Important Dates
3/21 Noon Dismissal – AMS Conference (childcare available)
3/22, 3/23 AMS Conference – no classes, no childcare
3/26 Classes Resume
3/30 Noon Dismissal – Charter Board Meeting 12:15, Blue Tang Room (childcare available)
Professional Days for Conference
Beginning Thursday morning, eleven members of our school staff will attend the American Montessori Society’s national conference in Denver, Colorado. In addition to touring other Montessori charter schools (Compass Montessori and St. Vrain Montessori), staff will engage in four days (Thursday – Sunday) of professional development – all focused on Montessori education. Educators are best able to offer their service to our students when their professional development needs are met. Wednesday’s early dismissal and the following two professional days help make attending this enriching event possible, and I thank everyone for enabling us to make this accommodation to our school calendar, each year.
Care of the Environment
We have a number of service projects to help beautify our students’ learning environment. One of the most pressing projects is wall mounting an 81-inch television in our Sea Star Classroom. We have the materials, we just need the human power! Ms. Tonia and other members of staff will be on campus Thursday and Friday, for any families able to help with the following projects:
Big/Team Projects:
- Mount 81-inch television in Sea Star room (remove old television and dispose of)
- Dispose of tables and items on the back walkway of bldg. 100
- Label and organize Bldg. 100 MSMS Library
General Projects:
- Pull weeds around turf, near the fence
- Pull weeds in/outside of United St. along the fence
- Pull weeds in the courtyard
- Brush artificial turf, blow, and bag leaves
Ongoing Projects:
- All classrooms: carpets need cleaning (we have materials)
- Wash lunch tables
School Safety
All school staff attended a safety awareness training on our last professional day (3/9), and the professionals conducted an assessment of our campus safety needs. In addition, there is new legislation that Florida Governor recently enacted, which affects all public schools – including charter schools (HB 7026). Our school district is meeting tonight in Marathon to discuss the impact of the recent legislation, and Next Friday (3/30) our school’s charter board will hear recommendations for improving our campus safety as they relate to the passage of HB 7026. I will continue to share updates as information develops in our school and across our district.
Social Media Safety
For many adults, helping our students become principled digital citizens requires us to learn alongside them. Our school staff is working on a plan to incorporate more coursework targeting digital citizenship and safety best practice with technology, but there are immediate efforts we can take, as parents. One resource I recommend is www.SmartSocial.com – Josh Ochs also hosts a Smart Social Podcast, available on iTunes and online: https://smartsocialpodcast.com/. I welcome parent input on other resources we can share, collectively, to help educate ourselves and our students; feel free to reach out to me in person or via email.
Community News
The CoffeeMill presents An Evening of Dance tomorrow, Wednesday, March 21st at the Tennessee Williams Theater – purchase tickets at www.KeysTix.com or call Penny Leto at 305-296-9982 for more info and thank you for supporting dance in Key West!
School Choice Options
As a public school of choice, we thank you for choosing May Sands Montessori! Intent to Remain Forms will be sent home next week, for families to determine their student’s continued enrollment with our school. Please be reminded that all service hours must be completed by 20 April.
The following message is sent at the request of the Monroe County School District, who requires all its schools to state choice options for families: One of the school choice options available through the Monroe County School District (MCSD) is for students to participate in a full-time virtual instruction program (VIP) through MyDistrict Virtual School. For the 2018-2019 school year, open enrollment begins April 15, 2018, and the deadline to register for the program is July 31, 2017. Visit https://fl02202360.schoolwires.net/Page/634 for additional information and considerations regarding the Monroe County School District Virtual Instruction Program. If you are interested in registering your student, you must participate in an orientation session outlining requirements and commitments prior to completing an online registration. Appointments may be scheduled by calling (305) 293-1400 x 53408.
