02.05.2010

Friday Family Flyer

FFF

Calendar:

Feb. 5: 2010-2011 Re-Enrollment Forms due (today)

Feb. 12 – 16: Presidential Holiday; NO SCHOOL

Feb. 16: SBMS Staff In-Service Day NO SCHOOL

Feb. 17: NEW AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES begin

Feb. 23: Erdkinder students to United Nations (NYC)

Feb. 24: Media Event CALENDAR DATE CHANGE = March 11, 2010

Mar. 11: Trevor Eissler – 6:30pm Live @ SBMS

Mar. 14: Erdkinder departs for Italy

A “Real” Montessori School?

Every three years consultations with representatives from AMI/USA are required for SBMS to maintain its status as an AMI Recognized school. This accreditation includes several criteria, including hours of observation in the classrooms and then consultations with teachers and the HOS.

This week the elementary consultation concluded on Tuesday with AMI Consultant and Elementary teacher-trainer, Carol Hicks, describing SBMS as, “…a real Montessori school.” She added, “This school is thriving on love, everyone loves this school! The children love their teachers, and their lessons, and their work. The Primary classes must be excellent, because the elementary children love their work and respect their classrooms and their materials with the greatest of care. The teachers love their work, too…this school is embodies what every Montessori school hopes to be. This is a real Montessori school in every sense of the word.”

Next week the directress of the Montessori Institute of San Diego, Dr. Silvia Dubovoy, will be consulting and observing the Toddler and Primary classes. With Cindi Kessel, Eva Vega, Rosa Hopkins, Aran Klingensmith, and Alejandra Carta all graduates of MISD, Silivia is no stranger to SBMS. As she said earlier this week, “I can’t wait to see the new classrooms.”

One of the main criteria for AMI accreditation is that each class be directed by authentically-trained AMI certified teachers…SBMS is blessed with its abundance of AMI-trained teachers, and three years from now we’ll look forward to our next affirmation of fulfilling our goal as “a real Montessori school.”

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory DVD

$9.99

As promised, the entire production makes its entrance into your entertainment system. Get your copies at the front desk!

2010-2011 School Year next weekDue TODAY, Feb. 5!!!

Re-enrollment forms went home last week, and they’re due back to school, today. Turns out some of you may not have received them until this week? They were passed out, old style, at school to your child, in an envelope, with your name on it. Please, make sure you’ve received this all-important packet from your child, the bus driver, or car poolers. Forms are due today, Friday, Feb. 5.

Tuition Assistance? “TA”

SBMS families anticipating a need for Tuition Assistance for 2010-2011 can see and gather information, and apply for TA, online at TADS; www.tads.com. An independent non-profit, TADS takes information from applicant families, determines the need of each family, and makes a recommendation to the school. The process is completely confidential. TA applications must be completed prior to March 1, 2010.

SBMS TA is awarded based upon the TADS criteria, with additional consideration given to the family’s tenure and participation in the school. SBMS’s TA goal has always been to retain families and assist them to remain in the school. TA is not available to families new to the school. Another SBMS criteria is that TA not exceed 50%, with most TA in the range of 10%-20% of annual tuition. This year nearly $100,000 in TA has been awarded to SBMS families.

AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES

New classes begin after the Presidents’ Holiday, Wednesday, Feb. 17; Forms available Monday, Feb. 8.

Journey & Discovery!

SBMS was awash in candlelight during last week’s full moon vigil. Thank you to all who were able to participate. The depth and breadth of the experience made for an enjoyable and entertaining evening. On Saturday Dr. Kevin Young told his daughter, Perry, about some of the work he did during J & D, to which she explained, “Oh, dad, that work is for the Toddlers, I did that when I was little…”

Several of those at J&D shared the reward of seeing and experiencing what the future holds. The value of seeing and doing, with the understanding of how the now prepares each child for the specific work of their future. Thank you to everyone for your support; next year we’ll plan on a wee bit more illumination, for now we have to pick our full moon.

