Your latest "M" News is here

Please read for important information

MMS Monthly E-Newsletter | April 2024

Share This Email

Dear MMS Families,

Spring is here at MMS and we are so excited about our upcoming events, including the YMCA Race to End Racisim later this month, and Parent Education Step Up Nights. our annual Gala, and the all-new MMS Golf Tournament in May. You'll find details about all these events and more below!

Be sure to take advantage of our Campessori Early Bird pricing, which ends tomorrow! We are thrilled to offer eight weeks of enriching programming this summer at our Staunton Avenue campus. Campessori is open to MMS students ages 3 and up who are independent with toileting.

Best wishes,

Jennifer Carriger

Director

SPRING GALA & GOLF TEES UP MAY 17

"Learning Without Limits,” the 2024 MMS Annual Spring Gala & Golf Event, is quickly approaching!

This major school fundraiser generates essential support for MMS, including our financial aid program, which is providing more than $45,000 to local families in 2023-24.

It's also a lot of fun and everyone can participate whether they join us in person or not.

This year's spring event will include our traditional evening gala--and a golf tournament--both at Berry Hills Country Club on Friday, May 17. Guests can hit the links, enjoy food, art and entertainment at the gala--or both!

Gala & Golf Info/Reservations

Sponsorships, which include a range of benefits, start at $150.

Individual gala reservations are $95 through April 25. Prices increase to $115 per person on April 26. Golf registration starts at $125 per person.

Details are available on the online event platform or text mmsgala to 76278.

Event contacts: mmsgala@mountaineermontessori.org and:

Gala Co-Chairs:

Suzette Ashley: 304/437-1306

Becca Stevenson: 802/233-3374

Golf Co-Chairs:

Ryan Donovan: 617/410-9640

Bethany Hall: 304/410-9640

Brett Kemerer: 304/542-0016

CAMPESSORI 2024: JUNE 10-AUGUST 2

Campessori, Mountaineer Montessori's signature summer program, returns this year with eight weeks of awesome. Enriching programming for Primary and Elementary students will be offered June 10-August 2 at our beautiful Staunton campus. Early bird registration rates end April 12.

Children should register for the class they will be attending in the fall. Primary campers must be age 3 and must be independent with toileting at the time Campessori begins. Our summer program is a wonderful opportunity for new students and those rising to a new level to experience what's ahead in the upcoming school year.

Camp hours:

* Primary Half Day (ages 3, 4, and 5): 8:00-11:45 a.m.

* Primary Full Day (ages 3, 4, and 5): 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

* Elementary: 8:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Campessori details & registration

SCHOOL LIFE COMMITTEE

MMS families are invited to come together as a community to show gratitude for our wonderful teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, to be held May 6-10.

Last year we had a great celebration thanks to the support of so many MMS families. The feedback from teachers and staff was extremely positive and we hope for another successful celebration in 2024.

For volunteer information, sign up here.

Another way to participate is by helping to cover Teacher Appreciation Week festivities. Any amount will help-suggested donation is $15/student.

To make a contribution, please use the PayPal account, linked here. [account is MMS Parent Susana Duarte, @susanaMMS]. Please donate by April 24--this will allow our Teacher Appreciation Week Committee time to allocate our budget across the week.

RACE TO RACE END RACISM

MMS is putting the Montessori peace philosophy into action as a sponsor of the eighth annual "Race to End Racism," to be presented by the YWCA Charleston on Saturday, April 27 on Kanawha Boulevard West.

As a Bronze Sponsor, MMS has 15 team member spots available at no cose to our students and family members. The slots are available first come, first served.

The YWCA Charleston Race to End Racism is a 5K run/1M walk raising funds for community engagement and racial equity and inclusion programming. The event will take place on the West Side of Charleston, near Magic Island, and will continue to bring corporate partners, congregations, police, non-profit organizations and community members together to celebrate our diversity and to take a stand

All proceeds benefit the YWCA Charleston Racial Equity & Inclusion Program.

If our sponsor spaces are filled, we still encourage our entire community to support this important initiative by registering individually.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP REMINDERS & UPDATES

Are you on the email list for the WV Treasurer's Office Hope Scholarship newsletter? If not, we encourage you to sign up today to stay informed about frequent updates and deadlines.

Eligibility requirements continue to evolve and your student may qualify even if previously ineligible.

As a reminder, the 2024-25 application window for new and returning Hope students is underway.

MMS students entering the third year of Primary (kindergarten) are eligible, but must be 5 before July 1, 2024.

Students who turn 5 on July 1 or after may become eligible for the Hope Scholarship if the student utilizes a West Virginia county board of education’s regularly established early entrance process that determines the student meets the criteria to start a public kindergarten program a year early.

Documentation of the county board of education’s determination from their early entrance process must be uploaded with the student’s Hope Scholarship application or the application will automatically be deemed ineligible based on the student’s date of birth.

Please see the Hope Scholarship FAQ for more information.

Please see the WV Treasurer's website for details and instructions.

The WV Treasurer's Office is the official source of information and final authority on the Hope Scholarship.

PARENT RESOURCES

Want to learn more about Montessori and what it means for your child?

The AMS Family Connection is an informative monthly newsletter for families of AMS member schools. This digital and printable publication includes articles on topics such as Montessori philosophy, Montessori tips for the home, a peek inside the classroom, and more.

Click on the photo to be linked to the latest issue, which explores the reasoning mind of the elementary student.

ECLIPSE 2024

MMS families enjoyed a stellar gathering on our Staunton campus for the April 8 solar eclipse. We were so excited to share this unforgettable experience with everyone. More photos here.

