Montessori Shreveport

New Information

Balance on Account – If you have an outstanding balance on your account, please pay the amount owed by this Friday, May 18.

Parent Service Hours – Please see the attached form for recording your parent service hours.  The form should be returned to the office by Friday, May 25.

Family Fishing sponsored by The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for Grades 1-8 - Wednesday, May 30, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will provide equipment and instruction.  Mr. Jon will meet everyone at Starbuck’s on Line Ave. at 8:00 a.m. to caravan to Keatchie (Mr. John Fontaine’s pond).  You should bring a sun hat, sunscreen, a bagged lunch, and water.  YOU MUST SIGN UP AT MS. JUDY’S DESK in order to participate.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Great Moving/Storage Boxes – We have a large number of cardboard boxes available for re-use. Ask Ms. Judy where to find them.

Summer Tree Watering – Please continue to sign up at Ms. Judy’s desk for summer tree watering.

KUWW Carnival – Face painting, cake walk, horseshoe toss, and raffle. This fun event is planned and coordinated by E2 students that are members in Kids United with the World, a club created by E2 students.

Please join us for the fifth annual KUWW “Carnival” to be held this Friday, May 18, from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. in front of the E2 Building.

Admission is $1.00 for children.  Adult admission is $2.00.  Raffle tickets are $1.00 each. The admission price covers the activities, a snack, and a drink. The proceeds will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund to help the tigers. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Late Care Students: Elementary students in late care will be able to attend the carnival with their late care teacher.

Pre-Primary students in late care will have their own “carnival” with face painting and activities in their pre-primary late care classroom.

Summer Programs – Please note that there will not be carpool during the summer.  Please park in the parking lot and come into the school.

Friendly Reminders

Lunch Bunch – This Friday, May 18, will be the last day for Lunch Bunch.

Middle School Graduation – Tuesday, May 22

The Montessori Middle School Graduation will be held on Tuesday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m. at B’Nai Zion Congregation, 245 Southfield Rd., in Shreveport.  Everyone is invited to share in this exciting event.  PLEASE NOTE:  THE LOCATION AND TIME IS DIFFERENT THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

End of the Year Program – Thursday, May 24

The Annual Meeting of the Corporation and the End of the Year Program will be Thursday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Caddo Magnet High School.  A brief Board Meeting will follow the program.

End of the Year Half Days – Thursday, May 24, and Friday, May 25

Thursday, May 24, and Friday, May 25, will be half days.  Carpool will be from 11:30 a.m.  - 12:00 noon.  Extended care will be available until 5:30 p.m. each day for those who usually participate.

New Information

From Outdoor Education – Calling all birders and/or first-time trail users! Dr. Jim Ingold, LSUS professor and ornithologist will lead a birding walk this Sunday, May 6, on the Coates Bluff Nature Trail. Meet in the MSS parking lot at 8 a.m.  Bring binoculars, water, long pants, and insect spray, if needed. Children are welcome to come with their parents.

Teacher Appreciation Volunteers needed – Volunteers are needed for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon nextThursday, May 10. Items can be delivered to the Middle School Room before 10:00 a.m. that Thursday.

Volunteer to pick up sandwiches from Jason’s Deli between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m.

Volunteers to bring tea: 2 gallons sweet tea and 2 gallons unsweetened or sweet mint tea

Volunteers to bring desserts: 4 desserts needed

Volunteers for clean up at 12:45 p.m.: 2 volunteers needed

Volunteers to donate gift cards: We tape them to the bottom of the plates for extra fun.  Please put them in an envelope and bring to Ms. Judy’s desk by Tuesday, May 8.

If you can help, please contact Renee Eason at ReneeEason6919@aol.com.

Parenting Group Meeting –   Do you feel like your child is glued to the screen?

Come join us on Thursday, May 10, at 10:30 in the Activities Room for “Mom I’m Bored,” a discussion of alternative activities that don’t involve a screen and how reducing screen time can benefit your child.

Lunch Bunch Volunteer Needed – If you can help onFriday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to

12:00 noon, please contact Kecia Vekovius at kecia@pcnetoffice.com.

Friday, May 18, will be the last day for Lunch Bunch.

