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Head's Corner
How can I start without making mention of Winter Escape? The event was far more than an escape from the doldrums of winter. The hard work of many talented CMS parents yielded what looks to be a record fundraiser for our school. More important than the proceeds of the event, it was a wonderful gathering of our close community.
A few weeks ago we were visited by some members of our extended community --grandparents. The many grandparents present reported enjoying seeing their grandchildren in action and learning more about the Montessori Method. Those grandparents, who did not make the first gathering, still have two other possibilities. The next Grandparent's Day is March 28. Please call the office to reserve a spot, space is limited.
As you probably have heard, all of our teachers, with the exception of Erin Wirts, have signed a contract for next year. CMS has such an incredibly talented and generous group of Montessori Guides, it is wonderful to see that they are coming back next year. I am currently working on contracts for the rest of the staff. Once I finish the process with everyone, I will be back in touch to give you the complete 08-09 CMS faculty listing. Erin, and her husband Robb, are considering an opportunity to start a Montessori Adolescent Division at a school in California. While we wish them well in their process, let's keep our fingers crossed that we see them back at CMS next year.
We received a few calls about summer camp. We will soon be sending out camp information. Once the office finishes processing the re-registration, summer camp registration will begin.
"Back to School Night" is fast approaching. Please take note that the date listed in the calendar needed to be changed. This Primary and Elementary event will be Wednesday, April 2. Instead of being assigned a time, families may come at either 3:45 pm or 6:00 pm.
You may have noticed how perpetually muddy the back lawn has been this year. Evidence of this fact was often found on student's shoes, pants, and coats. CMS now has a new sidewalk leading to the Primary Playground and a new sidewalk going to the outdoor lunch area. Mr. Mussog, whose son is in the Toddler Community, was invaluable in helping with this process. Mr. Mussog's landscaping company donated consultation and design for the project.
Finally, for those planning ahead, the first day of the 08-09 school year will be September 2.
Bob Mattingly
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Development Update
Winter Escape Wrap Up: And what an Escape it was, The Moonlight Masquerade!
A huge thank you to everyone in the community who supported and attended this year's Board Fund Raiser, Winter Escape. Not only did Winter Escape raise more money then ever before, ($44,000 gross) we sold over 100 tickets to the event. We could not have achieved this success with out the tremendous support that the community provided not only at the event but through the auction items donated and the volunteer hours dedicated. This kind of participation demonstrates the wonderful community we currently have at CMS.
And a special thanks to the committee chairs:
Live & Silent Auction: Debra Pilarski
Decorations & Theme: Kerry Wilson
Sponsorships: Tine Dickey
Check Out: Susan Bruce
Sound System: Cindi Hargrove
Set Up & Support: Karen Hargrove
Food & Beverage: Pam Donnelley
Live & Silent Auction Support: Elizabeth Hiller
Beyond the money we raised, we had the opportunity to come together as a community, we were able to take a break from our hectic lives; it was a great, "Escape from Winter."
Carrie Dare & Kristin Slavin, Co-Chairs of Winter Escape
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Thanks to Jennifer Kerdock, Sue Yanchulis, and Deborah Pilarski for a good time had by all at the Hoedown Friday night! With all your hard work the PTO was able to provide a wonderful Winter Family event!
Looking ahead, planning has begun for the 2008 CMS Spring Fair! This years theme is "Summer Olympics" and we intend to weave modern Olympic traditions and symbols throughout the event. The fair will be held on May 17th and we hope that all CMS families will volunteer time and/or resources to make this a wonderful event for the whole family. We need planning help before the event and activity help during the fair. Please contact Amanda Mock (mock98@verizon.net) or Lisa Michelson (lmichelsen@aahs.org) if you can volunteer. Many thanks!
P.S. For those of you who would like to get a head start on your Olympics lessons: the Olympic motto is Citius-Altius-Fortius, which is Latin for "faster, higher, stronger." The intended meaning is that one's focus should be on bettering one's achievements, rather than on coming in first. The motto has been with the Games from the foundation of the International Olympic Committee in 1894. It was proposed by the father of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin, who got it from a speech given by a friend of his, Henri Didon, a Dominican priest and principal of an academy that used sports as part of its educational program.
School Store News
Top 4 comments overheard at a recent school meeting while looking at a display of CMS school store clothing:
- "Oh goodness! I've been meaning to order some! Can't believe I forgot, order me ....."
- "Wow! They are a lot nicer in person! I will order mine right now!"
- "Hmmm, with warm weather coming soon, I'd better order some shorts and a T-shirt for my son. I know he'll love them."
- "I should get a hat for my father-in-law - he'll wear anything with the word 'Chesapeake' on it!"
Do any of these comments apply to you? If so, order your school store items today!! Order forms are available online via the CMS website. We will also have a display at the CMS Hoedown this Friday where you too can see the clothes up close and personal. A bulk order will be placed on the 16th of March, so please get your order in to Lori Smith asap. Please send Lori your feedback on the offerings of the school store. I will not be hurt if you don't like something - it will only help me to make the store better! Let me know what you do like so we can do more. Send me your ideas of what you'd like to see in the store. I'm sure if you're thinking it, someone else is too. Our school store will only be as good as our community chooses to make it.... And remember, wearing your school store items in public is a great way to show pride in our school and to promote it as well! | |
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Montessori Minute
Gail Guthery
Remember the Human Tendencies that I wrote about quite awhile ago? The characteristics that we all have, from birth to the end of life, that allow us to survive and become fully human. The tendencies do not change, but we may experience them differently at different times of our lives. Well, the first tendency is that of exploration.
This tendency helps us to find what is around us and we use it all our lives. It is the tendency that has allowed man to conquer the land, seas and space in our world. The reason we explore is to satisfy our primary needs first: food, clothing, and shelter. Then exploration will satisfy secondary, non-physical, needs such as pleasure, joy, contemplation, music, etc. These secondary needs are those pursuits that create the unique individual that we are.
Babies from birth are explorers, at first only in a visual and auditory manner. Soon they will be exploring with their mouths and hands. When the child begins to walk his hands become free for deeper and more extensive exploration of his environment. Young children are sensorial explorers and use all their senses to find out about the world around them. Elementary-aged children begin to use their imagination to explore. They can imagine life in a different time in history or life in another culture.
Adults explore in a variety of ways. Once our basic needs for security are met (clothing, food, and shelter) we find ways to enrich our lives. Perhaps it is traveling to new places, trying a new sport or hobby, or taking on an avocation of some sort. If you look at the history of man, you can see that some adults are more adventurous than others and lead the way for all of us! |
2008 Calendar
March 21
School Closed
March 28
Grandparent's Day
April 2
Back to School
April 14 - 17
Elementary Testing
April 18
School Closed
April 25
Grandparent's Day
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