Summertime continues and while our school office has shortened hours, there is a lot of work taking place! Our long staffing update has a lot of information, so thanks for reading. Also, be sure to check our May Sands Montessori Families page under the Resources tab, as well as our school events calendar to stay informed.
Staffing Updates
We continue our search for a Montessori-trained Lower Elementary Lead Guide for our Conch classroom and have increased our outreach through targeted Internet advertising. I have received a few more applicants today and will keep families updated on our progress. The Conch classroom will have Ms. Gabriela as the assistant for SY2018. This was a decision made jointly with Ms. Alexis, as Ms. Gabriela is our most senior Lower Elementary classroom assistant and will be most helpful to the new teacher. Ms. Erin attended Montessori training in California this summer and will transition to the Mahi class to serve as the classroom assistant to Ms. Alexis.
Mrs. Sandy is currently completing her first summer of Montessori training in Maitland, Florida. She brings eight years of classroom experience and a passion for Science to the Reef Gecko class and is looking forward to working with Ms. Katie and Ms. Zurima as well as our UE students.
I am sad to report that Mrs. Shannon will not be returning to the Early Secondary classroom in the fall. Her husband is in the military and received a promotion, so she and her family moved to Colorado last week. Mrs. Shannon was an exceptional Secondary Math and Science teacher, and she will be missed by staff and students, alike.
Ms. Lindsey, who served primarily as the classroom assistant in the Sea Star classroom last year, will take responsibility for Science Instruction in the Early Secondary classroom and will continue instruction in Science for our UE classes during SY2018. Ms. Lindsey recently earned her Florida Educator’s certificate for Middle Grades Science, and her support for the UE Science curriculum last year proved fruitful; our 5th year students’ achievement in Science was 37 points higher than the previous year! Ms. Katie is currently interviewing candidates for the classroom assistant position.
I have advertised a Math & Technology teacher position for our Early Secondary classroom and have a local candidate that Ms. Jenni and I are planning to interview on Friday. This candidate is also fluent in Spanish, so there is a possibility of incorporating Spanish instruction into our ES program!
We were excited to have our school’s first full-time counselor for SY2018, but sadly she was plucked by another public school who could offer significantly more pay. I have been given other resumes for potential replacements, and hope to fill that position soon!
Our PE teacher Ms. Jamie will not be returning for SY2018, as she needs to focus on continuing to heal from injuries related to the car accident earlier this year. The position is part-time, which makes it a bit of a challenge to fill. State certification in Physical Education is required for the position. Details of certification requirements for PE may be found here: http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/administrative-rules/6a-4-0283.stml
School Yearbooks & Test Scores
This is a friendly reminder that student test scores and yearbooks are available for pickup in our front office, with Ms. Tonia Tuesdays – Thursdays from 9-1.
Service Hour Support
We also have many opportunities for completing service hours; campus availability for projects can be made outside of our summer business hours.
- Finish painting Music Room
- Paint small hallway (bldg. 100)
- Lay carpet squares: finish Music Room and rest of Conch Class
- Install opaque film on glass in building 200
- Dry wall repair in Library area and girls bathroom (bldg. 100)
- Hang TV mount for Conch classroom
- Repair storage room and put up shelves
- Install bracket shelves in Art Room
- Repair outdoor sink leg or replace sink (looking for a multi-bowl sink, for group hand washing)
- Brush artificial turf, blow, and bag leaves
- Pull weeds in/outside of United St. along fence
- Pull weeds in courtyard
- Pull weeds around turf, near fence
- Remove shade sails
- Collect, clean, and cover Legos
- Install ‘No Smoking’ signs (1) back door gate
- Take donations to Salvation Army (truck or SUV needed)
