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Connection and Community… The End of the Year Transitions!
Wow. We did it. We completed a challenging year (thanks Covid 19) and are looking at clearing skies and big transitions! Wonderful.
There are benefits to setting a bit of ritual/celebrations around these moments to help us and our children mark the moments.
Central holds several small and large events at this time of year. Your child may be too young to participate this year. That’s okay too! They grow up fast
Crossing the Bridge Ceremony For students and their teacher
Who? The kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers and students. Children were 5 or older before or on September 2022 will participate in a simple but very sweet ceremony called, Crossing the Bridge.
What? The eligible children stand with their teachers and similarly aged friends on the right side of the bridge. They cross over a blue “river” to the right side of the bridge where they are greeted by a teacher at the next level. They are handed a simple Certificate of Completion by Kelly, our Head of School and a celebratory bell is rung. If families have sent in refreshments, we enjoy these as well.
When? During the school day on June 15th
Special Note: Unfortunately, because of limited space and how quickly we move through this symbolic moment, we cannot invite our parents to join us. We will gladly take a photo and email it to our parents who have children who participated.
Year Book Distribution and Signing Day
Who? Children who have a yearbook and are in elementary and middle school participate in yearbook signing. Primary and younger students will come home with yearbooks in their bags.
What? The students may ask friends and staff to sign their yearbook! This tends to be a very sweet event with many smiles. This becomes one of our students most cherished artifact. Happy memories.
Where? In the classrooms and across campuses.
When? June 21, right after lunch!
End of the Year Picnic
Who? Everyone!
What? Parents and staff join us at Jefferson Park for a community picnic and fun! King of Pops will be there too (Thanks PAC!) Bring your blankets/chairs/good eats and find a shady spot to watch and enjoy our children in this lovely space. We hope to see you there!
Where? Jefferson Park (near the stage and fountains)
When? 3:00pm
*All students must be picked up by 3pm- Additional Montessori Hour is not available this day
*When parents are present, teachers defer management to the parents. Please be certain your child is with you at all times!
Take a break!
Central will be closed to students June 26-July 4th as we get ready for summer session! Facility work week, teacher work day, and staff summer break.
Transition into Summer Programming at Central!
Who? Everyone!
What? Central’s Summer of Myths and Legends offers special programming for primary, elementary and middle school students. Central shifts outdoor times to the cooler mornings and early afternoons for everyone. Our primary and older students participate in off campus enrichments like swimming and neighborhood walkabouts. Children in lower el and older participate in weekly off campus go-trips as well. Don’t forget about our annual solar over picnic for this age child. Special in-house activities are designed for our primary children. Optional parent/teacher conferences are also available. Watch for more information about this special time of the year.
When? First day of Summer Session 2023 is July 5th!
We look forward to seeing you and yours for this wonderful session.
Events Calendar
Even though COVID may not continue to create major disruptions to our school calendar events and dates, please know that all dates are tentative.
Montessori Moments Events Calendar
June 2023: End of the School Year Activities and Events
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry:
11 Musical Recital for Families of Students in Private Lessons: 2:00 Event Room
12 Upper Elementary End of the Year Play 5:30-6:30 Event Room
13 Lower Elementary End of the Year Play: 5:30-6:30 Event Room
16 Graduation Celebration! Tickets required (watch for info)
19 Closed to All: Holiday
21 Central Yearbook Distribution (all levels)
21 Elementary and Middle School: YearBook Signing Day
23 Last Day of School Year 2023-2024
23 End of the School Year Picnic at Jefferson Park 3:00! 3pm student dismissal- No
Montessori Hour
23 Middle School vs Staff Kickball Tournament 4:00 at Jefferson Park
26 Closed to Students (Summer Teacher/Assistant Work Day)
27-30 Closed to All: Staff Vacation Week and Facility Work Week (continues July 3rd & 4th)
Special Note: Summer Session begins on July 5th, 2023!
What’s Happening?
Infant & Toddler
One tiny chef, in the middle of making a “pizza” in a mixing bowl, stands up quickly and then, using two hands to hold their bowl, runs over to the middle of the playground and shouts “helicopter!” The other children on the playground drop what they’re doing (literally) and run over to see. A chorus of “Helicopter!” rings across the playground. Possibly making it’s way to VCU, the helicopter is out of sight within a minute, and one child says, “Bye helicopter!” and blows a kiss. Several other children follow suit, blowing kisses and saying goodbye. The pizza chef returns to cooking, adding more mulch to the bowl narrating what they’re doing, “Cheese, sauce, pizza!”
