May, 2009 - Country Montessori School

CMS receives the Best of Poway Preschools 2008 AwardMAY 2009VOL 1 ISSUE 10The CMSInformerMuffinsWithMomsThank you Ying Yang for submitting the Muffins with Moms photos.The Playground is Coming!The Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) ordered the newplayground equipment. Construction is scheduled to startTuesday, May 26, 2009. A team of installers will be on theSerengeti Playground for the following days.A few extra hands are needed on that Friday (5/29)tocomplete the project. This perfect opportunity to worktogether for our children. Parents with shovels, wheelburrows and three hours after school should contactAnnemargaret at 858-663-6269 orchildcarecompanions@cox.net to get involved. We want tothank everyone for their contributions.Kindergarten ReadingLynn Parker, our current Lower Elementary readingteacher will be working with our Kindergarten students in thecoming year. Lynn holds a California State Multiple TeachingCredential and has a Bachelors in Liberal Arts. She has beenin charge of the elementary reading program for severalyears. She is outstanding. In addition to our currentlanguage curriculum, our Kindergartners will be working withLynn once a week.Important Dates in MayPTC Meeting @ 3 p.m. 4 Mother’s Tea Upper Elementary 6Muffins w/Mom Meadows 14Scripps Ranch Fair @12 p.m. 17Board Meeting @6:30 p.m. 18Cold Stone RB location 19-24Staff Appreciation Luncheon 22Memorial Day- No School 25Playground Install Begins 26Spring Fling Show 31Country Montessori School Mission StatementCountry Montessori School is committed to maintaining its leadership in Montessori education. Our mission as educators andparents is to foster independent, confident, academically prepared, and socially responsible citizens, who will be lifelonglearners and problem solvers. We will grow and evolve to meet the needs of our children, parents and community.

[2]Excitement in Lower ElementaryHistory Comes to LifeRecently, Dennis, CMS Music Teacher,brought a special guest to visit CMS. Justinvon Trapp spent time with the elementarylevel children. Justin is the one of the Great-Grandchildren of Captain Georg Ritter vonTrapp of the “Sound of Music” fame. The sonin the show named “Kurt” was the name usedfor Verner, Justin’s grandfather.Our CMS children were excited to spendtime with an actual descendant of a historicalfamily. Justin explained his family history,answered questions, watched the childrenperform their Spring Fling songs and alsosang. Well traveled, Justin performs with hissisters to sold-out crowds around the globe.Ironically, a few of the melodies thechildren are performing in the show are fromthe “Sound of Music”. When asked about hisexperience at CMS, Justin commented that hewas impressed with the school and it’shomelike feel.Dennis, the children and the rest of theCMS staff have been hard at work perfectingthe songs and techniques for the Broadwaythemed Spring Fling Show. “It is amazing tosee all of those little faces up there performingtogether. From the little ones on up to thebigger children, everyone works hard to put ona great show!” states Duana Bayerle, parent oftwo CMS students.Tickets are only $8 each. Sales startWednesday, May 13. Depending on theservice you use, a convenience charge mayapply. More information is available atwww.PowayPerformingArts.com.CMS ShirtsDoes your child have a green CMSshirt? Is their current shirt toosmall? These shirts are part of thecostumes for the Spring Flingpresentation. Please contactMelissa in the office about gettingyour shirt today. Each is only $10.Abdellateef and Patrick take poetry seriously.Life is a PoemA poem, a prose. Ah, poetry. In April, the Eagles LowerElementary class held their annual Poetry Festival. Parents,siblings, extended family and the Upper Elementary class gatheredunder the shade structures to listen to the students.Each child had the responsibility of memorizing their verses.Working collectively as a group, the first levels supported eachother by collaboratively reciting animal poems by Helen Moor &Charles Carryl. The rest of the classmates shared soothing poemsabout nature, silly poems about substitute teachers and timehonored poems by Emily Dickerson. Kayla, a 2nd level student,finished the presentation by reciting “Keep a Poem in Your Pocket”.At the conclusion of the Festival, the students receivedcertificates for their participation and then enjoyed delicious snacksas a community with their guests.Floating Lab photos submitted by Dr. Kathy Radar.Marine BiologyCool. Fun. Exciting! Were remarks made by the Eagles,Lower Elementary class about their field trip on the Floating Lablast week. Taking out from San Diego Bay, the children set on anexcursion on a private boat to learn more about Marine Biology.While they were out, they received first hand knowledge aboutwhat is in our local waters.This field trip compliments what they have been studying inscience. The children worked as a team in gathering materials fortheir experiments. “We actually touched stingrays and sea stars.”stated Sonika, 2nd Level. With the assistance of one of theGuides, Lauren E., 3rd Level, was brave enough to have aCalifornia spiny lobster grab hold of her hat.Phytoplankton, zooplankton and a class of 2nd and 3rd levelstudents had “a “very unforgettable experience” according toclassmate Aerin C.

