New Message from Michele:
Calendar:
Apr 27: TART Trail Clean up, canceled due to weather
May 1: CHiPA meeting, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., in the Community Room or via Zoom, details here
May 1: Kasey the Fire Dog, 9:30 a.m.
May 1: May Day Celebration, 10:45 a.m., details here
May 3: Earth Day Celebrations, 3rd-5th years will be going to The Boardman River Nature Center, 6th years & Junior High volunteering at Hannah Park cleanup
May 5-10: Junior High Industrial Revolution trip to Chicago
May 13: Junior High only, no school
May 17: Grounds Work Bee, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., see below
May 17: Theater Workshop School Performance, all student assembly, 2:00 p.m.
May 17 & 18: Theater Workshop Performances, parents welcome, 6 p.m. in the barn, details here
May 20: Lower Elementary to Grass River Natural Area for Woodland and Wetland program
May 23: Junior High Grandparents & Special Friends Day, 2 - 3 p.m, details here
May 24: Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Campus closes at 11:30, see below
May 27: Memorial Day, Campus Closed
May 28-31: Junior High North Manitou Island Backpacking trip
May 29-31: Upper Elementary Camping Trip
May 29, 30-31: Lower Elementary at Leelanau Outdoor Center
May 31: Kindergarten Dunes Trip
Look further ahead…
In the Know:
Update! The Bright Futures Gala
The 2024 Bright Futures Gala was a beautiful celebration of Montessori education and our school community. Thanks to Summer Hennessy, Hanna Lee-Kleb, Emily Kolassa, Jen Lake, Ryan Sullivan, and all the volunteers who made this year's gala exceed all expectations.
Visit our event webpage to see our sponsors, the slideshow featuring all the students, our newest video about how Montessori prepares children for the future, and photos from the event!
Pledges made during the special appeal to support our Bright Futures Fund totaled over $70,000 - bringing our current fundraising for the year to $185,900! We are beyond grateful for the support of our families, alumni, and the greater community. Thank you!
Make a gift to our Bright Futures Fund
New! Student Solar Panel Project
A surprise request by three Upper Elementary students was made during the special appeal - Sloane, Louisa, and Sawyer told everyone via video about their desire to make a difference in our school by starting the Student Solar Panel Project. Our guests responded with $4,800 in seed money toward their project! The students were so surprised and excited to have the support of so many people!
New! Student Art Projects
We overheard parents were surprised they couldn’t bid on the classroom art projects at the gala! So, we are putting them up for auction! Bidding opens today and closes next Friday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. Images are also available for digital download.
Bid Now on the Original Framed Artwork
Thanks to Summer Hennessy for organizing, room parents for implementing, teachers for supporting, and every child for participating!
New! Time to Order Lunch
May Lunch Menu is now available, view menu here.
New! Class photos in May
This year we will not be scheduling class photos ahead of time. Instead, we will take each class photo when all students are present and the weather is decent.
New! Thank you Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre
A theatrical ballet performance of “Peter and the Wolf” was enjoyed by all our learners, YCC through Elementary, on Friday. The performance featured nine dancers each with a corresponding orchestra instrument, a narrated story with music, and Children's House graduate, Nora Neidorfler, as the duck!
Grounds Work Bee, May 17
Many hands make light work! You can help keep our campus beautiful by signing up now and showing up on May 17.
Grandparents & Special Friends Days
On Friday, May 24, we will host our 20th annual Grandparents & Special Friends Day on our main campus. This is a heartwarming day when grandparents and special friends are treated to a musical performance, campus tours, and time spent in the classroom with their grandchildren. This is one of the best “feel-good” events of the year! Volunteers are needed, sign up today!
Compass Junior High will host their Grandparents & Special Friends Day at our Park Street Campus at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 23! Volunteers are also needed, sign up today!
Action Needed TODAY!
To invite your child's grandparents or special friends:
- Log in to Family Access in the parent portal
- Click on the “grandparents” tab to update names and addresses.
- Be sure to check the box that indicates that you would like them to be invited to Grandparent’s Day. (We will not send an invitation if this box is not checked.)
- Complete this information by April 26.
If you have questions, please contact Marty Miklos.
New! Mental Health and School Safety Grant
Our school has been awarded a $39,000 Mental Health and School Safety Grant from the Michigan Department of Education. Several planned school safety enhancements are now scheduled to be implemented this summer. If you’d like details on specific security enhancements, call Kim Gallagher.
New! Tiny Item Lost & Found
You can find items too small for the big lost and found at the front desk. Items include a Bata bus pass, an Apple Air Tag, a ring and more.
Blog:
Putting The Brakes on Screen Time
by Kristi Johnson
A few months back, Alison Breithaupt wrote a blog post on The Evolution of Guiding, in which she shared her observations of children, throughout her career. At one point, Alison discussed Continue Reading...
Community Bulletin:
Northwestern Michigan College Children's Choir April 2024
Join our award-winning Northwestern Michigan College Children's Choir for its 34th season! Students entering Kindergarten through grade 9 this fall who love to sing and want to improve their abilities are invited to participate in NMC's award-winning Children's Choir program. Auditions are held in June and September each year. Auditions are only required for new students entering grades 3 to 9. Students in K-2nd may enroll in Prelude or Dolce Choirs without an audition. All singers should report to rehearsal locations at Central Grade at 1:30 PM on Sunday, April 28th! Learn more at www.nmcchildrenschoir.com or schedule a 5-minute audition by visiting their Calendly Site.
This Week in Photos:
