Parent Notice Nov 15th 2011

Details

Published on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 12:06

Corvallis Montessori School

November 15, 2011

Parent Notice

Dear Parents,

‘Tis that busy time of year again when everything appears to happen at once. One of the most positive happenings at CMS at the moment is our increasing enrollment. As you know the toddler house is full with a waiting list for the next calendar year. We have many children whose parents would like them to join, but we need to wait until the current students are developmentally ready to move up to the primary classrooms and this schedule has a mind of its own.

As the toddlers move up, the effect on the primary classrooms will be such that we only have two openings between all three of the primary classrooms. This is, indeed, uplifting after our rocky start in August.

In order that we may avoid an “August Predicament” again, we shall be doing our registration in February. Registration forms will be given out February 17th and will be due back February 27th. We shall hold an Open House for interested families on Saturday, March 10th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and any available openings will be given to new students.

The elementary program is not as predictable as the toddler and primary, but we are hopeful that with the Montessori students from Albany and Philomath moving into Ginkgo over the years to come, our elementary program will also reach its capacity.

New Staff at CMS

It gives me great pleasure to tell you that April Spisak, will be our new toddler assistant when Amaya leaves to come over to the "Big School" on Nov. 21st.

April has a son, Roger, in the Bamboo Room. She moved to the area only a few months ago from Illinois.

April has a degree in developmental psychology and women's studies, an M.S. in library information science and is currently working on her dissertation. She has focused on young readers material and is working on cataloging our modest school library at CMS.

April has experience working with infants, toddlers, and pre-school children in Illinois.

As April has much experience with young children, I feel confident that she will be a great fit for the toddler house. She will begin shadowing in the toddler house for a couple of days this week and will begin working on a regular schedule Nov. 21.

Secondly, Alyssa Bond will our PE teacher as of Monday, Nov. 21.

Alyssa has a B.S. in physical ed. and dance from Western Oregon University and an  M.A.T. in PE for grades 6-12 and dance from WOU.

Alyssa will be taking the elementary children for PE while Adele takes alternate groups, in Ginkgo for music. Please note, Ginkgo families, music and PE will take place every Monday afternoon as of Monday, Nov. 21st.

School Fund Raising

In preparation for the Holidays we have a few small fund-raisers happening. These are intended to help you buy quality merchandise for your children while enabling the school to profit in a small, but worthwhile way.

If you need to get toys for your children The Toy Factory has agreed to stay open late on Nov. 19th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for you and will give CMS 10% of all sales.

If you need books for your family, a representative from Usborne Books will hold a Book Fair in the school’s foyer on Tuesday, Dec. 6th . To preview books available through Usborne you can look online at www.JustDuckyBooks.com

Monique Schaefers will be organizing the book fair. She will offer an eFair online concurrently for friends and family who cannot come in to look at the books. Over 80% of the titles are non-fiction.

After $500 in sales the school is eligible for 50% back in free books. As previously mentioned April Spisak is currently working on a project in which all of the school’s books will be cataloged. We would like to improve our modest library by adding to the books each year and thereby expanding the children’s world through good quality books.

The teachers will be able to choose books for their room from the proceeds of your purchases.

If you would prefer something from “ For Small Hands” catalog you can fill out the forms attached to the catalog and return them to school with your check by Nov. 18th. Please contact Nicole Sharp at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.

All School Closure and No-Class Day Notice

As a reminder CMS will be completely closed November 23rd-25th Cedar care will not be available on these days. Additionally, December 5th will be a No Class Day, Cedar care will be available. Please sign up with Sarah for care on this day.

Increment Weather Policy
Tis also, that time of year where we might experience a need for an Emergency School Closings (ex: snow day).

CMS follows the decision made by the local Corvallis public school district (509J).

For information on such days: you may visit the Corvallis School District website, call the CMS school office, check our website, tune in to major radio/TV stations, or sign up for FlashAlert. FlashAlert is a free service that sends notification via email or text message when the Corvallis School District has breaking news, such as a school closure day or other emergency.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving from everyone at CMS.