Montessori Moments = Events Calendar + What’s Happening:
GrandDays is happening! Next week! We look forward to meeting (and greeting) your special guests who will join your children in their classrooms.
We want to make our grand-friends feel special each year by hosting a refreshment area and welcoming them as they wait to join your child’s classroom. Hosts greet visitors and offer coat storage, name tags, restroom locations, and refreshments to guests who may have just arrived after a long drive or flight for this visit. The students are excited about inviting these special guests into their classroom and have been preparing small performances or activities along with gifts of gratitude for their guests.
We could use some help with hosting and refreshments. Please check Track it Forward for V-hour opportunities to help during the event. We need flowers, photographers, refreshments, etc. Parents can sign up to help their child’s classroom or pick up some additional V-hours to help a classroom that could use a couple of items so each classroom and hosting area is welcoming to all. ♥️
___________________________________________________
Calendar of Events
November 2024: Fill the Van Food Drive & GrandDays! Central’s Anniversary
Conferences: Lower El, Upper El, Middle School
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Infant and Toddler
20-26 GRANDDAYS! Watch for Info (This is a change)
27-29 Autumn Break: School is Closed to All: Watch for V hour for Facility Work
December 2024: Cookie Drive, Winter Celebrations, Winter Package
Conferences: Infant/Toddler & PrePrimary
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Lower Elementary
2 Elementary & Middle School: Central Annual Cookie Drive 1: Watch for Info
2 Elementary & Middle School: Cookies and Songs Parade 1 to Fire House Number 1!
Thanks, First Responders: Watch for Info
2-3 Infant/Toddler Parent/Teacher Conferences:
3 Preprimary & Primary: Central Annual Cookie Drive 2: Watch for Info
3 Kindergarten: Cookies and Songs Parade 2: FireHouse Number 1! Thanks, First
Responders!
4 Whole School Cookie Drive for Winter Celebrations! (Potluck applies)
6 Event: No Additional Montessori Hour
6 Elementary & Middle School: Winter Celebration 1: 5:00-6:00 Watch
for Info & V Link
9 Upper El & Mid. School: Winter Market Day
10 Preprimary Parent/Teacher Conferences:
13 Event: No Additional Montessori Hour
13 Primary: Winter Celebration 2: 5:00-6:00 (This is a change): Watch for Info & V Link
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
What’s Happening?
Primary B
Sitting at the group time rug, they hear a story, “Alicia’s Discoveries: Secret Colors of Leaves!” In the story, a girl notices the bright colors of the trees as the seasons change from Summer to Fall. She experimented with chromatography to see how many colors were in the changing leaves. The children find fallen leaves and materials for the same experiment on a nearby table. A few students take turns tearing leaves and placing them in mason jars. Once the leaves have been mixed with rubbing alcohol, a coffee filter is put into each jar. Later, on their way to P3 time, an older child peaks curiously at the experiment jars. “I want to see which colors there are…” Their friends remind him, “We have to wait until tomorrow to see the colors will appear!”
Pre-Primary
While playing outside, a child pauses to observe a robin perched nearby on the ground. “I see a bird!” The robin flaps its wings and flies up to rest on a branch. “A robin. It's way up in a tree,” the child remarks. The robin ruffles its feathers and stretches as the child continues observing. “It has wings!”
Primary C
The students have been enjoying anatomy studies this week. During a group discussion, a student asks, “Where are the skeleton’s cheeks?” The question prompts further discussion and reflection about the shape of the skull, where the cheekbones are, and how the mandible works. Students take turns observing a deer vertebra during a lesson on vertebrates and invertebrates.
2001 Cultural Enrichment
Students discuss the two points of view presented in an article about the impact of recent updates to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Students consider whether human remains should be regarded as museum artifacts or repatriated to Tribes. One student shared about their recent visit to a major museum and some of the changes in the Indigenous art exhibits they observed personally. The group considers the actual and unethical practices that allowed Indigenous human remains to become “collected” as art and/or for science over the past centuries.