Tweet for SBMS (Twitter: SBMontessori4U)

Denise Saludares wasn’t able to attend J&D last week, but in an email of explanation and support she suggested, “…Ask for a Twitter response, in 140 characters, or less, parents can answer, ‘Why SBMS?’ Mine would be: ‘Happy, Peaceful children with Self-confidence, esteem, motivation, respect & respect for others, who innovate, adapt & thrive”

Whoop, there it is! From 100 Words to 140 characters, what can you come up with?

140 to 100 to Top Ten

Wait…What?!?

Top Ten revealed in Jacksonville, FL

February 12- 15, 2010

With administrators around the world headed to JAX the challenge had been to create their own 100 Words. Now, an additional ‘throw down’ has emerged: Top Ten Life Skills (resulting from a Montessori education).

Here’s an example of the Top Ten Life Skills:

1. Health


2. Happiness


3. Love of silence 


4. Compassion 


5. Self-confidence 


6. Self-knowledge


7. Intuition 


8. Humor 


9. Patience 


10. Visionary

Which brought about the PTC Triangle Poster. It comes to SBMS via The Montessori Academy of Arlington, in Arlington, Texas. Consider how the Top Ten has developed into the language of their Triangle. Consider their effort to capture the

Montessori experience:

PTC Triangle

Then, after considering the PTC, what’s your Top Ten? Giddyup! People ask all the time, ‘How are parents involved at SBMS?’ Whoop, “Here it is!”

Guest Author

Thursday March 11, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Trevor Eissler “Montessori Madness”

Tickets: $25.00/ea or $10/book

That’s not a mis-print. $25/ea is the actual ticket price, and that detail will be included in the Press Release going out to the general public, today. Of course, the admission fee is different for SBMS families. Trevor’s presentation is open to the public, but it’s a special opportunity for SBMS families, especially those who buy a copy of his book. Because your purchase, for $10.00, of Trevor’s book, allows you admission to the evening’s discussion. Good deal, right? If you invite your friends, and they arrive with you and your book, they can enjoy your same access. Bring your neighborhood. BTW: RSVP.

Our community is your community

Helping others

Montessori Services (www.montessoriservices.com)

Carrie Kappel, Monique Evers, Nicole Gonthier, Leslie Kenney, Pam Magenheimer, Leslie Hucko, Anna Tuzzi, and Kathleen Clancy were those from the SBMS community who purchased and ordered from Montessori Services at the beginning of the school year. Their support then helps SBMS by creating a credit the school can use in its purchases. Cool. Thank you.

SBMS Parent Ambassadors

100 Words. Top Ten.

Remember the “Elevator Speech” from two years ago? Here’s the Elevator Speech that gathered the most votes from SBMS parents:

"Montessori is a brain-based developmental education method that allows children to make creative choices in how they discover the people, places and knowledge of the world. It emphasizes hands-on learning, self-expression and collaborative play in a beautifully crafted environment of respect, peace and joy."

This was number two:

"Montessori is a timeless way to educate children that is based on the child's development. It provides an environment for discovery and limitless learning. The surroundings are beautiful. The learning is joyful and exciting."

What’s your response, while in the elevator, or in the check-out line to the question often asked; “Oh, Montessori? I think I’ve heard of that, what kind of school is that, anyway?” 100 Words? Tweet? Or, Elevator Speech?

Montessori Haiti Relief Fund

Montessori Haiti Relief Fund

SBMS’s Upper Elementary Class (Sequoia) has been collecting coins since the beginning of the school year and just today counted up more than $900.00 that will be donated to the Montessori Relief Fund. Wow.

ANNUAL GIVING = 85%+

Partners in Learning

Sequoia was a leader. Now, SBMS’s Sequoia Class is one donation from 100%. The circle closes…the percent rises. Closure happens. The Redwood Class is 100%--something about these native California trees!

2009-2010 Giving Campaign Partnership 100%

We are all partners—Partners in Learning! 100%.

EUCALYPTUS CLASS - 67%

MAPLE CLASS - 88%

WILLOW CLASS - 83%

SYCAMORE CLASS - 71%

OAK CLASS - 92%

REDWOOD CLASS - 100%

SEQUOIA CLASS - 97%

MAGNOLIA CLASS - 83%