Ms. Handibode: One Step At A Time!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

We know it takes time for the new rhythm of school days to become familiar. So, while taking one step at a time, we are slowly building the foundations for a smooth, exciting school year.

In just a few short days, we as a class are learning:

  • how to navigate our way around the environment
  • how to wait for a lesson
  • the routines of our school day
  • how to prepare for snack and lunch independently
  • about being part of a large group meeting by listening and sharing
  • care of self and care of the environment

Our returning friends have been role models for our new friends. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to be a leader. It wasn’t so long ago that they were new to the classroom themselves, and they accepted this new responsibility with excitement and confidence.

A question we frequently hear from parents is, “What can I do at home to help my child be successful at school?” One way to do so is to guide your child to become as independent as possible. Your child’s age and ability guide this independence. So there are no hard and fast rules to follow. A few important areas to focus on are setting up and cleaning up their lunch, putting on and taking off coats and boots, toileting themselves, packing and unpacking their backpacks, and carefully putting their toys away when they are done. This process is also one step at a time.

Here’s to new beginnings and a peaceful, fun school year for everyone!

Wishing you all a week filled with peace and love!

Ms. Handibode, Ms. Maria & Miss Marisa

Ms. Rhodora’s Class: Our First Week

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

We welcomed a group of fabulous children to FWM! The children are off to a great start. Your children arrived with hardly a tear and are now busy settling in, making friends, and learning routines. Each day, they find their locker, hang up their backpacks, put on their indoor shoes, and put their snack and water bottles in the classroom.

During Phase in, we focused on safety rules, grace, and courtesy in our classroom. The daily calendar activities have captured their attention quite easily. We learned to line up properly and stand in line, respecting our friends’ space. This lesson helped the children practice following directions and using listening skills. Throughout the week, we also worked on saying ‘please’, ‘thank you’, and ‘excuse me’.
Thank you so much, Ms. Sankey, for visiting our class. We really enjoyed meeting Houdini. We appreciate you taking the time to come by.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms Rhodora & Ms Anabel

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

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 25th, 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 to the gravel area before exiting the car and buckling your child in. Thank you for your help!

Have a wonderful week!

Christine, Hailey, & Julie

Mrs. Lopes: A Look at Our Week

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

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 25th, 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 to the gravel area before exiting the car and buckling your child in. Thank you for your help!

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Lopes, Mrs. Hema, and Ms. Kristina

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 25th, 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 to the gravel area before exiting the car and buckling your child in. Thank you for your help!

Have a wonderful week!

Ms. Handibode, Ms. Maria & Miss Marisa

Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

It is no small thing to place your child in someone else’s care, and we have felt deeply honored to be a part of your children’s learning journey. Watching each child grow in their independence, curiosity, and confidence has been one of the greatest joys of our work.

Our days were filled with giggles, questions, stories, and small moments that made a big impact. These little learners have taught us just as much as we hope we’ve taught them.

As we head into summer, I wish you and your families time to rest, play, and soak up every sweet moment together. Thank you for a wonderful year.

Warmly,

Marissa & Sue

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at Our Last Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

As we come to the end of a fabulous school year, our hearts are full of gratitude and wonder. It has been a year of incredible growth, curiosity, and joyful discovery. Much like the caterpillars we nurtured and watched transform into butterflies, each child in our classroom has undergone their own quiet metamorphosis. With patience and care, we’ve seen tiny hands grow steady, quiet voices gain confidence, and young hearts grow kind and strong.

One of the most touching traditions continued this year, as our thoughtful middle school students brought the Kindergarteners’ drawings to life, sewing each one into a unique stuffed animal to mark the end of their time in Primary. These handmade treasures were received with wide eyes and proud smiles – a tangible celebration of creativity, connection, and the magic of being a part of a Montessori community.

Thank you all for your partnership and trust. We wish you all a summer filled with the perfect balance of relaxation and play.

Christine & Hailey

Mrs. Lopes: A Look at Our Week

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Continuing with a long-standing FWM tradition, our Kindergarten friends began working on their number rolls early in September and had the opportunity to unroll them on Wednesday. It is always a much-anticipated event that brings great joy to everyone. Each year, several middle school students will stop by and say, “I remember doing this, and I still have my number roll!”

The end of each school year is always an emotional time filled with wonder and pride at all that we have 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 2025-26 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

Wishing you a wonderful & restful summer,

Amanda & Hema