Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. Your chances of getting COVID-19 while traveling also depend on whether you and those around you take steps to protect yourself and others, such as wearing masks and staying 6 feet away from people outside your household. The following suggestions from the CDC may prove helpful when considering a trip.  Before You Travel Before you travel, consider the following: Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination?The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return. Anticipate Your Travel Needs Bring a mask to wear in public places.Pack hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Keep this within reach.Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.Pack food and water in case restaurants and stores are closed, or if drive-through, take-out, and outdoor-dining options aren’t available.If...

 Donate Now October 19 - 23, 2020 Monday October 19 - UintaWednesday October 21 - MagnoliasThursday October 22 - WillowsFriday October 23 - Wasatch & Oquirrh Each year our students have the opportunity to raise pledges for our two main Service Learning Projects: The Montessori Community School sponsors two grandmothers, Grandmother Anita Jackson and Grandmother Elvira Horseherder, through the Adopt-A-Native-Elder program. The Navajo Nation has been heavily impacted by COVID-19, increasing their already profound vulnerability to food and economic insecurity. Our adopted elders rely on the personal supplies, yarn, firewood, and food certificates we provide with funds raised at our annual Fun Run Fundraiser. We have also sponsored girls through the Children of Ethiopia Education Fund (COEEF) for more than 15 years. We currently are supporting 3 girls through their schooling by providing tuition, supplies, tutoring, and medical and personal needs. Betselot Abiy is in 1st grade, loves math, and wants to...

The Navajo Nation was struck hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with one of the highest per capita infection rates in the country earlier this year. Disparities in access to health care and infrastructure, high rates of chronic health conditions, and multigenerational homes increase the risk for virus spread and complications.Native elders depend on firewood for cooking and staying warm in the winter. Each load donated lasts a family 3-6 weeks. Many of the elders live in remote locations and are experiencing grocery shortages on the reservation, amplified by the pandemic. MCS supports two elders, Grandmothers Anita Jackson and Elvira Horseherder, by providing food boxes, food certificates, firewood, and other supplies such as yarn and medical supplies through Adopt a Native Elder. The Annual Fun Run is our main fundraising effort, and this fall our support is especially vital to the elders’ health and survival.Stay tuned for information coming soon about this...

Following the evaluation of our COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures, three areas of our plan have been adjusted: 1. Health Screening2. Criteria for Return to School 3. Travel Policy  Health Screening The Health Screening Form has been adjusted to include screening for two additional symptoms - headache and congestion or runny nose. It also requires that parents take their child's temperature at home. Additionally, the form includes a query regarding possible exposure. Criteria for Returning to School A child/staff who has exhibited COVID symptoms can return to school if: No fever for 24 hours and without the support of medication;AND no additional symptoms have presented;AND if a healthcare provider confirms that the cause of the symptoms are not COVID-19 related based on a negative COVID-19 test. Test results should be shared with the school.  Negative Test- the individual may return to school when symptoms have improved and they are fever free without the aid of medication for at...

The Montessori Community School takes air quality very seriously. While our recent concerns are related to the spread of airborne infectious diseases such as Coronavirus, we have always considered air quality to be an important issue. The school has recently taken a number of actions based on industry suggestions, science and feedback from our Health & Safety Committee. Our hope is to continue this dialogue since we know that indoor air quality will continue to be a major point even when some of the immediate concerns subside. We would like to invite more parents to become involved and assist with this effort and work towards some of our goals. Helping Salt Lake City with Better Outdoor Air Quality Montessori Community School has a rigid policy about outdoor air quality as it pertains to a student's outside time. Our staff uses the Utah Air IOS and Android app in order to get the closest...

Each year, the students of MCS celebrate the International Day of Peace with our Silent Peace Walk. The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on the 21st of September. It is dedicated to world peace and specifically the absence of war and violence. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. In 2013, for the first time, the Day was dedicated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to peace education, an obvious key beginning to peace for our world's future. To inaugurate the day, the United Nations Peace Bell is rung at UN Headquarters in New York City. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from around the world, and was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan. There is an inscription on the side of the bell...

