This year's Winter Camp has been themed around a Winter Wonderland. Students have had many creative arts and craft activities. One of the favorites was the Snowy Owl Pinecones pictured above. Students also got the chance to play outside with their friends. Blowing bubbles in the snow made for a great learning activity. The students loved chasing, popping, and watching the bubbles float to land on the snow- Would the bubbles freeze, or not?Also, learning about some of Winter's greatest wonders and works of art, the Northern Lights, students created their own beautiful art using the aurora borealis as inspiration.

    This year, Montessori Community School particpated in a service learning opportunity that touched the lives of many by supporting a local charity.      This year, after looking into many areas of need in our community, we participated  in the Fill-the-Pack Project created by the Homeless Youth Resource Center. This relatively new program provides a way to get some basic survival necessities (toothbrushes, toiletries, hats, gloves, and blankets are just a few of the items in the packs) to teens that are living on the streets of Salt Lake City.    MCS provided two backpacks for each of our classrooms to fill with items from the Homeless Youth Resource Center needs list.There was such a wonderful response from our students and families! We were able to fill and deliver 24 backpacks plus many other various items that were brought in and donated. Imagining these teens out on the streets trying to make it- these backpacks were truly a heartfelt, supportive gift. We know our community...

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” --Margaret Mead When Annie Guerrero, mother of an MCS Upper Elementary student, came to us in October and presented her idea to screen an extreme skiing movie in order to raise funds to offset the losses from the flood, we loved her suggestion but had no idea where to begin. We were busy moving the classrooms, settling them in, communicating with parents; Robyn, the Head of School, was knee deep in choosing new tiles and cabinets, carpets, and baseboards. Fortunately, without much help from us Annie took her idea and saw it through every step of the way until it was realized on Wednesday, December 3.   Annie’s main goal was to provide MCS with a fundraiser at no cost to us. She and her husband Ryan Carlson began...

Awarded "Film Of The Year" at the 2014 International Freeski Film Festival, TGR's Almost Ablaze is a global odyssey combining state-of-the-art cinematography and the most progressive riding on The Planet. Experience a new level of sensory overload as each athlete is wired for sound, immersing the audience completely in the moment. Watch as athletes push the edge to realize a heightened state. Special screening at the Tower Theatre at 7:00pm on Wednesday - December 3, 2014. [ read more... ] Every ticket holder will receive a Powder Mountain 2-for-1 Day Pass at the event. Movie trailer here: www.tetongravity.com/films/almost-ablaze On October 10th, just before 9 PM, a 48" water main pipe broke on Foothill Blvd sending over 2.5 million gallons of water down 1700 South. The Montessori Community School was one of the unfortunate victims of the flood. The lower level classrooms, and the maintenance room were flooded and nearly 100 students...

The MCS Middle School's second cycle (6-week period) of the year focused on “Changes,” in literature, in the natural and physical world around us (fungi, protists, and matter), and how we can be catalysts for positive change in society. The immersion week offers students an opportunity to apply and integrate what they have learned throughout the previous five weeks. For Cycle 2 the immersion was a Career Investigations week. Leading up to the immersion, students utilized expository writing methods to research possible careers. During the immersion week, they investigated different professions through interviews, field trips and job shadowing. The first professional to visit was a local paramedic and firefighter. He brought his fire gear along, which weighed about 30 pounds, not including an oxygen tank. Nearly everyone in the class took the opportunity to try it on. He also brought his medical supplies and allowed the students to experience the powerful...

  Thank you to all who have purchased tickets for our upcoming Flood Relief Fundraiser event, screening of the movie  "ALMOST ABLAZE."  We have some exciting updates to announce about the event!   Todd Ligare & Johnny Collinson, athletes from the TGR film, will attend the show!   Welcome to our latest local sponsor, Discrete!     RAFFLE: Purchase your $5 raffle tickets in the office.  Tickets can also be purchased the night of the show or online.  These prizes will BLOW YOUR MIND!  Raffle will start at 7pm. Must be present to win! (We recommend you bring cash for the raffle tix if you plan to purchase them at the show.) View some of the prizes below:       SKI PASSES: Receive a Powder Mountain 2-for-1 day pass for EVERY MOVIE TICKET PURCHASED Passes will be handed out at the show. Don't worry, if you have already bought your tickets you...

