Field Trips Anonymous comment from a chaperone after the Franklin Institute trip on Friday when asked how he was: “Alright. Just a little older than I was this morning.” The kids and adults who went to the Franklin Institute enjoyed walking through the heart, visiting the planetarium, and generally perusing the exhibits.
Despite fairly steady rain on Thursday, and misty drizzle on Friday, the EI kids had a great time at Ashland. They learned about “untouchables,” insects and nocturnal animals, among many other things, but it is often the time spent with one’s classmates that is most valuable to the kids. Sleeping in bunk beds is always great fun, but perhaps of greatest interest at Ashland is the circular sink with a foot-triggered tap where any number of kids can brush their teeth at once!
Many thanks to all the parents and grandparents who chaperoned on these two trips. Field trips are an important way for children to gain hands-on understanding of the world around them.
Maintenance Day Many thanks are in order for Elizabeth, Larry, and Rajeev, who were here on Saturday morning for Maintenance Day. One of the jobs they did was to hang the EII marsh history artwork that the class did two years ago. It was on loan in the town of New Castle until recently and is now hanging in the conference room. Please stop in for a look. Our hard-working crew also did some yard work, painting, and general maintenance. Thanks!
Recycling News
As you know, between recycling and composting, EWMS has reduced the amount of trash we produce by more than 50% over the last several years. We are proud that we impact our Earth less negatively, and are impressed by how seriously our students take their stewardship of this planet. RecycleBank, who hauls away our single stream recycling each Monday morning, has a series of fascinating, informative videos about recycling at their website that children and parents will enjoy viewing.
The Nutcracker Ballet
Congratulations to EWMS alumnae Kimberly Cilento and Akili Dorsey-Bell and to current EWMS student Greta (EI) who will be performing in the 42nd annual performance of the Nutcracker presented by the Academy of the Dance at the DuPont Theatre. Kimberly landed the demi-solo role of the Columbine and Akili will be dancing as the Harlequin. The Columbine and Harlequin are the magical dolls that godfather Drosselmeyer brings to Clara's party. Look for Greta as one of the smallest guests at Clara's party and as an Angel in the second act. Performances will be on December 20 and 21st at 2pm and 5:30pm. For tickets call the DuPont Theatre at 656-4401 or go to www.duponttheatre.com.
Babes in Toyland
Congratulations also to Jameson (EII) and Isabella (EI) who are in Delaware Children's Theatre's upcoming performance of “Babes in Toyland.” It begins November 30th and runs December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21st. All are 2:00 p.m. shows. The next show, “Pinocchio,” was just cast and Jameson, Isabella, and Dad, Jimmy, will be in that one!
Calendar
Wednesday, 11/26 – Friday, 11/28
Thanksgiving Break: No School
Tuesday, 12/02 – Friday, 12/05
Accreditation Team Visit
THURSDAY, 12/04
Youth CaN Café – meet the visiting team members over coffee – note that this is on Thursday this month, please.
Monday, 12/22 – Friday, 01/02
Winter Break: No School
Monday, 01/05
School Re-opens
Saturday, 01/17
Maintenance Day, 8:00 AM - Noon
Monday, 01/19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed: No School
Tuesday, 01/20
Re-enrollment materials go home; Inauguration Day
Tuesday, 01/27 – Friday, 01/30
Standardized Testing for children in 2nd – 6th grade
Wednesday, 02/04
Moving Up Meeting for parents of children moving to a next level in the school, 6:30 PM
Holiday Fun
EWMS students have been invited to sing some holiday songs at a Wilmington Renaissance Corporation sponsored event at the Wilmington Train Station, Sunday, December 7, 2008. Our kids will perform at 1:30 PM but the train station will be bustling with activities, crafts and carolers from noon-4:00 PM. It will be helpful to the teachers to know if your children will be able to participate at 1:30 PM on December 7, 2008. Please let teachers or the office know if you will be able to join us.
Youth CaN News
Again this year, the Youth CaN club is selling Chico Bags for $5.00 each. These polyester, reusable shopping bags can help you do your part to save the planet. “According to the Wall Street Journal, 100 billion plastic shopping bags are consumed in the United States annually. Cutting this waste in half would reduce our oil consumption by more than 2,000 barrels a day and keep 73,000 tons of rubbish out of landfills.” Chico Bags weigh less than two ounces yet can carry up to 25 pounds. They stuff easily into the attached pouch and have a convenient carabiner for easy clipping anywhere. They have the EWMS logo on one side and are machine washable. These handy bags make excellent hostess gifts or stocking stuffers and have a hundred other uses as well. See Amy if you’d like to make a purchase.
