Bristow Montessori School
"The Buzz" - April 2018
The Montessori Lens
Often, during parent tours, I spend some time explaining how Montessori's approach to learning is "spiral" in nature rather than linear. The Primary classroom is well equipped to take even the most gifted learner far beyond the Kindergarten curriculum due to the variety and adaptive nature of the material. This interdisciplinary approach to learning facilitates the child in making connections across the curriculum and ultimately to higher level reasoning.
Dr. Montessori’s interrelated curriculum or “Spiral" system of education allows students to make connections between subjects. The introduction of writing and language introduces students to examples of historical evolution. The study of the ancient origins of language, hieroglyphs, pictographs, the Phoenician and Greek alphabet all come alive to the students as the knowledge of how these ancient forms of communication were used and evolved to form the alphabet system used today.
The metal insets are used to strengthen and perfect penmanship skills, whilst simultaneously teaching the names of the plane shapes that will later be reapplied to the knowledge of the geometric solids. Students will be presented with many opportunities to revisit pieces of materials previously learned to teach one skill and later to be seen in another context to teach a more advanced concept.
Reading is also interrelated to the writing exercises. Students learn about the origins of language which, connects history, geography, geometry, art and cultural studies.The Moveable alphabet, a beloved work that provides the young student with the keys to writing phonetic words, later becomes a resource to the older learner to bring their creativity to life with descriptive writing exercises.The golden beads used in math are later revisited in geometry as they represent the point, line, trace and plane of shapes.
It is exciting to be around students when they spontaneously make these kinds of connections in their classroom and as a teacher, you sense the great work of the child's mind in action.
Understanding how powerful the child’s interactions are with his environment and the child’s ability to absorb, construct and perfect his potentials through activities during the first and second plane of a child's development is vital. Adults can really best serve the child by facilitating and accommodating the child’s needs. Future generations are fashioned by their experiences, therefore we have a great responsibility to safeguard and preserve the opportunities for children of the years to come.
In service,
Anita Ercole
Photo Day Reminder - Order Online by April 12th at MIDNIGHT!
Trike-a-thon This Saturday April 14, from 10am - 1pm
You are invited to Bristow Montessori School's St. Jude Trike-a-Thon this Saturday from 10am-1pm & Open House. Mingle with parents & teachers while the kids take the rounds around the track.
BMS PARENT ADVOCATES:
We also welcome all new and potential families to visit the school on the day of the Trike-a-Thon, and tour and talk with our faculty about the programs here at BMS. We would love for you to reach out to your friends and other acquaintances who are looking for the best in early childhood education, and invite them to visit BMS for our Trike-a-Thon and Open House. You can also visit our FACEBOOK PAGE and share our BMS event!
SUPPORT ST. JUDE!
Bristow Montessori School's Trike-a-thon is raising funds to support St. Jude's lifesaving mission of finding cures for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
We need your help to reach our fundraising goal of $3,000! Join Bristow Montessori and together we can help St. Jude change the world.
The BMS classroom that raises the highest average of donations receives an ICE CREAM PARTY!!
Parent Teacher Conferences - April 16
BMS Parent-Teacher conferences for the Spring 2018 Semester will be held April 16th. The school will be closed for the school day, but open for individual parent-teacher conferences.
Parent-Teacher conferences will include Infant, Toddler, Pre-primary, Primary, and Elementary. Please schedule an appointment with your child's lead teacher using the Sign-up genius link. We want to make sure you have the best possible experience and have all of your questions answered. Due to the short nature of the conferences and to encourage an open conversation, it is recommended parents not bring their children to the conference.
If your child is in Room 109 (Ms. Savi) or Room 106 (Ms. Anita), please contact the teacher directly to schedule your conference.
Car "Boot" Trunk Sale - BMS Community Yard Sale - April 28th
Ballet Recital May 2 @ 3:30
Teacher Appreciation Week - May 7 - 11
Bristow Montessori School looks forward to this designated time of year, when we celebrate and thank the wonderful teachers who deliver so much to our children here at BMS through their time, dedication, and passion.
