09-12-17 GBH Newsletter

Important Events (Always defer to the parent calendar on our website, if you notice a discrepancy.)

• Next Early Release:  Monday, 11:30 Sept 25 (NOTE: This is an earlier early release time than last year.)
• Thursday, October 19th- Open House/Parent Ed Night - Look for more details, we are hoping for 100% attendance, because we want to update families on some new routines and be able to say hello.
• Monday, October 30th- Historical Halloween.

Reminders:

• The weekly reflection letter, should be signed and returned each week by Thursday.
• Reminder: If you have not already done so, please sign and return the volunteer form by the end of the week.
• Reminder: The technology form (from the registration packet, needs to be signed and returned ASAP.  Students must have it signed before they may use the technology.  

Weekly Update:

What an exciting year this is going to be!  We have so many students who bring such great energy to our classroom.  Josie and Matt have been marveling at the teamwork and focus we have seen to start the year, and we are looking forward to the heights we will achieve from such a great starting point, and such hard work.

The first week had a large focus on what makes a Montessori classroom.  We discussed the importance of community, effort, and teamwork.  If you want to help discuss some of our key ideas, here are a few questions you can ask your child:

1. What does “Don’t Yuk their Yum” mean?
2. How are freedom and responsibility related?
3. What did they learn from the long spoon video and activity?
4. What do we mean if we say, don’t eat their soup for them?
5. How are dying eggs, and learning in a Montessori classroom similar?

This week, on Thursday, we are getting our two new critters- a pair of sisters from a small rattery in Salem.  Look for more updates and names next week.  We are very excited, and will plan on including pictures in next week’s newsletter!

This week we are also beginning our content lessons in earnest.  We will be jumping into math, early human history, writing projects, and geography.  If we are lucky, we will even have the first great story this Friday.  As the work gets up and running we hope to have pictures of children’s work on Transparent classroom weekly.  More details coming soon.  

Gratitude Corner:

• Thank you to all of the families who contributed markers, essential oils, and facial tissue!  It is wonderful to be surrounded by such support.  I know that more families contributed, but some students dropped things off before I could thank them, or write their names down.  Thank you to the one’s I managed to catch being kind: Eli’s family, Nate’s family, Taylor’s family, Naia’s family, Jahne’s family, and Lily and Ben’s family!