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September Family Connection Newsletter

Posted on by Karen Sankey

“We give the child nourishing food so that his little body may grow, and in just the same way we must provide him with suitable nourishment for his mental and moral growth.” —Maria Montessori

Dear Families,

The American Montessori Society publishes a Family Connection Newsletter each month, which we pass on to you in our Parent Corner. This month’s newsletter focuses on the importance of nurturing a child’s mental and moral growth and highlights the prepared environment in a Montessori classroom. It discusses the toddler classroom’s focus on independence and self-correction, the development of leadership skills in the primary classroom, and the foundation for lifelong learning in the elementary classroom. It also stresses cultivating executive functioning skills, encouraging curiosity, and Montessori’s holistic approach to education.

I hope you find this newsletter helpful and informative!

Warm regards,

Karen Sankey

Ms. Handibode: Swinging Into A New Year!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

 

Welcome to a new school year!  We know that the phase-in schedule can be challenging to manage, but it does allow us to set the tone for the year. We are grateful for your patience and understanding. While it was a busy week it was a very successful one!

In just a few short days, the children are beginning to learn how to navigate the environment and the routines of our day. This is a work in progress and constantly evolving over the year. We had a very smooth start, and we are so excited to be part of this journey with all of the children and all of you!

The adage “a picture speaks a thousand words” comes to mind when you see all the smiles on each child’s face.

Thursday, September 26th, from 5:30-7:00, is Curriculum Night. This is a great time to spend some time in our classroom and get a sneak peek into how our days are spent. We will discuss each area of the classroom, the structure of our days and have some time to answer all of your questions.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

As a gentle reminder, to streamline our dismissal process, please stay in your car while a teacher brings your child over. The teacher will assist the child in the car. Please pull forward against the side of the building before exiting the car and buckling your child in. Thank you for your help!

Have a wonderful week!

Ms. Handibode & Ms. Maria

Dismissal Reminder
Thank you for adhering to your assigned arrival and dismissal times to help arrival and dismissal run smoothly and to reduce your time waiting in line. 

  • Toddler: arrival-8:30, dismissal-2:45
  • Primary: arrival-8:20, dismissal-3:00
  • Elementary: arrival-8:10, dismissal-3:10
  • Middle School: arrival-8:00, dismissal-3:10

Families with children at multiple levels can arrive at the oldest child’s arrival time and dismissal time.

Please form only one line in the morning when dropping off, leaving the left lane open for toddler families to pull through.

In the afternoon, please form only one line on the left before 3:00, leaving the right lane open for toddler families to pull through. Starting at 3:00, form two lines. 

Middle School: Welcome to the 24-25 School Year!

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

What a wonderful week for the Middle School! It has been wonderful to see our new group of students and teachers all together. We have been enjoying our spaces inside the school as well as the new turf field (and even the new patio out front). Classes are learning about what’s ahead and developing goals for the year. We are revving to go, and getting into our rhythm is feeling so nice as we form this new group.

A few items coming up:

  • 9/24: RESCHEDULED High School Placement Meeting for 8th grade families at 8:15am
  • 9/26: Curriculum Night at 5:30 pm
  • 9/27: Field Trip to the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. Full school day. Bus transportation to and from the Adventure Park. Please complete a required waiver form for your child/children.

Dismissal Reminder
Thank you for adhering to your assigned arrival and dismissal times to help arrival and dismissal run smoothly and to reduce your time waiting in line. 

  • Toddler: arrival-8:30, dismissal-2:45
  • Primary: arrival-8:20, dismissal-3:00
  • Elementary: arrival-8:10, dismissal-3:10
  • Middle School: arrival-8:00, dismissal-3:10

Families with children at multiple levels can arrive at the oldest child’s arrival time and dismissal time.

Please form only one line in the morning when dropping off, leaving the left lane open for toddler families to pull through.

In the afternoon, please form only one line on the left before 3:00, leaving the right lane open for toddler families to pull through. Starting at 3:00, form two lines. 

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

Welcome to a new school year! We have had an incredible week of settling in, learning new routines, and getting to know new friends.

We enjoy starting each day with recess and yoga outside in the gorgeous morning sun. After yoga, the children eat snacks while listening to our class read aloud, The Mysterious Benedict Society. Typically, we would enter our work cycle and lessons after the chapter book, but this week, we had some beginning-of-the-year business to attend to. We broke into groups and brainstormed class jobs along with our class rights and responsibilities (otherwise known as rules). Students did a wonderful job collaborating and sharing their ideas with the group! We also set everyone up on their devices for use in the classroom. They are very excited about this new privilege! As the week wraps up, our Upper El rhythm is beginning to emerge. We are going to have a great year!

I am excited to share that we will go on our first field trip of the year to The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. Here are the details:

  • The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
  • Friday, September, 27
  • Depart FWM at 9:30
  • Depart The Adventure Park at 1:45
  • Individual waivers must be signed at least 48 hours before our trip. Please sign here.
  • Please let us know if you want to join us on this field trip.

Dismissal Reminder
Thank you for adhering to your assigned arrival and dismissal times to help arrival and dismissal run smoothly and to reduce your time waiting in line. 

  • Toddler: arrival-8:30, dismissal-2:45
  • Primary: arrival-8:20, dismissal-3:00
  • Elementary: arrival-8:10, dismissal-3:10
  • Middle School: arrival-8:00, dismissal-3:10

Families with children at multiple levels can arrive at the oldest child’s arrival time and dismissal time.

Please form only one line in the morning when dropping off, leaving the left lane open for toddler families to pull through.

In the afternoon, please form only one line on the left before 3:00, leaving the right lane open for toddler families to pull through. Starting at 3:00, form two lines. 

