Montessori Moments = Events Calendar + What’s Happening: 12/6/24
Our First Winter Celebration was jam-packed with our elementary and middle schoolers’ friends and families, who joined us in enjoying the student performances and delicious wintery treats. Thank you. to everyone who helped with this event!
We look forward to the sequel with next Friday's preprimary-primary Winter Celebration! Please keep an eye out for more information in emails. There are plenty of V-hours available for all families…. even if your child is not participating!
Calendar of Events
December 2024: Cookie Drive, Winter Celebrations, Winter Package
Conferences: Infant/Toddler & PrePrimary
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Lower Elementary
6 Elementary & Middle School: Winter Celebration 1: 5:00-6:00 V Link & U.E & M.S.
Student Volunteer Sign-Up (Watch for Info) No am or pm Additional Montessori Hour
9 Upper El & Mid. School: Winter Market Day
10 Preprimary Parent/Teacher Conferences: Sign-Up & Zoom Link
13 Primary: Winter Celebration 2: 5:00-6:00 (This is a change): V Link & U.E & M.S.
Student Volunteer Sign-Up No am or pm Additional Montessori Hour (Watch for Info)
18-20 Open to Winter Package Families Only: Closed to All Other Families
23-27 Winter Break: School Closed to All
30 Open to Winter Package Families Only: Closed to All Other Families
31 Winter Break (cont) School Closed to All
January 2025: Martin Luther King: Day of Volunteerism
Parent/Teacher Conferences: Infant & Toddler, Primary A, Primary B, Primary C
PIN: Lower El, Upper El & Middle School
PAC: Meeting!
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Lower El.
1 Central is Closed to All
2 School Reopens: Welcome to 2025!
6 Dr. Montessori’s First Casa de Bambini Opens
8 PAC Meeting (tent.) 5:30-7:00: Event Room: Plans for Pancake Heaven
Join us!
10 Lower El Dance: Upper El Hosts
13 Lower El: Science Fair: Watch for Info
15-16 Primary A: Parent/Teacher Conferences: Watch for Link
17 Lower El PIN Event: Watch for V Hour
20 Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Volunteerism: School is Closed to All
21-22 Primary B: Parent/Teacher Conferences: Watch for Link
23 Primary C: Parent/Teacher Conferences: Watch for Link
24 Upper El & Middle School PIN Event: Watch for V Hour
27 Primary: Science Fair: Watch for Info
28 Primary C: Parent/Teacher Conferences (cont)
31 Everyone: Last Friday: Early Closing: Carpool 3:00-4:00 All Campuses: Staff
Development: No AMH*
What’s Happening?
Middle School
The rich aroma of hazelnuts fills the room as students eagerly gather to make a rich soup. From cracking hazelnuts to stirring the pot, everyone contributes to the preparation, curious about the unfamiliar recipe. As the soup simmers, the anticipation and excitement grow. Finally! It’s time to taste! Each student eagerly tries a spoonful, and after a bit of contemplation, the group concurs it is a delightful, or at the least, not a terrible dish. A student remarks they enjoy the warm, earthy flavor of the dish. Perfect for a cold and windy day!
Lower El
Small groups of students have casually formed with lyric sheets in hand. They quietly practice their winter celebration songs with smiles on their faces. A student has a survey clipboard and paper and puts their hand on the shoulder of a working friend. Once they have their friend's attention, they ask, “¿Cuál es tu color favorito?” the friend responds, “Azul claro”. The first student shades in a bar for light blue and moves on to ask another friend their opinion.
Primary B
At the beginning of the day, a three-year-old child enters the classroom and carefully puts away their hat, mittens, and jacket. A teacher asks, “Would you like to help me remove the chairs?” The child is happy to help and walks around the room, individually taking chairs from the tables in their new classroom. “Our classroom is ready now! Thank you. ” The child smiles and begins to explore the classroom, eventually selecting their first work of the day.
Pre-Primary
A new student is sitting on a peace rug and observing their environment. They watch an older friend carry a jar filled with water to a nearby table. The older friend begins carefully arranging red and white flowers in their jar. When finished, they carry their flower arrangement away and find a place to display it. Next, the new friend gets to try! They get to work, copying what they learned from their observation to make a flower arrangement.
Primary C
Primary C students are busy preparing for the Winter Season! A small group of students sits in a circle around a table and receives a lesson on a very important constellation: Ursa Minor! One notices the constellation is a bear, one of the hibernating animals the class has been studying. Across the room, a student sorts and labels other hibernating animals by name. Nearby, another student is sorting nocturnal and diurnal animals.
2001 Cultural Enrichment
Upper el students discover that hazelnuts were a staple food for many Eastern Woodland Indigenous peoples and express interest in tasting the soup after smelling the cooking aromas. Almost all students take a small taste of the unique soup. “I’d eat it if it were the only thing I could eat, like back in the day,” says a student cheerfully. Many faces show expressions that suggest surprise, confusion, and uncertainty about the flavors in this week's Daily Soup. “I tried it, but I don't want seconds,” shares another student.