Friendly Reminders

Iowa Test: Students are testing this week.  Parents – please make sure your students are here by 8:00 a.m., are well-rested, and have had a good breakfast.

Screen-Free Week: This week, April 30 through May 6, is Screen-Free Week. As always, we encourage parents to find alternative activities for their children to explore.  We ask that you visit the following  web site for more information regarding this: http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/screenfreeweek

Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees will meetMonday, May 7, at 11:15 a.m. in the Activity Room in the Main Building.  All interested parents are invited to attend.

Yearbooks: Friday is the LAST CHANCE to order your 2011-2012 yearbooks! Stop by the office if you are interested.  The cost is $8.00/yearbook.  This book is for all students – Toddler through Middle School!

Upcoming Spring Events – More detailed information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks:

Middle School Graduation  - Tuesday, May 22

The Montessori Middle School Graduation will be held on Tuesday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m.  Everyone is invited to share in this exciting event.

End of the Year Program – Thursday, May 24

The Annual Meeting of the Corporation and the End of the Year Program will be Thursday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Caddo Magnet High School.  A brief Board Meeting will follow the program.

End of the Year School Half Days – Thursday, May 24,and Friday, May 25

Thursday, May 24, and Friday, May 25, will be half days. Carpool will be from 11:30 a.m.  -  12:00 noon. Extended care will be available until 5:30 p.m. each day for those who usually participate.

New Information

Raffle Drawing: We were having so much fun at our Spring Fling that we (I) forgot to draw for the raffle of the $500 gift certificate to River City Cycling!  This means if you forgot to bring in your stubs, it is not too late!  We will draw at 8:00 AM on Friday morning during the bake sale. (See following about the bake sale.)

Middle School Bake Sale: The Middle School will host a bake sale in front of the school this Friday, April 27, beginning at 7:45 a.m. until everything is sold.  Stop by for some treats!

Upper Elementary Summer Session: There are a few spots still available in the Upper Elementary Robotics Summer Session for the week of July 16-20.  E2 parents should have received an email regarding this last week.  Please contact the office if you are interested.

Calendar: See below for the preliminary calendar for the 2012-2013 school year.

From Outdoor Education: National Arbor Day is this Friday, April 27. Take a tree tour with Mr. Jon on our school campus from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. We have planted many wonderful trees (fruit, native, and shade) this school year.  Meet at the Outdoor Classroom. You can also “adopt-a-tree” by signing up with other families to help water newly planted trees this summer. These will benefit our school community for many years to come! Please sign-up by emailingjonksoul@gmail.com. Thank you.

Screen-Free Week: April 30 through May 6 is Screen-Free Week. As always, we encourage parents to find alternative activities for their children to explore.  Visit the website for more information: http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/screenfreeweek

Friendly Reminders

Iowa Test:

Kindergarten students will practice for the Iowa Test this Friday morning, April 27. They will begin the test on Monday, April 30.  Students should be in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m.

Elementary and Middle School students will begin the test next Monday, April 30.

Parents: When your students begin testing, please make sure they are here by 8:00 a.m., are well-rested, and have had a good breakfast.

Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees will meet Monday, May 7, at 11:15 a.m. in the Activity Room in the Main Building.  All interested parents are invited to attend.

Yearbooks: LAST CHANCE to order your 2011-2012 yearbooks! Order forms are available in the office.  These need to be returned no later than this Friday, April 27.

Upcoming Spring Events – More detailed information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks:

Middle School Graduation  - Tuesday, May 22

The Montessori Middle School Graduation will be held on Tuesday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m.  Everyone is invited to share in this exciting event.

End of the Year Program – Thursday, May 24

The Annual Meeting of the Corporation and the End of the Year Program will be Thursday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Caddo Magnet High School.  A brief Board Meeting will follow the program.

End of the Year School Half Days – Thursday, May 24, and Friday, May 25

Thursday, May 24, and Friday, May 25, will be half days.  Carpool will be from 11:30 a.m.  -  12:00 noon.  Extended care will be available until 5:30 p.m. each day for those who usually participate.

