Mark Your Calendar

Mar. 11           Last Day of Tea School Days www.TeaSchoolDays.com Promo Code SDS19BLOOMINGTON You get 15% off and Free Shipping and BMS gets 15% of sales!

Mar. 11-15      Spring Break

Mar. 15           Lunch and Aftercare Sign ups Open

 

Mar. 18           Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open for Siblings

Mar. 19           Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-ups Open for Everyone

Mar. 20           Sweet Gum Children’s Evening, 5:15 to 6:15 pm

Mar. 21           Magnolia Children’s Evening, 5:15 to 6:15 pm

 

Mar. 25           PAC Meeting, 6:30 pm, Commons

Mar. 26           Hickory PM Children’s Evening, 5:15 to 6:15 pm

Mar. 27           Sycamore Children’s Evening, 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Mar. 28           Maple and Walnut Children’s Evenings, 5:30 to 6:30 pm

 

Mar. 31           Parent/Teacher Conferences

April 1             Parent/Teacher Conferences—NO SCHOOL

April 2             NO SCHOOL

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Happy Spring Break!

“Always do right—this will gratify some and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain

Acts of Peace: Say “Thank You” for five good things in your life.

Discuss with friends or family ways in which you can make a difference in your community today.

Mark Your Calendar

Mar. 4 Summer Camp Enrollment Begins for Current Families

Mar. 5 Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Mar. 11-15 Spring Break

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Summer Camp

Summer Camp Enrollment for current BMS families will begin Mar. 4. The three session dates are June 3-14, June 17-28 and July 1-12 (no camp July 4).

Your Fundraising Donations at Work

Fundraising donations, primarily through the For Small Hands fundraiser, have supported the recent purchase of much-needed Montessori classroom materials across the curriculum areas. These materials enable your children to develop critical skills and abilities while learning about the world. Thank you, again, for your generosity!

Wheelbarrow	Vice
Lacing Clothes	Saw
Garden Tools	Drill
Wavy Chopper (for food)	Chime
Spreaders (for food)	Additions to the Peace Library

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“I don’t do great things. I do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

Peace Quote: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”- Edmund Burke

Acts of Peace: Talk on the phone with a cousin, aunt, uncle or grandparent. Offer help to someone in need. Bake something for your local fire or police department.

Mark Your Calendar

Feb. 15 Enrollment Forms and 1st Installment of Deposit Due Half Day = $75 All Day, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary = $150

Feb. 15 March Lunch/Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Feb. 17 Sycamore Shakespeare Play, 4:00 pm, Monroe County Public Library The Tempest

Feb. 18 NO SCHOOL—Teacher Professional Day

Feb. 20 Parent Forum–“Science Across the Nine Years” 5:30 to 7:30 pm, light dinner and childcare provided. Sign up for both on the sheets in the Main and Annex Offices or https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AFAB2EA7F49-parent1 by Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Feb. 21 3rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15 am, Main Office

Feb. 25 March Lunch/Aftercare Sign-ups Close

Feb. 27 Hickory AM Children’s Evening, 5:15-6:15 pm

Mar. 1 Hickory YOUNGEST Group Parent/Teacher Conferences *No School for Hickory Only*

Mar. 1 3rd Grade Spanish Play 1:30 pm Maple Class, 2:30 pm Walnut Class

Additional Important Items

Mar. 11-15 Spring Break

Spring Parent Forum: Science Across the Nine Years 

February 20

5:30 to 7:30 pm

Light Dinner Provided, Childcare Available

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AFAB2EA7F49-parent1

Sign up by Tuesday, Feb. 19.

*Let me know if you are interested but cannot attend due to illness or other conflict.*

Our spring Parent Forum will provide an in-depth look at the Montessori science curriculum, including a philosophical overview, the structure of the curriculum at both the Early Childhood and Elementary levels, the learning objectives and outcomes, and examples of lessons and activities. All parents are welcome. A light dinner will be provided from 5:30 to 6, and childcare will be provided from 6 to 7:30.

Please sign up to attend on the sheets posted on the windows of both the Main and Annex Offices or through sign-up genius athttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AFAB2EA7F49-parent1. Children must be 3 to attend childcare.

Shakespeare at the Library

The Tempest

by William Shakespeare

4:00 pm, Monroe County Public Library Auditorium

The Sycamore class has been working away, despite illnesses, absences and more illnesses, at their upcoming product of The Tempest, and the excitement is palpable! Come see the results of their efforts and enthusiasm on Sunday at the Monroe County Public Library, at 4 pm.

Summer Camp Update

Summer Camps at BMS are set, and all the details will be sent out to BMS families on February 25. Enrollment for current BMS families will begin Mar. 4. The three session dates are June 3-14, June 17-28 and July 1-12 (no camp July 4).

BMS Logowear On Sale Now

BMS now has logowear items available for purchase online! 50th anniversary t-shirts, BMS logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces, winter caps and baseball hats, take your pick. Each purchase raises funds for the school as well.

The online store will be open through midnight on February 21. Your orders will be delivered to BMS two to three weeks later.

