking, lessons, activities, projects, observation, note taking, sketching, and researching. The purpose of these expeditions is to give the students a direct, personal connection with their natural world and, through that connection, a better understanding of the world around them as well as of themselves.

Donda Hartsfield

 

Kara Rasmussen

Spanish (Elementary)

In Lower Elementary the Spanish specialist incorporates Spanish into the students’ daily routine by providing lessons in vocabulary, grammar and many practical life experiences.

In Upper Elementary, Spanish instruction is provided under two main standards: Spanish language lessons and Rosetta Stone, an interactive computer program. Each week students have the opportunity to receive lessons from an instructor that furthers their understanding of the grammar of the language and supports their advancement through Rosetta Stone to practice vocabulary, writing and speaking.

Maria Reynosa

Parent Teacher Conferences

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

 

Parent Teacher Conferences are coming soon! Be sure to sign up for a conferencing time slot.

Helpful tips to make the most of your conference:

  • Be prepared. Write down questions or things you would like to discuss and email the teachers with your questions before the conference.
  • Confer with your child. Ask your child if there is anything they would like you to discuss with the teachers.
  • Use your time carefully. Keep the conference focused on the child and the purpose of the conference.
  • Listen and share. Be open to suggestions from the teacher and be prepared to share suggestions of your own. No one knows your child like you know them.
  • Ask for clarification. If you are unclear about what the teacher is telling you about your child, ask for specific examples. Remember that you and the teachers are a team and your main focus is meeting the needs of your child.
  • Write it down. Take notes so you can share information with your child after the meeting.
  • Keep the teacher informed. Things happening at home often affect children’s behavior and performance at school.
  • Summarize. At the end, make sure that everyone understands what was talked about and what they have committed to do.
  • Follow up. If you have items that need to be followed up on, establish a check-in date.

Please note, the school and office are closed on all PTC days.

Book Fair

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

We are excited to be able to offer an online book fair, in addition to our in person book fair!

The Story Cupboard is providing our book fair with over 1300 titles to satisfy readers, artists and scientists of all ages.  There are great books, experiments and activities to enjoy all year long with titles across many genres, popular series, award winners, Beehive Book Award Nominees and Battle Books.  This is a great opportunity to stock your student’s library as well as the school’s while utilizing a local business.

Please feel free to invite your family and friends to participate in our book fair by sending them the Online Book Fair instructions.  The Story Cupboard is happy to ship to any United States address.  

Book Fair Dates

  • October 24 – 27 Onsite in the school gym
  • Mondays hours: 2:45 PM until 3:45 PM
  • Tuesday through Thursdays hours : 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM and 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
  • Be sure to check out the Classroom Wish Lists for books that you might gift to your class.

Alternatively books can be purchased online

Today – Oct 31 Online at The Story Cupboard

MCS fundraiser code: MCSBooks

NOTE: This code must go in the “special instructions to the seller” box at checkout for our school to receive credit towards our fundraiser.

Order Pick Up and Delivery

All online orders will be delivered to the school unless you pay for shipping!

You may pick your online book orders up at Montessori Community School after the online book fair closes.  The book fair pickup day will be communicated via email.  

You may receive your books directly by paying for shipping when ordering.

Welcome to the World Babies

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

Upper elementary teacher, Joshi, recently gave birth to baby boy Julian Osata Johnson. Joshi and her husband Zach are so excited to begin the journey of parenthood.

Early childhood teacher, Ruby, welcomed her latest grandchild into the family this past weekend. Andrei Stephan Chouldjian makes Ruby a three time grandmother.

Grandparents Ruby & Mike

Introducing our Elementary Staff

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

The art of engaging children is at the heart of the Montessori elementary classroom. Captivating interest is the key to motivating further exploration, practice, and mastery. The adult’s role is multifaceted. Inspiring the children to connect to knowledge and skills, she fosters work in the classroom by presenting a wide range of stories and lessons. She is a beacon of calm in a swirl of activity and the deep bond between teacher and child, cultivated over the three-year relationship, is at the root. Adults are tasked with the responsibility of maintaining an enriched environment always prepared for the children’s work.
– Montessori Guide

Lower Elementary Teachers: Bonnie, Diana and Ruth

 

Upper Elementary Teachers: Carson, Chip and Joshi

 

Watch this short video from Montessori Guide to learn more about the role of the Adult in the Elementary classroom. The Hook 

Community Builders Needed!

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

What: Each class needs 1-2 community builders to plan a few class activities after school. Past examples include: meeting at a playground, ice skating, sledding, parent-only social…

Where: Community builders can choose the activity or meeting place.

When: Community Builders decide. Often activities are planned right after school, early evening or on a Saturday.

Why: It is an MCS tradition that each class has 1-2 community builder(s) who can plan a few outside-of-school activities throughout the school year. Developing and being part of a school community is part of what makes MCS special. This volunteer position satisfies volunteer hours asked for by MCS.

How: If you are interested/able to sign up to be a community builder, your child’s teachers will send you the class email list and you can email families as needed. Please let Anna Martin know – anmartinslc@gmail.com – if you would like to be a community builder or have any questions.

 

Thank you for your support!

Anna Martin

PSA Community Builder Contact