Montessori School Calendar 2012-2013

(Preliminary Draft)

Teachers report: August 6, 2012

Students report for 1st day: August 13, 2012

TD and PP phase in week: August 13, 2012 – August 17, 2012

Labor Day (no school): September 3, 2012

Fall Break (no school): October 19, 2012

Thanksgiving Holidays: November 19-23, 2012

Winter Holiday Break: December 24, 2012 – January 4, 2013

MLK Day: January 21, 2013

President’s Day: February 18, 2013

Spring Break: March 25 – 29, 2013

Last Day of School: May 24, 2013

New Information

Summer Programs – All Toddler, Elementary and the first two sessions of the Pre-Primary summer program are full.  Only a few spots remain in the third Pre-Primary session.

Auction Update:

Online Auction: THE ONLINE AUCTION IS UNDERWAY! Thanks to your generosity, we have already raised a little over $10,000!  We have added some new items today and will have more coming in the next couple of days!

Be sure to check out at: http://auctions.readysetauction.com/montessorishreveport/home

Be a Hostess at Monjuni’s in Bossier:  Your child (or you) can be the hostess!  “Right this way please!”  Then enjoy a wonderful dinner after smelling and looking at all the good food!

Enjoy a personal tour of Millennium Studios and Worldwide Effects: See how things really work behind the scenes of movie making!

All the other fun things available: “Be a Teacher”, “Camp out at the Land,” “Conduct the Fire Drill,” and many more!

View the items in person: Stop in Tuesday, April 17, from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. for a cup of coffee and to see the auction items up close.  While the pictures can give you an idea, they really don’t do some of the items justice.  For example, you will be able to try on the jewelry or the clothes and check out the stitching and details on the quilts.

Raffle Tickets Friendly Reminder: Please remit payment and stubs to the office by April 18.  The total cost for each family is $50.

Fun Run information from Ms. Louise:

The final Kids on the Run event is this Thursday, April 12, at 5:00 p.m.on the Centenary College campus!  The run will start/finish near the sorority houses on Woodlawn (across from the Library). Parking will be available in the lots off Kings Hwy. and Woodlawn. There will be snow cones available from Kona at the completion of the run and a great prize to all the participants.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

Here’s a link to more information.  You can register early at Sportspectrum or sign up before the start of the race.

http://www.sportspectrumusa.com/events/kids-on-the-run-series5/

I’ll be there to answer any questions you might have.

Parenting Group Meeting: “Discipline Issues and Parenting Styles”

Join us Friday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room in the Main Building.  Please feel free to bring a book or your own helpful hints to the group to share!

Yearbooks – Order your 2011-2012 yearbooks! Please see the attached order form that you can print out and return to the office no later thanFriday, April 20.

New Information

Good Friday – School will be CLOSED this Friday, April 6, for Good Friday.  Lunch Bunch will be tomorrow, Thursday, April 5.

4-H Meeting – There will be a 4-H meeting in the Middle School on Monday, April 9, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  All are welcome.

Classroom group pictures – The date for the classroom group pictures will be next Wednesday, April 11. Please click here for the attached order form. 

Summer Programs – All Toddler sessions are full and a few spots remain in the Pre-Primary sessions.  In Lower Elementary, a few spots remain in the Yoga in the Garden and Harry Potter sessions. The “Can We Make It?” session is full.

Board of Trustees – The Board of Trustees will meet Monday, April 9, at 11:15 a.m. in the Activity Room in the Main Building. All interested parents are invited to attend.

Parenting Group Meeting: “Discipline Issues and Parenting Styles”

Join us Friday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room in the Main Building.  Please feel free to bring a book or your own helpful hints to the group to share!

Auction Update:

Online Auction: The online auction begins this Friday, April 6.  Check your email on Friday for a link to the site for bidding.

Indigo Dinner: An invitation to the kick off dinner at Indigo Indian Bistro tomorrow night has been sent home. Please RSVP to Jodi Guthikonda (jodi.guthikonda@gmail.com) if you will be able to attend this fun event.

Raffle Tickets: Raffle Tickets for the $500 gift certificate to River City Cycling have also been sent home. FriendlyReminder - Please remit payment and stubs to the office by April 18.  The total cost for each family is $50.

