Rheel News from Island Montessori
March 2024
March Madness
Montessori Moment
Click the photo to enlarge
Environmental Awareness With Ms Kelly
In the Montessori educational approach, environmental awareness holds significant importance, extending beyond nature's interconnectedness to include the classroom environment.
Dr. Maria Montessori emphasized the link between humans and the natural world, believing that cultivating environmental awareness in children is crucial for holistic development. This perspective extends to the carefully designed Montessori classroom environment, where order, freedom of movement, and the inclusion of natural elements contribute to fostering a sense of responsibility and respect for the planet.By integrating these principles into the Montessori curriculum, our teachers aim to raise environmentally conscious individuals who understand the importance of preserving the planet for future generations.
Raffle Tickets
Playground Renovations and Updates
Our students love to imagine, play and dream big...watch this video.
This year our raffle ticket fundraiser will go towards updating and renovating our playgrounds. Our students are excited and so are we! We are hoping to create a walking trail, updated basketball and four-square area, and fixing our hills. The students are dreaming of slides and tree houses and we want to give them all of it!
Last year we raised $18,000 which supported the purchase of a stage covering for the outdoor classroom and updates around campus. The winning ticket holder received a check for $1,800 - talk about a return on an investment! π
Every student has brought home a pack of 10 tickets to sell at $10 each. If you are interested or able to sell more than 10, please let us know and we will send you home more tickets!
Just selling 1 ticket can bring us closer to our goal! If you are unable to sell any tickets, we understand! Please return unsold tickets.
The Raffle will end on March 22nd. I will pull the winning ticket after our Art Showcase during our FSA freakout party for the Tinted Turtle Trot. **You do not need to be present to win!**
As incentives for our students, we have some great features prepared.
- The first 10 students to sell all of their raffle tickets, will receive an IMS hat!
- The next 40 students to sell all of their raffle tickets, will receive an IMS water bottle!
But that's not all... - The Children's School Class that sells the most tickets will get to water balloon Ms. Carrie.
- The Lower Elementary Class that sells the most tickets will get to pie Ms. Alicia in the face.
- The Upper Elementary Class that sells the most tickets will get to silly string Ms. Alicia.
- The Middle school Class that sells the most tickets will get a Chic-Fila Lunch
- The overall highest selling class will get a pizza party!
Let the fun begin!!!
Counselor Corner
with Ms. Mackenzie
My lesson topic in February was Self-Esteem. During a month where we think of the love we have for one another, it is also important to think about the love we have for ourselves! Higher self-esteem helps students feel more confident in their abilities and to take on challenges, as well as embrace mistakes, feel more motivated in school, problem-solve independently, and reduce anxiety. It also allows students, specifically middle schoolers, to be less likely to give into peer pressure to fulfill a need to βfit in.β
Students spent time reflecting on things they like and value about themselves, things that make them proud, that makes them unique, or that makes them feel really good about themselves. It is always a wonderful reminder that we all have positive qualities that we donβt always see or acknowledge. One student even asked βHow do I write something about myself and still sound humble?β And I had to remind them that being kind to ourselves and honoring what makes us special is not a bad thing! Take some time to remind your student to recognize what makes them unique.
With our Career Day coming up in April, March lessons will focus on introductory career activities and academic skills!
Read
Hannah the Hippo by Linda Schwartz(K-3)
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (K-3)
I am Enough by Grace Bryers (K-3)
The importance of positive self-esteem for kids (Parents)
Watch
Self-Identity and Self-Esteem (Middle)
Discuss
Ask your student what makes them special!
Peer Pressure and trends (middle)
Attendance Matters
When it comes to attendance, it's crucial to keep two key points in mind:
1) Illness is inevitable, and it's essential for students to prioritize their health and well-being. We understand that absences due to illness are bound to occur, and it's important to prevent the spread of germs to others.
2) Our school year consists of 175 days student days. That's not a lot of time! Every single day counts when it comes to your child's education and growth.
Recently, we've noticed an increase in absences due to family vacations and trips. While we appreciate that these experiences can be enriching and educational, it's vital for students to be present in the classroom to fully benefit from our curriculum and resources.
Starting this month, we'll be sending out attendance letters and scheduling meetings. According to state policy, if a student reaches 20 days of absence (whether excused or unexcused), you'll receive a letter from the school, and our teachers will reach out to arrange a meeting with you. This meeting is mandatory to assess any potential impact on your child's learning and to collaborate on strategies to improve attendance together. Your support and cooperation are crucial in ensuring your child's success at school.
Coffee and Connections
Montessori Math
Thank you to those familes that attended the workshop this month! Ms. Kelly and Ms. Carrie presented on the Montessori materials our students use for math. Their knowledge and examples showed how our materials travel from level to level for our students to develop an understanding of why we learn about math and the deeper understanding of concepts.