Primary B
A child walks into the classroom during morning arrival. After a temperature check and a pleasant morning greeting, the child heads to the sink and washes their hands. Afterwards, they begin to bring stools down from the tables, making sure to set each one down gently. When finished, the child looks around and admires their work.
Later that day, a child sits beside a teacher. They are counting beads (1-10). “You counted and organized the bead stair!” The adults said. “I did! I love lessons.” The child replied.
Pre-Primary
A child is ready to restore their work rug. They try rolling it, but it crumples on the floor. The child looks to a teacher and says, “It’s not working!” An older student is invited to give their younger classmate a rug rolling lesson. Both students smile at this suggestion and the older student says, “I’m going to give you a lesson!” And the young student grins and says, “Okay!” The two students work together to roll up the rug and restore it. The older student is excited to give a lesson and help a younger student and the younger student enjoys the peer interaction!
Primary A
The class is just about to begin their morning group time, but first they need to restore their work. A younger child, working with blocks, asks another friend for help restoring. While they are putting back their materials, friends who are done help to move the tables to the side of the classroom and make room for group time. A student picks two books for the group. Friends start sitting down on the available red "x". "Now, we are ready for group," says an older student. Children start dancing and singing. They are also happy after the book is read.
Lower El
Several children are collecting items from the shelves and placing them on a long rug. There is an alligator, spoon, book, pencil and more. The students are sorting these items under measurement tags marked with the numerals 1 through 12. The children use rulers to carefully measure each item and place it under its corresponding numeral. They round the measurement up or down to its appropriate inch value. There are now more than 36 items on this rug! Their concentration is such that they (and many other students) are working even as 14 of their friends are practicing their upcoming performance with loud voices, much action, and music.
Primary C
The PIII students are gathered around a rug and are reviewing the beginning sound of of the each of the items they see to the corresponding Sandpaper Letters. The children are invited to select this material anytime it is on the shelf. The oldest child in the group, who has been invited to use this “new” material first, happily sets all of the items and sandpaper letters back out and after a 40 minute work cycle, returns it to its proper place on the shelf. The children who attended the group lesson have been watching for this moment and there is a scrabble to grab the box as soon as it is set on the shelf. The children seem to come into agreement about who may use it next and settle into their afternoon lessons, patiently waiting for their turn to come.
Upper El
To balance many end of the year activities, students begin a calming afternoon relaxation routine. Lights are dimmed, and students begin their practice in a quiet child’s pose. Breathing techniques are matched with movement. After 15 minutes of cat and cow, sun salutations, and tree poses to name a few, students end their practice peacefully, ready to focus on their dress rehearsal. Students enjoy this so much, they request mats and encourage daily practice to all who would care to join.
Later, a student interested in creating recipes based on their favorite books, looks up a recipe for rice cakes! The student recalls this recipe from the book club book, When You Trap a Tiger, by Tae Keller. They anticipate preparing this next week!
Middle School
As the year ends, middle school students vote on lessons they would like to focus on as they all finish their curriculum. Students select budgeting and personal finance. The students meet in groups to discuss how to make their own budget based on an imaginary life that they create. One student shares that they are a doctor that has a salary of $100,000; they quickly discover that they will have to pay 24% of that income in federal taxes in addition to state and local taxes! The student then realizes they have to adjust their whole monthly budget to account for the taxes and a valuable life lesson is learned… another student says: “Maybe I should budget a little less Starbucks.”
Central’s Little Free Library and Pantry
Thanks for helping us give back to our neighbors. A neighbor who depends on this pantry for food has posted a request on the pantry asking that donations include food 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 our neighborhood community) benefits from your modeling of giving to others. It inspires them and helps them see how they themselves can help others. This is a very big deal.
Month
Classroom
January
Upper Elementary
February
Middle School
March
Infant and Toddler
April
Preprimary
May
Primary A
June
Primary B
July
Primary C
August
Lower Elementary
September
Upper Elementary
October
Middle School
November
Infant and Toddler
December
Lower Elementary
Connection and Community… The End of the Year Transitions!
