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Mrs. Semmah: Welcome Summer!

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

Saying goodbye to our children is always a difficult moment after spending a whole year growing up together, learning, and bonding. It is so precious to hear the children say “I love you.” or “I’m going to miss you in summer.” Some children express love with a warm hug and a sparkle of joy in their eyes. Others show love with big smiles that shine on their adorable and happy faces. It is a very satisfying and joyful feeling to watch our children share their passion and confidence with us. I also want to thank each child for all the warmth, beautiful memories, and learning we have shared throughout the year.

Thank you, parents, for allowing us to be your child’s teachers. It has been a wonderful and rewarding year for us.

Lots of love,

Kaoutar and Sara  

Mrs. Hood: See You Later, Alligator!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

And of course we had to finish our school year with a wonderful water day! Children had so much fun and we loved watching them enjoy this beautiful day.

Our playground was set up in different stations so children could choose what they wanted to do. There was water ball basketball, fishing, boats, bubble making (of course),  finger painting, water paint roller, truck washing and a super fun splash pad that brought so much joy and laughter to your children. After having a great morning in the sun, the children were surprised to find an ice cream truck at our school soccer field! They were so excited! Closing the morning with a yummy ice cream was just the best!

 

Looking through school pictures, I cannot stop the overwhelming feeling of thankfulness! I know we have said it before, but we need to say it one more time: Thank you for entrusting us with your little ones and walking next to us to give them the best experience each day!

We give them back to you pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more independent, confident and mature than they were back in September. They did themselves a great job unfolding and growing each day and we feel honored to have witnessed it. They, for sure, will continue to be part of our lives. Even though some of them will be moving up a level, remember that we will always be interested in your children and their destiny-wherever they go, whatever they do and whoever they become.

They are truly precious to us!

Enjoy the contrast pictures of the first weeks and the last weeks of school of your child in our Toddler program!

Have a great summer!

Love,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Maria

Lower El: Hello Summer!!!!

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

In a blink of an eye this year has come to an end! The end of the school year is always filled with many emotions, looking back at all we accomplished and seeing how much each child has grown. Each year I feel humbled with so much gratitude to experience each child’s development throughout the  year.

I will miss the children moving on and up and wish them nothing but the best. Each child holds a very special place in my heart. I hope you have a wonderful summer!!!

Mrs. Wilson: Ending The Year With a Splash!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

Water Day! The children seem to have lots of fun with all the different activities we had set up on the playground. We had a splash pad, fishing, finger painting, truck washing, water ball basketball, and two bins with water, various scooping and pouring items, and bubbles! Then we ended our morning with a visit to the ice cream truck!

These ten months went by so very fast. But in these ten months each child has worked hard in their individual development. They formed friendships and learned to have empathy and compassion towards each other. Mrs.Crumb and I want to thank each and every one of the parents for the endless support and kindness you have show us throughout the year. We are going to miss all of you over the summer break and we can’t wait to see you all again in September. We hope you make lots of fun memories together!

Mrs. Lopes: Happy Summer!

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

In the blink of an eye this challenging, as well as rewarding, school year has come to a close. As we watch each child leave our classroom for the summer we can’t help but remember their first days with us. It is always humbling to be a witness of the children’s growth and development throughout the school year.

While many of our children and families are returning, some will be moving on. To everyone, we wish you the best of summer and the best in the years ahead. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your help and cooperation throughout this journey of a school year. We are so thankful to have gotten to spend this time with your children and know they will always have a special place in our hearts. I will leave you with a poem that sums up our feelings at the end of the school year:

I have worked with your flower, and helped it to grow.

I’m returning it now, but I want you to know

This flower is precious, as dear as can be.

Take care of it, and you will see

A bright new bloom, with every day.

It grew and blossomed, in such a wonderful way.

In August, just a bud, then January, a bloom, now a lovely blossom

I’m returning to you.

Remember, this flower,

As dear as can be.

Though rightfully yours,

Part will always be with me!

Wishing you a peaceful, restful summer full of unforgettable memories!

With Love,

Amanda and Heather

Mrs. Doyle: Make Your Summer An Unforgettable One!!!!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Field Day was on Tuesday and it was an awesome day!  Thank you to Coach Pam for putting together a great event for the children.  We finished it off with a visit from an ice cream truck!

Continuing with a long standing FWM tradition, our older friends begin working on their number rolls early in September and had the opportunity to unroll them on Wednesday.  This year, one number roll was so long, it stretched all the way across the gym and onto the playground!