Dear MCS Parents, We are so excited to welcome you to the 2020 - 2021 academic year. When we were classroom teachers we always loved the start of the school year- we poured our heart and souls into creating wonderful prepared environments for our students to return to and would get so excited for all of the potential and possibility that a new academic year could bring. This year in our new roles of school directors the love and energy is no different. 2020 has already presented many challenges and, while we do not know what the future has in store, we are so happy to see our parents, students and staff showing great resiliency and adaptability in this unique time. Thank you for all the support you have given in the shifting of many policies and procedures as we navigate through this pandemic.  As you know, our administration has undergone...

To accommodate physical distancing during the school day drop off and pick up times we ask all our families to pay close attention to the map showing the particular entry/exit points for your child’s class. We encourage you to revisit the Student and Parent Protocol section of our Safe Return to School for additional details regarding morning drop off and afternoon pick up so that you and your child are well prepared for the first day of school. All Extended Care morning arrivals and afternoon departures will be facilitated at the main entrance (parking lot door). Every student will need to have a Screening Form completed prior to arrival at school each day. Parents are asked to show the person completing screening the email response they received from that day’s submission of the form at the entry point.  We would like to take this opportunity to remind our families that students and...

New Student Orientation is Monday, August 24. This event will allow the students who are new to our school and the students who are moving up to a new program to meet and greet their teachers prior to the first day of school. In consideration of our various safety measures and protocols we have carefully structured this event and we respectfully ask that families be mindful to follow all directions and requests in order for this event to be safe for everyone.  We can only accommodate the participation of *one* parent for this short visit to the classroom. All adults, Early Childhood and Elementary students are expected to wear a mask for the duration of the visit and maintain physical distancing to the best of their abilities. Please be mindful to limit your visit to the following times:8:30-9:00 am: Suns, Willows and Uinta9:15-9:45 am: Stars and Wasatch10:00-10:30 am: Moons, Magnolias and Sequoias 10:45-11:15 am: Aspens and OquirrhAll adults...

This summer our administrative team is actively planning for the 2020-21 school year. While we have made considerable progress in each of our main areas of focus- 1) the health and safety of our community, 2) the educational experience of our students and 3) the financial health of the school, much work still needs to be done prior to the return to school.  Our plans continue to be aligned with Utah's color-coded risk phases so that if the city or state moves into a different risk status at any point in the school year, we are ready to shift too. MCS continues to take into consideration the guidelines provided by the state of Utah and the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are collaborating with our Health and Safety Committee, schools within Utah and across the country to develop best practices for operating during a pandemic....

Dear MCS Parents, What a year we have had! I want to thank all of you for your love and support. The past few months, in particular, have been trying and you have been incredibly gracious and patient with our school and our administrative team.  While the future of COVID-19 remains somewhat uncertain, we are comforted by the newfound realization that our community will endure trials together and that in collaboration we will continue to move forward. I want to especially thank the parents on our Health and Safety Committee who have worked with our admin team to prepare for the future. And I would like to recognize Brandi Allen, Margaret Mc Donald, Jemmyn Buchanan and Jordan Newbould for their quick implementation of a Distance Learning program.  They have supported parents and staff through this difficult transition.   As we look at the future, you can expect some changes in our administrative...

Dear MCS Staff and Families,  Teaching music at MCS for the last few years has been so rewarding and I am so thankful.  As time is short, I have decided to spend more of it with my kids and teaching private violin lessons. I have had a chance to work with all the Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary students.  They are gracious, kind, eager to learn, and wonderful students.   I will really miss singing and playing instruments with them, seeing their eyes light up when we make music together, and watching their interest in music grow.  It has been a blessing working with amazing, supportive teachers, administration and parents. Memories from this time will carry with me.  Wishing you the best! Sincerely, Ana Bunce Music Specialist

Joshi has worked as a Montessori Middle School Teacher since 2009. A former Montessori student, she received a Bachelor's of Science from the University of Utah in 2005. In 2012 she completed the NAMTA/AMI Introduction to Adolescent Studies in Cleveland, OH. In 2016 she completed the CMSTEP Curriculum course. She has enjoyed working with students throughout her life as a Secondary Montessori Teacher, Physio-Neuro Therapist, nanny, tutor, as well as an art and physical education specialist.  In her spare time, Joshi enjoys being outdoors, creating art, and spending time with her husband, family and friends.”