EC1 Class News
Attached here is the news from EC1. These kids are serious about their learning!
Tuition Payments
Jean processes tuition transactions approximately 10 days in advance of the payment date. Once the transaction is processed, it is final. If you need to make any changes to your account information, please notify Jean a minimum of two weeks in advance of a transaction date. Jean is at school on Monday and Wednesday each week.
Alumni Update Richard Amos, a 2008 graduate of the Tower Hill School, is in the honors program at Hillsdale College in Michigan.
Senior, Tim McBride, is a Jefferson Award ambassador as part of Cab Calloway School of the Arts’ designation as a Jefferson Awards Leadership School. Abby Samuels, a junior at Brandywine High School, is one of 25 New Castle County students representing area high schools on the Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Board.
A 2008 graduate of The Sanford School, Saran Singh qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of 3.5 (on a 5-point scale) on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more exams.
Speak Up
It’s not too late to be heard with regard to your feelings about technology, 21st century skills, schools of the future, and science education. To date, 35 EWMS community members have taken the Speak up survey. 71% of our respondents have been students. Please plan to take 15 minutes to respond to the survey before December 19, 2008. Just visit www.netdayspeakup.org/speakup2008/, enter your child's school name, and optionally the state (to narrow the search), and then click Find School. Select Elementary Workshop Montessori School and start the survey process. It's free, easy and 100% anonymous.
Tough Turkey Challenge
Last Thanksgiving Day, several staff members and their family members took Val Whiting and Jay Raymond’s Tough Turkey Challenge. It was a tough, pride-inducing workout. Val and Jay are running the challenge on Thanksgiving Day again this year, with registration at 7:30 AM, and the challenge (workout) lasting an hour from 8:00 – 9:00 AM. This event benefits the Victory Christian Fellowship’s outreach ministry and will be held this year at Ursuline Academy’s Gymnasium. The cost is canned goods. So, wear your sweats, bring a canned good, and burn off some calories before you tuck in to your own Thanksgiving dinner!
Hours Report
Attached here is the latest hours report. Please check your entry to make sure that all your hours have been properly recorded.
Did You Know …
EWMS will be decorating a 5’ tree in Rodney Square for the holiday sing along. The kids in the aftercare program have already made decorations using beads and pipe cleaners. If you’re in the square after December 2, 2008, look for our tree!
Wilmington Music School Holiday Sing
On Sunday, December 7 at 3:00, the Wilmington Music School is hosting its 18th Annual Holiday Sing. This free event features entertainment, singing, refreshments and more.
Anonymous comment from a chaperone after the Franklin Institute trip on Friday when asked how he was: “Alright. Just a little older than I was this morning.” The kids and adults who went to the Franklin Institute enjoyed walking through the heart, visiting the planetarium, and generally perusing the exhibits.
number of kids can brush their teeth at once!
Many thanks are in order for Elizabeth, Larry, and Rajeev, who were here on Saturday morning for Maintenance Day. One of the jobs they did was to hang the EII marsh history artwork that the class did two years ago. It was on loan in the town of New Castle until recently and is now hanging in the conference room. Please stop in for a look. Our hard-working crew also did some yard work, painting, and general maintenance. Thanks!
Calendar 
Again this year, the Youth CaN club is selling Chico Bags for $5.00 each. These polyester, reusable shopping bags can help you do your part to save the planet. “According to the Wall Street Journal, 100 billion plastic shopping bags are consumed in the United States annually. Cutting this waste in half would reduce our oil consumption by more than 2,000 barrels a day and keep 73,000 tons of rubbish out of landfills.” Chico Bags weigh l
ess than two ounces yet can carry up to 25 pounds. They stuff easily into the attached pouch and have a convenient carabiner for easy clipping anywhere. They have the EWMS logo on one side and are machine washable. These handy bags make excellent hostess gifts or stocking stuffers and have a hundred other uses as well. See Amy if you’d like to make a purchase.