Upper Elementary
In anticipation of Grand Days, students enjoy an afternoon pottery lesson. Everyone practices a traditional style of coil pottery. One child rolls out and molds a bowl with a bird on it, while another creates a bathtub. Students begin to memorize the poem “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman and a fun second poem recitation of “Lester” by Shel Silverstein.
Primary A
A group of students carefully search for the most beautiful leaves. As the students walk and search for leaves, they exclaim, "There are a lot of leaves on this playground! Look, this leaf is huge and pretty." "I found this tiny green leaf." "Look, this one is red." Once they are done, they put them in a basket and bring them to the classroom. One child says, “We can trace them and make beautiful artwork!”
Infant/Toddler
Sitting at a table, a child picks up a leaf sitting on a tray in front of them to inspect. “Red!” the child excitedly exclaims. The child picks up the red leaf and dips it into a waiting dish of green paint. Next, the child places the leaf onto a piece of paper and covers it up. With some assistance, the child presses down on the paper as hard as they can. Carefully lifting the top piece of paper, the child reveals the leaf! Using two tiny fingers to pinch the leaf's stem, it’s lifted to show a beautiful print of the leaf! “I did it!”
Middle School
The students are reading A Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. The lesson begins with discussing symbolism and common symbols seen in literature. Common themes such as sadness and anger are discussed, and one student shares that math is blue. This leads to all students sharing what color Math is to them and why. They are so engaged with this idea that they start talking about what color other subjects are to them. After students share the color Science, English, and Spanish are to them, the lesson continues with reading the story and identifying symbols and meaning.
Lower Elementary
The students are hiding (with their teacher’s permission). Three students hold the banner that reads, Thank you, Stephan. We love Central! Twenty-nine students are silent and still. Stephan is called and arrives in the classroom expecting to find a door that needs repairs. (fake). As he enters, the children erupt with happiness and excitement. There are loud cheers and a song for Stephan. They thank him for opening Central seventeen years ago. Stephan joins the children as they eat fortune cookies that may (or may not) hold predictions about the next Central Montessori year.
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.
GrandDays is happening! Next week! We look forward to meeting (and greeting) your special guests who will join your children in their classrooms.
We want to make our grand-friends feel special each year by hosting a refreshment area and welcoming them as they wait to join your child’s classroom. Hosts greet visitors and offer coat storage, name tags, restroom locations, and refreshments to guests who may have just arrived after a long drive or flight for this visit. The students are excited about inviting these special guests into their classroom and have been preparing small performances or activities along with gifts of gratitude for their guests.
We could use some help with hosting and refreshments. Please check Track it Forward for V-hour opportunities to help during the event. We need flowers, photographers, refreshments, etc. Parents can sign up to help their child’s classroom or pick up some additional V-hours to help a classroom that could use a couple of items so each classroom and hosting area is welcoming to all. ♥️
___________________________________________________
Calendar of Events
November 2024: Fill the Van Food Drive & GrandDays! Central’s Anniversary
Conferences: Lower El, Upper El, Middle School
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Infant and Toddler
20-26 GRANDDAYS! Watch for Info (This is a change)
27-29 Autumn Break: School is Closed to All: Watch for V hour for Facility Work
December 2024: Cookie Drive, Winter Celebrations, Winter Package
Conferences: Infant/Toddler & PrePrimary
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry: Lower Elementary
2 Elementary & Middle School: Central Annual Cookie Drive 1: Watch for Info
2 Elementary & Middle School: Cookies and Songs Parade 1 to Fire House Number 1!
Thanks, First Responders: Watch for Info
2-3 Infant/Toddler Parent/Teacher Conferences:
3 Preprimary & Primary: Central Annual Cookie Drive 2: Watch for Info
3 Kindergarten: Cookies and Songs Parade 2: FireHouse Number 1! Thanks, First
Responders!