Wow. We did it. We completed a challenging year (thanks Covid 19) and are looking at clearing skies and big transitions! Wonderful.
There are benefits to setting a bit of ritual/celebrations around these moments to help us and our children mark the moments.
Central holds several small and large events at this time of year. Your child may be too young to participate this year. That’s okay too! They grow up fast
Crossing the Bridge Ceremony For students and their teacher
Who? The kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers and students. Children were 5 or older before or on September 2022 will participate in a simple but very sweet ceremony called, Crossing the Bridge.
What? The eligible children stand with their teachers and similarly aged friends on the right side of the bridge. They cross over a blue “river” to the right side of the bridge where they are greeted by a teacher at the next level. They are handed a simple Certificate of Completion by Kelly, our Head of School and a celebratory bell is rung. If families have sent in refreshments, we enjoy these as well.
When? During the school day on June 15th
Special Note: Unfortunately, because of limited space and how quickly we move through this symbolic moment, we cannot invite our parents to join us. We will gladly take a photo and email it to our parents who have children who participated.
Year Book Distribution and Signing Day
Who? Children who have a yearbook and are in elementary and middle school participate in yearbook signing. Primary and younger students will come home with yearbooks in their bags.
What? The students may ask friends and staff to sign their yearbook! This tends to be a very sweet event with many smiles. This becomes one of our students most cherished artifact. Happy memories.
Where? In the classrooms and across campuses.
When? June 21, right after lunch!
End of the Year Picnic
Who? Everyone!
What? Parents and staff join us at Jefferson Park for a community picnic and fun! King of Pops will be there too (Thanks PAC!) Bring your blankets/chairs/good eats and find a shady spot to watch and enjoy our children in this lovely space. We hope to see you there!
Where? Jefferson Park (near the stage and fountains)
When? 3:00pm
*All students must be picked up by 3pm- Additional Montessori Hour is not available this day
*When parents are present, teachers defer management to the parents. Please be certain your child is with you at all times!
Take a break!
Central will be closed to students June 26-July 4th as we get ready for summer session! Facility work week, teacher work day, and staff summer break.
Transition into Summer Programming at Central!
Who? Everyone!
What? Central’s Summer of Myths and Legends offers special programming for primary, elementary and middle school students. Central shifts outdoor times to the cooler mornings and early afternoons for everyone. Our primary and older students participate in off campus enrichments like swimming and neighborhood walkabouts. Children in lower el and older participate in weekly off campus go-trips as well. Don’t forget about our annual solar over picnic for this age child. Special in-house activities are designed for our primary children. Optional parent/teacher conferences are also available. Watch for more information about this special time of the year.
When? First day of Summer Session 2023 is July 5th!
We look forward to seeing you and yours for this wonderful session.
Events Calendar
Even though COVID may not continue to create major disruptions to our school calendar events and dates, please know that all dates are tentative.
Montessori Moments Events Calendar
June 2023: End of the School Year Activities and Events
Month of Giving to Free Little Library and Food Pantry:
11 Musical Recital for Families of Students in Private Lessons: 2:00 Event Room
12 Upper Elementary End of the Year Play 5:30-6:30 Event Room
13 Lower Elementary End of the Year Play: 5:30-6:30 Event Room
16 Graduation Celebration! Tickets required (watch for info)
19 Closed to All: Holiday
21 Central Yearbook Distribution (all levels)
21 Elementary and Middle School: YearBook Signing Day
23 Last Day of School Year 2023-2024
23 End of the School Year Picnic at Jefferson Park 3:00! 3pm student dismissal- No
Montessori Hour
23 Middle School vs Staff Kickball Tournament 4:00 at Jefferson Park
26 Closed to Students (Summer Teacher/Assistant Work Day)
27-30 Closed to All: Staff Vacation Week and Facility Work Week (continues July 3rd & 4th)
Special Note: Summer Session begins on July 5th, 2023!
What’s Happening?
Infant & Toddler
One tiny chef, in the middle of making a “pizza” in a mixing bowl, stands up quickly and then, using two hands to hold their bowl, runs over to the middle of the playground and shouts “helicopter!” The other children on the playground drop what they’re doing (literally) and run over to see. A chorus of “Helicopter!” rings across the playground. Possibly making it’s way to VCU, the helicopter is out of sight within a minute, and one child says, “Bye helicopter!” and blows a kiss. Several other children follow suit, blowing kisses and saying goodbye. The pizza chef returns to cooking, adding more mulch to the bowl narrating what they’re doing, “Cheese, sauce, pizza!”