                                                  Intermountain LiVe Well Assembly                                                  The 8 Health Habits—The Musical! MCS Kindergarteners, Elementary, and Middle School students attended Intermountain’s LiVe Well assembly. The assembly was a fun-filled 45-minute health education show called LiVe—The 8 Healthy Habits Musical!   The Grand Theatre and Corporate Staging Resources brought the excitement of live theater to MCS in hopes to encourage students to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits. In a mix of drama and humor, performers spoke to our students hoping to empower them with the skills they need to critically evaluate media messages and peer group pressures in order to make healthy choices from eating...

SAVE THE DATE for MCS MOVIE NIGHT!Flood Relief Fundraiser  WHERE: The Tower Theatre                           < 876 East 900 South – Salt Lake City, UT 84105 > WHEN: Wednesday, December 3, 2014                           < 7PM - 9PM > DETAILS: In an effort to help raise funds for MCS to replace some of the materials lost during the flood, we are excited to announce a special screening of the film Almost Ablaze. Awarded "Film Of The Year" at the 2014 International Freeski Film Festival, Almost Ablaze is a global odyssey combining state-of-the-art cinematography and the most progressive riding on earth. TICKET SALES: Ticket sales will begin the week of November 10th and an email and flyer will go out to all MCS families with details on how to purchase seats for this special screening. Additionally,...

What is it that every child needs that parents don’t seem to have? (Life time passes to Disney World and unlimited shoe budgets don’t count!) You can fill in your own blanks. It is something that a Montessori school can help offer. Of course a good education comes to mind but that is not even the greatest gift your Montessori school can offer. What your child needs most is one of the attributes that makes a Montessori school so special. Yes, it is a safe place emotionally; a challenging place intellectually; and a caring place socially. It is designed for your child and populated with adults who care. These are all good things but not the greatest thing your child receives. And your final answer is?   Time! Time is our most treasured commodity – we always seem to be running out of it. We always seem to be talking about...

“Weaving all begins with a string, and the string tells a story. For the base of the loom is the earth, and the crest of the loom is the Sky; and there is rain, sunlight, thunder, lightening and roots in between. With weaving, and with everything in our culture, there is a purpose.” ---Native Elder, Julius Chavez Each year we have the opportunity to take a field trip to the Navajo Rug Show and visit with our Grandmother Elvira and other Native Elders. It is our tradition to invite our 3rd year students in Early Childhood and Lower Elementary to join us on this occasion in honoring these special women and men. This is a wonderful event and tradition, hosted by the Deer Valley Resort in support of the “Adopt-A-Native-Elder” non-profit organization. The purpose of this yearly event is to observe the traditions of our Native Elders, and to show support...

  Montessori Community School has been raising money for the COEEF and have supported several girls in the program for over 10 years.  We are currently supporting seven young girls.  It is a pleasure to share this opportunity to further support the COEEF program with our MCS community.

Hello MCS Families, Things are coming together nicely here at the school. We are still working out some details but are really looking forward to the students return on Monday. Again, we can not express enough our appreciation for all of the offers to assist. And, we want you to know that the teachers at the school have worked tirelessly to prepare temporary classrooms, to support one another, and to keep the energy positive and uplifting. Our teachers are amazing! We are looking for an old washer and dryer that can be used to clean our mops and some carpets that were submerged in water. Please contact the office if you are getting rid of any old machines that the school could use temporarily.Thank you to all who attended Parent Teacher Conference last week. We were so excited to launch our online record keeping system, Compass, which will allow you to...

 Margaret and Laura trying to keep more mess out of their beloved Uinta classroom!   Ruby has been a most wonderful photographer and documenter!   Brandi feeling overjoyed about the set up of the temporary Lower El classroom at the church.  Laura in the new Uinta and Arches space.             Joshi displays some of the Arches work that survived the flood.    Look at the beautiful mural in the background! Bonnie has been hard at work.     An energetic and helpful MCS student cheers for the churches offer of space.     Kay and Lorena setting up the Magnolias temporary classroom in the Toddler Moons space.    Kate and Cinthya hard at working helping their fellow teachers set up and clean up.   Dear MCS Families and Interested Community Members, WOW!  The outpouring of love and concern is truly incredible. A huge thank you to our enthusiastic staff who have assisted in the clean up, transport, and set up of new classroom space.  We are very excited to get...

