Board welcome message 2024-2025
Dear MA Families & Friends,
“Welcome” to our new families and “welcome back” to returning families. September always brings refreshed energy, and we look forward to another wonderful school year together.
With students settling into their classrooms, there is still much to be excited about around the school. The Elevator construction continues at the 311 Oxford St. location to create a more accessible space, and the facilities team completed many improvements around the school this summer that will make the school’s learning environments safe and beautiful. You’ll find a new fence at Waterloo Toddler/Casa, a new gate to welcome families and new protective shade sails at Elementary, plus improvements to the Toddler yard at Westmount.
This year, the school will host a number of MA-zing socials, assemblies and family-friendly events. As an MA parent, I hope to see you at these activities. The assemblies and concerts are always so special for the students and families. They give parents and guardians the opportunity to see the children perform – and offer a glimpse of what’s to come in the school’s programs. It’s also a musical year, so stay tuned for an announcement on which performance the students will present in May.
Refreshed Vision, Mission & Values
The school unveiled new Vision, Mission and Values statements in a recent Buzz newsletter. You’ve probably seen the new signage around the school. If you haven’t already watched the 3-minute video made and narrated by Junior High teacher Shawn Butler introducing these new statements, I strongly encourage you to. It shares the thinking behind crafting these messages that are “not new goals or aspirations; they are the essence of our everyday actions – the guiding principles that have been at the heart of our work since Day 1.” (Plus, the video provides a peek into the beautiful classrooms throughout the school!)
The school continues to be in a solid financial position. Our enrollment for this school year is lower than last year due to families who transitioned to new opportunities outside the city. However our enrollment numbers are still in line with recent trends we have experienced. The surge in enrollment last year was due to a higher than normal admission of new Elementary students. We do have limited spaces currently available in our Casa program, and look to fill them in the coming weeks. The school tour schedule for this fall is already completely booked, as Admissions looks to guide prospective families through the process for next year; there are more than 80 applications.
Board news
Earlier this month, the Board of Governors met for our annual retreat to kick off our work for the year. This gathering focused on mindfully stewarding the school’s resources and strengthening our incredible Montessori Academy community. The Board of Governors meets monthly, and we will continue to carry these conversations and work forward.
The Board looks forward to sharing more of our work and the school’s progress in our upcoming annual report, which will be released later this fall. You can also learn more about the school, our Strategic Direction, and the Board of Governors on the school’s website: https://montessori.on.ca/about/board-of-governors/.
Additionally, as we plan for Governors’ terms ending, we will be recruiting a new community member to join the Board of Governors. The school will share Board opportunities in the Tuesday Buzz and via social media, so please share the postings with your networks when you see them.
Become a monthly donor
We also invite you to support our school’s mission by becoming a monthly donor. Your consistent contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful impact on the growth and success of our school community. You can sign up to make a monthly donation by visiting montessori.on.ca/monthly-donor/. Watch for a postcard coming home this week in “blue bags.”
Together we will continue to cultivate experiences that inspire compassion and a love of learning.
On behalf of the entire Board of Governors, I wish you a wonderful school year!
Melissa Sariffodeen, President
Montessori Academy Board of Governors