[4]CherylI joined the Staff of CMS in May of1993. I was part of the very small, 3-person office in what is now thecomputer lab. Previously I worked fora family law attorney, which wasunfortunately a very formal and oftensad environment, dealing withunhappy adults facing unfortunatecircumstances in their lives. It was a refreshing, newventure for me to be in such a positive atmospherededicated to children. I thoroughly enjoy watching thechildren walk, the little ones actually skip, into theirrespective classrooms with such joy and excitement.I had limited knowledge of the Montessori methods, butenjoyed learning what Montessori education was all about.I told my college age daughters, at the time, that when theybecame mothers they needed to put their children in aMontessori School. To my extreme pleasure, that isexactly what happened. My grandson, Connor, is now inthe Eagles classroom after being a Bumblebee for threeyears. My granddaughter, McKenna, is in her second yearas a Bumblebee and looking forward to her Kindergartenyear. Their parents are both public school teachers, buttrue believers of the Montessori system.I am also privileged to be able to teach baton twirling toour CMS children. This is a true passion of mine. I havebeen teaching baton at the local YMCAʼs for many, manyyears and have had the joy of watching those children(many of them CMS alumni) win local, state, and nationalchampionships.I look forward to many more years at CMS as Ithoroughly enjoy working with people who love workingwith children. -CherylMother’s Day Tea PartyA Tea Lightful TimeMothers and one special father were guests of theUpper Elementary children in the Meadows class for theannual Mother’s Day Tea Party held on May 6.Each student had previously created a handmadeinvitation. Knowing this was going to be a treat, theguests were quick to respond.Upper Elementary was transformed into a fragrant teagarden. White table cloths scattered with rose petals, finebone china and colorful floral arrangements enhanced thedecor. As guests entered the room, the respective childgraciously walked across the floor to greet them. Takingtheir parent’s hand on their arm, each quietly escortedtheir company to their assigned table. The invitation to sitwas confirmed when the child pulled out the proper chair.Upon taking their seat, the host presented a beautifullyhandwritten letter to their honored guest. Joy filled theroom as they read their personal notes of love.Once everyone arrived, the meticulously dressed youngladies and gentlemen lined up on either side of the roomand began singing a melodic poem, written by UEDirectress Beth Flynn, about the splendor of the day.Smiles of pride spread across faces, while some tearedwith delight.Children poured the carefully selected teas for theircompany. Quiches, sandwiches and other delights wereconsumed. Parents engaged in meaningful conversationswith their children and nearby adults. In what felt likemoments, the tranquil time came to a close.I Belongwritten by CMS Alumni Ping Flynn-Verse 1-When I was three I went to school,Worked, and sang, and played with friends.Touched and compared and explored new things.Discovered who I was, a life within.The class room was a place,Where I could make myself,The independent person that I am.-Chorus-I become. I belong.Strive to do my best.Sure foundations I have gained,Here at CMS.-Verse 2-When I was six I learned new things.Timelines, checkerboards, bead frames too.The teachers made my years so fun and soworthwhile,The Montessori method is so right.-Chorus--Verse 3-Now I am older and reached new heights.I've found my place within this world.Discoveries that I've made, have opened up my mind,To be the person that I know I can.-Chorus-