Please take a look HERE for the Teacher Appreciation Week Schedule! We will also send out in an email, but wanted to give parents the opportunity to plan ahead and begin working on their gifts of thanks for the teachers.
Muffins for Moms - May 11
Happy Mothers Day! Moms, we invite you to join us Friday, May 11 @ 7:30 am - 9:00 am in the BMS lobby. A special thank you to Moms for all they do. Stop by the front desk at drop off for muffins and juice before you head to work!
Next PTO Meeting: May 16, 6:30 pm
We invite all parents of BMS students to attend our PTO meeting on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:30 pm at BMS. The PTO is a great way to meet other BMS Parents, chat about upcoming school news/events, learn how to volunteer your time to positively impact the BMS Community, and collaborate with BMS staff/teachers on various programs and community efforts. (childcare will not be provided).
Thanks to all of you who volunteer your time to help out at special events but also to those who recognize the teachers in unique ways. THANK YOU!!! If you are new to the BMS community or have not had an opportunity to volunteer your time, we would love to have you on board!
Memorial Day - SCHOOL CLOSED Monday May 28
BMS is scheduled to be closed Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day. BMS would like to deeply thank all of our families who are serving in the U.S. Military. Our school observes this holiday to honor those men and women who have died while serving.
A look back at the Month of March & April
Ms. Savi's Class
Ms. Avanthi's Class
Ms. Anita's Class
Ms. Daniela's Class
Ms. Ashley's Class
Ms. Nora's Class
Ms. Savi's Class
Ms. Nora's Class
Ms. Ashley's Class
Book Fair Success - A Special Thank You!
We wanted to first let all of our parents know how awesome the Usborne Book Fair went last month! Our parents helped BMS earn 70 new books for our Library upstairs ($1600 in total sales!), which is AMAZING!!! Thank you, and we always look forward to parent feedback about the book fair, as our next is scheduled for this coming Fall School year.
Reminder to Parents
SUMMER CAMP!
PARENTS! Refer a new family to our Summer Camp Program and receive a $50 Credit on your next tuition installment!
NEW BMS STUDENT REFERRAL PROGRAM!
Added Bonus!! - If the referred family signs up for summer camp, you receive a $50 credit on your next tuition installment.
SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY
SPRING CLOTHES
Please Label Water Bottles
Sunscreen Policy
Box Tops for Education
Tuition Payment Options
1. Easy Online Payment via ACH - This is the most popular payment options amongst our parents! - An invoice will be sent to your email around the 20th of each month which allows you to pay immediately through ACH (bank to bank) payment (similar to an electronic check) and does not incur a fee. This is very similar to paying with a check but much faster!
2. Automatic Drafts - We also have the option to have your payment electronically drafted on the first of each month which also does not incur a fee. You can download the form here. Please complete and bring to the front office.
3. Credit Card Payments can be processed with a 3% fee per transaction. If you would like to set up automatic credit card payments for each month please stop by the front desk to fill out the forms.
Check - BMS does accept check, but we recommend paying via one of our other offered methods. If you provide a payment via written check please be advised that check processing may take 2-3 weeks. Please also note that check payment will not be applied to your BMS account until the check is cleared by your bank. Please make sure check payment is made on the 1st of each month to ensure timely posting to your BMS account.
Late tuition payments have a significant negative impact on school operations. A late fee of $50 will be assessed for tuition payments received after the 5th of each month. Thank you for your understanding.
Connect with US!
BMS Parents - We are on Facebook!
Families of BMS, we invite you to join our Private Facebook Group for important up to date news on events, new programs, school closings, and more. When you follow our Facebook group, you can engage in conversation with other BMS families which facilitates growth within the BMS Community. Sign into Facebook and request to join our group. Requests must be approved before access. Please note BMS has a Public Page you can join as well.
Contact Us
Website: www.bristowmontessori.com
Location: 9050 Devlin Road, Bristow, VA, United States
Phone: 703-468-1191
Facebook: FaceBook.com/BristowMontessoriSchool