Montessori Buzz – Feb. 16, 2021
‘March’ Break update
Dear MA Families,
On Friday, we received communication from both divisions of the Ministry of Education – the Private School Division and the Child Care Early Years – regarding the direction we are to follow for March Break.
It is clear the expectation regarding moving March Break to April is to be followed by all schools and licensed programs, and therefore, we will move our break to the week of April 12.
As a school, we had already made decisions prior to the start of this school year to provide our students more time for classroom experiences: we started school three weeks ahead of the public system in September, we already reduced March Break by a week, and we decided to extend the school year in June. Naturally, because our school day is longer, in any given school year our students get an extra 10 instructional days over the public system.
Looking ahead to the months that are left, we will provide more school days for all students on the April 23 PD Day and the June PD Day, making the last day of school Friday, June 25.
Our May 21 PD Day will be kept to provide our faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in a virtual Montessori conference hosted by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators and the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers. Because of this conference, the date of the May PD Day is an annual occurrence for many Montessori schools in Ontario. This day is also used to work on final Reports and for parents conferences when required. It is important for the staff to have this opportunity to dive into what will serve them best in their respective roles on this day.
I completely recognize both of these decisions – moving March Break and providing in-class instruction on two of our three remaining PD Days – will leave some parents feeling really good and others feeling frustrated. Every day of this pandemic you may feel like someone (everyone?) or some situation is asking more of you, and it is no different for us. The reality is they are asking more, and no, it’s not fair; but not one element of what we are living through or experiencing is fair. It’s more than hard and it is exhausting for everyone, but we are all doing it by giving what we can in both our professional and personal lives.
I hope the Family Day long weekend provided an opportunity to catch your breath. And although you may be getting tired of the close quarters you are sharing with your family by now, 🙂 my hope is that there was a moment where you were able to step back and be grateful for the love and care that surrounds you. I know I did.
Be well,
Tina Sartori , Executive Director
NEW! Fundraising program with Plantables!
We’re very excited to announce that we’ve chosen to be a part of the Plantables School Fundraising Program! For every box of plants you buy, Plantables will donate 10% to Montessori Academy of London — getting us even closer to our Fundraising Goal!
How does it work?
Plantables is a company in Forest, Ontario, that grows healthy, hardy and happy fruit and vegetable plants, and ships them to your door exactly when they need to go into the ground.
All you have to do is pick what plants you want to grow, choose when you want them delivered, and wait for your box of garden-ready plants to arrive on your doorstep.
Help us grow this fundraiser?
Love this idea? Help us spread the word and grow this fundraising initiative! Tell everybody you know to go to https://plantables.ca/ if they want to buy garden-ready fruit and vegetable plants for their garden. Make sure they enter the code MALONDON at the checkout.
We’re really excited to be launching a fundraiser that involves growing healthy fruits and veggies! Thank you for all of your support.
Photos from the week
Happy Lunar New Year from Casa 1
Gong Hei Fat Choy! Casa 1 created cityscapes decorated for Lunar New Year…. Welcoming the year of the Ox. Best wishes to all!
Casa 2 Gym class fun!
Most of their smiles were masked, but trust us, the Casa 2 students had a BLAST polishing their volleyball skills and playing their favourite running games with Phys Ed teacher Dave last week.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Casa 3
For Casa 3’s French lesson this week, the students were asked to draw a picture for “J’aime mes amis!” One of our senior students drew a picture of his friends…and Sara and Cathy. All wearing masks, bien sûr!
Cool craft alert: Casa 4’s mask lanyards!
In light of COVID-19 and the current recommendations of masks to be worn for those over two years of age, we decided to have the children make a lanyard craft of their very own to attach their masks to. Besides the excitement it is generating in the classroom, the children will now be able to keep their masks around their neck when eating or any other time they need a break from wearing the masks. During the making of the lanyards, the children expressed great enthusiasm in showing their families their creation.
Happy Valentine’s from Lower El3
Beautiful Valentine’s Day art courtesy our Lower El 3 students.
UE2 made Valentine’s Day cookies!
Um… Yum!
Parent Sessions from Western University
As Winter and COVID drags on, we’re happy to bring you some new free learning webinars as well as Research opportunities that may be of interest.
Our CYDC Parent/Caregiver Webinar Series continues on February 23. Registration is through Eventbrite for these 3 free webinars.
1) Connecting the Dots: Being Curious About Your Child’s Learning Challenges (Dr. Katelyn Bryant & CDYC Students) Tuesday, February 23 from 7:00-8:30pm
2) Self-Compassion for Parents: Parenting During a Global Pandemic (Dr. Colin King & CYDC Students) Tuesday, March 2 from 7:00-8:30 pm
3) Emotion-Focused Strategies to Support Your Adolescent (Dr. Maisha Syeda & CYDC Students) Wednesday, March 24 from 7:00-8:30 pm https://bit.ly/CYDCEFStrategies
Children’s Books for a Better Understanding of Mental Health: Using books for young children to learn about anxiety and depression.
The project is looking for children between the ages of 8-12 to participate in a study. Participation will take approximately 40 minutes. Your child will: listen to the reading of 2 children’s books – one about worries and one about sadness; Complete 5 short questionnaires. In appreciation for your child’s time, they will receive a $10.00 Chapters gift card. To participate contact Dr. Karen Bax, C.Psych., by emailing wmjw@uwo.ca or phoning 519-434-6848 x86490.