Published On: April 7, 2017

Our Charter Board approved the calendar for SY2018 at its monthly meeting, last week: http://maysandsmontessori.com/resources/msms-families-portal/

School will not be in session next Friday (4/14) as the staff will have a Professional Development Day.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and to show support for increasing awareness, I will share a fact about autism each week in our newsletter.  The puzzle piece is often the symbol associated with Autism, and its significance is to reflect the diversity that exists among people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Families who are interested in learning more about autism can check out the following sites: http://www.autismspeaks.org/  http://www.autism-society.org/  http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org/

Fact: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome.

 

Community Outreach Event

May Sands Montessori School is hosting a community play date and potluck lunch this Sunday from 12-2 @ Nelson English Park (300 Catherine Street). Join us in fellowship as we meet new friends and share information about our school’s programs! For those families who are on social media, please share our event with those friends in your network who would be interested in becoming a part of our charter school: https://www.facebook.com/events/439666639703916/

Free Concert

Also taking place this Sunday @ 4:00 is the Kids Helping Kids concert, hosted by Robin Kaplan’s Music Room for the benefit of The Learning Center of Key West.  The event takes place at the San Carlos Theater, and is free to the public, though donations for The Learning Center are gratefully accepted. Those families who are on social media can click the following link for the event flyer https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicRoomKeyWest/photos/a.260704450724086.60566.126671647460701/1144910905636765/?type=3

Musical Notes

During the month of April, we’re taking a break from lessons on Music Theory and Appreciation to practice the songs we will be performing in celebration of Earth Day on Friday April 21st. We look forward to family and friends to share in this celebration. Thank you so much to Ms. Gabriela for choosing these songs to celebrate Earth Day! Here are the links. Please feel free to play these at home and sing along with your child!

Kindergarten and Lower Elementary: I Am The Earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNtmqStVRo0

Upper Elementary: Seminole Wind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Eq428U2vU

Extended Day

Theater Club is up and running! We’ve started rehearsals for our upcoming play, Space Pirates!, and we still have some parts available. Ms. Gretchen, Molly’s mom, has agreed to help have fun in Theater Club! Come join in on the fun every Monday and Wednesday (excluding half-days). Our performance is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, June 4, 2017. Any student age 6 and up is welcome to join. For more information, please contact Ms. Rachel at [email protected]

NO RUNNING CLUB on April 10th and April 24th.

Ukulele Club (Fridays) and Gardening Club (Tuesdays) continue to grow. All students are welcome!

We are still collecting Altoids tins! Please leave them on Ms. Rachel’s desk.

We’re always looking for feedback on our Aftercare program. Please share your thoughts at [email protected]

Artist Statement

Miss Bria recently applied for and won a grant to work with our students on a mural, which they will likely be working on for the remainder of the school year! She has requested that students wear clothes that they can get messy in (shorts and old clothes) on the days that they have art.  The paint we use isn’t washable, and though we have some smocks, Miss Bria would greatly appreciate having students wear clothes that may get painted.  Students have Art class on Tuesdays or Thursdays, depending on their homeroom.

Endangered Species Earth Day Celebration

Earth Day will be observed at May Sands Montessori School on Friday, April 21, 2017, and we’ll have a special Flag Raising ceremony to celebrate the day.  The Instructional staff has been encouraging students to hone their research skills with this activity, but students are also encouraged to work on their project at home. We will honor Earth Day with an awareness of the many endangered or threatened species facing extinction, and celebration of their special characteristics.  I sent an informative message home last Wednesday, but feel free to contact Ms. Gabriela with any questions about the celebration: [email protected].