The end of each school year is always an emotional time filled with wonder and pride at all that we accomplished and how much each child has grown. To our Kindergarten students, those moving on and their families, we wish you all the success you have worked so hard for. You will always hold a special place in our hearts and we sincerely hope you will keep in touch throughout the years. To our returning students and families, we can’t wait to  hear all about your summer and to experience the 2022-23 school year together. We wish all of you a summer filled with peace, love, happiness and the chance to make beautiful memories. Enjoy the time with your loved ones and may you all have a chance to relax and enjoy a calmer time of year. Thank you for sharing your children with us and thank you for all the behind the scenes help that made our year so much smoother!

We leave you with a poem that resonates deeply with us every single year.

Whose Child Is This?      

“Whose child is this?” I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
“Mine,” said the parent with a tender smile.
“Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should.”

“Whose child is this?” I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in.
“Mine,” said the teacher with the same tender smile.
“Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school.”

“Whose child is this?” I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door.
“Ours,” said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child.
“Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever.”

—–Author Unknown

With much love,

Michelle & Liset

Upper El: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Posted on by Karen Sankey

The greatest sign of success for a teacher…is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’ -Maria Montessori

This week I stepped out of the room during work cycle to make a photocopy, leaving the class alone momentarily. While I was out of the room, a colleague came in to speak to me about something. When I returned, she was visibly emotional. She shared with me how impressed she was with how the children were all working, focused, responsible. This has been my experience with them throughout the year. They are truly an amazing group!

I asked the students to reflect on this year and look ahead to next year. They shared with me a highlight from this year and something they are looking forward to this summer and next school year. Here are their responses:

  • Mia enjoyed researching this year, is looking forward to going in the pool this summer, and is excited to learn new things next year.
  • Bryant enjoyed learning about our closest relatives in our History lessons, is looking forward to swimming in the pool this summer and coming all together with Middle School students for PE next year.
  • Gino enjoyed Nature’s Classroom, is looking forward to being with his brother this summer, and is excited about changing classes for different subjects next year.
  • Camden liked free time with his class this year, is looking forward to swimming a lot this summer and seeing what fifth grade work is like next year.
  • Anders liked specials and everything about this year, is looking forward to his Wyoming road trip and going to the Galapagos this summer, and is excited about getting to do different things next year.
  • JC enjoyed making a boat in MakerSpace, is looking forward to going in the pool this summer and having Science class next year.
  • Chloe enjoyed the overnight trip, is looking forward to going to England this summer and having Science class next year.
  • Allie liked the overnight trip, is looking forward to going on vacation to California this summer and doing more math next year.
  • Lydia liked our overnight trip, is looking forward to going to Spain this summer and having Science with Mr. Brown next year.
  • Bennett liked the amount of freedom UE students have, is excited for his trip to the Grand Canyon this summer, and is looking forward to learning more and getting to listen to all of the fifth grade lessons and moving onto vocabulary work next year.
  • Jheniya enjoyed doing projects in MakerSpace with friends and having math lessons, is looking forward to summer camp and going out to eat ice cream this summer, and is excited about Math and Science lessons next year.
  • Kody enjoyed the overnight trip, is looking forward to swimming in the pool this summer and doing Middle School sports next year.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The End of the School Year is Approaching!

Posted on by Gina Tryforos

Another school year is quickly coming to an end. For those of you with children in toddler, primary, and elementary, I’m sure you’re amazed at how your children blossomed as the year has gone by. We experience both joy and tears as our elder Montessori students in the class move up to the next levels. 

As Montessori teachers we cannot end the school year without celebrating the classroom community. It is just as important to bring closure to the year as it was to set the tone when we began the year with your beautiful children. There are important rites of passage to recognize and celebrate. We stay true to our traditions of celebrating the community and bringing closure to the school year by honoring the students’ achievements with recognition of the time spent in their current level.

For the parents of our graduating 8th years, you are probably filled with mixed emotions of joy and bittersweet sentiment as your child prepares to leave FWM and move on to high school. 

When I talk to parents, I often hear them say how quickly time “flies” and how it seems “just like yesterday” their children began their educational journey at FWM. 

With 8th year graduation, moving up and bridge-crossing ceremonies planned for the week ahead, our students, their parents, and their teachers have much to celebrate!

Although we had to cancel tonight’s picnic, the children will be able to enjoy some of the festivities during the school day. The caricature artist was able to be here during the day today. Our 8th year students spent the afternoon getting their drawings done, in color, including a beautiful whole class caricature! 

Next week, on Tuesday, the ice cream truck we intended to have at the picnic will be here for Field Day!