CMS PTC MissionGuided by the dedication to enhance the educational experience of our children, the ParentTeacher Committee (PTC) of Country Montessori School is committed to supporting the staff andstudents through community service and fundraising efforts to provide valuable items that are notaffordable by the (non-profit) school’s tuition alone. The parents and staff work closely togetherto form a community that shares its time and talent for the ultimate investment. . . the children.CMS Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) 2008-2009AnnemargaretPresidentMalgorzata SlocombVice PresidentDuana BayerleSecretaryDiana SissonTreasurerTiffany PondHistorianTerah Lenz-OnwubereScrip CoordinatorTracy GoldblumAmbassador CoordinatorJosephine TaniguchiStaff LuncheonAuction ChairsMalgorzata SlocombCherry LaurentChildren’s ProjectsHeather ZolzerKathy RaderSarah BaekScholastics(Primary) Josephine Taniguchi(Elementary) Diane ShyuCarol DugganRestaurant of the MonthEurelda ParaoanRubios Monday LunchVrushali SaneCorn Dog-Tues. LunchDeepak WadhwaNY Bagel- Wed. LunchPaul DickersonPizza- Fri. LunchTraffic MorningsM: Gary B. & Bob WeaverT: Jennifer Mahajan &Chloe KwonW: Francois LaurentTh: Surbhi DeswalF: Rameesh VenkatramanTraffic Afternoons:Tom AndersonSarah BaekPaula CollinsKat BellVivien HuangAmbassadorsTina BartholomewJennifer BenningtonCarla CherryMonique EvansTejaswini GollamudiYing HuangLalitha KishnamoorthyLiz MladenikKellie MiddlebergLaurie SheehanLynn ThomasAmy WuHave a Heart?Mark your calendars to beavailable on Friday, May 22, 2009.Parents are still needed forsupervising the playground orstaying with the nappers duringthe 12:15-2:15 p.m shift. This isthe perfect opportunity for parentswho are short on hours. You canalso bring your families’ favoritedish to share with the staff.Please contact Josephine at858-775-9399 orjt92127@yahoo.com.Restaurant of the MonthInvite your friends and neighborsto join CMS at Cold StoneCreamery in Rancho Bernardofrom May 19-24th.Our school will receive 20% of thesales.Please remember to bring yourfliers. Encourage your children towear their CMS shirt.Volunteer OpportunitiesThe Fun Begins Today!Ready to take the lead? Want tohave a more relaxed role? The PTCis looking for dedicated parents tovolunteer in Officer positions. Pleasesend your name or nominate a friendfor PTC President, Vice President,Fundraising Chair, AmbassadorCoordinator, Auction Chair, SocialChair or Parent/Staff Services Chair.Annemargaret is available to answerany questions at 858-663-6269 orchildcarecompanions@cox.net.Looking Ahead in JunePTC Meeting @ 3 p.m. 1Conferences (K, LE & UE) 1-5Kindergarten/Directress Trips 2UE Meadows Father’s BBQ 5Board Meeting @6:30 p.m. 8Graduation CeremoniesTBALast Day of School Party 12Downtime (Childcare Only) 15-19Summer School Starts 22Volunteer HoursThe Parent Volunteer HoursCommitment is designed toencourage families to becomepart of the community. If youor your friends need hours, wehave to great opportunitiesremaining.Should you opt to not fulfillyour commitment, please senda check made out to CMS PTCat the rate of $10 per hour foryour remaining hours. Pleasecontact Annemargaret atchildcarecompanions@cox.netwith any questions.Contact Information12642 Monte Vista Rd., Poway, CA92064858-673-1756858-673-8379 faxwww.countrymontessori.org