4 Whole School Cookie Drive for Winter Celebrations! (Potluck applies)
6 Event: No Additional Montessori Hour
6 Elementary & Middle School: Winter Celebration 1: 5:00-6:00 Watch
for Info & V Link
9 Upper El & Mid. School: Winter Market Day
10 Preprimary Parent/Teacher Conferences:
13 Event: No Additional Montessori Hour
13 Primary: Winter Celebration 2: 5:00-6:00 (This is a change): Watch for Info & V Link
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
What’s Happening?
Primary B
Sitting at the group time rug, they hear a story, “Alicia’s Discoveries: Secret Colors of Leaves!” In the story, a girl notices the bright colors of the trees as the seasons change from Summer to Fall. She experimented with chromatography to see how many colors were in the changing leaves. The children find fallen leaves and materials for the same experiment on a nearby table. A few students take turns tearing leaves and placing them in mason jars. Once the leaves have been mixed with rubbing alcohol, a coffee filter is put into each jar. Later, on their way to P3 time, an older child peaks curiously at the experiment jars. “I want to see which colors there are…” Their friends remind him, “We have to wait until tomorrow to see the colors will appear!”
Pre-Primary
While playing outside, a child pauses to observe a robin perched nearby on the ground. “I see a bird!” The robin flaps its wings and flies up to rest on a branch. “A robin. It's way up in a tree,” the child remarks. The robin ruffles its feathers and stretches as the child continues observing. “It has wings!”
Primary C
The students have been enjoying anatomy studies this week. During a group discussion, a student asks, “Where are the skeleton’s cheeks?” The question prompts further discussion and reflection about the shape of the skull, where the cheekbones are, and how the mandible works. Students take turns observing a deer vertebra during a lesson on vertebrates and invertebrates.
2001 Cultural Enrichment
Students discuss the two points of view presented in an article about the impact of recent updates to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Students consider whether human remains should be regarded as museum artifacts or repatriated to Tribes. One student shared about their recent visit to a major museum and some of the changes in the Indigenous art exhibits they observed personally. The group considers the actual and unethical practices that allowed Indigenous human remains to become “collected” as art and/or for science over the past centuries.
Upper Elementary
In anticipation of Grand Days, students enjoy an afternoon pottery lesson. Everyone practices a traditional style of coil pottery. One child rolls out and molds a bowl with a bird on it, while another creates a bathtub. Students begin to memorize the poem “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman and a fun second poem recitation of “Lester” by Shel Silverstein.
Primary A
A group of students carefully search for the most beautiful leaves. As the students walk and search for leaves, they exclaim, "There are a lot of leaves on this playground! Look, this leaf is huge and pretty." "I found this tiny green leaf." "Look, this one is red." Once they are done, they put them in a basket and bring them to the classroom. One child says, “We can trace them and make beautiful artwork!”
Infant/Toddler
Sitting at a table, a child picks up a leaf sitting on a tray in front of them to inspect. “Red!” the child excitedly exclaims. The child picks up the red leaf and dips it into a waiting dish of green paint. Next, the child places the leaf onto a piece of paper and covers it up. With some assistance, the child presses down on the paper as hard as they can. Carefully lifting the top piece of paper, the child reveals the leaf! Using two tiny fingers to pinch the leaf's stem, it’s lifted to show a beautiful print of the leaf! “I did it!”
Middle School
The students are reading A Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. The lesson begins with discussing symbolism and common symbols seen in literature. Common themes such as sadness and anger are discussed, and one student shares that math is blue. This leads to all students sharing what color Math is to them and why. They are so engaged with this idea that they start talking about what color other subjects are to them. After students share the color Science, English, and Spanish are to them, the lesson continues with reading the story and identifying symbols and meaning.
Lower Elementary
The students are hiding (with their teacher’s permission). Three students hold the banner that reads, Thank you, Stephan. We love Central! Twenty-nine students are silent and still. Stephan is called and arrives in the classroom expecting to find a door that needs repairs. (fake). As he enters, the children erupt with happiness and excitement. There are loud cheers and a song for Stephan. They thank him for opening Central seventeen years ago. Stephan joins the children as they eat fortune cookies that may (or may not) hold predictions about the next Central Montessori year.
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.
