Parent-teacher conferences are a valuable opportunity to learn more about your child’s daily experiences at school, strengthen your connection with your child’s teacher, and gain deeper insight into your child’s growth and development.

In a Montessori environment, these conferences hold special significance. Because learning is individualized and guided by each child’s unique interests and pace, conferences provide a meaningful window into your child’s progress—academically, socially, and emotionally. Teachers share observations about how your child engages with materials, collaborates with peers, and develops independence, allowing you to better understand the purpose and rhythm of your child’s classroom experience.

Participating in these conversations also shows your child that you value what happens at school. By modeling curiosity and open communication, you help build the bridge between home and school—an essential part of supporting your child’s success as a confident, joyful learner.

We look forward to seeing you this week for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your involvement plays a vital role in nurturing your child’s educational journey and fostering a strong, supportive partnership between home and school.

There is no school on Friday, October 24 for Parent Teacher Conferences.

The beginning of a new school year is always filled with excitement and possibility!

In today’s fast-paced world, with the constant demands of work, social media, and daily responsibilities, it can feel like we need to do everything perfectly. But the truth is, your child doesn’t need a perfect parent—they need you: a parent who shows up, listens, cares, and is present when it matters most.

Each school year brings a fresh start—a chance to inspire learning, nurture growth, and create lasting memories. At Fraser Woods, we’re committed to beginning the year with positivity and strong connections, both at school and at home.

Setting a Positive Tone at Home

Children look to us for guidance, and the outlook we set at home shapes how they approach school. A positive mindset ripples into their confidence and joy for learning. Here are a few simple ways to start the year off well:

• Create Routines Together: Consistent routines around homework, bedtime, and mornings reduce stress and foster success. Involving children in planning these routines builds responsibility and confidence.
• Keep Communication Open: Invite your child to share their feelings about the new year. What excites them? What worries them? Listening and offering reassurance helps ease anxieties and strengthens trust.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every day brings new challenges and triumphs. Recognize and celebrate even the little achievements—these moments build motivation and self-esteem.

Staying Involved

Parent involvement is one of the greatest predictors of a child’s success. We invite you to:

• Stay connected: Reach out to your child’s teacher with questions, updates, or concerns.
• Be part of the community: Attend parent meetings, join our parent association, and participate in school events.
• Stay informed: Keep an eye on our FWM Weekly Email for important dates, updates, and opportunities to support your child’s learning.

As we step into this new school year together, let’s focus on what matters most: being present, supportive, and open-hearted for our children.We look forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night on September 25th, where you’ll learn more about how your child experiences learning in their classroom at FWM.

As the school year winds down and summer break begins, children look forward to fun, freedom, and plenty of playtime. But while summer is a well-deserved break, it also comes with a hidden challenge known as the “summer slide.” This term refers to the learning loss that can happen when children are away from the classroom for an extended period, especially in reading and math.

The good news? Preventing the summer slide is easier than you might think. Keeping learning going in small, consistent ways over the summer helps children stay sharp and confident, making the transition back to school smoother in the fall. Whether it’s reading a book before bed, practicing math during a trip to the grocery store, or exploring science in the backyard, learning can be part of everyday summer fun.

To support families in this effort, our teachers have thoughtfully curated a list of age-appropriate summer learning resources for every grade level. These tools are designed to be flexible, engaging, and easy to use at home, giving parents the support they need to keep learning alive all summer long. Upper Elementary and Middle School students’ summer learning includes specific assignments from their teachers to be completed over the summer. 

These resources will be available on your MyFWM dashboard in the coming weeks.

Together, we can ensure that our students return in the fall not only refreshed but also ready to jump back into learning!

This month’s edition of the Family Connection is about the Montessori Decalogue, a set of ten guiding principles for interacting with children. The article dives into each principle, providing clear explanations and practical tips for fostering those important interactions, which promote respectful and meaningful relationships between adults and children.

1. Never touch a child unless invited by them (in some form or another).
2. Never speak ill of them in their presence or absence.
3. Concentrate on developing and strengthening what is good in them.
4. Take meticulous and constant care of the environment.
5. Be ever ready to answer the call of the child.
6. Respect the child who makes a mistake without correcting directly.
7. Respect the child who takes a rest or observes others.
8. Help those who are in search of activity without finding it.
9. Be untiring in repeating presentations.
10. Always treat the child with the best of good manners.