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Lower Elementary I students initiated and organized a special surprise event, including presentation of a custom-designed shirt, to show appreciation for John Elswick ("Papa John") for all he does to keep our Staunton campus environment beautiful and welcoming for all. John has been a wonderful caretaker for our building for many years, maintaining facilities for the St. Agnes School before it became the home to MMS. Thank you, John, for all you do, and hats off to our students for your thoughtfulness!

April 12 | Campessori early bird registration deadline

April 15-19 | Middle School to Charleston, S.C.

April 25 | Staff Meeting | No Plus

April 25 | Gala early bird ticket deadline

YWCA Race Against Racism | Saturday, April 27 | Register for MMS team here |

PW: montessori24

May 2 | Sixth Year Project Presentations

May 6-10 | MMS Teacher Appreciation Week | Volunteer info | Donate

May 7 | Toddler and Primary Step Up Night | 5:30 p.m.

May 9 | Lower and Upper Elementary Step Up Night | 5:30 p.m.

May 13-17 | Upper Elementary Standardized Testing

May 17 | MMS Annual Spring Gala & Golf | Berry Hills Country Club

May 20-24 | Standardized Testing Week for grades 3, 7-8

May 22-23 | Upper Elementary to Williamsburg, Va.

May 27 | Memorial Day | No School

May 28 | Staunton Avenue Tie Dye Day | Primary, Lower and Upper Elementary

May 30 | Staff Meeting | No Plus

June 3 | 20th Street Tie Dye Day | Toddler and Middle School

June 4 | Spring Concerts | 10:45 a.m. Primary | 1:45 p.m. Elementary

June 4 | Eighth Year Graduation

June 5 | Last Day of School/All-School Picnic/Early Dismissal

June 10-August 2 | Campessori 2024

June 15 | Hope Scholarship deadline

IDEAS, INNOVATION, INSPIRATION

"I hope it's contagious!"

MMS staff returned from the American Montessori Society “Montessori Event” in Orlando earlier this month energized and bursting with ideas that will benefit the entire school. The Montessori Event is the largest gathering of Montessori minds in the world and showcases best practices and innovations to enhance learning for children everywhere. In these short videos, our delegation shares what they learned and what this means for students and our community. Thank you to everyone whose support helped make this invaluable opportunity possible for our incredible educators!

MMS Director Jennifer Carriger

Alasha Al-Qudwah, Upper Elementary Guide

Sarah Halstead, Middle School Guide

Samantha Van Den Berghe-Lynch,

Todder Guide

Angela Walker, Primary Guide

MMS CHESS: THE TRADITION CONTINUES

Congratulations to our WV Scholastic Chess K-3 State Team Champions and K-8 individual players who rocked the state tournament earlier this month. We are so proud of all of our students who are part of the amazing MMS Chess Team led by their awesome coach, Evan Young! More Chess photos here.

Congratulations to the K-3 WV Scholastic Chess Association State Championship Team!

MONTESSORI EDUCATION WEEK(S)

MMS joined with schools around the world in late February-early March to celebrate the gift of Montessori education. Highlights included a supplies drive organized by the School Life Committee to benefit a new Teen Drop-In Center on Charleston's West Side; Annual Appeal wrap-up to fund travel expenses for five staff attending the AMS Montessori Event; annual MMS Ice Skating Meet-Up; and walk to school days featuring yummy baked good prepared by parent volunteers (thank you, Suzette Ashley, Katie Clark, Hannah Copen, Loren Farmer, Anna Holliday, Brijal Patel and Brooke Smith!).

ANNUAL TALENT SHOW

The MMS community shared a diverse and wonderful array of performances at our annual spring Talent Show. Thank you to the Middle School for organizing this fun event and congratulations to all who took part!

MIDDLE SCHOOL PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Middle School students served up another successful Pancake Breakfast at their Cafe 304 Pop-Up Restaurant. Thanks to all who started their weekend with us, sunny-side up! More photos here.

MONTESSORI MOMENTS

Primary parents experienced their own "Montessori Moments" at their February Parent Ed event, engaging in hands-on learning with the cultural curriculum.

“It’s a front loader with two buckets!” Recently, Toddler Guide Samantha Van Den Berghe-Lynch displayed a construction vehicle nomenclature to young friends in her community, and almost if on cue, heavy equipment showed up in the neighborhood, providing a real-life demonstration! Children were were fascinated by the activity and were even able to identify the equipment being used!

Wonderful yarn weaving by Elementary students is on display in our hallways!

Like these photos? Then you'll love MMS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Photos, school updates and Montessori news are posted nearly every day!

Karen Kelly's fifth year botany class studied and planted herbs, and then got to enjoy the fruits of their labor with a tasting! Parsley, cilantro, radish sprouts, and basil were all on the menu.

NOW RECRUITING STAFF FOR 2024-25

MMS is well into planning for 2024-25, including addition of a third Lower Elementary classroom!

We're currently recruiting staff for this and other classrooms in the year ahead. We invite you to share these opportunities with those who may interested in joining our team of dynamic educators. Please click the link below for details. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

MMS career info

2024-25 BACK TO SCHOOL KEY DATES

August 15: Back to School Night - all levels (mandatory)
August 16: New student visits
August 19: First day for students - Primary kindergarten-age ONLY, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School (2:45 p.m. dismissal for LE, UE, MS, 11:45 a.m. dismissal for all Primary)
August 20: First day for students - Returning 4-year-olds (2:45 p.m. dismissal for LE, UE, MS, 11:45 a.m. dismissal for all Primary)
August 21: First day for students - New Primary Friends (2:45 p.m. dismissal for LE, UE, MS, 11:45 a.m. dismissal for all Primary)
August 29: Ice Cream Social @ Kanawha State Forest
September 2: School closed/Labor Day
September 9: Annual Meeting for all families (6:00 p.m.)
October 7-8: Fall Parent Conferences/no school