Green Tips from Quinn Home Depot recycles CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) - you take them to the store and they have a place for you to put them. CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs.
Maintenance Day Many thanks to Elizabeth and Matt for all the work they got done on Saturday’s maintenance day.
Did you know …
At the 6 – 9 level in Montessori classrooms, children are often first introduced to new topics through “impressionistic lessons.” These lessons tend to be dramatic and hands-on, and are designed to help children form an understanding of a new topic in an intellectual and visceral way. It is through impressionistic lessons that children are awakened to the excitement of a new topic from simple machines to mollusks to division or rocks and minerals. The impression left with children following a lesson of this nature often leads to them wanting to learn more. These lessons, therefore, are the foundation for future learning and are important in nurturing children’s natural curiosity and love of learning.
Two Big Field Trips
On Monday, the EC classes went to the Walnut Springs Farm where they visited the farm (including baby rabbits) and its science stations. The learned about corn and enjoyed a hayride. After last week’s raw, rainy weather, the bright sunshine and blue skies made the trip seem that much better.
Yesterday, the elementary students took a ride on the Kalmar Nyckel. The ship sailed along the Christina toward the Shipyard Shops, going under three drawbridges. Those drawbridges and helping to raise and lower the sails were the highlights for many of the kids.
EI Curriculum Night
Tomorrow evening at 7:00, the EI teachers will be presenting their curriculum, showing those present some lessons with the fabulous Montessori materials, and answering questions about “the way things work” in EI. If you have a child rising into EI next year, and are curious about what happens on the second floor, please join us!
Conference Day Care
On Friday, November 13 and Monday, November 16, teachers will be holding conferences with the parents in their classes. Be on the look-out for a conference slip from your child’s teachers and be sure to sign and return it so the teachers will know to expect you. If you will need care for the entire day, or for the time of your conference, please use the form attached to sign up. The special conference rate for one hour if care is only $8.00.
RecycleBank
EWMS is happy to announce a RecycleBank grant we were just awarded. This grant will fund the invertebrate tank in EI and materials, supplies, and nature program fees for the EI overnight trip to Cape Henlopen in May. There is one caveat: EWMS must “earn” the grant money through donations of RecycleBank points by the community. Of Course, EWMS will contribute our own points to the effort, but we will also be turning to our EWMS families and friends to donate their points. To donate your points, simply sign in to the RecycleBank website and then go to “Get Rewards.” Click on “donations” in the left hand bar then go to Elementary Workshop Montessori School on the third page. For every 10 points, we get $1.00 toward our grant. Thanks for helping us reach our goal!
Other Fundraising News
Remember that Box Tops for Education is also an easy way to give to EWMS. Check out the Marketplace section of that website for additional ways to help. "Enjoy The City" - A Coupon Book Fundraiser
"Buy one get one free," "25% off," "A free this with a purchase of that" The coupons are endless! This is a simple, great fundraiser and here is how it works:
1) You will receive a sample book to show neighbors, co-workers, friends and family.
2) The books sell for $20 - EWMS receives between $8 and $10 for each book sold
3) The selling period is October 23 - November 6th
4) On November 6th return your order form with payment enclosed.
5) Once the books come in, deliver them to all those who purchased.
We have set a goal of selling 351 books - that is just 7 books per family! A book, order form and instructions will come home via lunch box mail on Friday. Once you get the chance to look over this book, you'll see that it is worth every penny of the $20 the book costs.
Board Room
The Elementary Workshop Montessori School board, a group of parents and community members, meets once a month. At last night’s meeting, the board reviewed and approved both the September board meeting minutes and the October treasurer’s report. McCrae filled the board in on the newly-hatched PTO’s recent meeting. Board members are delighted to have a new forum through which parents will be able to participate in EWMS school life. McCrae also spoke about the workshops Veena Rao is conducting for Wilmington Head Start here at EWMS, and the yoga-for-kids after school program Veena will be running for EWMS families beginning next month.
Victoria has applied for several grants recently. If funding is received, it will cover new classroom appliances, computers, and/or classroom materials. Victoria just received the good news that the grant she submitted to RecycleBank was funded. This will support the invertebrate tank in EI and program fees and materials expenses for the EI Cape Henlopen overnight trip in May. The spring fundraiser, a Chili Cook-off (dust off those recipes now) will be held on April 17, 2010. Several board members suggested that a Casino Night could also be a fun and successful fundraiser. Finally, the importance of a successful annual fund campaign was discussed. In addition to having 100% of the board give, it will be crucial for EWMS families and the EWMS broader community to support this fundraiser. The board explored ways to have some return on Annual Fund gifts go directly to the teachers this year. Annual Fund solicitation letters will be coming home in the near future.
There was no report from any other committee.
Images from: BarrysClipart.com
Welcome Fox (EI) welcomed a new brother, Jet Nova, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 8:24 PM. He weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz and was 19” long. Everyone in the family is well and elated. Congratulations!
