Montessori Buzz – March 30, 2021
Dear MA Families & Friends,
Potential announcements from the Province
We are aware that Premier Ford and Minister Leece could potentially make some announcements on Friday regarding the April Break that will impact schools. As usual, when this happens, we are put in a holding pattern until we receive the memos from the two different divisions of the Ministry of Education to know what will apply to our programs. These memos are not likely to arrive until after the long weekend.
If we have received these guidance documents in time, we will share an update in next Tuesday’s Buzz detailing any impact on us. Our preference is to continue with the April Break as planned and if this is an option, we will keep the break in place for the week of April 12. Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate the constant updates and changes as the spring progresses.
I really hope the Easter bunny hides some wine in my garden.
Cheers,
Tina Sartori, Executive Director
Interim Progress Reports available Thursday
Interim Progress Reports for students from Casa through to Year 6 will be available this Thursday, April 1 at 3 pm in the MA Parent Portal. To access your child’s Interim Report in the MA Parent Portal:
- Login to the MA Parent Portal – https://montessori.myschoolapp.com/app#login
- Select your child’s name in the top left corner.
- Under the Progress tab, click the Report Card link and select “Interim Progress Report”
We are closed Friday and Monday
The school is closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Enjoy your extra-long weekend.
FYI: Next school year key dates
The following dates have been set for our 2021-2022 school year. These dates have been added to our school website calendar: https://montessori.on.ca/events and will be added to the Parent Portal under the calendar tab.
PD days:
- Fri. Oct 8, 2021
- Fri. Nov. 26, 2021
- Fri. Feb. 11, 2022
- Fri. Apr 8, 2022
- Fri. May 20, 2022
Winter Break: weeks of Dec 20 and 27, 2021
March Break: weeks of March 7 and March 14, 2022
What’s for Dinner? Pick-up on Thursday
Thank you to everyone who ordered meals through our Spring What’s for Dinner? fundraiser. Watch for an email from Tonya with details about your pick-up time on Thursday.
Artisan Market: New Date and Call for Vendors!
The date for the Artisan Market has been changed to Saturday, May 29, 2021. Please make a note on your printed Year at a Glance calendar! This is so that we can accommodate an outdoor market in the Elementary Courtyard and follow Covid regulations while still being able to host a market.
Please note: As London moved into the Red zone effective today, March 30, we remain hopeful that we will be in Orange or Yellow by the time the Market takes place. However, if London remains in red or is moved back into the grey zones, the market will be cancelled.
We are looking for vendors!
Vendor Information and a Vendor Application form is available online at https://montessori.on.ca/artisan-market/. Application forms can be emailed to Tonya at tdendrinos@montessori.on.ca
Vendor applications will be reviewed by the Artisan Market Committee on April 7.
Beach Day is Friday, April 9!
Start saving your loose change for this fun annual Charitable Giving event in support of Children Health Foundation.
Plantables reminder
Help our fundraising efforts grow with an order for your garden through Plantables this year! Don’t forget to use the code: MALONDON at checkout!
World Down Syndrome Day
By Carter
The week of March 15-19 the Junior High students celebrated World Down Syndrome Day, a national celebration to recognize people around the world with Down Syndrome. Throughout the week the Junior High students recognized this with short informational videos during the daily morning meetings. World Down Syndrome Day was celebrated by Junior high because two students, Carter and Abeti, decided that for their ISP, the Junior High project of creative expression, storytelling and personal interest, to continue a video that they had started last year but were unfortunately halted by Coronavirus. This video was brought back due to the suggestion of a teacher and used for the ISP project. The original intent of this video was to show the capability of people with Down Syndrome, and that anyone can do anything. The video created included around 10 hours of filming and about 15 hours of total editing, including last year. The video created was made by shadowing Gage, a student attending our school. The video also included interviews with Gage’s classroom teachers, parents, friends and educational assistant, Keenan. Usually our school can’t celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 each year, due to our March Break, but for the first time the school was able to come together as a community to celebrate.
Photos from the week
Waterloo Toddler 1’s tea time!
In Toddler 1, the children love to make tea and offer it to their friends. A focus of this program is on modelling appropriate Grace and Courtesy that children see in adults, as well as peer interactions!
Westmount Toddlers
Today the Westmount Toddlers went for a nature walk! They found a BIG hill to climb and roll down!
When back in the classroom they talked about everything they saw on their walk and examined the pinecones that were stuffed in all the children’s pockets.
Casa 2 celebrates Spring!
Casa 2 is celebrating Spring by going on nature walks, looking for signs of changing seasons and soaking up the warm sunshine! We are cleaning our troughs and loving that the bulbs we planted in the Fall are coming up. We are also turning kitchen compost scraps into pretty Spring greens. It’s quite special to watch celery, carrots, beets and other veggies to magically still hold life and given water and warmth, regrow.
Casa 3 Mexico study
In Casa 3, we have had a busy week studying Mexico! The students made their own sombreros, they tried playing maracas, and enjoyed listening to Spanish music. They danced the Mexican hat dance, and created a piñata we got to break open today! So much fun!