Upper Elementary
Students design and paint a ‘Winter Wonderland’ backdrop to prepare for Friday's Winter Celebration. While some work at the self-portrait station, others draw and cut out signs of peace. Later in the week, students glue their designs, and soon, children look like they’re falling out of the sky like snowflakes, alongside white doves and snow people! White pines and eagles are also showcased as indigenous signs of peace.
During the afternoon, the art continues with some math as students create their Market Day Posters and flyers. They continue to practice making changes for customers.
Primary A
After reading a few books during group time, students wait patiently for their friends to serve them grapes. "Gracias," they say after their friends put one spoonful of green grapes on their napkins. "Did you know that I know how to say grape in Spanish? Uva!" one student says. Everyone tries to repeat "uva". Once they are done eating, they reiterate their gratitude for the grapes, and they get ready to go outside.
Infant/Toddler
An infant sits on the floor, doing what we can only assume is their best impersonation of a pterodactyl. A nearby friend hears the loud, happy shrieks and joins in. Before long, a chorus of four different squawks and squeaks echoes throughout the classroom. One last infant, brand new to the school, turns her head back and forth, surveying the (loud) scene around the room. After a few moments of confusion on their face, the child decides to embrace the sound entirely. They quietly and tentatively join in.
Special V Opportunity & Community Support Opportunities
WANTED! Tree Saplings
These are not V-hour eligible, but this kind of gift might work out for you and our students. A sapling for a family and more space in your yard! The Tree Protectors (lower-el students) love trees! If you find a little tree sapling in your yard and want someone to adopt it and give it a good home, please dig it up and bring it to school! Many children would like to take a tiny tree sapling home to their yard!
Our Little Free Sapling Garden is located by our main 323 Carpool Gate.
Central’s Little Free Library and Pantry
Thanks for helping us give back to our neighbors. A neighbor who depends on this pantry asked that food donations include food in containers that someone without a home, kitchen, or can opener can manage. We ask that donations contain only foods within the expiration date. All foods should be as healthy as possible. We can do this!
Month of Giving
Books for Little Free Library & Food for Little Free Pantry
Please feel free to send your donations in with your child. Individual classrooms will collect these items, and the front office will manage them. Older students will help us keep our pantries stocked with your generous gifts. Your child (and benefits from your modeling of giving to others. It inspires them and helps them see how they can help others. This is a huge deal.
Our First Winter Celebration was jam-packed with our elementary and middle schoolers’ friends and families, who joined us in enjoying the student performances and delicious wintery treats. Thank you. to everyone who helped with this event!
We look forward to the sequel with next Friday's preprimary-primary Winter Celebration! Please keep an eye out for more information in emails. There are plenty of V-hours available for all families…. even if your child is not participating!
Calendar of Events
December 2024: Cookie Drive, Winter Celebrations, Winter Package
Conferences: Infant/Toddler & PrePrimary
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Lower Elementary
6 Elementary & Middle School: Winter Celebration 1: 5:00-6:00 V Link & U.E & M.S.
Student Volunteer Sign-Up (Watch for Info) No am or pm Additional Montessori Hour
9 Upper El & Mid. School: Winter Market Day
10 Preprimary Parent/Teacher Conferences: Sign-Up & Zoom Link
13 Primary: Winter Celebration 2: 5:00-6:00 (This is a change): V Link & U.E & M.S.
Student Volunteer Sign-Up No am or pm Additional Montessori Hour (Watch for Info)
18-20 Open to Winter Package Families Only: Closed to All Other Families
23-27 Winter Break: School Closed to All
30 Open to Winter Package Families Only: Closed to All Other Families
31 Winter Break (cont) School Closed to All
January 2025: Martin Luther King: Day of Volunteerism
Parent/Teacher Conferences: Infant & Toddler, Primary A, Primary B, Primary C
PIN: Lower El, Upper El & Middle School
PAC: Meeting!
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Lower El.
1 Central is Closed to All
2 School Reopens: Welcome to 2025!
6 Dr. Montessori’s First Casa de Bambini Opens
8 PAC Meeting (tent.) 5:30-7:00: Event Room: Plans for Pancake Heaven
Join us!
10 Lower El Dance: Upper El Hosts
13 Lower El: Science Fair: Watch for Info
15-16 Primary A: Parent/Teacher Conferences: Watch for Link
17 Lower El PIN Event: Watch for V Hour
20 Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Volunteerism: School is Closed to All
21-22 Primary B: Parent/Teacher Conferences: Watch for Link
23 Primary C: Parent/Teacher Conferences: Watch for Link
24 Upper El & Middle School PIN Event: Watch for V Hour
27 Primary: Science Fair: Watch for Info
28 Primary C: Parent/Teacher Conferences (cont)
31 Everyone: Last Friday: Early Closing: Carpool 3:00-4:00 All Campuses: Staff
Development: No AMH*
What’s Happening?