Dear Parents and Students, It is with mixed emotions that I write to tell you I will not be returning to teach in Uinta next year as I am moving into administration full time. For the past several years, my time has been split between the upper elementary classroom and administration and I am grateful for the opportunity that has afforded me to work, not only, with the Uinta students and families but, also, the greater school community and MCS itself. While the day has arrived for me to leave the classroom I know that that the classroom will not completely leave me; I will continue to draw on the lessons I learned there and the experience I gained from working alongside you and your children as I enter my new role. I thank you for your generosity, partnership and support.    I am happy to announce that we have hired a...

Hello friends!Happy last week of school! You did it! I hope that as this year comes to an end you feel proud of what you have accomplished this year, especially these last few months. I wanted to update you on a change to my support position next year.  As you know MCS has hired Cherie Mockli to support students and staff members next year.  This is really exciting as her expertise will be an valuable addition to the wellbeing of our community.  That being said, my position as Student Support Coordinator is now changing to a consultant position. I will still be available to observe and support you all, but it will be on a case by case basis as determined by your teaching team and members of admin.  I am BEYOND grateful for you all inviting me into your classrooms over the years and being open minded and thoughtful as you have created meaningful...

Dear MCS Families,  As we approach the last day of the academic year, we wanted to provide you with an update on our planning for 2020-2021 and to share some context for how we are assimilating information and making decisions. While it is premature to state exactly what the school experience will be like in August, please rest assured that we are striving for flexibility and transparency in our process.   When formulating our plans, MCS continues to take into consideration the guidelines and regulations provided by the state of Utah and the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are in regular communication with school leaders, both locally and nationwide, so as to review best practises and standards of care in regards to this pandemic. Our very own Utah Montessori Council (UMC) has proven to be a source of practical advice as well as much needed moral...

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 Dear Summer Camp 2020 Parents, It is with much joy and eagerness that I welcome you to Summer Camp 2020: A trip to Mexico. MCS Administration and all of the camp staff are so excited to see your children and can’t wait to be together again inside our beloved school. Our world has changed in many ways since we were last together in March and these changes have affected how camp will look this year. I will try my best to make this letter brief while giving you important information for camp this year. We have been hard at work preparing the details of camp so as to make it a safe and successful experience for your children, our staff and our entire MCS community.  After reviewing the details outlined below, if you have additional questions regarding camp, please reach out to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If after...

MCS has developed a particular set of protocols for operating during the re-entry phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. These decisions have been made in anticipation of reopening for Summer 2020. The protocols take into consideration current public health guidance, local regulations, our school’s mission and culture, and the community’s safety. We shall revisit these protocols in preparation for the 2020-21 academic year as information and appropriate safety measures continue to evolve and change. Click here to view our RE-ENTRY-RUBRIC. 

Dear MCS Parents, I would like to start by thanking you for your ongoing support of our teachers, our administration and of your children.  It seems that no one has been dealt an easy hand in all of this and we are continually amazed at the love and support of our community.   As we move into the last leg of the academic year, we wanted to give you some updates as to what our administration has been focusing on in preparation for summer and for the upcoming school year.   We appreciate your patience as we work to be as transparent as possible and appreciate your understanding that the circumstances around COVID-19 and our financial situation are changing on an almost daily basis, hence making updates a difficult thing to communicate. Like many other businesses and individuals, we are at the mercy of a long line of unknowns and changing circumstances. ...

At this time we would like to update you as to what  loan our school is in the process of applying for to assist us financially during this challenging financial crisis.  Below you will find the details of the loan. We are working with our banker at Chase bank to file the appropriate application. On the first day it was possible to apply for the PPP loan under the CARES ACT our book-keeper attempted to make our application. Unfortunately the Chase site was overloaded and crashed. Later we were advised to submit contact information and based on the time and date  we made our attempt to apply a Chase representative would be in touch to help us walk through the process. Our banker had kept us in the loop and advised that we were in the top third of the Chase customers (with a position of around 130,000 out of a...