Dear MCS Parents, We wanted to share a quick update about how things are progressing here at the school.  Most of the staff have been here cleaning, taking inventory of damaged or ruined materials, and moving materials in preparation for Monday.  There is a lot of cleaning to do still before the materials can be taken to the church (our official temporary location) and the classrooms there prepared.   Thank you again to all who have offered to come to the school to help.  There are already a lot of staff who are here trying to work around the cleaning staff so we do not feel we can direct many more hands.  Thank you for the kind offers. We have been informed that there are families who are still looking for child care for their children.  If you are willing to help in this capacity please let us know and we will try...

On the evening of October 10, 2014 a 42 inch City water main burst at the intersection of Foothill Drive and 1700 South. Water rushed down 1700 South and came into the school and flooded the entire lower level of the building. Salt Lake City has been very supportive in arranging for services to clean the building and to dispose of rugs, carpets and damaged furniture. We have been told that their insurance will cover some of the general repairs. However, many of our teaching materials and other specialty items from the classrooms that were damaged will likely have to be replaced by the school. If you would like to assist us financially, you can contribute by clicking here to help pay for items and renovations that are not covered by the city or insurance. As we recieve more information about what the city will not pay to replace and how much money...

Dear MCS Parents, Thank you all for your ongoing support. We are grateful for all of the offers of help and assistance. The cleaning crew is still here and they are asking that we stay out of their way while they clean, sanitize and move furniture in preparation for the building repairs. We appreciate everyone's willingness and ask for your continued patience as we determine our needs. If/when we determine that there is a way for parents to assist us we will let you know. At this time we have been told that it will take possibly up to 8 weeks for the Lower Level to be repaired and able to accommodate the children. We have been most fortunate to secure temporary classroom space for the Lower and Upper Elementary students and the Middle School students at the All Saints Episcopal Church with whom we share a parking lot. Staff are...

 Early Childhood kicks off the Fall season with one of the most beloved field trips of the year: Wheeler Farm!Students learn about Blacksmithing while watching a presentation on a chain being made.  Students learn how to churn cream to butter, how cows are milked, and how to care for different farm animals. Students also got to enjoy each other during a wagon ride. Thank you to the wonderful parent volunteers!The Early Childhood Aspens class posing for a picture after they picked their pumpkins. Picking Pumpkins!Each student was able to pick and bring home their own pumpkin. It is so fun to see the different shapes and sizes of the pumpkins each child chooses! 

Hello MCS Parents, It’s that time of year again, yes, already! Giving season! We are already being solicited to make year-end donations to various nationwide and local charities, as well as to volunteer our time and various skills. Every year we are compelled to give our support to those less fortunate than us or to causes that we feel passionate about. One of the goals of the MCS teachers is to instill in our children a sense of responsibility to give back and support causes that are meaningful to us as a group and individually. One of my goals, as PSA President, is to help us, as parents, understand where our donations through school supported organizations are going as well as to make sure we understand who and what our donations/fundraising efforts are supporting. I also want to work with you to combine our giving efforts in the hope of making...

Parent Education Night is coming up next Thursday, October 2nd from 6:30-8:00pm.  Toddler, Early Childhood and Elementary parents are invited.  Child care is provided, free of charge, but must be signed up for in advance in the office. Scroll down for more information about each programs presentation details for the evening. This is a great way to earn Parent Participation Hours AND stay in touch with your child's Montessori experience!  TODDLER PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT     EARLY CHILDHOOD PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT     ELEMENTARY PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT 

Early Childhood students receive their first lesson of the 2014 - 2015 school year in the Outdoor Classroom. They had the opportunity to explore our Outdoor Classroom area, located on near the northeast corner of our school building. Nature plays an important role in the development of the whole child. Works of gardening, raking, weed pulling, and other outdoor tasks assist in this development. The Outdoor Classroom is rich in science lessons, such as bird watching and naming, insect and leaf investigations, and rock classification. Early Childhood students explore the basic nature of land, air, water, and the creatures that inhabit those spaces.They also learn about the needs of plants and animals and creating homes for these creatures.