Order through our website at https://bloomingtonmontessori.org/support/.

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Peace Quote: “We must be the change we wish to see.”- Mahatma Gandhi

Peace Quote: “An eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Acts of Peace: Call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a long time.

Be especially kind today TO EVERYONE.

Mark Your Calendar

Feb. 12 Board Meeting, 6 pm

Feb. 15 Enrollment Forms and 1st Installment of Deposit Due Half Day = $75 All Day, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary = $150

Feb. 15 March Lunch/Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Feb. 17 Sycamore Shakespeare Play, 4:00 pm, Monroe County Public Library The Tempest

Feb. 18 NO SCHOOL—Teacher Professional Day

Feb. 20 Parent Forum–“Science Across the Nine Years” 5:30 to 7:00 pm, light dinner and childcare provided. Sign up for both on the sheets in the Main and Annex Offices.

Feb. 21 3rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15 am, Main Office

Additional Important Items

Feb. 25 March Lunch/Aftercare Sign-ups Close

Feb. 27 Hickory AM Children’s Evening

Mar. 1 Hickory YOUNGEST Group Parent/Teacher Conferences *No School for Hickory Only*

Mar. 11-15 Spring Break

Spring Parent Forum

Our spring Parent Forum will provide an in-depth look at the Montessori science curriculum, including a philosophical overview, the structure of the curriculum at both the Early Childhood and Elementary levels, the learning objectives and outcomes, and examples of lessons and activities. All parents are welcome. A light dinner will be provided from 5:30 to 6, and childcare will be provided from 6 to 7.

Please sign up to attend on the sheets posted on the windows of both the Main and Annex Offices. Children must be 3 to attend childcare.

Summer Camp Dates

While the faculty are finalizing the plans for this summer’s camps, please mark your calendars for the three sessions: June 3-14, June 17-28, and July 1-12 (no camp July 4). More details and enrollment information will come in March.

BMS Logowear On Sale Now

BMS now has logowear items available for purchase online! 50th anniversary t-shirts, BMS logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces, winter caps and baseball hats, take your pick. Each purchase raises funds for the school as well.

The online store will be open through midnight on February 21. Your orders will be delivered to BMS two to three weeks later.

Order through our website at https://bloomingtonmontessori.org/support/.

BMS in the Community

One of the wonderful things about BMS is how active BMS folks are in the larger Bloomington community, from our students volunteering at Wheeler Mission and MCUM, to the PAC organizing efforts to support the kids at the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club. Recently, two of our faculty members, Eve and Sam Cusack, and their family, were featured in IU News for their work with IU professor Ellen Ketterson developing and monitoring a Bloomington-area bird banding station. It’s an inspiring read.

https://news.iu.edu/stories/2019/01/iub/03-grand-challenges-bird-banding-station.html

Do you know of a BMS community member who is making Bloomington a better place? Let us know! It is great to share stories and discover the many ways we can volunteer our time and talents. Who knows, you may find yourself getting up at 5:20 am to band some birds.

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Peace Quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”– Margaret Mead

Peace Quote: “I don’t do great things. I do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

Acts of Peace: Surprise your parents (spouse!) by doing a chore without being asked. Go on a walk and pick up litter.

Mark Your Calendar 

Feb. 6              ** Change to schedule**

• Open House for Parents and Children Considering 4^th Grade, 5:00 to 5:45 pm
• Meeting for Parents Considering or Planning to Attend BMS Upper Elementary Program, 5:45 to 6:30 pm 

                                    Childcare provided. Sign-up sheet is on the Annex office window. Children must be 3 or older.

Feb. 12            Board Meeting, 6 pm

Feb. 15            Enrollment Forms and 1^st Installment of Deposit Due Half Day = $75 All Day, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary = $150

Feb. 15            March Lunch/Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Additional Important Items

Feb. 17            Sycamore Shakespeare Play, 4:00 pm, Monroe County Public Library  The Tempest

Feb. 18            Teacher Professional Day—NO SCHOOL

 Re-enrollment Reminder

 The February 15 deadline for re-enrollment is very important.

Once the deadline has passed, current students who have submitted the required forms and fees on time are placed in classrooms and any open spots are offered to outside applicants. Current families who have not submitted re-enrollment forms by the deadline will lose their priority enrollment status. Please see our Enrollment Policy for all the details.

If you have any questions, please ask! Roger, Jess and Karen are happy to talk with you in person, by phone or through email.

BMS Logowear On Sale Now

BMS now has logowear items available for purchase online! 50^th anniversary t-shirts, BMS logo t-shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces, winter caps and baseball hats, take your pick. Each purchase raises funds for the school as well.

The online store will be open through midnight on February 21. Your orders will be delivered to BMS two to three weeks later.

https://bmsapparel2019.itemorder.com/sale

Amazing Aftercare

Do you need to run errands in the afternoon, finally get to that yoga class, or go have tea with a friend or a good book? Aftercare is not only for our families with two parents working full time, it’s for occasional use as well. Sign up between the 15^th and 25^th of each month in order to guarantee a spot for the following month, and you may still register your child until the morning of the day you need care if there are open places.

