MOUNTAIN LAUREL MONTESSORI SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

 

 

"Have you ever watched an infant keep putting on and taking off a sock or shoe, for a long time, patiently, with a real fixed expression, slightly open mouth, and total concentration?  This is not a game nor imitation, and neither is it a senseless waste of time, but real work.  A child's development curve has its springtimes and its autumns, alternating periods of intense work and rest."

 

~~~ Loving Every Child: Wisdom for Parents by Janusz Korczak
 
 
WHAT A PARTY!
Our Celebration of Winter Holidays Around the World was a festive and joyous occasion thanks to the hard work and talents of over 40 volunteer parents and staff.  Heartfelt thanks goes out to all who worked so hard to make the day so special for the children, especially to JoLea Hindley and Sarah Bell who co-hosted the event, and to Anna Irre, Claire McDonald, Julie Pettler, Virginia Tromp, Donna Winfield, Carrie Irre, Theresa Bell, Ella Unrath, Dian Schmiedicke, Peter Leimgruber, TC Miller, Katie Tewell, and Lisa Connolly for planning activities, preparing materials, baking, and/or other varied and generous contributions to the event.
 
ANGEL TREE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

I wish to thank all who were so thoughtful and generous with the Angel Tree gifts.  We were able to give each child clothes, a pair of shoes, and a wish list item.  Each mother got a wish list item and gift cards for Martin's grocery store.  The staff at the Women's Shelter very much appreciated our food pantry contributions, as well as the gifts we gave to the families we served.  I really appreciated the thoughtfulness and spirit of giving our school family showed.  Many people helped with this effort, but I especially wish to thank Leslie Schucker for making each Angel Tree tag and Elizabeth Yoakum for organizing the gifts as they came in.  Elizabeth also helped transport the gifts to the shelter and Paul and Debra Washington transported all the food.  There were many other people who helped with this effort also.  This was a nice way to help others in our local community have a nicer holiday.  Thank you!       Sincerely, Sandy Baumgart

 

YOU ARE INVITED AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS

To our annual Open House Sundays at the Farm School January 13th (1-3:30 PM) and at the main campus on January 27th (1-3:30PM).  Please let your friends know about Montessori education and ask them to join you at these events!

 

PTO MEETING NEXT TUESDAY, JANUARY 15 AT 7 PM

We very much need all our parents and teachers to attend the upcoming PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 15th at 7 PM in the Front Royal studio.  We will be discussing upcoming events and projects such as the Winter Dinner and Silent Auction, Spring Yard Sale, Spring Bulb Sale, and Spring Fling.  (Spring is around the corner, you know.)  Your input is important to help us reach our goals and to contribute great new ideas for next year!  If you cannot attend, please contact Elaine Glier by replying to this email with any ideas, suggestions, and/or comments you would like to share with our PTO.

 

WELCOME BACK

We all enjoyed our holidays, but it is certainly nice to be back with the children.  Even in a few weeks, we can see how they have grown!  This is the time of year when so much comes together in our classrooms.  The children and staff all settle in for long stretches of engaging and productive work.  Please do everything you can to ensure that your children come to school on time and well rested to take full advantage of the richness and depth of their classroom experiences.

 

ARE YOU UP TO DATE?

Those families who were on the 2-payment plan should have already made their last tuition payment in December.  Monthly payment plans for most families should be finished with the February 1st payment.  If your account is not current and you have not made alternative payment arrangements, please contact Rose DiNinno immediately.  Contracts for next school year will be distributed on January 28th for all students whose accounts are current.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Rose or Elaine in the office.

 

BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION
Thanks to the hard work and diligence of Julie Smith, our school has already made over $228.00 this school year from sending in Boxtops for Education.  Please check your cupboards and pantry for those cute little pink squares on General Mills brand items.  Please follow this link for a complete list of participating products:  http://www.boxtops4education.com/AboutBoxTops/Products.aspx.  Thank you!
 
MARTIN'S A+ REWARDS PROGRAM

As many of you know, Mountain Laurel participates in Martin's A+ School Rewards Program.  So far, our total rewards amount is $696.93 with 87 card numbers registered!!!  We're still the top earning private school in the local area - way to shop!!!  If you have not already done so, please send your 11-digit Bonus Card number to Elaine Glier via email, telephone, or the office, so we can designate your school bonus points to Mountain Laurel (this has no effect on any other promotions that you accrue with your Bonus Card).  All Bonus Card numbers begin with 480.  No other information is needed, so please don't worry about getting unsolicited correspondence - not even your name is required for registration!  Do you have any relatives, neighbors or friends who shop at Martin's?  Ask them to let us designate their Bonus Card numbers, too!  Thanks to all those who have already sent in their numbers to help us take full advantage of this generous and simple fundraising opportunity!!!

 

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

January

 

13 (Sun.) - 1-3:30 PM - Farm School Open House @ Sunny Slope for friends, parents, and students.

 

15 (Tues.) - 7 PM - PTO Council Meeting in Front Royal Studio.  All parents and teachers should attend!

 

27 (Sun.) - 1-3:30 PM - Toddler/Primary/Elementary Open House for friends, parents, and students.

 

28 (Mon.) - Contracts for 2008-2009 distributed.

 

February

 

5 (Tues.) - 6:30 PM - Elementary Parent Night and Student History Exhibition.  All Elementary students and parents attend - friends, too!

                                        Families of our current Kinderten children are especially invited to History Night to get a taste of Elementary!

 

18 (Mon.) - SCHOOL CLOSED. Presidents' Day

 

23 (Sat.) - 5 PM - PTO Winter Dinner and Silent Auction @ Front Royal Moose Lodge.