#GivingTuesday
The Annual Fund supports free, public Montessori education for students in Key West & the Lower Keys. Monetary contributions to the Annual Fund ensure that our school can continue to offer high-quality programming to its students and professional development support for educators. Each year we seek to achieve 100% participation from the May Sands Montessori School community in support of the Annual Fund. 100% participation means that all families, staff members, and board members contribute to the Annual Fund – at any level. This year the fundraising committee has again set a goal to have 100% participation in the 2018 school year Annual Fund Appeal.
May Sands Montessori School has served the children and families of Key West for 19 years by providing a valuable option for quality Montessori education without the high cost of tuition. With your continued support, we can continue to do so for many years to come. Donate today – pick your donation amount and frequency: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI0MDk=
Free School Meals Continues
I received an announcement from the District’s Food Service Director that the district has received permission to continue serving free breakfast and lunch meals to students until January 31, 2018. Our participation in the school lunch program has remained strong, and we’re happy to be able to offer this service to our students.
Irma Relief Grants
May Sands Montessori School has received an allocation of funds from the Monroe County Education Foundation (MCEF) to assist with unexpected losses due to Hurricane Irma. The MCEF desires that these funds be used to address “big ticket items” (i.e., >$250). These items could include a washer, dryer, refrigerator, furniture, or tools, etc. A final report will be provided to MCEF explaining the use of the funds, complete with accompanying receipts (copies are ok). Grant awards of $250, or $500 are available. Pick up an application in our office, or respond to this message and I can send an electronic copy to you, directly. The deadline to apply is December 8th, 2017.
Seeking Bazaar Bakers & Treat Makers
Our seventh annual Holiday Bazaar takes place at First Flight, located at 301 Whitehead Street this Friday, December 1 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and the Fundraising Committee is seeking help supporting the bake sale inventory. We have local vendors, a cocoa bar, and a photo booth, complete with a Santa Kringle, but we need more individually-wrapped sweet & savory treats for the bake sale – Double Service Hours apply! All items should be artfully wrapped for individual sale. Deliver baked goods to First Flight by 4:00 on Friday (301 Whitehead Street). All proceeds benefit our public charter school. Use this link to sign up for bake sale items: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjY4MDA=
Contact our Fundraising chairperson, Jenn Stefanacci at 732-859-1125 or [email protected] with any questions.
SOMO Aid Station – Early Risers
We have six confirmed volunteers for this Saturday’s marathon aid station, but we’ll need at least two more – May Sands Montessori School receives a financial benefit from helping athletes at the Southernmost Marathon; early birds are needed to pass water and cheer on participants at the Southernmost Marathon! The event takes place this Saturday, December 2nd, and our shift is from 5-7:30 am. Bring your tutu, hula hoops, and noisemakers – let’s motivate those runners with our positivity!
Our station is at the East Martello Tower, by the Key West airport.
Sign up for a fun time – double service hours apply: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI3MTc=.
One Human Race Colorful Run 5K, SOMO 10K
We need 14 more volunteers for this Sunday’s race. This year’s special joint event with the Southernmost Marathon race organizers will feature two races starting @ 7:30 on Sunday: our school’s 5K, and the SOMO 10K. We need help passing water and cheering on participants. In addition to 5K registration fees, May Sands Montessori School receives a financial benefit from helping at the event! Sign up to volunteer double service hours apply: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI3MTg=
Friends on social media can share the Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/134875347265362/.
The direct link to register for the races: https://triregistration.com/reg2/Race.php?eventid=488
Join the Parade!
Thanks to a generous donor, May Sands Montessori School has a Trolley for the City of Key West’s Holiday Parade! We will feature a bubbly theme for our trolley – while we are planning to have some on hand to share, everyone is encouraged to bring their bubble makers. Seating on the Trolley is reserved for those families needing mobility support and those with little ones, but we encourage families and friends to walk, scoot, skate, board, or blade safely alongside the trolley. Sign up to participate: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjY4MjU=
*We are expecting our school spirit shirts to be in stock in time for the event, so plan on wearing yours for this Saturday night’s parade! We’re meeting at the parade line-up, on Truman in front of Bayview Park by 6:30 – the parade starts promptly @ 7:00.
School Photos
Bert Budde will take individual and group photos for our staff and students, beginning next week. Forms will go home in today’s student folders. These are the following dates for class photos – thanks for ensuring your student arrives at school by 8:25:
Tuesday, December 5: Osprey, Blue Tang
Wednesday, December 6: Mahi, Sea Star
Thursday, December 7: 7:45 Staff Photo (volunteer needed to help with Early Bird – 15 minutes) Seahorse, Reef Gecko
Conch Train Holiday Lights Tour
Our school has a longstanding tradition of riding the Conch Train to see the island’s holiday lights, and we’re confirmed for next Wednesday, December 6th! We will host a festive pre-boarding treat under the Chickee beginning @ 6:30, and the train departs promptly @ 7:00. Tickets are $10/adult, $5/child – cash or check payable to May Sands Montessori. Remember to send payment in an envelope marked with your child’s name.
Key West Triathlon
We need 15 volunteers for the Key West Triathlon, which takes place Saturday, December 9th at Higgs Beach. We have three shifts available – five volunteers per shift: 5:30-9:30, 7:00-11:00, and 11:00-3:00. May Sands Montessori School receives a financial benefit from helping at this race event!
Sign up to volunteer – double service hours apply: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjI3MTg=
Peace Begins with Me
Well, we couldn’t order the Peace Shirts for this year’s International Day of Peace, but we’re still inviting all families & members of staff to purchase Peace Shirts/Tanks! The cost is $12/student (T-shirts, only), and $15/adult (tank or T). A copy of the sizing chart is available on our website: http://maysandsmontessori.com/fundraising/information/
Orders will need to be placed by 4:00 Monday, December 11th to ensure delivery before the holiday break. Please make checks payable to May Sands Montessori School.
Science!!
Our annual Upper Elementary and Early Secondary STEM Fair takes place December 15th at school. Be sure to check in with Ms. Lindsey for final details on your student’s participation with this event, and check out your student’s class page for the general guidelines:
http://maysandsmontessori.com/programs/upper-elementary/reef-gecko-classroom/
http://maysandsmontessori.com/programs/upper-elementary/sea-star-classroom/
http://maysandsmontessori.com/programs/early-secondary/blue-tang-classroom/
Candy Cane Grams
What’s sweeter than a candy cane? How about a candy cane with a special note attached?! Ms. Natalie and Ms. Lindsey will be selling candy cane grams beginning December 13th with delivery December 19th. Each candy cane gram costs $1 – parents can send a special note to their student, or students can send to a friend! Please see Ms. Natalie or Ms. Lindsey for details.
*Candy Cane Grams will go home with students and will not be consumed on campus*
Thanks for taking the time to read through our important news – you can download all events directly from our school’s events page: http://maysandsmontessori.com/events/