Parent Volunteer Opportunities From Outdoor Education:

This Friday, April 6, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. – You can help finish the Tire Stadium on the Coates Bluff trail.  MSS, Caddo Magnet High School, and Stoner Hill Elementary students will all thank you!!

Every Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  – You can help with regular maintenance in the Outdoor Classroom and school gardens …. and go home with fresh produce!  Please RSVP at 572.4080 so Mr. Jon knows you’re coming.

New Information

Summer Programs – Here is the enrollment form for the Lower Elementary Program (This program is for returning students, currently in 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd grade, who are enrolled for the 2012-2013 school year.)  Please complete the form and return it along with the non-refundable deposit by Thursday, April 5. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Space is still available in the Pre-Primary sessions and only a few spots remain in the Toddler sessions.  Turn your Toddler/Pre-Primary forms in by this Friday, March 23, if you are interested.

Elementary Field Day – The Elementary classes will have “Field Day” this Friday, March 23, with games and fun led by the Middle School students.

Since the children will be outside for these activities, please make sure they are dressed appropriately.

Volunteers Needed – We need 4 parent volunteers to help with Field Day:

2 volunteers to mix lemonade, set up and stay for the first snack shift.

2 volunteers to serve for the second snack shift and clean up.

Please contact the office at angeliene@aol.com if you can help.

Outdoor Education – Or should we say “outer-space education”? Please click here for a list of free star parties this spring brought to you by the Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society, Inc. Star parties are held at the Worley Observatory just south of Shreveport. For directions and more information, go to www.shreveportastronomy.com.

Friendly Reminders

Half-Day – Friday, March 23, will be a half-day. Carpool will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Extended care will be available for those who usually participate.  Lunch Bunch will be Thursday, March 22.

Spring Break – School will be CLOSED Monday, March 26, through Friday, March 30, for Spring Break.  Classes will resume on Monday, April 2.

New Information

Summer Program

Here is the enrollment form for the Summer Program for Toddlers and Pre-Primary students, including Kindergartners. The summer program is for returning students who are enrolled for the 2012-2013 school year.  Please complete the form and return it along with the non-refundable deposit by Friday, March 23. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Lower Elementary will have three one-week sessions:

Mr. Jon will lead two sessions (6/4 – 6/8 Yoga in the Garden and 6/25 – 6/29 Woodworking)

Ms. Jennifer will lead one session (7/9 – 7/13 Harry Potter). The Lower Elementary enrollment form will be sent next week.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION: On the Trail and in the Outdoor Classroom, due to the brush and water, mosquitoes can be more of a problem than during normal playground time.  When they are a problem, we will apply a DEET-free insect repellant.  If you do NOT wish your child to receive any repellant, please send a brief email stating your preference.

Annual Auction – What’s the buzz……

Raffle Tickets – Today, your ten raffle tickets will be sent home with your child.  These tickets are yours to keep or sell for $5 each.  The raffle is for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from River City Cycling.

Every year we ask each family to commit to this portion of the Auction.  In the past, families have been asked to purchase six raffle tickets ($5 each) and two admission tickets ($20 each) for a total cost of $70.  This year, the total cost for each family is reduced to just $50 for these raffle tickets.

Please remit your payment and your raffle ticket stubs by April 18. (This year there was not an option to prepay for these tickets at the beginning of the year.)

Auction Dinner – Please join us for Dinner at Indigo Indian Restaurant on Thursday, April 5, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Let’s kick off the Auction festivities with a fundraising dinner for our school community.  This will be a fun evening just for grownups to dine and socialize.

Cost: $30 per person. (This includes a $10 donation that will come back to our school.)

Questions: Contact Jodi Guthikonda (jodi.guthikonda@gmail.com)

Reservations: Please email Jodi (jodi.guthikonda@gmail.com) with the number attending.

Save the Dates – Online Auction: April 6 – 19 and Spring Fling Party at the School: April 22

Lunch Bunch Volunteers Needed – Please contact Kecia Vekovius if you can help with Lunch Bunch this Friday, March 16, or next Thursday, March 22. (kecia@pcnetoffice.com

4-H Meeting – Monday, March 19, from 3:00 -4:00 p.m. in the Middle School Building Please join us on Monday for the next 4-H meeting. Our guest speaker will be Montessori graduate Craig Smith and his lamb named Camel. We will also learn how to create a cute edible sheep. All are welcome.  Please contact Mr. Robert or Mr. Jon for additional information.