In today’s fast-paced world, our brains are constantly exposed to a flood of information and sensory input. Whether it’s the steady buzz of notifications, the nonstop flow of online content, or the noise and activity of busy environments, we are rarely without some form of mental stimulation. Bright screens, social media updates, and the pressure to keep up with everything happening around us can make it difficult to slow down and concentrate. For adults and children alike, this relentless stream of input can make it challenging to focus, process information effectively, and maintain a sense of calm and clarity.

In a recent article, Sharlene Habermeyer, M.A., the author of Good Music, Brighter Children, discussed how research suggests that 21 songs are proven to change the electromagnetic frequency of brain waves for optimal focus and should be the “soundtrack to your child’s homework.” 

Studies have shown that music can enhance brain function by stimulating areas responsible for language, memory, problem-solving, and overall cognitive organization. Specifically, classical music has been found to activate the auditory, visual/spatial, and motor regions of the brain—areas that support skills critical for academic success, such as reading comprehension, math reasoning, and concentration.

However, not all music has the same impact. 

Research by Donald Shetler of the Eastman School of Music revealed that students who listened to classical music for just 20 minutes a day experienced notable improvements in language development and memory. Similarly, psychiatrist and educator Dr. Georgi Lozanov found that certain classical pieces can shift the brain into a more focused and receptive state known as Alpha Mode, ideal for studying and completing assignments efficiently.

Dr. Georgi Lozanov conducted scientific studies on specific musical compositions and found that they can enhance concentration and focus in both children and adults. Listening for 15 to 20 minutes can help shift the brain’s electromagnetic activity into a state that supports effective learning. For best results, these pieces should be played softly in the background while studying or working.

Here is the list of the 21 songs Habermeyer calls Music to Learn By:

Johann Sebastian Bach
Brandenburg Concertos
Fantasia for Organ in G Major
Fantasia in C Minor
Prelude and Fugue in G Major

Ludwig van Beethoven
“Emperor” Concerto for Piano, No. 5

Antonio Vivaldi
The Four Seasons

Johannes Brahms
Concerto for Violin, D Major, Op. 77

Arcangelo Corelli
Concerto Grossi, Op.6, Nos. 2, 4, 5, 8, 11, and 12

George Frideric Handel
Water Music
Concerto for Organ in B Flat Major, Op. 6, 7

Joseph Haydn
Concerto No. 1 for Violin
Concerto No. 2 for Violin
Symphony No. 101 (The Clock)
Symphony No. 94 in G Major

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto for Violin No. 5 in A Major
Symphony No. 29 in A Major
Symphony No. 40 in G Minor
Symphony No. 35 in D Major
A Little Night Music

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Concerto for Violin, Op. 35
Concerto for Piano, No. 1

This month’s Family Connection Newsletter from the American Montessori Society focuses on the Montessori prepared environment. The Montessori prepared environment is a thoughtfully designed learning space that caters to the unique needs of each child, emphasizing simplicity, order, and beauty. It promotes independence and self-motivation, allowing children to choose their activities based on personal interests and developmental stages. Key features include:

1. Freedom: Children select their own learning experiences, cultivating a sense of ownership.

2. Beauty: The environment is visually appealing and well-organized, encouraging exploration.

3. Exposure to Nature: Interactions with nature deepen children’s appreciation for the world and enhance their learning.

This environment is essential for fostering children’s independence, exploration, and growth, with educators and caregivers playing a vital role in maintaining it.

I hope you find the article educational and useful for your family.

Have a wonderful week ahead!
Karen Sankey

At FWM, we recognize that summer is a valuable time for students to reinforce their learning while also enjoying a more relaxed environment. 

Our Summer Learning Initiative is a new program that is still under construction. 

It is a half-day program designed to support academic growth with a focus on literacy instruction. Similar to what happens in the classroom, these two-week workshops provide opportunities for review and reinforcement for some students while also introducing new skills for the advancement of others. 

We have a workshop that focuses on students entering Kindergarten and First Grade, running from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. We are also working to develop another workshop for students entering grades 2-5. 

Our first two-week workshop:

• Week 1 – June 23 – June 27
• Week 2 – June 30 – July  3 (closed July 4)

The workshops are structured to be both educational and engaging. By creating a supportive and inclusive space, we aim to encourage students to continue developing their skills as they do throughout the school year.

If you’re interested in enrolling your child or learning more, please contact Gina Tryforos at gtryforos@fraserwoods.com