Montessori Buzz – Dec. 15, 2020
Holiday hours…
The school will be closed for the Winter Break from Monday, Dec. 21 through Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. See you in the New Year!
No Monthly Attestation starting January
We will no longer require the monthly attestations starting in January because our community has been excellent with following our COVID protocols and procedures (THANK YOU!!), and we haven’t had to make updates to our COVID-19 Parent Guides since October. However, depending on how things go in 2021, we may have to re-introduce it.
(Toddler and Casa families will need to continue to fill out their daily screening forms before arriving at school.)
Thank you, again, to all our parents and family members for working with us throughout this year to ensure the health and safety of our families and staff!
Last Chance to Make a Donation for the 2020 Tax Year
Did you know you can receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation to the Annual Appeal? We are still collecting donations to renovate our Elementary Lunch Kitchen, so we can offer hot lunch to elementary students FIVE days a week – and other areas of need within the school. If you would like a tax receipt for the 2020 tax/calendar year, donations must be dropped off in person at the school before we close for the holidays on December 18, or DONATE ONLINE before December 31, 2020.
DONATE ONLINE: https://schoolforms.montessori.on.ca/sslpage.aspx?pid=298
The Annual Appeal will continue until the end of the school year. Donations made after the December deadline will receive a tax receipt for the 2021 calendar year.
If you have any questions regarding your donation, please contact Tonya at tdendrinos@montessori.on.ca or 519-433-9121 ext. 233.
Reminder: Applications for Financial Support
Applications for Financial Support are available now through Apple Financial Services, and are due by Monday, January 4, 2021. The Ann Marie Harding Financial Support Program provides tuition support for families enrolled from second-year Casa through Junior High and who have been enrolled at the school for at least two consecutive years.
Full details on how to apply, along with a Financial Support FAQ can be found through the MA Parent Portal under the “Resources” section. Or, through our school website: https://montessori.on.ca/admissions/financial-support/
Reminder: Elementary Hot Lunch forms and payment due Wednesday
Elementary hot lunch forms and payments are due tomorrow, December 16. Payments can be made by cash, cheque, Visa, MasterCard, Amex or Apple Pay.
Reminder: Office Hours changes effective January 4, 2021
Friendly reminder that the Office doors will be locked starting at 4:15 pm starting in January. You can still call the office and dial the extension number you wish to reach or leave a message.
Photos from the week
Happy Kwanzaa from Casa 1
Our winter holiday studies continued as Casa 1 created Kufi inspired hats to celebrate Kwanzaa, which starts December 26! A joyous Kwanzaa to all!
Happy Hanukkah from Casa 3
Hanukkah was celebrated by the students of Casa 3 last week.
Holiday lessons in Waterloo Casa
Waterloo Casa has been learning about celebrations from around the world including Diwali, Kwanzaa and most recently Hanukkah. Kate and Kiaan and making nomenclature booklets on parts of the menorah.
Waterloo Casa minute of mindfulness
Might we suggest in this busy season to bookmark this one-minute Instagram video, and refer to it in the future… 😉 https://www.instagram.com/p/CIyIOJfHywW/
Upper Elementary Chemistry!
Over the past month, the Year Five students have been given introductory lessons about Chemistry. They are learning all about the Periodic Table of Elements and the parts of the atom. Now they get to build atoms using our Atom Board material and they are getting crafty to create 3D models to accompany their research.
Good reading: Montessori Glossary
Still wondering about some of the Montessori lingo you encounter, the CCMA shared this link to a Glossary of terms from MariaMontessori.com that defines some of the terminology used by Montessorians: https://www.mariamontessori.com/about/glossary/