Montessori Buzz – Aug 30 Update
Hello MA Families,
To say we are excited to welcome your children back to our school on Tuesday, Sept. 5, is an understatement. We are thrilled to be opening our doors to kick off another MA-zing school year and extend a most sincere welcome to our new families and students!
Remember back in June when I asked for patience and flexibility on our return to school due to our Elementary renovations? … Well I am calling it in!
This message is a general update on our project located in the 711 home that has been ongoing this summer. It will also offer guidance for our Lower Elementary families who have children that typically use some of the spaces that are being upgraded. LE families joining us on Thursday afternoon have been asked to come to the office and meet in LE2. For families who utilize the Early and Extended hours programs, you will also want to read on!
Where are we at?
Short answer: Not at the stage we hoped for.
For anyone who has been involved in renovation projects, this will come as no surprise that things are not running on time. Overall, we have experienced numerous setbacks with many elements of the project that were completely out of our control and this has pushed our timelines back at least 5 – 6 weeks. This means instead of implementing only some of our contingency plans, we have implemented all of them. We did anticipate certain areas would not be ready for September, but have needed to plan for all the areas. The priority is to still have the LE 1 classroom completed first, at the start of October.
What does this mean for my Lower Elementary child?
Elementary Courtyard – please use the Piccadilly gate for entrance to this area. There is fencing set up around the corner and backside of 711 due to an area that has been excavated. We are working on a section of foundation of the main building and rebuilding the small back extension where the Library cubbies sit.
- LE 1 – Students can enter through the side gate on Piccadilly and head to their usual doors (first set of grey doors on the left) and head to their cubbies. The LE 1 classroom has been set up beautifully in the LE music classroom temporarily until the main class is ready.
- LE 2 – No changes. Students can enter through the side gate on Piccadilly and head to their usual doors (first set of grey doors on the left) and head to their cubbies.
- LE 3 – Students will enter through the Piccadilly gate and walk around to their usual doors (red door with the awning) and head straight to their classroom, where a cubby area has been set up outside their classroom door. Their new cubby area is not ready yet.
- LE Music – Classes will return to their old stomping grounds, in the Upper Elementary music room located in the Junior High building.
- French – Classes will continue in the French loft or in homerooms.
- Library – Rob will be mobile and do a combination of lessons in classes as well utilizing our outdoor classroom space.
- Early Hours – Enter through the Piccadilly Gate and this will take place in the courtyard unless the weather is inclement and then it will move to Lower Elementary 3, the classroom right off the courtyard. Students and parents are to enter through the red double doors with the awning and go straight into the classroom on the right.
- Extended Hours – Will take place in the courtyard unless the weather is inclement and then it will move to Upper Elementary 1. This classroom door is located at the back of 709, right beside the laneway. Please ring the doorbell when you arrive for pick up.
We will continue to communicate changes to any routines in different areas as we move through stages of completion. If there are any last minute adjustments for the first day of school on Tuesday, we will send out a text message to notify you.
Thank you for your understanding as we strive to create stunning and inspiring learning environments for your children.
Tina Brown
Executive Director