Friendly Reminders

Half-Day – Friday, March 23, will be a half-day. Carpool will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Extended care will be available for those who usually participate.  Lunch Bunch will be Thursday, March 22.

Spring Break – School will be CLOSED Monday, March 26, through Friday,

March 30, for Spring Break.  Classes will resume on Monday, April 2.

New Information

Guest Speaker at 4-H Meeting – Maureen Kidd, Therapy Dog Coordinator with The Glen Retirement System, will be speaking at the 4-H Meeting next Monday, February 27, from 3:00 –4:00 p.m. in the Middle School.  She will be bringing some of her therapy dogs and presenting information on the benefits of animals in recovery.  All are welcome to join us.

Friendly Reminders

Montessori Auction – We are still looking for unique items and experiences for our families to bid on for the auction! Forms can be picked up from and turned into the office.

Parenting Discussion Group – “How to Establish Less Stressful Morning and Nighttime Routines.” Please join us from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. this Friday, February 24, in the Activity Room of the Main Building.  We will discuss ways to “calm the storm” during these difficult transition times.  Parents that attend can earn one volunteer hour.  Please feel free to bring ideas that work in your home to share with the group.

Board of Trustees – The Board of Trustees will meet Monday, March 5, at 11:15 a.m. in theActivity Room in the Main Building. All interested parents are invited to attend.

Yearbook – If you have taken pictures of your child’s class or field trip and would like to share them with us, please contact Carolyn in the office. 

New Information

Nominations for the Board of Trustees – The time is drawing near to elect new Board Members for a three year term. A list outlining the qualifications needed and a nomination form are attached.  If you are interested in serving on the Board or would like to nominate a parent to serve, please complete the nomination form and leave it in the office in an envelope addressed to the Committee on Trustees by next Wednesday, February 22.   Thank you for your input in this process.

Parenting Discussion Group – “How to Establish Less Stressful Morning and Nighttime Routines.” Please join us if you can from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. next Friday, February 24, in the Activity Room of the Main Building.  We will discuss ways to “calm the storm” during these difficult transition times.  Parents that attend can earn one volunteer hour.  Please feel free to bring ideas that work in your home to share with the group.

Board of Trustees – The Board of Trustees will meet Monday, March 5, at 11:15 a.m. in the Activity Room in the Main Building. All interested parents are invited to attend.

Yearbook – If you have taken pictures of your child’s class or field trip and would like to share them with us, please contact Carolyn in the office.

Friendly Reminders

Presidents’ Day Holiday – The school will be closed on Monday, February 20, for Presidents’ Day.

Re-enrollment - Your re-enrollment contracts were sent home last week. If you did not receive yours, please notify the office ASAP. Please complete and sign the tuition contract and return it to the office with the initial payment of $100.00 by this Friday, February 10. Open enrollment will begin Monday, February 13.  Siblings have priority and should be enrolled prior to the 13^th.

WE WANT YOU!

Important Note:  Please remember that current students that are not re-enrolled by the deadline will be required to pay the $300.00 initial tuition payment required of new students and cannot be guaranteed placement.

New Information

From Outdoor Education – “Tire Stadium” CONSTRUCTION RESCHEDULED — Due to rain last Saturday, we will join Shreveport Green and Centenary College students this Saturday,   February 11, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., to work on an outdoor seating area located on the Coates Bluff trail. Meet at the Outdoor Classroom. Students must be accompanied by their parents. Call Mr. Jon at 572.4080 if the weather is questionable.

From the Auction Chair – Look for information to be emailed soon about how you can help with our upcoming auction!

Friendly Reminders

Valentine’s Day – The students will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 14.

Toddler Classrooms – The toddlers and their teachers will celebrate the day with special snacks and will not exchange valentines.

Pre-Primary and Lower Elementary Classrooms – Please follow any specific instructions you might have received from your child’s teachers.

Upper Elementary Classrooms – Students in Upper Elementary classrooms will create their own valentines at school to exchange.

Presidents’ Day Holiday – The school will be closed on Monday, February 20, for Presidents’ Day.