The Aftercare program runs from 3:30 to 5:30, and children may be picked up at any time during that period. Registrations prior to the day of care are $12 per child per day; day-of registrations are $24 per child. Elementary program children only. Please contact Haley Williams with any questions about registration atofficeassistant@montessori.k12.in.us.

For more details about Aftercare, visit http://bloomingtonmontessori.org/programs-curriculum/aftercare/

So, have your child join the fun and go get all that work, er, peacemaking done.

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Peace Quote: “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu

Mark Your Calendar

Jan. 15             Board Meeting, 6 pm

Jan. 15             February Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Jan. 15             Letters of Interest Due Back in the Office For Parents of current Hickory Middle Groupers, Kindergarten and 3^rd grade students

Jan. 16            Open House for Parents and Children Considering 1^st Grade, 5 to 6 pm

Jan. 17             3^rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15, Annex

Jan. 18             Sweet Gum Culture Fest

Jan. 21            Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No School

Jan. 23             Kindergarten Informational Meeting 5:15-6:15 pm For Youngest and Middle Grouper Parents Childcare provided. Sign-up sheet is on the Main Office window.  Children must be 3 or older.

Jan. 25             February Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Close

Additional Important Items

Jan. 30             Meeting for Parents Considering or Planning to Attend BMS Upper Elementary Program, 6:30 pm Childcare provided. Sign-up sheet is on the Annex office window. Children must be 3 or older.

Feb. 6              Open House for Parents and Children Considering 4^th Grade, 5 to 6 pm

Feb. 15            Enrollment Forms and 1^st Installment of Deposit Due

Forty Days of Peace

 We are excited to begin soon our annual Forty Days of Peace Celebration in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beginning on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the classrooms will mark forty consecutive days on which teachers will suggest an Act of Peace through which children can honor Dr. King’s legacy. The teachers will also share with children a daily quote from a world peacemaker. Each class will have a presentation by the City of Bloomington on the life of Dr. King, and our Forty Days will culminate in early March with a student celebration in Dr. King’s honor.

We hope you can continue this celebration at home on days when school is not in session, and so for inspiration the newsletter will offer quotes and acts of peace for you. It is an exciting and necessary celebration, and seems never to lose relevance. Join us!

Mark Your Calendar

Dec. 21            NO SCHOOL, Winter Break Begins—Happy Holidays! BMS Office Closed December 21 through January 6

 Dec. 25            Lunch/Aftercare Sign Ups for January Close

Additional Important Items

 Jan. 7               Back to School

Jan. 9              Meeting for Parents considering BMS Elementary Program (6 to 12) 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Jan. 15             Board Meeting, 6 pm

Jan. 15             February Lunch and Aftercare Sign-ups Open

Jan. 16            Open House for Parents and Children Considering 1^st Grade, 5 to 6 pm

Jan. 17             3^rd Thursday Coffee Chat, 8:30 to 9:15, Annex

Jan. 18            1^st Grade Letters of Intent Due, Main Office

Jan. 18             Sweet Gum Culture Fest

Re-Enrollment Season Begins

Please take fifteen minutes over the holidays to read the newly updated Parent Handbook. This is located in the Parent Portal. Lots of excellent, important information.

Next up is the meeting on January 9 for Early Childhood program parents who are considering or committed to enrolling your child(ren) in the Elementary program. The only parents who should not attend are those of you who know for certain you are leaving Bloomington before 1^st grade. Everyone else should attend. You will receive information about the curriculum and our school, as well as vital enrollment information.

Letters of Intent to enroll in 1^st grade in the fall of 2019 are due in the office on January 18.

Sycamore takes on the SNAP Challenge

This month the Sycamore students tackled the challenge of providing nutritious meals while living on a SNAP budget (food stamps). The children learned first about the Harvard MyPlate nutrition guidelines and then in small groups planned a week’s menu on a SNAP budget, which is $34 to $38 per week per person. Each group chose one recipe or dish from their menu to prepare for the class as a snack, and made trips to Kroger to learn about brand comparison and nutrition labeling, and how to figuring price per oz. in order to shop within their budget.

Many thanks to Sycamore teacher Kellie Allin for all the planning, organizing, shepherding of children through Kroger, and overseeing the food prep and cooking!

Annual Appeal Update 

Thank you so much, all of you who have donated thus far to the annual appeal!

Our goal for the annual appeal is 100% participation, donating the amount that best suits you. Today’s participation rates:

100% of Board members

66% of Staff and Faculty

24% of Families

Will you join us? 

Bring in your gift to the office, either cash or check, or donate securely online through our website (www.bloomingtonmontessori.org)

Gifts postmarked by Dec. 31 can be considered a tax-deductible donation for the 2018 tax year.

Thank you for your generosity.

Box Tops and Kroger Shopping

Remember to clip those Box Tops coupons and use your Kroger card while shopping to for the holidays, raising funds for the school while going about your holiday preparations.

Have a wonderful Winter Break!