Montessori Buzz – Sept. 12, 2023
Dear MA Families & Friends,
Elementary Photos this week…
Yesterday Lower El families received a text about photos being postponed until Thursday. Upper El photos will be taken on Wednesday as planned, weather permitting. The weather outlook is calling for partly cloudy skies with a low chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday — perfect conditions for photos. 🙂
Elementary Drop-off Wednesday
The construction work that was postponed Tuesday is re-schedule for Wednesday morning. Elementary parents, if needed, please re-visit the email from Monday: Elementary Drop-Off Routine message originally sent on Monday (myschoolapp.com)
Reminders: Pick-up, Drop-off and Parking
Please be mindful of our neighbours and avoid blocking or turning around in their driveways. Do not park in teacher parking spots at our locations, even if the lot looks empty before school hours. No parking areas on the streets are marked, and you may run the risk of ticketing if you park illegally.
We work diligently to maintain positive relationships with our neighbours and appreciate the grace and courtesy you extend to them, just as we appreciate the grace and courtesy your children offer one another in our classroom communities. Thank you for your support with this.
Parking protocols for all of our locations are available on the MA Parent Portal:Â https://montessori.myschoolapp.com/app/parent#resourceboarddetail/25158
Halloween Boo-Ling Tickets ON SALE NOW!
Bowling, Laser Tag, Pizza, Costumes, Games and more! Join us for our Annual Family Halloween Event at Palasad South! This popular event sells out fast! Visit www.Montessori.on.ca/Halloween to buy your tickets before they’re gone.
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Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
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Time: 5:00pm to 8:00pm
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Location: Palasad South – 141 Pine Valley Blvd, London, ON N6K 3T6 [link to map]
The cost
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Bowling & General Admission (Includes 1 hour of bowling): $30
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General Admission (No bowling): $20
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Optional: Add Laser Tag $10
Watch for advance 50/50 tickets to go on sale next week! The draw will take place at the Boo-Ling event but you do not have to be present to win!
The WHY
This is our very first Fundraising event of the year! All proceeds will support the NEW Digital Media Lab at Junior High for the NEW Communications and Media Studies course. The LAB is complete but is still in need of a few more computers so students can get hands-on experience creating quality videos, graphic design projects, audio recordings and more! Keep reading for the whole story….
Introducing the Communications and Media Studies Course at Junior High!
For families who might not know, the Junior High curriculum has an awesome new addition. JH Teacher Shawn Butler spent the summer developing a brand-new Communications and Media course and setting up a Digital Media Lab. This year is the launch of this exciting course!
Before teaching, Shawn worked for Dome Productions at on-location sporting events for their clients, TSN and Sportsnet. Since becoming a teacher, he has produced over 60 MA-Zing videos for the school. His passion for teaching and love of media production has led him to develop this incredible course for Junior High. Students will learn about Media and Communications and how they can become creators of meaningful work rather than just passive media consumers.
A large part of the course gives students the hands-on opportunity to learn to create multiple forms of digital art including videos, audio, print and online content. These transferable skills will provide them with the tools needed to create projects for multiple academic subjects as they continue on their educational journey.
As the course is new, students are currently sharing one computer. The goal is to find funding by the end of the school year to fill the Digital Media Lab with 5 new iMacs that will be equipped to handle the technology needed to create digital art.
This innovative course will give students a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in Communications and Media before they venture into Secondary School and beyond.
Reminder: Monthly Extended Hours
Families who want care for the month of October must register by this Friday, September 15th. We cannot guarantee the availability of space if registration is not received by then. Please register through the following link:Â https://montessoriacademy.campbrainregistration.com/.
Photos from the week…
Practical Life work and fun in Toddler and Casa!
In the Montessori environment, it doesn’t take long for the children to find their focus – working and playing.
ART Class!
Concentration, joy and creativity is happening in the art room this week!
UE Community Building
Our Upper El students spent time creating a cohesive community through team building activities last week. 🙂
Longwoods JH trip Friday
Wow. As part of their annual trip to Longwoods Conservation area, our Junior High students helped make the park path MUCH more accessible! Bravo, all!
From the Community
From OUR community: Forest City Little Music Makers
Did you know our MA-zing Elementary music teacher, Lisette St. Louis, offers classes for families with little ones? Join the fun with Forest City Little Music Makers. Fall registration starts Sept 16! Find details online:Â https://forestcitylittlemusicmakers.com/
London Regional Artistic Swimming Club classes
The London Regional Artistic Swimming Club is offering classes for those with little-to-no artistic swimming experience. The AquaGo! program is designed for ages 5-9 who are interested in learning basic swimming skills as well as an intro to the sport of artistic swimming. Recreational programs are also available to those aged 9-14 where they will learn fundamental skills of artistic swimming in a fun club environment, as well as swimming skills, strength and flexibility. Registration is open now for fall programs that start on Sept. 24. Information and Registration details can be found here for AquaGo! and Recreational Programs. Questions? Email londonartisticswim@gmail.com