MARCH 2022
*Dates and times are subject to change
Greetings Meerkat Families:
There is a great deal going on in March and much to look forward to! March can be a month that feels like it goes on forever, but we will find it to be enhanced by a coming together of our community through many opportunities. We will (finally!) begin to welcome parents in to observe in their child’s classroom, several teachers will travel together for professional development, we have another family engagement evening planned, and many student-led initiatives are underway.
I’d like to begin by offering some thoughts on civility. Did you know that Dr. Maria Montessori was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize an impressive three times for her “advocacy efforts toward a more peaceful humanity”? (amiusa.org) Peace education remains a cornerstone of Montessori education, for which I am grateful, especially as the news of Ukraine weighs heavily on current events. The FCPS Counseling department recently shared resources with employees to assist in conversations that may develop around this situation. Our staff are sensitive to students and observe/listen to determine their feelings and needs. The linked documents below may be used by some staff as well as the information at this website: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/helping-kids-navigate-scary-news-stories. This is a difficult time for some of our families and for the world in general. We hold out hope for a swift and peaceful resolution. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher. (Talking to Children About War; Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event)
With health metrics moving in a positive direction, we are able to get our parent observations started. Look for that invitation to come from our Montessori teacher specialist, Kim Cowles. We can also begin to welcome more parents into the building to volunteer. Many of these opportunities will be at the request of teachers, but some additional ones may pop up, too and will be communicated. As a reminder, all volunteers must complete the Volunteer Training Module, enter through the main entrance after being buzzed in, and have your license ready when signing in with the front office.
A note about “mask civility.” The choice to wear a mask or not to wear a mask at school is a personal decision that each family will make. Please reinforce with your child that there is not a “right” choice, that people often have differing viewpoints, and that we will not question each other's choice. All students are welcome here, with or without masks!
About staff professional development… Several teachers will travel to Nashville this month to attend “The Montessori Event,” a conference that draws Montessori practitioners from around the world and features “impactful workshops” and “renowned keynote speakers” as well as a “robust exhibit hall” and lots of opportunities for networking with other Montessorians. Staff will come back energized and with lots of information to share. We will host a Gallery Walk/Poster Talk afterwards to share the best practices and innovations that we will glean. This will first be presented to staff and then will be offered as the last of our family engagement nights. What an incredible opportunity!
Speaking about Family Engagement - our next focus will be reading and it should coincide nicely with some opportunities currently in the works by the Fundraising Committee. We still have some manipulatives left from math night, so there will also be an opportunity for families to participate in a condensed math presentation and take home the materials.
Finally, our students are engaged in several initiatives both on and off campus. Recently a group of upper elementary students started a chess club, other students rallied to research and fundraise for a classroom pet, and still others are in the process of planning for a Spring dance, to name a few. Middle school students also engaged in numerous kindness projects. I would like to acknowledge their resourcefulness in identifying goals, planning to achieve them, and enjoying the efforts of their collaboration. Of course, the adults in their lives who prepare the space for them to step in and achieve their goals are to be commended. Thank you!
This month, students will be learning about several different types of insects such as: praying mantis, silkworms, and caterpillars and butterflies. We will also begin studying parts of a plant as the first day of Spring is towards the end of the month.
We will also begin learning about birds, specifically identifying birds that live in our area.
For Women’s History Month, students will have an opportunity to learn about many important female figures in our history, as well as current influential figures.
We are advancing our multiplication, division, and fraction decimal work. Students are learning long division using the Racks and Tubes, multi digit multiplication using the Multiplication Checkerboard, and fraction decimals using the Decimal Board.
Students are learning to use guide words by studying alphabetical order. Grammar is progressing into Adverbs. We continue to write paragraphs while learning correct punctuation and capitalization.
Students will be observing and studying life cycles of plants, ladybugs, butterflies, and chicks, during this month.
Upper Elementary
We have been studying colonialism and the causes of the American Revolutionary War. We are transitioning to the formation of a new government and the difficulties that contributed to our civil war.
In science, we are transitioning from a focus on chemistry and plants to the hydrosphere and care for the environment. All of these topics provide us with excellent opportunities to perform individual research and to practice our writing skills.
Be sure to ask your children about their unique math lessons. Start conversations with them about the books that they read in their literature groups.
All of the recipients in our Spread the Love Campaign were thrilled, and it is safe to say the students made many people’s days brighter!
PE Happenings and Reminders:
Youth Art Month - 3 students have been selected to have their work exhibited at the Delaplaine Arts Center for Youth Art Month. Congratulations to Anabella B., Taylor M., and Cora S. See their art at the Delaplaine Arts Center from March 5 - 27, 2022.
There will be a virtual art show fundraiser featuring a few students’ artwork from each class.
Line Foam Printmaking Inspired by Elizabeth Catlett by Kindergarten
Aluminum Foil Carving by Daniel K.
Music
Happy Birthday to all Staff Members Celebrating March birthdays!
The Middle School students will be venturing out for their end of the year trip to the Chincoteague Bay Field Station http://www.cbfieldstation.org/ in May of this year. The trip is rather expensive and we would like to provide them with multiple opportunities to help offset the cost of the trip. Please be on the lookout for retail sales tables full of homemade arts and crafts as well some yard sale like items on Fridays during dismissal.
We would also like to offer parents of primary and Lower El students an opportunity to have some time on Saturdays without your children in order to accomplish whatever you need to: errands, cleaning, or even some self care and relaxation!
Middle school students will be offering childcare services from 12-4 on Saturdays between now and April here at MVM. For $10 per hour per child, your student will engage in varying activities such as arts and crafts, hands on science play, story time, and more. Lunch and outdoor playtime will also occur. You can either provide lunch or request pizza for your child.
Please see the sign up genius link to register your child for dates in which you may be interested.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CA4A72BA7FA7-saturday
In addition, we have partnered with Just Fundraising to offer you an opportunity to support our fundraising efforts through the purchase of yummy snacks. This fundraiser provides students with a 50% return on the cost of items purchased.
https://www.iraisemore.com/?ref=35687
You can purchase directly from a student in person and monies earned will go directly into their account for the trip or if you purchase from the link above, you can put your child’s name in when it asks who you are supporting, or if you want to put Whole Class as the name, the money will go into a general fund to help provide scholarship funds for students who need assistance. Any money above and beyond that will be split evenly among all students.
Please also be on the lookout for students at dismissal time with a donation jar for any of you who would simply like to straight up donate to help support this wonderful trip.
217 Dill Avenue Frederick, MD 21701 240-236-6100 Principal: Amy Dorman