Assembly Line
Last Friday’s assembly was jaw-dropping! We had a special guest speaker, Nancy Brohawn, who is a registered dental hygienist and spoke to us about the foods we eat and how they can lead to or help prevent tooth decay. Ms. Brohawn dressed as a tooth, which excited us to start with, and gave us each a new toothbrush and toothpaste, which excited us at the end. Now, we just need to remember to brush regularly and eschew sugary foods and drinks.
Book Fair
We will be holding a book fair earlier in the school year this year, enabling our families to choose books that might help fulfill their holiday shopping lists. The book fair will run from November 4th through the 11th. If you will be able to help set up, sell books, or pack up when the sale is over, please contact Dianne Soccio-Knapp.
Hours Opportunity
For the last several years, we have had a “Playground Committee” that has helped keep the playground, sandbox, and the sidewalk areas tidy. Each Friday, the committee members, on a rotating basis, rake the mulch so it is where it is most needed under the climbing apparatus, sweep up mulch off the blacktop, rake the sandbox, pick up trash from under the bushes and along the wall, and move the recycling bins to the curb. For families who like to be outside and who can work an hour or so on a Friday, this is the perfect job for you. Please contact the office if you are interested.
Other Calendar News
EI parents, please mark your calendars: EI will be going to Cape Henlopen over night on Thursday, May 27th and will return on Friday, May 28th. This is a change from the date published in the academic calendar.
Halloween Morning For nearly four decades, EWMS has held a Halloween fair for our children and their siblings. Each class organizes booths, and we have a noisy parade and a costume show-off circle. Please (don a costume) and plan to join us for the morning on Friday, October 30th. The festivities will begin at about 8:45 AM and will run until about 10:30 AM.
EWMS children should remember the following when they plan their school costumes: no masks, no weapons. Children should bring a change of clothing in a marked bag so they can change after the fair.
The EC teachers and the hospitality committee are looking for help on the morning of the fair. If you are free that morning, please sign up!
Parents and Kids Working Together Day
In preparation for Parent Teacher conferences (November 13th and 16th) we set an afternoon aside to allow parents to come into the classrooms and work directly with their children. Beginning as early as 2:00 PM for children who do not nap, parents are invited to come in Open House style. Nappers will be available to host their parents anytime after 2:50 PM. Children will have an idea of what they want to show their parents, which should give you an idea of your children’s particular areas of interest and what delights your child in school. This afternoon will give you a frame of reference for your first progress conference of the school year.
Yoga with Ms. Veena!
On Monday afternoon, a flier was sent via email regarding a 6-week, yoga class that will be taught by our own Veena Rao from 3:00 – 4:00 PM on Tuesdays. Much to our delight (though not our surprise), the class filled up in just under an hour! In an effort to accommodate all those who are interested, Veena has offered to run a second class on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM. A few spots are still open in the 4:00 class. Please call 520-250-1897 or email Victoria Hostin if you are interested in signing up for the 4:00 class.
These classes will start on Tuesday, November 3 and run for 6 consecutive weeks. The last class, on December 8th, will include a performance at 4:00 for parents. Imagine 30 kids all meditating at once! If anyone can do it, Veena can!
Friendly’s Family Night
Also on December 8th from 5:00 – 9:00 PM EWMS will receive 10% of the till at Friendly’s restaurant located at 2670 Kirkwood Highway. We can celebrate the fun yoga class with dinner en masse at Friendly’s! Tell your friends and co-workers to visit the Kirkwood Highway Friendly’s that night as the larger the till, the greater our proceeds.
Road Work
New gas lines will be laid on Pine Street in the next two to four weeks. The company doing the wok says they will work with us to make morning drop off smooth. Still, we may ask for your patience when the work gets to our block of Pine Street in November.
Calendar
Thursday, 10/22
EI Curriculum Night, 7:00 PM
Friday, 10/30
Halloween Morning, 8:45 – 10:30. All are welcome.
Wednesday, 11/04
Parents and Kids Working Together, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Monday, 11/09
EC Field Trip to Longwood Gardens
Friday, 11/13 and Monday, 11/16
Parent/Teacher Conference Days: Day Care Available
Saturday, 11/21
Maintenance Day, 8:00 AM – Noon
Wednesday, 11/25 – Sunday, 11/29
Thanksgiving Break, no school
Tuesday, 12/08
After school Yoga Class’ “Show off,” 4:00 PM
Tuesday, 12/08
Friendly’s Family Night, 5:00 – 9:00 PM at the Kirkwood Highway Friendly’s
Home Depot recycles CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) - you take them to the store and they have a place for you to put them. CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs. 
Many thanks to Elizabeth and Matt for all the work they got done on Saturday’s maintenance day.
the 
Remember that 
Fox (EI) welcomed a new brother, Jet Nova, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 8:24 PM. He weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz and was 19” long. Everyone in the family is well and elated. Congratulations!
For nearly four decades, EWMS has held a Halloween fair for our children and their siblings. Each class organizes booths, and we have a noisy parade and a costume show-off circle. Please (don a costume) and plan to join us for the morning on Friday, October 30th. The festivities will begin at about 8:45 AM and will run until about 10:30 AM. 
Calendar