Middle School
The rich aroma of hazelnuts fills the room as students eagerly gather to make a rich soup. From cracking hazelnuts to stirring the pot, everyone contributes to the preparation, curious about the unfamiliar recipe. As the soup simmers, the anticipation and excitement grow. Finally! It’s time to taste! Each student eagerly tries a spoonful, and after a bit of contemplation, the group concurs it is a delightful, or at the least, not a terrible dish. A student remarks they enjoy the warm, earthy flavor of the dish. Perfect for a cold and windy day!
Lower El
Small groups of students have casually formed with lyric sheets in hand. They quietly practice their winter celebration songs with smiles on their faces. A student has a survey clipboard and paper and puts their hand on the shoulder of a working friend. Once they have their friend's attention, they ask, “¿Cuál es tu color favorito?” the friend responds, “Azul claro”. The first student shades in a bar for light blue and moves on to ask another friend their opinion.
Primary B
At the beginning of the day, a three-year-old child enters the classroom and carefully puts away their hat, mittens, and jacket. A teacher asks, “Would you like to help me remove the chairs?” The child is happy to help and walks around the room, individually taking chairs from the tables in their new classroom. “Our classroom is ready now! Thank you. ” The child smiles and begins to explore the classroom, eventually selecting their first work of the day.
Pre-Primary
A new student is sitting on a peace rug and observing their environment. They watch an older friend carry a jar filled with water to a nearby table. The older friend begins carefully arranging red and white flowers in their jar. When finished, they carry their flower arrangement away and find a place to display it. Next, the new friend gets to try! They get to work, copying what they learned from their observation to make a flower arrangement.
Primary C
Primary C students are busy preparing for the Winter Season! A small group of students sits in a circle around a table and receives a lesson on a very important constellation: Ursa Minor! One notices the constellation is a bear, one of the hibernating animals the class has been studying. Across the room, a student sorts and labels other hibernating animals by name. Nearby, another student is sorting nocturnal and diurnal animals.
2001 Cultural Enrichment
Upper el students discover that hazelnuts were a staple food for many Eastern Woodland Indigenous peoples and express interest in tasting the soup after smelling the cooking aromas. Almost all students take a small taste of the unique soup. “I’d eat it if it were the only thing I could eat, like back in the day,” says a student cheerfully. Many faces show expressions that suggest surprise, confusion, and uncertainty about the flavors in this week's Daily Soup. “I tried it, but I don't want seconds,” shares another student.
Upper Elementary
Students design and paint a ‘Winter Wonderland’ backdrop to prepare for Friday's Winter Celebration. While some work at the self-portrait station, others draw and cut out signs of peace. Later in the week, students glue their designs, and soon, children look like they’re falling out of the sky like snowflakes, alongside white doves and snow people! White pines and eagles are also showcased as indigenous signs of peace.
During the afternoon, the art continues with some math as students create their Market Day Posters and flyers. They continue to practice making changes for customers.
Primary A
After reading a few books during group time, students wait patiently for their friends to serve them grapes. "Gracias," they say after their friends put one spoonful of green grapes on their napkins. "Did you know that I know how to say grape in Spanish? Uva!" one student says. Everyone tries to repeat "uva". Once they are done eating, they reiterate their gratitude for the grapes, and they get ready to go outside.
Infant/Toddler
An infant sits on the floor, doing what we can only assume is their best impersonation of a pterodactyl. A nearby friend hears the loud, happy shrieks and joins in. Before long, a chorus of four different squawks and squeaks echoes throughout the classroom. One last infant, brand new to the school, turns her head back and forth, surveying the (loud) scene around the room. After a few moments of confusion on their face, the child decides to embrace the sound entirely. They quietly and tentatively join in.
Special V Opportunity & Community Support Opportunities
WANTED! Tree Saplings
These are not V-hour eligible, but this kind of gift might work out for you and our students. A sapling for a family and more space in your yard! The Tree Protectors (lower-el students) love trees! If you find a little tree sapling in your yard and want someone to adopt it and give it a good home, please dig it up and bring it to school! Many children would like to take a tiny tree sapling home to their yard!
Our Little Free Sapling Garden is located by our main 323 Carpool Gate.
Central’s Little Free Library and Pantry
Thanks for helping us give back to our neighbors. A neighbor who depends on this pantry asked that food donations include food in containers that someone without a home, kitchen, or can opener can manage. We ask that donations contain only foods within the expiration date. All foods should be as healthy as possible. We can do this!
Month of Giving
Books for Little Free Library & Food for Little Free Pantry
Please feel free to send your donations in with your child. Individual classrooms will collect these items, and the front office will manage them. Older students will help us keep our pantries stocked with your generous gifts. Your child (and benefits from your modeling of giving to others. It inspires them and helps them see how they can help others. This is a huge deal.