 

 

Mrs. Hood: See you later alligator!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

As the school year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable journey we’ve shared. This has been a year filled with laughter, discovery, and countless moments of wonder as we watched your children grow, explore, and learn. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed and how much your little ones have blossomed.

It’s been a privilege to witness your children’s first steps into independence, their eyes lighting up with curiosity and their hearts expanding with new friendships. Each day has been an adventure filled with joy and the purest expressions of childhood.

From the moment we began our mornings together, your children brought an energy and enthusiasm that made every day special. Whether it was mastering a new skill, discovering the magic in everyday objects, or simply sharing a giggle with a friend, their progress has been a testament to the power of exploration and the nurturing environment we strive to provide.

We’ve celebrated many milestones this year. The excitement of learning to pour their own water, the pride in completing a puzzle, the joy of storytime, and the contentment found in quiet moments of concentration. These seemingly small achievements are monumental steps in your child’s development, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Our classroom has been a vibrant living space where your children feel safe, loved, and valued. They learned not just academic skills but important life lessons in empathy, patience, and respect. We have cherished each of their unique personalities and watched them form bonds with their peers, learning the give-and-take of social interactions.

To you, dear parents, I extend my deepest gratitude. Thank you for trusting us with your precious ones, for your support, and for being our partners in this journey. Your involvement and encouragement have been crucial in making this year so successful. We appreciate your dedication and the love you pour into your children’s lives.

As we part ways for the summer, I want to leave you with this thought: the progress your children have made this year is just the beginning. Their potential is boundless, and I am confident that they will continue to thrive and amaze you. Continue to nurture their curiosity, celebrate their achievements, and, most importantly, enjoy the beautiful journey of watching them grow.

Thank you for allowing Mollie and me to be a part of your child’s early education. It has been an honor and a joy. I wish you all a summer filled with sunshine, laughter, and cherished moments with your little ones.

Enjoy the pics from our two last birthday celebrations this week and the contrasting pictures of the first weeks and the last weeks of school of your child in our Toddler program!

With warmest regards,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Mollie

Makerspace: Monthly Update

Posted on by Carl Frisk

The Makerspace has been busy with all sorts of projects coming to fruition.

Lower El has finished up its knitting projects, turning balls of yarn into bags, pillows, scarves, and arm warmers. It has been such a wonderful experience watching everyone learn this new skill and bring their ambitious visions to the physical world.

Upper El has been busy expanding on their Robotics skills, spending a few classes working on musical robots. Using color sensors, they’ve created both linear and circular paths to produce notes. By adjusting the speed and spacing of the colored blocks, they can change the tune and tempo. Not shown in the video is an additional vehicle that passes over the line of colored blocks, providing further opportunities for adjustment and refinement.

The Kindergarteners’ and Middle Schoolers’ drawing-to-stuffed-animal project came to a wonderful conclusion as the middle schoolers presented their creations to the kindergarteners at their graduation ceremony. The Kindergarteners had been anticipating seeing their drawings come to life for weeks and were so thrilled to receive them.

These last few months have been filled with excitement and awe at what these students can imagine and create. I am continually surprised by their innovative solutions, ability to learn new skills, and dedication to doing well and helping each other. I’d like to thank everyone (students, parents, fellow teachers, and administration) for a truly wonderful last few months. Have a great summer!

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

“Impermanence is the very essence of joy – the drop of bitterness that enables one to perceive the sweet.” -Myrtle Reed

And that’s a wrap! What an incredible year with a fantastic group of humans. Thank you for this week’s beautiful, heartfelt sentiments and generous gifts. My heart is full, and I feel very loved.

I am so blessed to have had the honor of working with these beautiful children. They are kind, responsible, and caring as individuals and as a group.

Throughout the year, this group of students has demonstrated their dedication, especially in the last month. They were determined to maximize their math lessons before summer break and, for some, before heading off to middle school. Each and every one of them should be immensely proud of their hard work and achievements.

I hope you have a wonderful summer! Please keep in touch!

With love,
Karen

Middle School: MS Trip & Farewell!

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

Well, Middle School Families, the 2023-24 year has come to an end. What a busy and memorable last week we had! From the trip last week to Spirit Week to the Farewell celebration, and then finally, commencement, it has been one for the books.

Last week, we traveled to Boston and had an amazing trip filled with activities. Traveling to Boston on the Amtrak was relaxing and quick. Once we arrived, we checked into our centrally located hotel and embarked on our three-day journey. Click here to view the trip photos: FWM 2024 Boston. Here is a list of all we did:

  • Museum of Science
  • Meals at Faneuil Hall
  • Shopping in Quincy Market
  • Ghosts & Graveyards Historic Tour
  • New England Aquarium
  • Boston Tea Party Historical Tour & Reenactment
  • Red Sox Game
  • Kayak Tour of the Charles River
  • Student-led Tour of the Freedom Trail

This week, in addition to Spirit Week, we began a new tradition for our graduating class: Farewell to the Class of 2024! This event was completely planned and run by the 6th and 7th  grade class. They read a speech they wrote, gave out awards, and recited a poem. Additionally, the 8th grade was surprised with a slideshow highlighting them over the years. Everyone ate cake and had a beautiful goodbye.

Commencement was another memorable event. Graduates and teacher read speeches highlighting the experiences of the graduating class over their time at Fraser Woods. Tears were shed, diplomas were distributed, and it was a lovely evening overall. Click here to see Commencement 2024 Photos

We hope everyone has a beautiful summer. Look out rising 7th and 8th graders for summer materials including Humanities reading requirements.

Thank you to the Middle School Families. Your unwavering support throughout the year makes everything run smoothly. We make a great team.

Until next year,

Michelle & Zak