Dear Montessori Timberwolves Families and Friends,
We had a spectacular second week of school! Our highly qualified instructional staff are working diligently to ensure your children are ready to learn mentally and physically. Be aware that these first six weeks in a Montessori classroom are spent teaching the children how to interact with their peers, teachers, routines of the day and learning materials. Once the children reach this state, Dr. Montessori says the children and the classroom are normalized. This can take up to six weeks. Please know that it's developmental for younger children to have separation anxiety occasionally. As a parent, it is helpful to talk about the routine of dropping off at school, your expectations of how you say goodbye and separate from your child, and encouraging a great day of learning. Your positive attitude and consistent expectations of this process will go a long way in helping your child adjust to the new routine.😀
If you still need to return your back-to-school paperwork, please do so at your earliest convenience. You may send it back to school in your child’s folder.
Next week, we will begin our fall window for NWEA-MAP testing. All JK-8 students will take an adaptive assessment in Reading and Math. This assessment will help instructors place students in their individualized instructional groups and offer insight into instructional needs. You will receive your child’s goal sheet in October at conferences.
Have a great weekend,
Tracy Rucker
Head of School
During these first few weeks of school, Lead Guides are spending time establishing school citizenship with a heavy focus on our SEL (Social-Emotional Learning). We use the TCAPS SEL curriculum: Second Step to offer consistent weekly lessons to students. We also offer PEACE education, as it is an integral component of Maria’s vision for children's education.
Citizenship: “We are all doing our best” is our shared understanding. We believe in appreciating and celebrating the diversity of our community, as supported through our cultural studies curriculum.
Community: Being a part of a community using core democratic values, such as respect and making choices and accommodations for the common good of the community.
Providing service to others: including opportunities to mentor students, connect with our environment, and work for the betterment of our school and community.
Digital citizenship: Learning and practicing skills for digital technology and social media that demonstrate respect, appropriateness, and safe behaviors with integrity and responsibility so students are able to maximize this tool for learning.
Cosmic Education: This is the keystone of Montessori education; students will understand the interconnectedness of all things. They will work on the development of their whole selves within the context of the universe. Montessori education provides instruction in the Five Great Lessons (“Coming of Universe,” “Coming of Life,” “Coming of Humans,” “Communication in Signs,” “Story of Numbers”), World Language (Spanish), cultural studies, the World Peace game, art, music, global studies, outdoor education (“Goings Out”). It is a holistic approach that includes studies and connections with the natural world and human society.
P.E.A.C.E.: Perseverance, Empathy, Attitude, Courage, and Environmental Awareness are the core competencies within our PEACE curriculum. This is enhanced through our Peace Pledge, sensory support, and mindfulness practices.
- CARLINE DROP-OFF—As soon as your vehicle has reached the sidewalk or curbside, your child SHOULD exit to walk to the door. This helps children be on time for instruction. Please work with your children so they can do this independently. If your child cannot get out independently, you may have to pull ahead and park. We must keep the carline moving.
- CARLINE PICK-UP - Please be sure your LAST NAME is placed on the PASSENGER SIDE VISOR - with VISOR DOWN.
- LOT W (BACKLOT): This lot is for our youngest student families only. AC, UE, and LE families choosing to use the Playground Pickup Gate, please park in LOT L (WMS) and walk the trail. DO NOT PARK OR BLOCK THE FIRE LANE IN LOT W.
- M-Step Reports - Parents of 4th - 8th-grade students: The State of Michigan Department of Education has resent last spring’s MStep reports due to an error in subscore reporting categories. The overall scale scores were correct and have not changed on the corrected Parent Reports. Overall proficiency calculations were not affected by this error.
- September 16 - October 4, NWEA Fall Assessment Window
- September 20, International Day of Peace Recognition
- September 24, PTO Meeting - 3:30 to 4:30, Timberwolves Cafe - All are welcome!
- October 2, Count Day & Move-a-Thon
- October 3, Early Release Day (1 of 7) Dismissal at 1:12 pm
- October 9 & 16 - Parent Education Nights, 5:30-6:30
- October 22, PTO Meeting
- October 31, Literacy Celebrations
Highlights:
Read the PTO Newsletter for more information! Please Click HERE for the
- TCAPS Board of Education Monthly Office Hours: The Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” in person on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. The meeting will be located on the mezzanine level (second floor) of the bookstore. TCAPS Board office hours provide community members with the opportunity to talk to a school board trustee. This month, Trustee Raymond is scheduled to attend.
- Superintendent Monthly Office Hours: Dr. John VanWagoner's monthly open office hours for community members will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Community members may access the virtual meeting here or by calling +1 475-549-0438 PIN: 961 104 679#.
TCAPS Montessori School
Email: ruckertr@tcaps.net
Website: https://www.tcaps.net/schools/elementary-schools/montessori/
Location: TCAPS Montessori School, Franke Road, Traverse City, MI, USA
Phone: 231-933-6420
Facebook: facebook.com/TCAPSMontessori
YouTube: TCAPS Montessori YouTube Channel
X: @TRuckerTCAPSmo