newsletter van school!

Primary 2
Welcome to September! Everyone is adapting well to the Montessori environment and is getting into their daily routine. With our focus on grace and courtesy, we are learning to work together and respect one another. A lot of new friendships have been made, and we’re off to a good start of the new school year.
Last month, we studied the theme My Family & I, and we would like to thank the students who brought in family pictures and drawings.
This month, we will be taking a closer look at the theme Health & Hygiene. Your child could bring in books, pictures or any other educational material to Tuesday’s Show & Tell. If you would like to share information about this topic, you are more than welcome to come for a classroom presentation   
We remind you to dress your child in the Montessori school uniform: red, white or blue polo shirt; classic navy or khaki pants, skirt or skort; socks and closed-toed shoes.
Every Tuesday morning, we will have swimming class. Your child should wear the Montessori school uniform and bring a one-piece, navy-blue swimsuit or swim trunks, towel and sunscreen.
Every Wednesday, we will have gym class, and we ask you to dress your child in a Montessori T-shirt (white, red or blue); navy or black athletic pants or sports shorts; socks and sneakers.
Dutch and French classes started in August and will be held twice a week.
Please ensure your child has an extra set of clothes in the classroom, packed in a shoebox or school bag labeled with his or her name. 
Please mark your calendars for our Parent Orientation /Education Night on Wed., Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. We are looking forward to seeing you all there!
We congratulate Douglas on his birthday this month. Happy Birthday, Douglas!

Ms. Esperanza & Ms. Hanneke

 
Lower Elementary
After nearly a month of school, we’ve settled into the daily routine of circle time, work periods, language studies, music, lunch breaks and, of course, recess. Please remember that children will swim and use the sports court every Friday, so do pack bags accordingly.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the following:
•         Class begins promptly at 8:15 a.m. We begin work immediately.
•         Our school uniform comprises a Montessori polo, T-shirt or dress; skirt, skort or pants; socks and tie shoes. On Friday swim and gym days, children also require a navy-blue, one-piece swimsuit or trunks and Montessori T-shirt and sweat pants. Thank you for sending your child to school suitably attired. 
•         Please monitor your child’s snack and lunch consumption carefully. We notice that many children appreciate a little more at mid-morning snack time, while younger students often cannot finish the quantity of food provided in the hot lunch. If your child does not finish lunch, it will be stored in the air-conditioned classroom and sent home at the end of the day with your child.
•         Weekly Math and Spelling assignments will be sent home on Mondays, and all assignments are due the following Friday. Spelling tests are held on Fridays. If children have difficulties understanding particular aspects of the homework, they may bring it back to class and request assistance from the teacher. All homework must be returned on Fridays.
•         Study Hall is available to all children to assist with homework on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
•         One final word: READING!! There’s NOTHING more important than reading daily with your children. Read aloud, take turns to read passages and encourage novices to “sound out” as they go. Talk about the stories. Does your child understand what’s been read? They are welcome to bring chapter books to school for use during our daily reading time. We thank you for your help in this fundamental regard – and so will your child!  
 
Happy September Birthday to Suze, Mateo, Sven and Rania!
 
We look forward to seeing you at Parent Night on Wed., Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
Ms. Shelly, Mr. Fry & Ms. Wendy