Primary B
A child walks into the classroom during morning arrival. After a temperature check and a pleasant morning greeting, the child heads to the sink and washes their hands. Afterwards, they begin to bring stools down from the tables, making sure to set each one down gently. When finished, the child looks around and admires their work.
Later that day, a child sits beside a teacher. They are counting beads (1-10). “You counted and organized the bead stair!” The adults said. “I did! I love lessons.” The child replied.
Pre-Primary
A child is ready to restore their work rug. They try rolling it, but it crumples on the floor. The child looks to a teacher and says, “It’s not working!” An older student is invited to give their younger classmate a rug rolling lesson. Both students smile at this suggestion and the older student says, “I’m going to give you a lesson!” And the young student grins and says, “Okay!” The two students work together to roll up the rug and restore it. The older student is excited to give a lesson and help a younger student and the younger student enjoys the peer interaction!
Primary A
The class is just about to begin their morning group time, but first they need to restore their work. A younger child, working with blocks, asks another friend for help restoring. While they are putting back their materials, friends who are done help to move the tables to the side of the classroom and make room for group time. A student picks two books for the group. Friends start sitting down on the available red "x". "Now, we are ready for group," says an older student. Children start dancing and singing. They are also happy after the book is read.
Lower El
Several children are collecting items from the shelves and placing them on a long rug. There is an alligator, spoon, book, pencil and more. The students are sorting these items under measurement tags marked with the numerals 1 through 12. The children use rulers to carefully measure each item and place it under its corresponding numeral. They round the measurement up or down to its appropriate inch value. There are now more than 36 items on this rug! Their concentration is such that they (and many other students) are working even as 14 of their friends are practicing their upcoming performance with loud voices, much action, and music.
Primary C
The PIII students are gathered around a rug and are reviewing the beginning sound of of the each of the items they see to the corresponding Sandpaper Letters. The children are invited to select this material anytime it is on the shelf. The oldest child in the group, who has been invited to use this “new” material first, happily sets all of the items and sandpaper letters back out and after a 40 minute work cycle, returns it to its proper place on the shelf. The children who attended the group lesson have been watching for this moment and there is a scrabble to grab the box as soon as it is set on the shelf. The children seem to come into agreement about who may use it next and settle into their afternoon lessons, patiently waiting for their turn to come.
Upper El
To balance many end of the year activities, students begin a calming afternoon relaxation routine. Lights are dimmed, and students begin their practice in a quiet child’s pose. Breathing techniques are matched with movement. After 15 minutes of cat and cow, sun salutations, and tree poses to name a few, students end their practice peacefully, ready to focus on their dress rehearsal. Students enjoy this so much, they request mats and encourage daily practice to all who would care to join.
Later, a student interested in creating recipes based on their favorite books, looks up a recipe for rice cakes! The student recalls this recipe from the book club book, When You Trap a Tiger, by Tae Keller. They anticipate preparing this next week!
Middle School
As the year ends, middle school students vote on lessons they would like to focus on as they all finish their curriculum. Students select budgeting and personal finance. The students meet in groups to discuss how to make their own budget based on an imaginary life that they create. One student shares that they are a doctor that has a salary of $100,000; they quickly discover that they will have to pay 24% of that income in federal taxes in addition to state and local taxes! The student then realizes they have to adjust their whole monthly budget to account for the taxes and a valuable life lesson is learned… another student says: “Maybe I should budget a little less Starbucks.”
Central’s Little Free Library and Pantry
Thanks for helping us give back to our neighbors. A neighbor who depends on this pantry for food has posted a request on the pantry asking that donations include food 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 our neighborhood community) benefits from your modeling of giving to others. It inspires them and helps them see how they themselves can help others. This is a very big deal.
Month
Classroom
January
Upper Elementary
February
Middle School
March
Infant and Toddler
April
Preprimary
May
Primary A
June
Primary B
July
Primary C
August
Lower Elementary
September
Upper Elementary
October
Middle School
November
Infant and Toddler
December
Lower Elementary
